Washington Genealogy Records

To begin, add a genealogy record or view a list of locations and resources for Washington genealogy records.

The Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics is charged with the collection of information and maintenance of records pertaining to all vital events. Birth, death, marriage and divorce are all vital events that are helpful parts of family genealogy records. Washington birth and death records are available from 1907 to the present, marriage and divorce records are available from 1968 to the present.

Washington state code 246-490 states that the Department of Health is responsible for the collection, safekeeping, and proper delivery of vital event information for the state. Washington genealogy record requests must be made by immediate family members or legal representatives, and must be accompanied by a current, government issued form of identification.

Washington adoption records are sealed. Adoptees looking for family information must hire an intermediary to locate the information and that person must get the birth family's permission to release any information to the adoptee.