Get Your Certified Washington Birth Certificate

If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State rather than the state of Washington. You can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or form FS-240 from the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA is the equivalent of a U.S. birth certificate and serves as evidence of U.S. citizenship. You can use the CRBA for legal purposes, such as applying for a passport or accessing social services.

For original copies of your birth certificate, contact the hospital in the country where the birth took place.

Certified copies of your Washington State birth certificate are essential for life's most notable milestones. A birth certificate establishes legal proof of your identity and citizenship, containing vital information such as your legal name, place and date of birth, and parent's names. Government and commercial entities mandate the use of certified birth certificates for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel. An heirloom birth certificate is a keepsake designed for framing. Made from high-quality materials, these certificates include personalized details such as the child's name, date, and place of birth. They serve as lasting reminders that honor a new family member.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in military

Obtaining a marriage license

You may also need to order a Washington death certificate through our secure online service.

A Washington birth certificate issued by the Washington State Department of Health will display distinct features to ensure its authenticity. Although the appearance may vary depending on the year it was issued, they will contain features mandated by state guidelines, including the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, and they will be produced on secure paper to prevent counterfeiting.

Note that official (long-form) birth certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) copies used for personal or commemorative reasons.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Washington - DOH.
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department during hours of operation.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the Washington - DOH at:
   Washington State Department of Health
   PO Box 9709 Olympia,
   WA 98507
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The Washington - DOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Correcting or amending a Washington State birth certificate varies depending on the changes. Addendums are supplements created to correct or change the birth certificate so the original record remains unaltered.

The requirements below do not include changes that include a court order, such as a name change, gender change, adoptions, change of parentage, or surrogacy.

Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

1. A completed and signed Affidavit for Correction form.
2. A copy of your government-issued photo identification card.
3. Proof of relationship, if required.
4. Any required supporting proof documents such as:
   Hospital/medical record
   Birth, marriage, or divorce record
   Copy of passport or enhanced identity document
   Permanent resident card (I-551)
   Health or life insurance policy
   Military record (DD-214)
   Official school transcripts

The evidential documents must contain the full name and date of birth, matching the information to be changed on the birth record exactly. For the complete list of accepted proof documents, contact the Washington State DOH.

To obtain an apostille for a Washington State birth certificate, you can order it directly through the Washington Secretary of State or submit an online request through VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are strictly issued by the Washington Secretary of State and are often necessary when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

To manually obtain an apostille for a Washington State birth certificate, complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Download and fill out the Apostille Authentication Request Form from the Washington Secretary of State's website.
2. Gather Required Documents: Ensure you have the certified copy of the birth certificate that needs the apostille. Include any additional documents required by the Secretary of State's office.
3. Prepare Payment: Prepare a check or money for the Apostille fee of $15.00 per document, payable to the Washington Secretary of State.
4. Submit Your Request: If submitting in person, visit the office at the physical address during business hours. If submitting by mail, send your completed Apostille Request Form, required documents, and payment to the mailing address.

Mail Submissions:

For In-Person Submissions:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Washington birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Washington birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Looking for a different document? Order a Washington marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Processing times for a Washington birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Washington vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Washington birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Need another vital record? Get your Washington divorce certificate through our secure online service.

Seattle residents can request a Washington birth certificate through the King County Vital Records office or the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The King County office on 4th Avenue processes walk-in and mail requests for births recorded in King County. You can also order your Washington birth certificate online for convenient delivery. Many Seattle residents need a birth certificate when applying for a Washington marriage certificate or Washington death certificate.

Same-day birth certificate service may be available if you visit the Washington State DOH Center for Health Statistics in Tumwater or a local health jurisdiction office in person. Walk-in requests are subject to availability. Mail and online orders typically take 2–4 weeks for standard processing. Many Washington residents need a certified birth certificate quickly for a REAL ID application or passport renewal.

Tacoma residents can request a Washington birth certificate through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department or by applying through the Washington State DOH. Spokane residents can visit the Spokane Regional Health District. For a statewide option, you can apply through VitalRecordsOnline.com. A certified birth certificate is commonly needed for a Social Security card or driver's license renewal. Start your birth certificate application online.