Bremerton Birth Records Search
Bremerton birth records are handled by the Kitsap Public Health District, which issues certified birth certificates for all births in Kitsap County. If you were born in Bremerton or need a record for someone born here, the Kitsap Public Health District office on 6th Street in Bremerton is your primary source. You can visit in person, order by mail, or use VitalChek for online orders. The Washington State Department of Health is also an option for statewide records from 1907 forward. For genealogy research, the Kitsap County Historical Society holds additional local resources. This page walks through each option for getting Bremerton birth records.
Bremerton Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Bremerton Birth Records
The Kitsap Public Health District is the local office for birth certificate requests in Bremerton and the rest of Kitsap County. The office is at 345 6th St Suite 300 in Bremerton. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In-person service is available during those hours. A certified copy costs $25. You can walk in, fill out the request form, show your ID, pay the fee, and receive your copy the same day.
For those who prefer not to go in person, phone orders are accepted at 360-728-2235. Online ordering is available through VitalChek. Online orders are processed and mailed. Processing usually takes 4 to 5 business days, not counting delivery time. Mail-in requests are also accepted. You send a completed form, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order to the 6th Street address.
| Office | Kitsap Public Health District |
|---|---|
| Address | 345 6th St Suite 300 Bremerton, WA 98337 |
| Phone | 360-728-2235 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
| Website | kitsappublichealth.org |
The screenshot below shows the Kitsap Public Health District website, which is where Bremerton residents go to learn about ordering birth certificates and other vital records.
Visit kitsappublichealth.org for current instructions on ordering Bremerton birth records in person or by mail.
The Kitsap Public Health District site lists hours, fees, required identification, and mailing instructions for ordering Bremerton birth certificates.
Bremerton Birth Records Access and Eligibility
Washington State restricted access to birth records starting January 1, 2021. Under RCW 70.58A, birth records are considered closed. Only eligible individuals may obtain a certified copy. The person named on the record may request their own copy once they are 18. Parents and legal guardians may request records for their children. Certain relatives, legal representatives, and government agencies may also qualify when proper documentation is provided.
When you visit the Kitsap Public Health District office in Bremerton, bring a government-issued photo ID. A Washington driver's license or state ID card works. A U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID is also accepted. You complete a request form and pay the $25 fee. Staff check your ID against the eligibility rules before issuing the record.
If you do not qualify for a certified copy, you may receive an informational copy. An informational copy looks similar but is stamped as not valid for legal purposes. It can be used for personal family history but will not work for passports, Social Security applications, or school enrollment.
Bremerton Birth Records and Kitsap History
The Kitsap County Historical Society and Museum at 280 4th Street in Bremerton holds genealogical resources for families in the county. They have census records, birth and death indexes, and local newspaper archives going back to the late 1800s. The society was founded in 1948 and has built a substantial collection of Kitsap County family records. If you are researching a birth in Bremerton from an earlier era, their staff can guide you to what is available.
Their website at kitsaphistory.org lists library hours and describes their collections. They are not an issuing authority for certified birth records, but they hold information that can help confirm birth dates and family relationships when no formal record is available. Researchers working on Kitsap County genealogy often pair a visit to the historical society with a records request at the health district office.
The screenshot below is from the Kitsap County Historical Society website, showing their public resources page.
Visit kitsaphistory.org to explore what the Kitsap County Historical Society holds for Bremerton-area birth and family research.
The historical society's collection includes birth records, census data, and local newspaper archives that can aid research into Bremerton family history.
Historical Bremerton and Kitsap County Birth Records
FamilySearch has indexed a range of Kitsap County vital records, including early birth records. The FamilySearch Kitsap County genealogy page at familysearch.org lists available collections and how to access them. Notable items in the FamilySearch collection include Kitsap County Auditor birth records from 1891 to 1907 and delayed birth records for the county. There are also records from the McNeil Island area covering birth registrations from 1914 to 1923. All of these are searchable for free through the FamilySearch website.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds digitized Kitsap County records from the pre-1907 county registration period. You can search there for free. Their indexes cover birth registrations from the era before the state took over vital records management. Searching by county and year is the most reliable approach.
For births from 1907 onward, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds the statewide collection. The state office processes mail and online requests for certified copies from any county, including Kitsap. If the local health district office cannot locate a specific record, the state office is a good backup. Processing times at the state level tend to run a bit longer than at the county office in Bremerton.
Note: Washington State did not require statewide birth registration until 1907. Records from before that year exist only if the birth was registered at the county level. Not all pre-1907 births were registered, so gaps in the historical record are common.
Kitsap County Birth Records
Bremerton is in Kitsap County. All birth records for Bremerton residents are on file with the Kitsap Public Health District. For a full overview of county-level resources and related offices, visit the Kitsap County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Bremerton. They each use their own county health offices for birth records.