Get certified Washington Death Certificate

If a loved one passes away on a military base overseas, the state of Washington won't have a death certificate for them. Instead, deaths that occur on U.S. military bases abroad are registered with the U.S. Department of State, especially if their parents were U.S. citizens. This ensures that their legacy is honored and documented properly. The process helps families remember and celebrate their loved ones with the respect they deserve. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the Washington State Department of Health includes unique features that verify its authenticity. Although the appearance of the official death certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will always include essential details to confirm a person's identity and citizenship at the time of death. A long-form (official) death certificate is used for legal purposes and differs from a short-form (informational) copy. Washington State has specific guidelines for each county, which may include distinct colors and layouts. Typically, official death certificates display the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, and they are printed on secure paper.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred.
• Cause of Death
• Medical Information Related to the Death
• Demographic Information: Age, occupation, marital status.
• Funeral and Burial Details: Method, date, place of disposition, funeral director’s information.

Washington death certificates are important documents that serve as official proof of a person's passing. They are essential for various legal, financial, and personal matters. After losing a loved one, having this vital record is invaluable for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, and settling estates. These certificates play a crucial role in ensuring that everything is handled smoothly during a challenging time.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage, and Real Estate Matters

Settling the estate

The process for amending a State of Washington death certificate varies depending on the type of changes required. By law, the original record cannot be altered; an addendum is created to document the corrections.

The informant can make changes to non-medical information without the need for documentation. However, funeral directors, executors, administrators, and family members may also change non-medical details, provided they present the appropriate documentation. Family members include spouses, registered domestic partners, parents, siblings, and adult children or stepchildren. A certified court order is required if a request to change marital status comes from someone other than the informant.

Medical information, specifically the cause of death, can only be altered by the certifying physician or the coroner/medical examiner.

To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:

1. A completed Affidavit for Correction form
2. Supporting documentation: Document proof must include the full name and birth date. A driver’s license, Social Security card, or decorative hospital birth certificate cannot be proof of documentation. For more information, visit WA DOH’s website.
3. The appropriate fee(s): If you have a certified copy of a certificate issued within the last year, include it with your correction application for a free exchange. You’ll also need to provide a photo ID and any necessary proof of relationship. To request a certified copy, complete the certificate order form and submit it with your application, following the instructions to avoid delays.

You can request Arizona birth certificate apostilles through the Secretary of State office or online via VRO's Apostille Express Service. You must obtain an apostille if you submit your birth certificate to a foreign government. Apostilles are only issued by the Secretary of State for records initially filed with ADHS-BVR.

If you are manually submitting your certificate, you will need to provide the following information:

1) Include a certified copy of your Arizona birth certificate.

2) Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form provided by the Secretary of State.

3) Include payment as a check or money order of $3.00 (per document) issued to the Secretary of State. Cash or Credit Card payments are only accepted for in-person services.

Expedited orders are available for an additional $25.00 fee.

4) Include a self-addressed, prepaid envelope (mandatory).

5) Submit the application, certified copy of your birth certificate, and payment to the Arizona Secretary of State at the following addresses:

Standard Mail/Express Courier Submissions:

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes,
Attn: Notary Division
1700 W. Washington Street, FL. 7,
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

In-Person Submissions:

Arizona State Complex Building
1st floor, Suite 141, 400 W. Congress,
Tucson, AZ 85701

State Capitol Executive Tower,
2nd floor, Suite 220,
1700 W. Washington St.,
Phoenix, AZ 85007