Spokane Birth Records Database
Spokane birth records are available through the Spokane Regional Health District, the local agency that issues certified birth certificates for Spokane County residents. Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington State, and its health district manages a large volume of vital records requests each year. You can order in person, by phone, or online through VitalChek. The Washington State Department of Health also holds statewide birth records from 1907 onward. This page covers where to get a Spokane birth certificate, who qualifies, what fees apply, and where to find historical records through archives and genealogical resources.
Spokane Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Spokane Birth Records
The Spokane Regional Health District is the first stop for certified Spokane birth records. The vital records office is at 1101 W College Ave Room 180 in Spokane. In-person service is available during regular business hours. Most requests handled at the counter are completed the same day. You bring your ID, fill out a request form, pay the fee, and leave with a certified copy. The office is in the West College Avenue area, and parking is available nearby.
Online orders for Spokane birth records go through VitalChek. That takes four to five business days after the order is placed. The Spokane Regional Health District's main site is at srhd.org. That page has current contact details, office hours, and instructions for ordering a Spokane birth certificate. The fee is $25 per certified copy. If no record is found, a search fee is still charged. Both Spokane city births and Spokane County births are handled by this same office.
| Office | Spokane Regional Health District - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 1101 W College Ave Room 180 Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
| Website | srhd.org |
| Online Orders | VitalChek |
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County. The health district serves the city and the rest of the county from the same location. Spokane Valley and other surrounding communities also use this office for birth record requests.
Who Can Request Spokane Birth Records
Washington State's closed-record law under RCW 70.58A, effective January 1, 2021, restricts who can receive certified birth certificates. The person named on the record, if they are 18 or older, can request a copy. Parents and legal guardians of minors can request records for their children. Adult children, adult siblings, and grandparents with documented need may be eligible. Attorneys representing qualified parties can request records for legal purposes. Certain government agencies are permitted access for official use.
Bring a government-issued photo ID when you go in person. A Washington driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work. For requests on behalf of someone else, bring documentation of the relationship. If you are a parent requesting a child's record, your ID and the child's birth details are usually enough. Other relationships may need additional paperwork. Staff at the Spokane health district office will explain what is required before you pay.
Mail requests work the same way. Send a completed application, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order. Mail processing takes longer than in-person service. Given the volume handled by the Spokane district, a few weeks is a reasonable estimate.
Note: Informational copies of Spokane birth records are available to the public but cannot be used for legal purposes and are clearly stamped as informational on the document.
Washington DOH and Spokane Birth Records
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds Spokane birth records from 1907 onward. The DOH Center for Health Statistics maintains statewide vital records and accepts mail and online orders. If you prefer to handle your request without visiting the Spokane health district office in person, the state is a valid alternative. Contact the DOH at 360-236-4300 or by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov for questions about your Spokane birth record request.
Both the Spokane Regional Health District and the DOH have records for Spokane births from 1907 forward. For recent births, either source works. The county office is faster for in-person orders. The state is a good option for people ordering by mail or online from outside the area. The state fee is also $25, which matches the county. Processing time is the main variable.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State DOH vital records ordering page, which covers Spokane birth records among all statewide vital records.
Visit doh.wa.gov vital records to order a Spokane birth certificate online or by mail through the state system.
The DOH vital records page has complete instructions for ordering Spokane birth certificates including fees, eligibility, and all request methods.
Historical Spokane Birth Records and Genealogy
Pre-1907 Spokane birth records, from the period before Washington State centralized vital records, are held by the Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch in Cheney. This branch is part of the Secretary of State's archives system and focuses on records from eastern Washington counties including Spokane County. Visit sos.wa.gov/archives for branch location details and collection information. The Cheney branch can help with genealogy research for Spokane families from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Eastern Washington Genealogical Society at ewgsi.org is another strong resource for Spokane area family history. The society holds indexes, transcriptions, and guides that can complement birth record searches. For births that were never formally registered or for research that extends beyond official certificates, their collections are worth exploring. Members and staff are often familiar with county-level records that are not easily found online.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides free online access to historical Spokane County vital records. The Spokane County Auditor's website at spokanecounty.org also has historical record information. Both are good starting points before visiting physical archives.
Spokane County Birth Records
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County. All birth certificates for Spokane residents are issued through the Spokane Regional Health District. For a full overview of county resources, historical archives, and vital records offices, visit the Spokane County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Spokane and use county health offices for birth records.