Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960
Name index of Washington statewide death certificates, 1907-1960.
Start your search
Washington, Death Certificates
What is in This Collection?
This collection includes death certificates from 1907 to 1960. Each death is reported on a one-page printed form. Early certificates from 1907-1947 are filed by year within each county or large city. Counties are arranged alphabetically. Large cities are arranged alphabetically following the county lists. Certificates are arranged by number within the county or city. Each county or city numbered their own certificates beginning with number one. In 1948, a revised statewide numbering system was instituted.
The legislature in 1891 made it the responsibility of all coroners, physicians, and midwives or any other person assisting in the birth of a child to report to the county auditor all deaths which came under their supervision. Death registrations prior to 1907 were filed in the counties. From 1907 to 1960 the records were filed in the health department offices of the counties or the cities. From time to time county names and county boundaries changed, and several changes took place within the range of this records series. For example, Chehalis County became Grays Harbor County. The list of cities that maintained their own separate health departments also increased. In 1907, the cities were Bellingham, Everett, Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma. By 1948, there were 21 cities. These changes should always be considered when researching in the records series.
Initially, registration was very incomplete. The law was generally complied with by 1917. A licensed funeral director is now required to complete the death certificate before a burial or transit permit can be issued. The state of Washington began registration of deaths July 1, 1907. This collection covers from then until 1960.
Deaths were recorded to serve public health needs. They are also used to probate wills and administer the deceased person’s estate. Death certificates are reliable for the death date and place of the deceased. Burial information is generally very reliable unless the burial took place out of the state. Other information provided will only be as reliable as the informant’s knowledge or memory.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
- Dates of death and burial
- Place of death
- Name of cemetery where buried or other disposition of remains, such as cremation or removal from place of death
- Frequently, the birth date and/or age, written as years, months, and days, of the deceased
- Frequently, the names of parents, including the maiden name of mother and the married name of spouse
- Frequently, the country or state and sometimes the town and county of birth for the deceased and the parents
- Name of the informant, who is often a child or other family member
- The sex and marital status of the deceased
- Residence or address of the deceased, often including length of residence at that place
- Occupation of the deceased
- Cause of death of the deceased, as certified by a medical practitioner or county coroner
Collection Details
Location of Original Records
Washington State Center for Health Statistics
"Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 24 December 2025. Citing Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia.
