Tumwater Birth Records Search
Tumwater birth records are managed through Thurston County Public Health, which issues certified birth certificates for all of Thurston County. Tumwater is in Thurston County adjacent to Olympia, and its birth records are part of the county's vital records system. You can order a Tumwater birth certificate in person at the Thurston County health office on Lilly Road, by mail, or online. The Washington State Department of Health is a second source and holds statewide records from 1907 forward. This page explains how to get a Tumwater birth record, what the process looks like, who qualifies, and where to find older records.
Tumwater Birth Records Overview
Where to Get Tumwater Birth Records
Thurston County Public Health handles certified birth certificates for Tumwater. The vital statistics office is at 412 Lilly Road NE in Olympia. Tumwater sits directly south of Olympia, so the health office is close to most Tumwater residents. In-person requests are typically same-day. You fill out a request form, show your ID, pay $25, and receive a certified copy. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
For ordering information and mail-in forms, visit the Thurston County Public Health vital statistics page at thurstoncountywa.gov - Vital Statistics. Online orders go through VitalChek and take four to five business days to process. Mail-in requests are also accepted at the Olympia address. Include a completed application form, a copy of your government-issued ID, and a check or money order for $25.
| Office | Thurston County Public Health - Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 412 Lilly Road NE Olympia, WA 98506 |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov - Vital Statistics |
| Online Orders | VitalChek |
Tumwater is also notable as the location of the Washington State Department of Health physical office. The DOH Center for Health Statistics is at 111 Israel Road SE in Tumwater. The state office processes mail and online orders for birth records statewide and can be reached at 360-236-4300 or by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov.
Who Can Request Tumwater Birth Records
Washington State's closed-record law took effect January 1, 2021, under RCW 70.58A. That law limits certified copies to qualified requestors. The person named on the record, if 18 or older, can get 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 government agencies with official need are also permitted access.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when you visit in person. Acceptable IDs include a Washington driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, and tribal ID. For requests on behalf of another person, bring proof of the relationship. A parent requesting a child's birth record needs their own ID and the child's name and date of birth. Other relationships may need additional supporting documents. The Thurston County health office staff will guide you if something is missing before you pay.
Mail requests require a completed application, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order. Mail processing takes longer than in-person service. Plan for a few weeks given current processing volumes.
Note: Informational copies of Tumwater birth records are available to the public but are not valid for legal purposes such as passport applications and are clearly stamped as informational.
Washington DOH and Tumwater Birth Records
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds Tumwater birth records from 1907 onward as part of its statewide collection. As noted above, the DOH physical office is actually located in Tumwater at 111 Israel Road SE. However, the DOH accepts mail and online orders only for vital records. Walk-in service for birth certificates goes to the Thurston County Public Health office on Lilly Road, not to the DOH building directly. Contact the DOH at 360-236-4300 or ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov for mail order guidance.
The state fee matches the county fee at $25. If you need a Tumwater birth certificate and cannot visit the county health office in person, ordering through the DOH online or by mail produces the same valid certified copy. State processing times are typically longer than same-day in-person county service. For urgent needs, the Thurston County health office is the faster route.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State Digital Archives, a free tool for researching early Thurston County and Tumwater birth records online.
The Washington State Digital Archives provides free searchable access to early Thurston County vital records and historical documents relevant to Tumwater birth records research.
The Digital Archives is a practical starting point for Tumwater genealogy research before contacting physical archives or the county health office.
Historical Tumwater Birth Records
Tumwater is one of the oldest communities in Washington State, so its historical birth records extend back well before statewide registration began in 1907. Pre-1907 Thurston County birth records are held by the Washington State Archives. The main Washington State Archives branch is located in the Olympia and Tumwater area. Visit sos.wa.gov/archives for location details and collection information. The proximity of the archives to Tumwater makes it a convenient resource for local genealogy research.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a free online database that includes early Thurston County birth registrations. This is a good first step for researching Tumwater family history before visiting physical archives. For records that are not digitized, the archives staff can often point you to manuscript collections or county records that fill in gaps not covered by formal birth certificates.
Thurston County Birth Records
Tumwater is in Thurston County. All birth certificates for Tumwater residents are issued through Thurston County Public Health. For more on county offices, archives, and resources related to Thurston County birth records, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Tumwater and use county health offices for birth records.