Grant County Birth Records Search
Grant County birth records are available through the Grant County Health District in Moses Lake, which serves as the local office for vital records in central Washington. You can also request certified copies online through the health district's ordering portal or through VitalChek. This page covers how to get a birth certificate, what the fees are, who qualifies, and where to find older historical birth records for Grant County.
Grant County Overview
Grant County Health District Vital Records
The Grant County Health District is the local agency that handles birth certificate requests for Grant County. The office is based in Moses Lake, not Ephrata (the county seat), so plan accordingly when visiting in person. Staff can help with requests for Washington State births from 1907 onward and can explain what documentation you need to bring or submit with your application.
| Office | Grant County Health District |
|---|---|
| Address | 1038 West Ivy Avenue Moses Lake, WA 98837 |
| Phone | 509-766-7960 ext. 21 |
| Fax | 509-766-6519 |
| vitalrecords@gchdwa.permitium.com | |
| Online Portal | gchdwa.permitium.com |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy (additional fee for credit card payments) |
The health district accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards. Note that credit card payments carry an extra processing fee. If you want to avoid that fee, pay by cash or money order when you visit in person. The Grant County Health District vital records page has current information about hours, fees, and the required application form. Check the page before your visit since hours and procedures can change.
Walk-in service is available at the Moses Lake office. You'll need to bring a valid photo ID and, if you are not the person named on the record, documentation that shows your qualifying relationship. Washington became a closed record state on January 1, 2021, which means only certain people can receive certified copies. Anyone can request an informational copy, which is not valid for legal use but shows the same record data.
Grant County Health District vital records page lists procedures, required documents, and current fees for local certificate requests.
The health district page is the best local reference for walk-in, mail, and phone order options in Grant County.
Online Ordering for Grant County Births
Grant County offers online ordering directly through the health district's portal at gchdwa.permitium.com. This system lets you submit a request and upload supporting documents from home. It's a good option if you can't visit in person or prefer to handle everything electronically. The portal processes requests during normal business hours.
Grant County Health District online ordering portal allows residents to request birth certificates and upload required documents electronically.
The online portal is a convenient alternative to visiting the Moses Lake office in person.
VitalChek is also available for Grant County birth certificate orders. The VitalChek Grant County ordering page is accessible online or by phone at 1-866-687-1464 any time, day or night. VitalChek orders typically process in three to seven business days. The total cost includes the $25 certificate fee, an $8.50 VitalChek service fee, and a $7.00 processing fee. Faster shipping options are available for an additional charge.
VitalChek Grant County page provides online ordering for certified Grant County birth certificates around the clock.
VitalChek is the fastest online option for most applicants, with three-to-seven-day processing and expedited shipping available.
The Washington State DOH ordering page is another option, particularly if you want to submit a mail request directly to the state. Mail orders sent to PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 take roughly eight to ten weeks. All fees are nonrefundable regardless of the ordering method you choose.
Note: When ordering online or by phone, have the full name on the birth record, date of birth, city or county of birth, and your relationship to the person ready before you start the application.
Access Rules and Washington State Law
Washington birth records are governed by RCW Chapter 70.58A. This comprehensive chapter covers everything from how hospitals register births to who can access certified copies of the resulting certificates. Knowing the basics of this law helps you understand what to expect when you apply.
The qualified applicant categories under RCW 70.58A.530 include the person named on the record, their spouse or domestic partner, their children, parents, stepparents, stepchildren, siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, legal guardians, legal representatives, authorized representatives, and government agencies or courts acting within their official authority. You must prove both your identity and your qualifying relationship to get a certified copy. If you fall outside this list, request an informational copy instead. The informational copy looks the same but is stamped as non-valid for legal use.
RCW 70.58A.540 covers nondisclosure provisions. Certain birth records carry a flag that restricts access beyond the standard qualified applicant rules. This is most common in cases involving adoption or sealed parentage information. If a record has such a flag, the DOH will explain the process for requesting access through appropriate legal channels.
Note: Identity and proof of relationship documentation are required for all certified copy requests in Washington State, regardless of which office or ordering method you use.
Historical Grant County Birth Records
Grant County was created on February 24, 1909, from Douglas County. Because the county was formed after statewide birth registration began in 1907, there is no pre-statehood county auditor birth record collection in the same sense as older counties. However, births in the area that is now Grant County were recorded under Douglas County before 1909. The Grant County Auditor holds birth and death records from the county's creation through 1907 and marriage records from 1891 onward based on the records transferred at formation.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds searchable indexes of early Washington birth records, including records relevant to the Grant County area. For births that occurred before the county was formally established, check both Grant County and Douglas County records in the archives. The free online search tool lets you filter by county and date range, making it easier to track down older records without knowing exactly which county held jurisdiction at the time.
The Washington State Archives genealogy page lists regional archive branches and their holdings. The Eastern Washington Regional Archives covers the Grant County area. Researchers can visit in person to view microfilm or original documents, or contact the branch to ask about specific records before making the trip.
Washington State Digital Archives provides free online search access to early birth records from Grant County and neighboring counties.
The digital archives are a strong starting point for any genealogical research involving Grant County births from the early twentieth century.
Note: Grant County was formed in 1909, so records for births in that territory before that date may be filed under Douglas County in the state archives.
Additional Resources
The Washington State DOH certificates FAQ explains the difference between certified and informational copies, what forms of ID are accepted, and what to do if your request is denied or the record is not found. It is a useful read before you submit your first request.
The Washington State DOH Vital Records main page links to forms, ordering instructions, and contact information for the state's Center for Health Statistics. You can also email the state at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov or call 360-236-4300 during weekday hours if you have specific questions about a Grant County birth record.
Note: The state DOH's phone line at 360-236-4300 is staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for questions about ordering and eligibility.
Cities in Grant County
Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County and is the only city in the county with a population over 100,000. It has a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Find birth records resources for counties near Grant County in central Washington.