Jefferson County Birth Records and Certificates
Jefferson County birth records are available through Jefferson County Public Health in Port Townsend for births from July 1, 1907 to the present. For older records, the Jefferson County Genealogical Society and Washington State Archives hold important historical collections. This page covers how to request a certified birth certificate, who qualifies under Washington law, and where to find historical birth data for Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Overview
Jefferson County Public Health Vital Records
Jefferson County Public Health in Port Townsend is the local office for certified birth certificate requests. The office handles Washington State birth records from July 1, 1907 onward. For births before that date, you'll need to work through the Washington State Center for Health Statistics or the historical resources described further down this page. Staff can assist with both requests and can direct you to the appropriate contact when your records fall outside local service scope.
| Office | Jefferson County Public Health |
|---|---|
| Address | 615 Sheridan St Port Townsend, WA 98368 |
| Phone | (360) 385-9444 |
| Fax | 360-385-9401 |
| Online | jeffersoncountypublichealth.org |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
| Payment | Cash, check, or money order |
To order by mail, complete the Washington State Certified Birth Certificate Application and fax it to 360-385-9401 or mail it to 615 Sheridan St, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Include a copy of your valid ID and, if applicable, proof of your relationship to the person named on the record. Certificates are available for pickup or are mailed out the next business day after the request is processed. The $25 fee is nonrefundable.
For pre-1907 birth certificates, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360-236-4313. The state office in Tumwater maintains older records transferred from counties, though completeness varies for births from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Jefferson County Public Health vital records page has current instructions and any updates to application procedures.
Jefferson County Public Health vital records page provides current procedures, required documents, and contact details for the local office.
The county page is the best reference for understanding current walk-in and mail request procedures at the Port Townsend office.
Note: Jefferson County Public Health accepts fax requests at 360-385-9401, which can speed up your request without requiring a trip to Port Townsend.
Ways to Order a Jefferson County Birth Certificate
The local Jefferson County Public Health office offers in-person and mail ordering. For online or phone ordering, Washington State's authorized service is VitalChek. VitalChek is available around the clock at 1-866-687-1464 or online. VitalChek orders typically process in three to seven business days. Online orders carry additional fees: the $25 base certificate fee plus an $8.50 VitalChek service fee and a $7.00 processing fee per order. Faster delivery options are available for an extra charge.
The Washington State DOH birth record ordering page has the current application form and outlines each ordering method in detail. Mail requests sent directly to the state at PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 take roughly eight to ten weeks. If you want same-day service from the state, you can schedule an in-person appointment at 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. The state DOH phone line at 360-236-4300 is staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for questions.
All fees across all ordering methods are nonrefundable. Make sure the birth information you provide is accurate before submitting your application. If a record is not found or the request is denied, the fee is still charged. The state can be reached by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov for follow-up questions after you've submitted a request.
Washington State DOH Birth Record Ordering provides forms and detailed instructions for requesting Jefferson County birth certificates through the state.
The state ordering page is kept up to date and reflects current fees, acceptable ID requirements, and processing times.
Washington Law and Who Qualifies
Washington birth records are governed by RCW Chapter 70.58A. The law was significantly updated in 2021 when Washington became a closed record state for certified birth certificates. Before the change, birth certificates were more broadly accessible. Under the current framework, only qualified applicants can receive a certified copy, which is the type accepted for passports, driver's licenses, and other legal purposes.
Qualified applicants under RCW 70.58A.530 include the person named on the record, 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 lawful purpose. If you fall outside this list, you can still request a noncertified informational copy. Informational copies are available to any member of the public and show the same record data but are not valid for legal use.
Some birth records carry a nondisclosure flag under RCW 70.58A.540. These protections are most often associated with adoption or sealed parentage. Even a qualified applicant may face additional requirements if a nondisclosure restriction applies. The DOH will explain the process if your request runs into this type of restriction.
Note: Proof of qualifying relationship is required for certified copies; bring documentation such as a birth certificate linking you to the person named on the record you are requesting.
Historical Jefferson County Birth Records
Jefferson County was one of the original counties of Washington Territory, created on December 22, 1852. The county has one of the oldest local birth record collections in the state. Birth records were filed with the County Auditor from 1891 through 1906, and statewide registration through the state DOH began in 1907. Microfilm copies of early Jefferson County birth records are available at the State Archives Northwest Branch.
The Jefferson County Genealogical Society has done significant work abstracting early birth certificate information covering 1892 to 1926. The society also holds an index of delayed birth certificates from 1868 through 1891, which is a valuable resource for tracing births that predate formal registration. The JCGS Research Center is the access point for this material, and the Jefferson County Genealogical Society resources page lists what is available and how to access it. Church records from multiple denominations dating from the late 1800s can also supplement official birth records for this period.
Jefferson County Genealogical Society resources page lists available historical birth record indexes and other genealogical material for the county.
The genealogical society's abstracts and indexes can fill gaps in official records, particularly for births in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds searchable indexes of early Jefferson County birth records. The free online search tool lets you look up records by name and approximate date without visiting an archive in person. For records in microfilm that aren't yet digitized, you'll need to contact the State Archives Northwest Branch. The Washington State Archives genealogy page describes the Northwest Branch and what records it holds for Jefferson County.
Washington State Digital Archives offers free online search access to early Jefferson County birth records and related historical documents.
The digital archives are a strong starting point for genealogical research in Jefferson County before the 1907 statewide registration date.
Note: Jefferson County's pre-1907 birth records span from 1891 to 1906 at the County Auditor level, with some delayed birth certificates dating back to 1868 held by the Jefferson County Genealogical Society.
Additional Resources
The Washington State DOH certificates FAQ answers the most common questions about the difference between certified and informational copies, what documentation is accepted as proof of identity, and what to do if a request is denied. It is a practical read before you begin your application, especially if you are not sure whether you qualify for a certified copy under the 2021 law changes.
The Washington State Library genealogy guide is a broader reference for family history researchers working in Jefferson County and around the state. It covers available record types, which archives and libraries hold them, and how to navigate research that spans multiple counties or time periods. The guide is free to access online and is regularly updated.
Note: Jefferson County's long history and the genealogical society's work abstracting early records make it one of the better-documented counties in Washington for pre-1907 birth research.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County has no cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site. Port Townsend is the county seat and largest community. Other communities include Quilcene, Brinnon, and Port Hadlock. Residents should use the county and state resources above to request birth records.
Nearby Counties
Find birth records resources for counties near Jefferson County on the Olympic Peninsula.