Camas Birth Records Search
Camas birth records are managed through Clark County Public Health, which serves all of Clark County including the city of Camas. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for someone born in Camas, the Clark County health office in Vancouver is your primary source. Washington State also maintains vital records at the state level through the Department of Health. You can request records in person, by mail, or online. This page covers where to go, what you need, what it costs, and how to find older historical birth records from Camas and the surrounding Clark County area.
Camas Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Camas Birth Records
Clark County Public Health is the main office for birth certificates covering Camas and all other communities in Clark County. The office is in Vancouver, which serves as the county seat. You can go in person, mail a request, or use an online ordering option. The address is 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661. They issue certified copies of birth records for births that occurred in Clark County from 1907 onward.
Washington State Department of Health also holds certified birth records for all counties, including Clark. You can order directly from the state through their DOH Vital Records office. The state office accepts mail and online requests. Processing times vary but are generally longer than going through the county office. For people in Camas, the local Clark County office is usually faster if you need a record quickly.
| Office | Clark County Public Health |
|---|---|
| Address | 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA 98661 |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/public-health/birth-and-death-certificates |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
When you visit in person, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Washington restricts access to certified birth certificates under RCW 70.58A.050. Since January 1, 2021, only qualified applicants may receive certified copies. These include the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, and certain legal representatives. An informational copy may be available to others for genealogy or research.
How to Order a Camas Birth Certificate
Ordering a birth certificate for someone born in Camas takes a few steps. You need to know the full name on the record, the date of birth, and the place of birth. Having the parents' names on hand helps if the name on the record is not unique. Once you have that information, you can choose how to submit your request.
You can order online through VitalChek, which is the authorized online vendor for Washington vital records. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state or county fee. It is a convenient option if you cannot travel to Vancouver or do not want to mail in a request. Orders submitted online are typically fulfilled within a few business days, though that can vary depending on volume.
Mail requests go directly to Clark County Public Health. You will need to include a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, payment, and any documentation showing your relationship to the person on the record. Call or check the county website to confirm current forms and requirements before mailing.
Note: Each additional certified copy ordered at the same time costs $25. Order extras if you expect to need them for passports, schools, or other agencies.
Who Can Get a Camas Birth Record
Washington law limits who can get a certified copy of a birth record. This rule covers all birth records in Clark County, including Camas. Under RCW 70.58A.050, only qualified applicants can get a certified copy. The law changed in January 2021, tightening the rules around access.
Qualified applicants include the registrant (the person named on the certificate, age 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian, a legal representative acting on behalf of one of those parties, a funeral director in some circumstances, and certain government agencies. If you do not fall into one of these categories, you may still be able to get an informational copy. An informational copy looks like a certified copy but is stamped to show it cannot be used for legal purposes. It is fine for genealogy research but will not work for a passport or other official uses.
If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact Clark County Public Health directly. The Clark County Auditor's office also holds some historical recording documents that may help with genealogy research, available through clark.wa.gov/auditor/recording.
Historical Camas Birth Records
Birth records in Washington State were not consistently maintained before 1907. The state started a formal vital records registration system in 1907, and records became more reliable over time. If you are researching a birth from before 1907, you will need to look at alternative sources. Some of those records exist at the state archives level.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds many pre-1907 records, including birth registrations from Clark County. These records were gathered from county-level registrations that predate the state system. The Digital Archives site lets you search by name, date, and county. Not every birth was recorded, but many are there. This is a free online resource and a good first stop for historical research.
The Clark County Auditor also holds some older recorded documents that may help fill gaps. Family bibles, church records, and historical society collections are other resources worth checking if you need to go back further than the Digital Archives cover.
The Washington State Digital Archives has made it much easier to find older Clark County records online without traveling to a physical archive location.
Washington vital records held by the state become public record 100 years after the birth date, at which point access restrictions are lifted and anyone can request a copy.
Washington State Vital Records Resources
The Washington Department of Health provides comprehensive guidance on ordering birth certificates for all Washington cities and counties, including Camas. Their official portal at doh.wa.gov outlines eligibility, fees, and how to order certified copies statewide.
The DOH site covers what types of proof you need, what forms of payment are accepted, and how long processing takes. If you are not sure whether to order from the state or from Clark County directly, the FAQ section on their site helps clarify the difference. Both offices pull from the same records system, but processing speed and local support may differ.
For historical Camas births, the Digital Archives is often the best starting point. Their search interface is straightforward and the collection is well-indexed for Clark County records.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Camas and also have birth records resources available through Clark County and Washington State.
Clark County Birth Records
Camas is part of Clark County. All birth certificates for Camas are issued through Clark County Public Health. For more details on the county-level birth records process and additional resources, visit the Clark County birth records page.