Tacoma Birth Records Lookup
Tacoma birth records are issued by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the local health office that handles certified birth certificates for all of Pierce County. Tacoma is the third-largest city in Washington State, and its health department processes a significant number of vital records requests each year. You can order a birth certificate in person at the Tacoma office, by mail, or online. The Washington State Department of Health also holds statewide birth records from 1907 onward. This page covers where to get a Tacoma birth record, who qualifies, what fees apply, and how to access historical records through local archives.
Tacoma Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Tacoma Birth Records
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is the primary source for certified Tacoma birth records. The office is at 3629 S D St in Tacoma. In-person requests are handled during regular business hours and are typically same-day. You walk in, complete the request form, show your ID, pay $39, and walk out with a certified copy. The office is in the southern part of Tacoma and serves the entire county, including Lakewood, Puyallup, Spanaway, University Place, and other Pierce County communities.
For online orders, use VitalChek. Online requests take four to five business days to process after placement. The department's ordering page at tpchd.org - Birth and Death Records has the forms, fee schedule, and instructions for in-person, mail, and online requests. Mail-in orders are also accepted. Send a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order to the Tacoma address.
| Office | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3629 S D St Tacoma, WA 98418 |
| Fee | $39 per certified copy |
| Online Orders | tpchd.org - Birth and Death Records |
| VitalChek | VitalChek Online Orders |
Tacoma City Hall handles city government services but does not issue certified birth certificates. The health department is the correct contact for all Tacoma birth certificate needs.
Who Can Request Tacoma Birth Records
Washington State's closed-record law under RCW 70.58A, effective January 1, 2021, restricts who can get certified birth certificates. The person named on the record, if they are 18 or older, can request a copy. Parents and legal guardians can request for minors. Adult children, adult siblings, and grandparents with a documented need may qualify. Attorneys representing an eligible party and certain government agencies with official need are also permitted access under state law.
When visiting the Tacoma health office in person, bring a government-issued photo ID. A Washington driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work. For requests on behalf of another person, bring proof of the relationship. A parent requesting their child's birth certificate needs their own ID and the child's name and date of birth. Other relationship types may need additional documents. Staff will advise you before you pay.
Mail requests need a completed form, a copy of your ID, and payment. Processing time for mail orders is longer than in-person visits. Plan for several weeks depending on current processing volume at the Tacoma office.
Note: Informational copies of Tacoma birth records are available to anyone but are not valid for legal purposes and are clearly marked as informational on the document itself.
Tacoma Public Library and Birth Records Research
The Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room at tacomapubliclibrary.org/northwest-room is one of the best local genealogy resources in Pierce County. The Northwest Room holds historical newspapers, photographs, city directories, county records, and genealogical collections focused on Tacoma and the surrounding region. If you are researching a Tacoma family and need documents beyond the official birth certificate, the Northwest Room staff can often point you to useful sources. Their collections go back to Tacoma's early settlement period.
The Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch holds pre-1907 Pierce County birth records, which cover Tacoma births before statewide registration began. Find branch information at sos.wa.gov/archives. These older records are important for genealogy research involving Tacoma families from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Southwest Branch staff can help you determine whether a specific record exists in their holdings.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State DOH vital records page, which is the state-level source for ordering Tacoma birth certificates by mail or online.
Visit doh.wa.gov vital records to order a Tacoma birth certificate through the Washington State Department of Health.
The DOH page covers all ordering methods, fees, and eligibility for Tacoma and Washington State birth certificates.
State Resources for Tacoma Birth Records
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds Tacoma birth records from 1907 onward. The DOH is an alternative to the Pierce County health office for mail and online orders. The DOH Center for Health Statistics can be reached by phone at 360-236-4300 or by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov. State processing takes longer than in-person county service, but the DOH is a reliable option when visiting Tacoma is not practical.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a free online tool for searching early Pierce County birth records. It covers pre-1907 county-level vital records and is a good first stop for Tacoma genealogy research. The Pierce County Auditor at piercecountywa.gov also holds county-level administrative records that can supplement birth record research.
Pierce County Birth Records
Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County. All birth certificates for Tacoma residents are issued by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. For a full overview of county offices, archives, and vital records resources, visit the Pierce County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Tacoma and use county health offices for birth records.