How to Find Washington Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Washington Deaths

The Washington Territory was established in 1853. Statehood was granted in 1889. Statewide registration of deaths in Washington began in 1907.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1891 1891 to 1907 1907 to present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1891

Washington did not record deaths on the state level at this time. Before 1891, deaths were not required to be recorded by the county or the state. Search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

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Deaths 1891 to 1907

• 1848 - Oregon Territory created, including present day Washington state
• 1853 - Washingotn Territory organized
• 1889 – Washington granted statehood as the 42nd state of the Union
• 1891 – Washington law required counties to record deaths
• 1907 - Statewide registration of deaths began on July 1

For deaths recorded during this time period, try the following databases.

Washington Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1891-1907 Washington State Digital Archives	Free – dates vary by county; inlcudes death records and returns, city death registers, U.S. Mortality Schedules
Try 2nd:
	Washington, Deaths, 1883–1960	Ancestry.com – $ Ancestryinstitution.com – free at Family History Library, FamilySearch Centers and some public libraries. Find your local FamilySearch Center
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths 1907 to present

The state of Washington began recording deaths July 1907.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths recorded during this time period, try the following database.

	Washington Deaths Databases – Index and Digital Images
	Washington, Deaths, 1883–1960	Ancestry.com – $ Ancestryinstitution.com – free at Family History Library, FamilySearch Centers and some public libraries. Find your local FamilySearch Center

If you can't find the death record in the above database, try the following:
Washington Deaths Databases – Index Only
	Washington Death Index, 1940–1996	Ancestry.com – $ Ancestryinstituion.com – free at Family History Library, FamilySearch Centers and some public libraries. Find your local FamilySearch Center
	Washington, Death Certificates, 1907–1960	FamilySearch.org – free
	SSDI, 1937 to present	GenealogyBank.com – free  Social Security Death Index, most current version; few records before 1962; lists place where lat benefit was sent
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

FamilySearch Microfilm Collections:

• 1891–1922 Death registers and returns by county or city – FHL Film 1307854 (first of 76)
• 1907–1960 Death Certificates – FHL Film 1991521 (first of 988)
• 1907–1979 Index to Death Certificates – FHL Film 1308455–1308466 see online index

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of death

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From Washington State Department of Health
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

The State of Washington is an open record state. Anyone may order copies of Washington death certificates, as long as they can provide the required information.

If you do not want to order the death record, search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death the Washington State Department of Health will do a search for a fee.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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