Cowlitz County Birth Records

Cowlitz County birth records are issued by the Cowlitz County Health Department, located at 1952 9th Avenue in Longview. The health department issues two types of birth certificates: certified copies for legal use and noncertified copies printed on plain paper for informational purposes only. Residents of Longview and the surrounding southwest Washington area can visit the office in person, submit a mail request, or order through VitalChek online. Historical Cowlitz County birth records from the County Auditor era, covering 1891 through 1907, are preserved at the Washington State Archives.

Cowlitz County Health Department

The Cowlitz County Health Department is the local office for birth certificate requests in Cowlitz County. The office is at 1952 9th Avenue in Longview and handles requests for certified and noncertified copies of Washington State birth certificates. Two certificate types are available. A certified copy has a raised or embossed seal and is valid for legal purposes like obtaining a passport, Social Security card, or driver's license. A noncertified copy is printed on plain paper with a "informational only" watermark and cannot be used for official identification purposes.

The health department's page at co.cowlitz.wa.us covers current services and contact information for the Longview office. Applications for birth certificates are available in both English and Spanish. Payment for walk-in requests can be made with cash or a credit or debit card. Mail requests require a check or money order. All fees are nonrefundable.

The Cowlitz County Health and Human Services page provides service information and contact details for the Longview office, including links to vital records applications in English and Spanish.

The health department at 1952 9th Avenue in Longview is the in-person option for Cowlitz County residents seeking certified birth certificates.

Ways to Order Cowlitz County Birth Certificates

You can request a Cowlitz County birth certificate three ways. In person at the health department in Longview is the most direct option. Walk in during business hours, complete the application, present your government-issued photo ID, and pay the $25 fee. If you are requesting for someone else, bring proof of your relationship. The health department reviews your documents and processes the request on-site.

For online ordering, VitalChek is the only authorized third-party vendor for Washington State vital records. Visit vitalchek.com or call 1-866-687-1464 any time, day or night. Online fees total $25 plus an $8.50 VitalChek service charge and a $7.00 DOH processing fee. Paying an optional $3 for the identity quiz may speed things up. Most online orders ship within three to seven business days. VitalChek is the fastest option if you cannot make it to the Longview office.

Mail orders go to the Washington State DOH at PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. Send a completed application with a $25 check or money order. The state does not accept credit cards for mail requests. Mail processing takes about eight to ten weeks, which is significantly slower than in-person or online options. If timing is important, choose a faster method. Download the current application from the state DOH ordering page.

The Washington State DOH birth record ordering page covers all methods, fee breakdowns, and the application form for mail requests.

The ordering page also clarifies which method is fastest and what happens if a record cannot be found.

Note: All fees charged by the health department, by VitalChek, and by the state DOH are nonrefundable. This applies even if the record is not found or the request is denied.

Cowlitz County Historical Birth Records

The Cowlitz County Auditor kept birth records from 1891 through 1907, before the state took over central registration on July 1, 1907. These county-level records are now held at the Washington State Archives. Researchers can access them online for free through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The Digital Archives allow name-based searches by child's name, parent name, gender, and year. Many entries include both an index record and a scanned image of the original document.

For births before 1891, no government records exist for Cowlitz County. The Washington State Library guide at washstatelib.libguides.com lists additional tools for researching early Washington vital records, including church records and other supplementary sources that may help fill gaps before 1891. The State Archives genealogy page at sos.wa.gov explains how county-level records are organized and which State Archives branches hold materials for southwest Washington counties like Cowlitz.

The Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to Cowlitz County Auditor birth records from 1891 through 1907.

Searches on the Digital Archives site are free and require no account. Name, year, and parent searches are all supported.

Under RCW 70.58A.540, birth records from more than 100 years ago are now in the public domain. This means births from 1925 and earlier are openly accessible to any researcher. The Digital Archives often hold these older records in searchable form, making it easy to access them without a trip to the State Archives in person.

The Washington State RCW Chapter 70.58A governs all vital records in Washington, including Cowlitz County birth certificates, and explains the 100-year confidentiality rule and access requirements.

This chapter covers qualified applicant rules, fee structures, and what information must appear on a Washington birth certificate.

Who Can Get Certified Cowlitz County Birth Certificates

Since January 1, 2021, Washington requires qualified applicants for all certified birth certificates. The rules are in RCW 70.58A.530 and the Cowlitz County Health Department follows them for every request. Qualified applicants include: the person named on the certificate, their spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, stepparents, stepchildren, siblings, grandparents, great grandparents, grandchildren, great grandchildren, legal guardians, legal representatives, authorized representatives, and government agencies or courts with a legitimate need. All others may only receive a noncertified informational copy, which cannot be used for passports, state IDs, or other official purposes.

Every request requires a valid government-issued photo ID. Requests for another person's certificate also require proof of your relationship to that person. The type of proof depends on how you are related. A parent requesting a child's certificate needs a document showing the parent-child relationship. A spouse needs a marriage certificate. A legal guardian needs court-issued guardianship documents. Cowlitz County Health Department staff verify all documentation before processing any certified copy. The same requirements apply whether you visit in person, order by mail, or use VitalChek online.

The two types of copies serve different purposes. A certified copy can be used to apply for a passport, get a driver's license or state ID, enroll in school, claim benefits, and more. A noncertified informational copy is useful for personal research or family history purposes but is not accepted as legal proof of identity or citizenship. Know which type you need before submitting your request to avoid delays.

The Washington State DOH FAQ on certificates and informational copies explains the difference between certified and noncertified copies and what each type can be used for.

This FAQ is a quick reference for anyone unsure which type of copy they need or whether they qualify as a certified copy requestor.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes Longview, the county seat, as well as Kelso and Castle Rock. Longview meets the population threshold and has a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Cowlitz County borders these counties in southwest Washington.