Franklin County Birth Certificate Lookup

Franklin County birth records are available through the Benton-Franklin Health District, which serves both Franklin and Benton counties from its Kennewick office. You can also order certified birth certificates online through VitalChek or directly from the Washington State Department of Health. This page covers all the ways to find and request birth records for Franklin County, Washington.

Benton-Franklin Health District

The Benton-Franklin Health District is the local agency that handles birth certificate requests for Franklin County. This joint district serves both Franklin and Benton counties. The office is located in Kennewick, which is in Benton County, but it processes certificates for births that occurred in either county. Staff can also assist with questions about eligibility and required documents.

Walk-in service is available during the listed hours. If you plan to come in person, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any documentation that shows your relationship to the person named on the record. The office accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. Credit card and same-day processing options may carry additional fees, so call ahead to confirm current payment options before your visit.

The health district processes birth certificates for Washington State births. Online ordering is available through VitalChek, which lets you submit a request any time of day or night. Phone orders can be placed through VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. The Benton-Franklin Health District vital records page has current instructions and any updates to fees or procedures.

Ordering Franklin County Birth Records

Washington State offers several ways to order a certified birth certificate. The fastest option for most people is ordering online through VitalChek. Online orders typically process in three to seven business days. By phone through VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464, service is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Both online and phone orders carry additional service fees on top of the $25 base fee per certificate.

You can also order directly through the Washington State DOH birth record ordering page. The state office accepts mail orders sent to PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. Mail requests take roughly eight to ten weeks to process. If you're in no hurry and want to avoid third-party service fees, mailing directly to the state costs only the $25 certificate fee. The DOH also accepts phone calls at 360-236-4300, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Franklin County birth certificate FAQ page answers common questions specific to Franklin County, including where to go, what documents to bring, and how the local process works. Reviewing this page first can save you a trip.

Franklin County's birth certificate FAQ covers local ordering procedures and common questions from residents.

The FAQ page is a good first stop before contacting the health district or placing an order online.

All fees are nonrefundable. This applies even if the record is not found or if the request is denied because the applicant does not qualify for a certified copy. Make sure you have the right information before you submit your request, and confirm your eligibility under Washington State law.

Washington State DOH Birth Record Ordering provides the official state application and detailed instructions for each ordering method.

The state ordering page lists required documents and available delivery options for certified copies.

Access Rules Under Washington Law

Washington became a closed record state for certified birth certificates on January 1, 2021. The change came under RCW Chapter 70.58A, which governs all vital statistics in the state. The goal was to protect the privacy of individuals whose birth records are on file, particularly those with sensitive information such as adoption placements or sealed birth parents.

Under RCW 70.58A.530, only qualified applicants may receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. The list of qualified applicants includes the person named on the record, a 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 lawful purpose. All applicants must present acceptable identification and, where required, proof of the qualifying relationship.

If you don't fall within these categories, you can still get an informational copy of the record. Informational copies show the same data as a certified copy but are stamped to indicate they cannot be used for legal, identification, or official government purposes. They are available to any member of the public. Under RCW 70.58A.540, certain records carry nondisclosure flags that restrict access even further. If a record has such a flag, even a qualified applicant may need to take additional steps.

RCW Chapter 70.58A is the controlling law for birth record access, registration, and privacy in Washington State.

Reading the statute before you apply can help you understand what to expect and avoid unnecessary delays.

Historical Franklin County Birth Records

Franklin County has a rich set of historical birth records going back to the 1890s. The Franklin County Auditor held birth, death, and burial records from 1891 through 1910, along with marriage records starting in 1891. These early records predate state registration, which began on July 1, 1907. If you're researching a birth that occurred before 1907, the county auditor's historical records or the state archives are your best options.

The Franklin County Auditor Birth Records covering 1891 to 1919 are available at the Washington State Archives. The Washington State Digital Archives has indexed and, in many cases, digitized these early county records. You can search by name, approximate date, and record type using the free online search tool. This is especially useful for genealogy research or tracing family history in the Pasco area and surrounding communities in Franklin County.

For births from 1907 onward, the primary record holder is the Washington State Department of Health, with local access through the Benton-Franklin Health District. Researchers working on family history may want to pair the Digital Archives with a visit to a regional archives branch or a local genealogical society. State records from the early years of registration can sometimes be incomplete, and county-level records fill in those gaps.

Washington State Digital Archives holds searchable indexes of early Franklin County birth records and other historical documents.

The digital archives search is free and available online, making it a convenient first step for genealogical research.

Other Resources for Franklin County

The Franklin County Auditor issues marriage licenses at 1016 N 4th Avenue in Pasco. The marriage license fee is $58. Marriage records from 1891 onward are also held by the county auditor and are available through the state archives for historical research. If you need both a birth record and a marriage record as part of a legal process, the auditor's office is the right contact for the marriage document, while the health district handles the birth certificate.

The Washington State DOH FAQ on certificates and informational copies is a practical resource if you have questions about what type of record you need, how to prove eligibility, or what happens if your request is denied. The FAQ is updated regularly and reflects the current rules under the 2021 law changes.

The Washington State DOH Vital Records main page is your central hub for all state-level vital records services, including links to order forms, FAQs, and contact information for the state's Center for Health Statistics.

Cities in Franklin County

Pasco is the county seat and the largest city in Franklin County, with a population over 100,000. It is the only city in the county with a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Find birth records resources for counties near Franklin County.