Birth and death certificates
Open hours
8 am to 3:45 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Closed to in-person services on Tuesday.
Appointments recommended noon to 3:45 pm.
By phone
8:30 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday
Clark County Public Health, Vital Records
1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
Bldg. 17, 3rd floor, Suite A327
Vancouver, WA 98661
phone: 564.397.8092
email: CCVR@clark.wa.gov
Washington state vital records law
As of January 1, 2021, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested can lawfully receive a birth and death record. Qualifying relationships include spouse/domestic partner, child, sibling, parent, grandparent and legal representative, among others (See a complete list in the Q & A section below). Identity and proof of relationship documentation must accompany all applications.
As per RCW70.58A orders placed by applicants who do not qualify for the record, or who do not provide required information within 30 days, will be cancelled and no refund will be issued.
To ensure orders are received quickly, place certificate orders online at www.vitalchek.com.
Ordering birth certificates
All persons born in Clark County (all years)
All Washington state births registered from 1907 to present
For births outside of Clark County before 1907, please contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360.236.4300 or toll-free, 800.525.0127.
- Self
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Please note: If you have had a legal name change and the name on your Photo ID does not match the name on the birth record, we will need to see documentation of the legal name change. It is also possible that the birth record will still reflect the birth name if the paperwork has not been submitted to the required entities
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Parent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Stepparent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Certified copy of the marriage license between yourself and the birth parent of the child
- Grandparent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (the parent of your grandchild) to show your relation
- Child
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate that lists the requested person as your parent
- Grandchild
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate AND a certified copy of your parent’s birth certificate to show relation
- Sibling
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate that shows at least one shared parent
- Spouse/Registered Domestic Partner
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your marriage license or a state-issued domestic partnership certificate
- Legal Guardian
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A valid copy of court guardianship papers naming you as legal guardian of the person
- Legal Representative
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- If you are representing the certificate holder: A valid copy of court records or legal documentation that authorizes you to act on their behalf OR a statement on company letterhead explaining who you represent and why the document is requested
- If you are representing another person, you must ALSO provide documents proving the relation between your client and the certificate holder
- Authorized Representative
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A notarized Authorized Representative form that is dated less than 60 days ago WITH documents proving the relation between the person you are representing and the certificate holder
- Government Agency
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Documentation showing your affiliation with the government agency (i.e. employee ID, business card, etc. ) ALSO a letter on company letterhead explaining the agency’s need for the certificate
What identity documentation will Clark County Vital Records accept?
- Clark County Vital Records will accept a copy of:
- One government issued identity document (must contain photo, full name, and date of birth) that is current or expired less than 60 days; or
- If you do not have a government issued identity document, then at least two alternate documents from the alternate list.
- The alternate documents must contain matching first and last names and addresses, or in combination contains full name, date of birth, and photograph. the conduct of official duties (for government and court officials only)
Provide required information.
The following information is required as it appears on the birth certificate:
- First, middle, and last name of the subject of the record
- First and last name of all parents listed on the record
- Date of birth (month, date, year)
- City or county where the birth occurred
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Non-refundable fees:
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate is $38.50. Additional copies are $25.00 each.
- Order fee is $10.00 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 birth certificate.
Additional fees and payment information
Purchase in our lobby, while you wait:
- VitalChek has an additional fee of $3.50 per order.
- Credit cards are accepted in the lobby. See the credit card section below for additional information.
Orders submitted by mail with payment by cashier check or money order:
- In addition to the cost of the certificate(s), an additional fee of $10.00 per order applies when an order is submitted by mail and payment is made by cashier check or money order.
Cashier checks and money orders should be made payable to: Clark County Vital Records.
No personal checks accepted.
Shipping Fees:
- $5.00 U.S. Mail
- $15.00 UPS 3 day (only deliverable at street address)
- $40.00 UPS Next Business Day (only deliverable at street address)
Payment by credit card: Credit cards are accepted online, by telephone and in-person in our lobby. A bank card processing fee will be applied to all transactions.
- $0 - $50 = $2.00
- $50.01 - $100 = $2.95
- Each additional $100 = $2.00
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 $11.50 per order.
Our lobby is open for in-person services on the following days and times:
8 am to 3:45 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Appointments recommended noon to 3:45 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: The last appointment is at 3:40pm. If you arrive late, we will not have the time to complete your transaction.
