How to order a death certificate in King County

• All persons who died in Seattle city limits (all years)
• All persons who died in King County from 1944 to the present
• All Washington State deaths that were filed electronically (starting in 2005)

For any other deaths that occurred in Washington, visit the Washington State Center for Health Statistics website or call them at 360-236-4300 or toll-free, 800-525-0127.

To purchase a death certificate, you must:

• Be a qualified applicant and prove your relationship by submitting proof documentation.
  
• Provide identity documentation.
  
• Provide required information.
  
• Pay the fee. Fees start at $25.

Certificate fees

• Death certificates are $25.00 each.
  
• Important note: No refunds will be given if a record could not be located or the documentation you provided did not prove you were eligible to receive a death certificate.

Additional fees and payment information

Purchase in our lobby, while you wait:

• There is no additional fee for death certificates purchased in our lobby when paying with cash, check or money orders.
• Credit cards are accepted. A bank card processing fee of 2.35% ($2.00 minimum) will be applied to all transactions.

Orders submitted by mail with payment by check or money order:

• In addition to the cost of the certificate(s), an additional fee of $4.00 per order applies when an order is submitted by mail and payment is made by check or money order.
• Checks and money orders should be made payable to: King County Vital Statistics or KCVS.

Payment by credit card:

• Credit cards are accepted in the lobby with a bank card processing fee of 2.35%, $2.00 minimum will be applied to all transactions.
• Credit cards can be used to place orders online, by telephone and in-person
• Credit card orders are processed through one of two third-party vendors VitalChek or Point and Pay. Point and Pay is used for lobby purchases only. In addition to the cost of the certificate(s), VitalChek has an additional fee of $15.50 per order.
• For more details, see the section below, titled "Orders with payment by credit card".

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the King County Vital Statistics Office is open on a limited basis from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Monday-Friday for pick-up ONLY of pre-ordered Will Call Requests at 201 S Jackson St.,Seattle, WA 98104. Birth and death certificates may continue to be ordered online, by mail or over the phone. Specialists are available to answer questions over the phone at 206-897-4551 between the hours of 9:30 am - 4:00 pm.

Metered street parking is available in the area and in the King Street Center Parking garage.

• Download mail-in form (PDF)
• Instrucciones para el Formulario de solicitud de actas de defunción (en el formato de PDF)
• Fetal Death Certificate Order form (PDF)

• Print out the form, write in your information, and mail it, along with your payment, to the address provided on the form.
• In addition to the cost of the certificate(s), an additional fee of $4.00 per order applies when an order is submitted by mail and payment is made by check or money order.
• Checks and money orders should be made payable to: Vital Statistics.
• You can expect your death certificate order in approximately 2-3 weeks when choosing the mail-in method.
• For information about ordering by mail and paying by credit card, see the section below, titled "Orders with payment by credit card."

Applies to all orders placed online and by telephone.

Vital Statistics at Public Health — Seattle & King County accepts credit cards processed through VitalChek Network, Inc., an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service.

What to expect on your credit card bill using VitalChek services:

• The base fee for birth and death certificates is $25.00 each.
  
• A fee of $15.50 is added per order (for any quantity of records in the order) For example:
  
  • One certificate at $25 + the $15.50 priority handling fee = $40.50 total charged to your credit card.
    
  • Two certificates at $50 + the $15.50 priority handling fee = $62.50 total charged to your credit card.
    
  • Note: the examples above assume standard shipping (with no additional fee for shipping.)
    
• Rush delivery is available via United Parcel Service (UPS) for an additional fee of $18.50.
  
  • UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.
    
• Below is more detailed information about how to place an order online, by telephone, and by mail when paying by credit card.

6A. Online orders

Online orders can be made using VitalChek
Online Will Call orders ONLY can be made using https://www.vitalchek.com/Campaign/?site=2&clickid=1025976723903021058

Will Call Service for ordering birth and death certificates:
This service allows you to place an order over the phone or online and pick up your order at our office later the same day. If we receive your order by 10:00 am, we will have your certificates ready for pickup between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm the same day. VitalChek will send status updates regarding your order and provide instructions for picking up your certificates. The cost will be the same as a regular VitalChek order ($40.50). If we receive your order after 10:00 am, your certificates will be ready for pickup by 1:00 the following business day. To place an order call 1-888-273-4623. Please indicate that this is a Will Call request while placing the order with our staff.

6B. Phone orders

• Call 1-888-273-4623, 24 hours a day 7 days a week,. Toll-free number: 1-800-325-6165, ext. 6-4768.
• To order over the telephone, a credit card is required.
• All telephone orders are processed within 15- 20 business days and then sent by regular mail, unless you select rush delivery.
• Rush delivery is available via UPS for an additional fee of $18.50.
  
  • UPS rush delivery requires a signature when delivered.
  • UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.
• For payment information, see the section above, titled "Orders with payment by credit card."

NOTE: Because payment is involved, orders cannot be submitted by email.

Download a fillable PDF order form that is only for use by facilities with pre-established accounts with Public Health – Seattle & King County.

• Ordering by mail: Birth or death certificate orders received through the mail take approximately two weeks, this does not include US Post Office delivery times.
  
  
• If you come in person: Orders requested in person at the Vital Statistics office normally takes less than twenty minutes unless there are some inconsistencies with your request.
  
  
• If you order by credit card: Orders requested over the telephone or through the website for regular delivery using a credit card will be processed within 14 business days. Expediated Delivery request are processed the same day or the following business day. When placing these orders there is an additional handling fee of $15.50. Delivery options are regular mail (no additional fee) or UPS overnight $18.50.