Auburn Birth Records Search
Auburn birth records are issued through King County Vital Statistics, which handles certified birth certificates for all residents born in the county. If you were born in Auburn or need a record for someone born here, King County is your primary source. Auburn sits in the southern part of King County and is served by the same vital records office as Seattle and Bellevue. You can order records in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The Washington State Department of Health also handles requests for statewide vital records going back to 1907. This page explains your options for getting Auburn birth records quickly and correctly.
Auburn Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Auburn Birth Records
Auburn residents get certified birth certificates through King County Vital Statistics. This office serves all cities in King County, including Auburn, Burien, Kent, and Seattle. The office is located in downtown Seattle at 201 S. Jackson St Suite 220. They offer in-person service with same-day issuance in most cases. You can walk in during business hours and leave with a certified copy that same visit.
If you prefer not to travel to Seattle, you have other options. King County Vital Statistics operates a self-service kiosk at their Jackson Street location. The kiosk costs $28.50 per certificate, slightly more than counter service. You can also order online through VitalChek, which ships copies by mail. Online orders typically take 4 to 5 business days plus shipping time. Phone orders are also accepted at 1-888-273-4623.
| Office | King County Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 S. Jackson St Suite 220 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | 1-888-273-4623 |
| Fee | $25 per copy + $15 identity verification; kiosk $28.50 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov - Order Birth Certificate |
For births that occurred before 1907, the Washington State Department of Health may not have a record on file. State-level registration started in 1907. King County Archives holds some earlier birth registrations from 1890 to 1894 and records from 1891 to 1907 for King County. If you need older records, check those archives directly at kingcounty.gov/archives.
Auburn Birth Records at King County
The King County Vital Statistics office handles the full range of birth certificate services for Auburn residents. You get a certified copy for most legal uses: applying for a passport, enrolling in school, getting a driver's license, or updating Social Security records. The fee is $25 per copy. There is an added $15 identity verification charge on top of that. You need to prove your eligibility to receive a certified copy.
Washington changed its vital records access laws on January 1, 2021. Under RCW 70.58A, birth records in Washington are now classified as closed records. Only eligible requestors can get a certified copy. These include the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, legal guardians, and certain others with a direct tangible interest. You must show a government-issued photo ID and fill out a request form. The office may ask for supporting documents depending on your relationship to the subject.
Informational copies are also available. They are not valid for legal purposes but can be used for genealogy and family history research. Informational copies cost the same as certified copies. They have a clear notation on the face that they are not for official use.
Note: If you need a certified copy for a passport, make sure you specify "certified" when ordering. An informational copy will not be accepted by the federal government or most agencies.
Washington State DOH Birth Records for Auburn
The Washington State Department of Health keeps birth records for the entire state, including Auburn. Their vital records office processes requests for certified copies mailed or ordered online. Processing times are longer than the county office. Mail requests to the state can take 4 to 6 weeks. Online orders through doh.wa.gov are also available.
The state office covers records dating from 1907 to the present. For Auburn births recorded after that year, either King County or the state office can provide a certified copy. The fees are similar. If speed matters, King County Vital Statistics is faster for in-person pickup. If you cannot get to Seattle, the state office or VitalChek online ordering works well.
The King County Vital Statistics office screenshot below shows the ordering portal used by Auburn residents to request birth records in person or online.
Visit the King County order birth certificate page for full instructions on how to request Auburn birth records.
This portal lets Auburn residents select their record type, confirm eligibility, and complete the order for a certified birth certificate from King County.
Historical Auburn Birth Records and Research
For genealogy research on Auburn births, you have several paths. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds scanned historical records from counties across the state. You can search there for free. The site covers birth registrations from the pre-1907 county registration era. Records from 1891 to 1907 for King County are available there in digitized form.
King County Archives holds original birth register books from 1890 to 1894 and county-level records from 1891 through 1907. These are separate from the state DOH collection. To access them, contact the King County Archives directly. Their collection of Auburn-area birth records includes early register entries not found anywhere else.
The South King County Genealogical Society serves the Auburn, Kent, and south King County area. Their library includes local family files, historical directories, and indexes for early vital records. Their website at skcgs.org lists meeting schedules and research resources. If you are researching a family with roots in Auburn or the surrounding area, this society is a useful contact. Members can often point you toward records you would not find through official channels.
The Washington State Library also maintains a vital records research guide with links and instructions for finding birth records across all counties, including King County.
Who Can Get Auburn Birth Records
Washington State law limits who may receive a certified copy of a birth record. Under RCW 70.58A, only certain people qualify. The person named on the record can always get a copy if they are 18 or older. Parents and legal guardians may request records for minors. Siblings, adult children, and grandparents with a documented need may also qualify. Attorneys, certain government agencies, and others with a court order can receive certified copies in special cases.
You must present a valid photo ID when you pick up a record in person. Accepted forms include a state-issued driver's license or ID, a U.S. passport, or a military ID. If you are ordering by mail, you submit a copy of your ID with the request form. Online orders through VitalChek include an identity verification step.
If you do not qualify for a certified copy, you may still receive an informational copy. This version says "informational, not a legal document" across the face. It can support genealogy research but will not work for passports or legal name changes.
Note: Washington became a closed-record state for birth certificates in January 2021. Access rules that applied before that date no longer apply. Verify your eligibility before submitting a request.
King County Birth Records
Auburn is in King County. All birth records for Auburn residents are on file with King County Vital Statistics. For more details about the county-level records system and related resources, visit the King County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Auburn. Each handles birth records through its own county health office.