Birth certificate application (English) (Spanish);
Print out the form, write in your information, and mail it, along with your payment, to the address provided on the form.
Cashier checks and money orders should be made payable to: Clark County Vital Records.
No personal checks accepted.
You can expect your death certificate order in approximately 2-3 weeks when choosing the USPS regular mail method.
Mailing Address
Clark County Vital Records
PO Box 9825
Vancouver, WA 98666-8825
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Non-Refundable fees*:
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via USPS is $40.00.
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via 3-day UPS is $50.00.
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via Next Day UPS is $75.00.
- Additional certificates are $25.00 each.
Online Orders: www.vitalchek.com
Phone Orders via VitalChek: 1.866.687.1464
Applies to all orders placed online, by fax, and by telephone. Applies to mail orders when paying by credit card.
Clark County Vital Records 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.
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Online and phone orders via VitalChek: Most Credit Cards / Debit Cards
Non-refundable fees*:
- $25.00 Each Certificate
- $11.50 VitalChek Fee
- $10.00 Per Order Fee
- Shipping fee, USPS or UPS
*Shipping charges apply on all orders. See shipping options and fees below.
Shipping options and non-refundable fees
- $5.00 U.S. Mail
- $18.50 additional fee -Rush delivery via United Parcel Service (UPS)
- UPS rush delivery requires a signature when delivered.
- UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.
Phone orders
- Call 1-888-273-4623, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- 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.
NOTE: Because payment is involved, orders cannot be submitted by email.
Please be aware
The Washington State Dept. of Health has received an increased number of calls about third party vendors selling birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates. These companies charge customers high fees to "process" or "help apply" for certificates issued from the Department of Health.
VitalChek, at www.vitalchek.com is our only contracted vendor. If you have ordered through one of these third party companies and would like to file a consumer complaint, visit the Washington State Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.
For the fastest service, without high fees, we encourage customers to order certified copies only from our office, Clark County Vital Records, per instructions on this page; Washington State Department of Health; your local Washington state county health department or through our contracted vendor, VitalChek, at www.vitalchek.com
If you've ordered after 4/1/24, check your order status here: https://ccvr.clark.wa.gov/OrderStatus/
Orders containing all the required information and documentation are printed and shipped within 3 business days.
Shipping for U.S. Mail orders take between 7-14 business days depending on distance and season.
Orders that do not contain all required information and documentation will be held for 30 days. If the information is not received, Clark County Vital Records will cancel the order and per RCW70.58A, no refund will be given.
Orders placed by applicants not qualified under RCW70.58.A will be canceled and no refund will be issued.
If you have ordered a certificate but have not received it after 30 days of your order, please contact us. You will need to order another certificate if you fail to notify us within 60 days of the date of your order.
If you are a Clark County resident and your order was returned to us in the mail, we will not be responsible for sending it out a second time. Your certificates will be available for pickup in our office located at 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Bldg. 17, 3rd Floor, Suite A327. We will notify you via phone and email that your order has been returned to us and you will have one week to pick up your certificates. If you do not pick them up, they will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order. If you would like to have them sent out a second time, this would be at your expense. We cannot guarantee delivery at any time. If your order is returned again, it will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order.
If you are a non-Clark County resident and your order was returned to us in the mail, we will send it out a second time via USPS as a courtesy. We will notify you via phone and email that your order has been returned to us and to verify the correct mailing address. If we are unable to contact you, your certificates will be held for one week and then voided without a refund and you will have to place a new order. If you would like to have them sent out a second time, other than USPS, this would be at your expense. We cannot guarantee delivery at any time. If your order is returned again, it will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order.
Ordering death certificates
All Washington State deaths from 2002 to present.
If the death was prior to 2017, it MUST have been filed in Clark County.
For deaths outside of Clark County prior to 2017, or any Washington State death filed from 1907-2001, visit the Washington State Center for Health Statistics website or call them at 360-236-4300 or toll-free, 800-525-0127.
