Lakewood Birth Records
Lakewood birth records are managed by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, which serves Pierce County and the city of Tacoma including Lakewood. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for someone born in Lakewood, the health department office in Tacoma is your local resource. You can also order through the Washington State Department of Health. This guide explains the offices, fees, access rules, and online options for Lakewood birth records.
Lakewood Birth Records Overview
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept for Lakewood Births
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department handles birth and death records for Pierce County, which includes Lakewood. The office is at 3629 S D St in Tacoma, close to Lakewood. The fee for a certified birth certificate is $39 per copy. This is higher than many other Washington counties, reflecting the combined Tacoma-Pierce County health department's fee structure.
In-person visits are available during regular business hours. You will need to complete an application form and show a valid government-issued photo ID. The office can issue certified copies on the same visit for most requests. If you plan to visit, check the TPCHD website for current hours and any appointment requirements before you go.
| Office | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3629 S D St Tacoma, WA 98418 |
| Fee | $39 per certified copy |
| Website | tpchd.org - Birth and Death Records |
The TPCHD serves both the city of Tacoma and the rest of Pierce County. Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, and other Pierce County communities all use this same office for vital records. The location in Tacoma is accessible from Lakewood by a short drive south on Interstate 5.
Washington State DOH Lakewood Birth Records
The Washington State Department of Health is the other option for ordering Lakewood birth certificates. The DOH holds birth records for all Washington births since 1907. You can order by mail, online, or in person at the Olympia office. The state fee is $25 per copy, which is lower than the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department fee.
Online orders go through VitalChek. The process is quick and available any time of day. You fill out an online form, upload your ID, and pay by credit card. VitalChek charges a service fee in addition to the $25 state fee. Orders placed online typically arrive within a week to ten days. If you need the certificate faster, visiting the TPCHD in person is the best option for same-day service.
Mail orders require the DOH application form, a notarized copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order. Send everything to the DOH vital records office in Olympia. Processing for mailed requests is usually two to three weeks. The DOH website lists the current application form and all ID requirements.
Note: If cost is a concern, ordering through the state DOH at $25 is less expensive than going to the TPCHD at $39. Both offices draw from the same registry and issue equally valid certified copies.
Historical Lakewood and Pierce County Birth Records
The Pierce County Auditor holds older vital records that predate the state registry. For births before 1907 in the Lakewood and Pierce County area, the county auditor's historical records may have what you need. These older county-level records were kept before Washington established its statewide birth registration system.
The Washington State Digital Archives also holds digitized vital records from Pierce County, including some birth records from the early period. The Digital Archives is free to use and searchable online. You can search Pierce County records by name and year range without paying a fee. This is a practical starting point for genealogical research on Lakewood area births from the 1800s and early 1900s.
The Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room is another useful resource. The Northwest Room holds genealogical materials specific to the Pierce County and Tacoma area, including local newspaper archives, family histories, and community records. For research into Lakewood births from the early settlement period, the library's Northwest Room collections can fill gaps that official records do not cover.
Washington State Vital Records for Lakewood
The Washington State Department of Health vital records page covers how to order Lakewood birth certificates and other vital documents through the state system.
The DOH site shows current fees, ID requirements, and application instructions for ordering Lakewood birth records by mail, in person, or online. The state fee is $25 per copy, compared to $39 at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Access Rules for Lakewood Birth Records
Washington restricts who can request certified birth certificates under RCW 70.58A, effective January 1, 2021. Birth records are confidential and not open to the general public. This applies whether you request through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department or the state DOH.
Qualified applicants for Lakewood birth records include the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian, close family members with a direct and legitimate need, legal representatives, and government agencies with an official purpose. Researchers who do not fall into these categories can access older records through the Digital Archives without restriction for genealogical purposes.
If you are ordering a certificate for someone else, be prepared to explain your relationship and provide supporting documentation. The office may ask for additional paperwork beyond the standard ID. For questions about specific situations, contact the TPCHD or the DOH before you submit your application.
Lakewood Birth Records in Pierce County
Lakewood is one of the larger cities in Pierce County. It sits south and west of Tacoma, close to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Pierce County has a large population spread across Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, and many other communities. All of them use the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for local birth certificate services. There is no separate vital records office for Lakewood.
If you are not sure whether a birth happened in Lakewood specifically or in nearby Tacoma, it usually does not matter. Both cities are in Pierce County, and the TPCHD handles records for both. The county and city on the birth certificate depend on where the birth actually occurred. If you have the hospital name, you can usually figure out which city and county that was. Call the TPCHD if you have questions about which records they hold.
For Lakewood residents who want to avoid the trip to Tacoma, VitalChek online ordering is the most convenient option. You can place an order at any time and have the certificate mailed to you. The state's $25 fee plus VitalChek's service charge is still often less than the TPCHD's $39 fee, so the online state route can save you both time and money.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Lakewood in Pierce County. Each uses the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for birth certificate requests.
Pierce County Birth Records
Lakewood is in Pierce County. Birth certificate requests for Lakewood go through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department or the Washington State DOH. For more on Pierce County birth records offices and resources, visit the county page.