Search Graham Birth Records
Graham birth records are maintained through Pierce County's vital records system. Graham is an unincorporated community in Pierce County, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department handles certified birth certificates for the area. If you need a birth certificate for someone born in Graham, you will work with that health department office in Tacoma. This page covers where to get a Graham birth certificate, who can request one, what fees are involved, and how to find older historical birth records from Graham and Pierce County going back before the state registration system began in 1907.
Graham Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Graham Birth Records
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 3629 S D St, Tacoma WA 98418 is where Graham residents go to get a certified birth certificate. Graham is southeast of Tacoma in Pierce County, so the drive is manageable for most residents. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a certified copy. The fee is $39 per certified birth certificate. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's birth and death records page at tpchd.org has current information on hours and requirements.
Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov also issues certified birth certificates by mail and online for all Washington counties. The state option is useful for Graham residents who cannot travel to Tacoma or who prefer to handle everything remotely. Online orders go through VitalChek, which adds a service fee. Mail requests go to DOH and take longer than in-person visits to the county office.
| Office | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3629 S D St Tacoma, WA 98418 |
| Website | tpchd.org/healthy-people/birth-and-death-records |
| Fee | $39 per certified copy |
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for any in-person request. Washington state law under RCW 70.58A.050 requires identity verification as part of the process for certified birth record requests.
Who Can Request a Graham Birth Certificate
Washington restricts who can receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. The access rules apply to all Washington birth records, including those for people born in Graham and Pierce County. Under RCW 70.58A.050, effective January 2021, only qualified applicants may receive certified copies.
Qualified applicants include the person named on the birth certificate if they are age 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian of the person named on the record, and certain authorized legal representatives. If you do not fall into one of these groups, you may be eligible for an informational copy instead. An informational copy shows all the same details as a certified copy but is clearly stamped to indicate it cannot be used for legal purposes. It works well for genealogy and personal research but will not be accepted for passport applications, court filings, or school enrollment requirements.
If you are not sure whether you qualify for a certified copy, contact the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department directly. They can walk you through what documentation you need to provide based on your specific situation. The DOH website at doh.wa.gov also explains the eligibility requirements in detail.
Washington law now allows adult adoptees to request their original birth certificates without a court order, including those born in Graham and Pierce County.
Historical Graham Birth Records
Graham is an unincorporated area in Pierce County, so all of its birth record history runs through Pierce County's system. Washington started its statewide vital records registration in 1907. For births in Graham before that date, the county health department cannot help. You will need to use historical archives and genealogy resources instead.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds searchable Pierce County birth records from before 1907. The Digital Archives site is free and can be searched online by name, county, and date range. This is the simplest first step for historical Graham area research. Many pre-1907 Pierce County birth registrations have been indexed and are available in this system.
The Pierce County Auditor at piercecountywa.gov/4416/Auditor holds older recorded documents that can help establish a presence in Pierce County during a given period, useful when birth records themselves do not exist. The Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room is a strong genealogy resource for the Pierce County area and holds many materials covering communities like Graham that are not incorporated and have less formal record-keeping history.
Washington Vital Records Resources for Graham
The Washington DOH vital records system covers all Pierce County births from 1907 forward, including those in unincorporated areas like Graham. The DOH website is a reliable source for understanding ordering options, eligibility, and fees. It also covers adoptee rights under Washington's updated access law, which affects Graham residents who were adopted.
For Graham residents who were adopted and are looking for their original birth certificates, Washington's reformed adoptee access law is important to know about. Adult adoptees born in Pierce County can now request their original birth certificates directly from DOH or from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department without needing a court order. The process is similar to requesting any other certified birth certificate, with the same identity verification requirements.
The Digital Archives makes historical Pierce County research accessible from home. If you are looking for a Graham area birth from before Washington's statewide registration began in 1907, this is the best free starting point.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Graham in Pierce County and also have birth records processed through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Pierce County Birth Records
Graham is an unincorporated community in Pierce County. All birth certificates for Graham are issued through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. For more details on Pierce County birth records and additional resources, visit the Pierce County birth records page.