- Parent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Stepparent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Certified copy of the marriage license between yourself and the birth parent of the child
- Grandparent
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (the parent of your grandchild) to show your relation
- Child
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate that lists the requested person as your parent
- Grandchild
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate AND a certified copy of your parent’s birth certificate to show relation
- Sibling
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A certified copy of your birth certificate that shows at least one shared parent
- Spouse/Registered Domestic Partner
- If you are listed as the spouse on the record, you will only need a valid, government issued Photo ID. Otherwise, you will need a certified copy of your marriage license or state-issued domestic partnership certificate
- Legal Guardian
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A valid copy of court guardianship papers naming you as legal guardian of the person
- Legal Representative
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- If you are representing the certificate holder: A valid copy of court records or legal documentation that authorizes you to act on their behalf OR a statement on company letterhead explaining who you represent and why the document is requested
- If you are representing another person, you must ALSO provide documents proving the relation between your client and the certificate holder
- Typically only eligible for a Short Form Death Certificate unless otherwise specified and confirmed with documentation
- Authorized Representative
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- A notarized Authorized Representative form that is dated less than 60 days ago WITH documents proving the relation between the person you are representing and the certificate holder
- Government Agency
- Valid government issued Photo ID
- Documentation showing your affiliation with the government agency (i.e. employee ID, business card, etc. ) ALSO a letter on company letterhead explaining the agency’s need for the certificate
What identity documentation will Clark County Vital Records accept?
- Clark County Vital Records will accept a copy of:
- One government issued identity document (must contain photo, full name, and date of birth) that is current or expired less than 60 days; or
- If you do not have a government issued identity document, then at least two alternate documents from the alternate list.
- The alternate documents must contain matching first and last names and addresses, or in combination contains full name, date of birth, and photograph. the conduct of official duties (for government and court officials only)
Provide required information.
The following information is required as it appears on the death certificate:
- First and last name of the decedent
- Approximate date of death
- City or county where the death occurred
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Non-refundable fees:
- The first certified or non-certified death certificate is $38.50. Additional copies are $25.00 each.
- Order fee is $10.00 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:
- VitalChek has an additional fee of $3.50 per order.
- Credit cards are accepted in the lobby. See the credit card section below for additional information.
Orders submitted by mail with payment by cashier check or money order:
- In addition to the cost of the certificate(s), an additional fee of $10.00 per order applies when an order is submitted by mail and payment is made by cashier check or money order.
Cashier checks and money orders should be made payable to: Clark County Vital Records.
No personal checks accepted.
Shipping Fees:
- $5.00 U.S. Mail
- $15.00 UPS 3 day (only deliverable at street address)
- $40.00 UPS Next Business Day (only deliverable at street address)
Payment by credit card: Credit cards are accepted online, by telephone and in-person in our lobby. A bank card processing fee will be applied to all transactions.
- $0 - $50 = $2.00
- $50.01 - $100 = $2.95
- Each additional $100 = $2.00
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 $11.50 per order.
Our lobby is open for in-person services on the following days and times:
8 am to 3:45 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Appointments recommended noon to 3:45 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: The last appointment is at 3:40pm. If you arrive late, we will not have the time to complete your transaction.
Death certificate application (English) (Spanish)
Print out the form, write in your information, and mail it, along with your payment, to the address provided on the form.
Cashier checks and money orders should be made payable to: Clark County Vital Records.
No personal checks accepted.
You can expect your death certificate order in approximately 2-3 weeks when choosing the USPS regular mail method.
Mailing Address
Clark County Vital Records
PO Box 9825
Vancouver, WA 98666-8825
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Non-Refundable fees*:
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via USPS is $40.00.
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via 3-day UPS is $50.00.
- The first certified or non-certified birth certificate that is delivered via Next Day UPS is $75.00.
- Additional certificates are $25.00 each.
Online Orders: www.vitalchek.com
Phone Orders via VitalChek: 1.866.687.1464
Applies to all orders placed online, by fax, and by telephone. Applies to mail orders when paying by credit card.
Clark County Vital Records 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.
Payment Options
(Under RCW 70.58a all orders are non-refundable)
Online and phone orders via VitalChek: Most Credit Cards / Debit Cards
Non-refundable fees*:
- $25.00 Each Certificate
- $11.50 VitalChek Fee
- $10.00 Per Order Fee
- Shipping fee, USPS or UPS
*Shipping charges apply on all orders. See shipping options and fees below.
Shipping options and non-refundable fees
- $5.00 U.S. Mail
- $18.50 additional fee -Rush delivery via United Parcel Service (UPS)
- UPS rush delivery requires a signature when delivered.
- UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.
Phone orders
- Call 1-888-273-4623, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- 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.
NOTE: Because payment is involved, orders cannot be submitted by email.
Please be aware
The Washington State Dept. of Health has received an increased number of calls about third party vendors selling birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates. These companies charge customers high fees to "process" or "help apply" for certificates issued from the Department of Health.
VitalChek, at www.vitalchek.com is our only contracted vendor. If you have ordered through one of these third party companies and would like to file a consumer complaint, visit the Washington State Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.
For the fastest service, without high fees, we encourage customers to order certified copies only from our office, Clark County Vital Records per instructions on this page, Washington State Dept. of Health, your local Washington state county health department or through our contracted vendor, VitalChek, at www.vitalchek.com
If you've ordered after 4/1/24, check your order status here: https://ccvr.clark.wa.gov/OrderStatus/
Please contact Clark County Vital Records to set up an account for ordering. Visit our Funeral Home page for additional information.
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 Records 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 $11.50. Delivery options are regular mail (no additional fee) or UPS overnight $18.50.
If you have ordered a certificate but have not received it after 30 days of your order, please contact us. You will need to order another certificate if you fail to notify us within 60 days of the date of your order.
If you are a Clark County resident and your order was returned to us in the mail, we will not be responsible for sending it out a second time. Your certificates will be available for pickup in our office located at 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Bldg. 17, 3rd Floor, Suite A327. We will notify you via phone and email that your order has been returned to us and you will have one week to pick up your certificates. If you do not pick them up, they will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order. If you would like to have them sent out a second time, this would be at your expense. We cannot guarantee delivery at any time. If your order is returned again, it will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order.
If you are a non-Clark County resident and your order was returned to us in the mail, we will send it out a second time via USPS as a courtesy. We will notify you via phone and email that your order has been returned to us and to verify the correct mailing address. If we are unable to contact you, your certificates will be held for one week and then voided without a refund and you will have to place a new order. If you would like to have them sent out a second time, other than USPS, this would be at your expense. We cannot guarantee delivery at any time. If your order is returned again, it will be voided with no refund, and you will have to place a new order.
Corrections and other questions
No changes, alterations, or updates to birth or death records can be made at any county level including the Vancouver office for Vital Records.
Please visit the Washington State Department of Health. They can only correct certificates for births, deaths, marriages or divorces that took place in Washington State.
You can use the Affidavit for Correction form and required proof for most corrections. The form summarizes how to make a correction.
Download the most recent form:
- 422-034-Affidavit for Correction (English) (DOCX)
- 422-034-Declaración Jurada de Corrección (Español) (PDF)
The form is also printed on the back of every certificate. Print the updated form if the revision date is before 1/15/2015.
Note: January 1, 2019 new Parentage laws and rules are in effect. Learn more and access forms for adding or changing parents on a birth certificate.
An "apostille" is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. If the country of intended use does not participate in the Hague Convention, documents being sent to that country can obtain a Certificate of Authentication. See instructions on how to get an apostille from the Washington Secretary of State.
Birth and death certificates issued are certified copies and are printed on special certified paper with a printed and raised seal along with the registrar's signature.
You may hear of the terms "Birth certificate" and "Birth record". They are the same so follow the same ordering instructions.
Credit card sized copies of birth certificates are no longer available. Not all of the information was provided on them. For this reason, they became invalid documents by federal law in 1989.
For birth certificates prior to 1921 and non-Clark County death certificates but from other Washington State counties, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360.236.4300 or toll-free, 800.525.0127. You may also contact the Washington state county health department serving the area where the birth or death occurred.
In the State of Washington, adoption records are sealed but you may consider hiring a "confidential intermediary" to assist you in searching for your birth parents. Please visit the Washington State Department of Health.
If you were born between the years of 1949 to 1967, no times were reported on official birth records in Washington state. You can try checking with the hospital where you were born to see if they have retained original records of your birth which may indicate the time, however most private health care facilities typically destroy medical records after 10 years from the last patient's visit as it's costly to continuously archive records that carry a likelihood of not being used again. The time of birth on records restarted in 1968.
A court ordered or legal name change is done at Washington State Department of Health. You can find out more information at this link: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/court-ordered-name-change