Bothell Birth Records
Bothell birth records are handled by two different county health offices depending on which part of the city you live in. Bothell is one of the few cities in Washington that straddles a county line. The city sits in both Snohomish County and King County. If you were born at a hospital on the Snohomish side, your birth record is with the Snohomish County Health Department. If you were born on the King County side, King County Vital Statistics holds your record. Both offices also connect to the Washington State Department of Health, which holds statewide birth records from 1907 onward. This page explains how to figure out which office handles your record and how to request it.
Bothell Birth Records Overview
Bothell Birth Records and the County Split
Bothell is unique in Washington State. The city extends into both Snohomish County and King County. Most of the newer development and the larger residential areas fall in Snohomish County. The older downtown core sits in King County. When a birth occurs at a hospital in Bothell or nearby, the county where the hospital is located determines which health department files the record.
For most Bothell residents, the Snohomish County Health Department in Everett is the correct place to request birth records. Their office is at 3020 Rucker Ave Suite 104 in Everett, about 10 miles north of Bothell. If your address is in the King County portion of Bothell or if the birth happened at a facility on the King County side, then King County Vital Statistics at 201 S. Jackson St in Seattle handles the record.
When in doubt, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds records from both counties and can issue certified copies regardless of which county originally filed the record.
Snohomish County Birth Records for Bothell
The Snohomish County Health Department processes birth certificate requests for the Snohomish portion of Bothell. The office is in Everett and is open during regular business hours. In-person service is available Monday through Friday. Self-service kiosks are available in the lobby as well, with a $3.50 service fee on top of the standard copy price. Kiosk hours for walk-in use run from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
| Office | Snohomish County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3020 Rucker Ave Suite 104 Everett, WA 98201 |
| Fee | $25 per copy + $15 identity verification; kiosk adds $3.50 service fee |
| Website | snohd.org - Birth Certificates |
You can also order online through VitalChek for Snohomish County records. Online orders are processed and mailed. If you are unsure whether your birth falls under Snohomish or King County, start with the state DOH or call both county offices to check.
King County Birth Records for Bothell
For Bothell residents in the King County portion of the city, King County Vital Statistics in Seattle handles birth records. They offer in-person service, kiosk ordering at $28.50 per copy, phone ordering at 1-888-273-4623, and online ordering through VitalChek. Their office is at 201 S. Jackson St Suite 220 in Seattle. The fee for a standard certified copy is $25 plus a $15 identity verification charge.
Most families in Bothell can reach either office. Snohomish County is closer for north Bothell residents. King County's office in Seattle is about 20 miles south. For online orders, both counties use VitalChek, so the process is the same regardless of which county you need.
For online ordering visit kingcounty.gov for King County records or the Snohomish County Health Department page for Snohomish records.
Bothell Birth Records Research and History
The Washington State Library maintains a detailed research guide for vital records across the state. Their guide at washstatelib.libguides.com includes resources specific to Bothell, including historical city council minutes and telephone directories from the early 1900s. These documents can help confirm birth years and family information when no formal birth record exists.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds digitized county birth registrations from before 1907. Records for both Snohomish County and King County from the pre-state-registration era are searchable online for free. If you are researching a birth in the Bothell area before 1907, this is a good starting point. Records from both counties appear in the Digital Archives under their respective county collections.
The image below is from a state research guide that documents historical Bothell records, including early city administrative documents.
The Washington State Library research guide for Bothell covers historical records from multiple collections that can supplement birth record research.
This guide lists Bothell-specific resources including early city records and telephone directories that researchers use alongside formal vital records.
Note: Because Bothell straddles two counties, check both county archives if you are researching a historical birth from the area. Records before 1907 may be in Snohomish County, King County, or both collections depending on where the birth was registered.
Who Can Get Bothell Birth Records
Washington State changed its birth records access law in January 2021. Under RCW 70.58A, birth records are now closed to the general public. Only eligible requestors may receive a certified copy. The person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, and certain close relatives qualify. Attorneys, government agencies, and others with a legitimate legal need may also request records with the right documentation.
You must present a valid photo ID at either county office. A Washington driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. For mail and online orders, you submit a photocopy of your ID along with the request form. The identity verification fee covers the cost of processing that check. This applies to both Snohomish County and King County offices.
Informational copies are available to any requester and do not require proof of eligibility. However, an informational copy states on its face that it is not valid for legal use. It works for personal reference or genealogy but will not satisfy a passport application or similar legal need.
Snohomish County Birth Records
Most of Bothell falls in Snohomish County. For a full overview of the Snohomish County records system, office details, and related resources, visit the Snohomish County birth records page. If your address is in the King County portion of Bothell, see the King County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Bothell. Most use Snohomish County Health for birth records.