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Ten Copies

Clerk's desk/September 1, 2026

King County, not Olympia

A Seattle-area death is a King County vital-records copy. Olympia is the statewide backup, not the first window.

If the death was in Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, or the rest of King County, start with King County Vital Records, Public Health. Washington State Department of Health in Olympia is the fallback when the county page says it does not have the record, or when mail to the state is simpler.

What the county page listed

  • Each certified copy $25. Additional copies also $25 on the county page last checked 30 Aug 2026. Confirm on kingcounty.gov before you pay.
  • You must be a Washington qualified applicant for a certified copy. Informational copies are a different product. Banks want certified.
  • One government-issued photo ID, not expired more than 60 days, plus proof of eligibility from the lists on kingcounty.gov and doh.wa.gov.
  • In-person kiosks and some online orders go through VitalChek. That processing fee is not the $25 copy fee. This desk takes no cut.

Pierce County (Tacoma) is a different health department. Do not mail a King County death to Olympia first unless the county page sends you there.