Find Birth Records in University Place
University Place birth records are handled by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the county office that issues certified birth certificates for all Pierce County residents. If you were born in University Place or need a record for someone born here, this page walks you through how to request a copy, who can get one under Washington law, what the fee is, and where to find older historical records. The Washington State Department of Health also holds University Place birth records from 1907 to the present.
University Place Birth Records Overview
Where to Get University Place Birth Records
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is the primary source for University Place birth records. The office is at 3629 S D St, Tacoma WA 98418, and it serves all of Pierce County, including University Place. You can visit in person, order by mail, or use VitalChek for online ordering. The fee is $39 per certified copy. Full details on how to request a University Place birth certificate are on the health department's page at tpchd.org birth and death records.
University Place is a city in west Pierce County, just west of Tacoma along the Puget Sound waterfront. Because it sits within Pierce County, all birth certificate requests go through the Tacoma office. In-person requests at the health department are typically handled the same day. Bring your completed application form and a valid government-issued photo ID. Payment is required at the time of the request. If you cannot visit in person, mail or online ordering are both available, though processing times will be longer.
| 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.com |
Note that Pierce County's fee of $39 per copy is higher than some other Washington counties. The state DOH charges $25 for the same certified copy, so if cost is a concern, ordering through the state is a valid option. Both sources produce legally valid certified copies of University Place birth records.
Who Can Access University Place Birth Records
Washington became a closed-record state on January 1, 2021, under RCW 70.58A. Under that law, certified birth certificates in University Place and the rest of Washington are only available to qualified applicants. If you are 18 or older and named on the record, you can request it. Parents may request records for minor children. Legal guardians with documentation of their role can do the same. Adult children, adult siblings, grandparents with a documented need, and attorneys acting for an eligible person are also on the list. Certain government agencies have access for official purposes.
When you go to the Tacoma office in person, you need to bring a valid photo ID. A Washington driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work. You fill out a request form at the counter and show your ID before paying. If you are requesting on behalf of another person, you need to show proof of your relationship to them. Court documents, a birth certificate showing the family connection, or a power of attorney will usually suffice. Staff review all documents before processing the request and will let you know if something is missing.
Mail requests follow the same rules. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order for the correct fee. Address mail to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person visits. Factor in shipping time on both ends if you choose to mail your University Place birth record request.
Note: Informational copies are available to anyone but are not valid for passports, school enrollment, or other legal uses that require a certified copy.
Washington DOH and University Place Birth Records
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov vital records holds University Place birth records from 1907 to the present. The DOH Center for Health Statistics is at PO Box 9709, Olympia WA 98507, and can be reached at 360-236-4300 or by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov. State-level ordering costs $25 per copy, which is less than the Pierce County fee. If cost is a factor or you prefer not to travel to Tacoma, the state is a solid alternative.
Online ordering through the state uses the VitalChek platform as well. The state and the county both hold records from 1907 forward. The choice comes down to convenience and fee. For genealogy work or requests where speed isn't critical, the state mail route is straightforward. For records you need quickly, visiting the Tacoma office in person is still the fastest option for University Place birth records.
Below is the Washington State DOH vital records page, which covers ordering methods, fees, and eligibility for University Place and all Washington birth certificates.
Visit doh.wa.gov vital records to order a University Place birth certificate by mail or online through the state.
The state page lists current fees, required documents, and processing times for University Place birth records and certificates from across Washington.
Historical Birth Records for University Place
University Place was incorporated as a city in 1995, but births in the area before that were recorded as Pierce County events. For historical University Place birth records from before state registration began in 1907, the Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch at sos.wa.gov/archives/southwest holds pre-1907 Pierce County vital records. These older records were kept locally before the state centralized its vital records system. The branch holds county-level government records from this region and is a key resource for genealogy research.
The Pierce County Auditor also has historical records related to the county's administrative history. You can find information about the Auditor's office and its records at piercecountywa.gov. For genealogy and local history research, the Tacoma Public Library's Northwest Room is another strong resource. The library's research collections are described at tacomapubliclibrary.org/northwest-room. The Northwest Room holds local newspapers, city directories, and other historical materials that can supplement official birth records.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a free online database with Pierce County vital records and other historical documents. If you are researching University Place family history, this is a good first stop before making a formal records request.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State Digital Archives, a free tool for researching historical birth records in University Place and throughout Pierce County.
The Washington State Digital Archives provides free search access to historical vital records, including early Pierce County birth registrations relevant to the University Place area.
The Digital Archives is indexed and searchable online at no cost, making it a practical starting point for University Place genealogy research.
Local Resources for Birth Records in University Place
Washington 211 connects residents to local health and social services, including assistance navigating vital records requests. You can find local resources through wa211.org. If you need help figuring out which office handles your specific situation, the WA211 directory can point you in the right direction for University Place and Pierce County.
Pierce County does not have a separate city-level office for University Place birth records. The county health department in Tacoma handles everything. If you have questions about your specific request, calling the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department directly before visiting can save time. Staff can confirm what documents you need to bring and whether your situation qualifies for a certified copy under state law.
Note: For University Place residents who need a birth record quickly, visiting the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department in person is still the most reliable way to get a same-day certified copy.
Pierce County Birth Records
University Place is located in Pierce County. Certified birth certificates for University Place residents are issued through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. For a full overview of county resources, additional offices, and filing details, visit the Pierce County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also use Pierce County for birth records and certificates.