Search Moses Lake Birth Records
Moses Lake birth records are kept at the Grant County Health District, which serves this east Washington city that also happens to be the Grant County seat. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for someone born in Moses Lake, the Grant County Health District is the local office that handles those requests. Washington State holds birth records from 1907 forward through the Department of Health. Historical records from before state registration are held in county and state archives. This guide explains how to request records, what to bring, what the fees are, and where to find older documents.
Moses Lake Birth Records Overview
Moses Lake Birth Certificate - Local Office
Moses Lake is the county seat of Grant County, so the Grant County Health District is conveniently located right in the city. That office handles vital records requests for all of Grant County, including certified birth certificates for Moses Lake births. The office is at 1038 W Ivy Ave in Moses Lake. You can walk in, submit a mail request, or order online.
Grant County charges $25 per certified birth certificate. There is no separate identity verification fee listed, though you will still need to show valid photo ID when you go in person or include a copy with a mail request. The fee is $25 per copy, so if you need more than one certified copy, plan for that cost. Fees are set by the county and can change, so confirm before submitting.
| Office | Grant County Health District |
|---|---|
| Address | 1038 W Ivy Ave Moses Lake, WA 98837 |
| Fee | $25 per certificate |
| Website | gchd.us - Grant County Health District |
Washington State DOH also processes Moses Lake birth records. State records go from 1907 to the present. You can order at doh.wa.gov or through VitalChek.
Who Can Get Moses Lake Birth Records
Washington law restricts who can receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. This applies to Moses Lake records the same as any other Washington birth record. The person on the certificate who is 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian, a spouse, a descendant, or a legal representative can all request certified copies. Other parties typically need written authorization or a court order.
When making a request at the Grant County Health District, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. If you are requesting a certificate on behalf of a child, bring the child's existing birth certificate or legal paperwork showing your parental or guardian status. For mail requests, include a legible photocopy of your ID along with the completed form and payment.
Documents commonly needed for a Moses Lake birth certificate request:
- Full name as it appears on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- City of birth (Moses Lake)
- Names of both parents, including mother's maiden name
- Your relationship to the person on the record
- Your current government-issued photo ID
If you do not know all of the details above, submit what you have. The health district staff can sometimes locate records with partial information, though providing more complete details improves the chances of a successful search.
Historical Moses Lake Birth Records
Washington did not require statewide birth registration until 1907. Before that year, births in the Moses Lake area were recorded at the county level, if they were recorded at all. Grant County was established in 1909, which means births in the area before that date would fall under the jurisdiction of whatever county covered the region at the time. Tracking down very early birth records for this part of central Washington can require some extra research work.
The Grant County Auditor maintains historical public records for the county. The Auditor's office at grantcountywa.gov can help direct you to historical records or explain what is available. For genealogical research on Moses Lake area families, the Auditor's records can sometimes supplement what is found in the health district's vital records system.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the best online tool for free historical birth record searches. The site includes scanned records from counties across Washington, and Grant County records are part of the collection. Start there before making a trip to a physical archive or repository.
For help with deep genealogical research in Moses Lake and Grant County, WA211 can connect you with local services and community resources that may include genealogy assistance or records access programs.
Washington State Birth Records for Moses Lake
Washington State's Department of Health maintains birth records for Moses Lake and all other Washington cities from 1907 onward. The DOH FAQ page at doh.wa.gov explains ordering options and what to expect.
The state vital records page covers certificate types, fees, turnaround times, and instructions for ordering online, by mail, or in person. It is a helpful reference before contacting Grant County directly.
Correcting Moses Lake Birth Records
Errors in birth records can be corrected through Washington State DOH. The process applies equally to Moses Lake records as to those from anywhere else in Washington. Common corrections include spelling errors, wrong dates, and changes to parent information. You submit an amendment request to DOH along with supporting documents. Minor errors need less paperwork than legal changes like name updates or parentage amendments.
Adult adoptees born in Washington, including those born in Moses Lake, may request their original birth certificate from DOH without a court order. The right applies to anyone 18 or older. If you were adopted and want your original Moses Lake birth certificate, contact the DOH vital records office to start the process. The fee is the same as for a standard certified copy.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities are in other Washington counties. Birth records for each area are handled by the respective county health office.
Grant County Birth Records
Moses Lake is the county seat of Grant County. All birth records for the area are processed through the Grant County Health District, which is located right in Moses Lake. Visit the Grant County birth records page for more details.