Washington · 39 counties
When someone dies in Washington
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in Washington
Certified copies come from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics (official site).
Fees start at $25 per copy. The routes differ enormously in speed: in person at a local public health vital records office is usually same day, VitalChek online or phone ships in 3 to 7 business days and adds an $8.50 fee, and mail takes 8 to 10 WEEKS. Do not order by mail if you need to settle accounts. Vital Records Customer Services is 360-236-4300 or contactchs@doh.wa.gov.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover Washington's exact rules and official forms.
Washington power of attorney rulesPick your county
Washington counties (39)
Adams CountyAsotin CountyBenton CountyChelan CountyClallam CountyClark CountyColumbia CountyCowlitz CountyDouglas CountyFerry CountyFranklin CountyGarfield CountyGrant CountyGrays Harbor CountyIsland CountyJefferson CountyKing CountyKitsap CountyKittitas CountyKlickitat CountyLewis CountyLincoln CountyMason CountyOkanogan CountyPacific CountyPend Oreille CountyPierce CountySan Juan CountySkagit CountySkamania CountySnohomish CountySpokane CountyStevens CountyThurston CountyWahkiakum CountyWalla Walla CountyWhatcom CountyWhitman CountyYakima County