Kittitas County Birth Records
Kittitas County birth records for Washington State births from July 1, 1907 to the present are available through the Kittitas County Health Department in Ellensburg, with in-person same-day service available. Historical birth records predating 1907 are accessible through the County Auditor and Washington State Archives. This page explains how to get a certified copy, what it costs, who qualifies, and where to locate older historical birth data for Kittitas County.
Kittitas County Overview
Kittitas County Health Department
The Kittitas County Health Department in Ellensburg handles birth certificate requests for Washington State births from July 1, 1907 to the present. In-person same-day service is available, which is a practical advantage for residents who need a certificate quickly and can visit during business hours. The office is in Ellensburg, which is also the county seat, so it's centrally located for most Kittitas County residents.
| Office | Kittitas County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 507 N. Nunum St. Ellensburg, WA 98926 |
| Online | co.kittitas.wa.us/health |
| Service | In-person same-day service available |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
To request a birth certificate in person, bring a government-issued photo ID and documentation showing your qualifying relationship to the person named on the record if you are not the person on the certificate. Washington State became a closed record state on January 1, 2021. Under RCW 70.58A.530, only qualified applicants can receive a certified copy. The health department follows these rules for all requests regardless of ordering method.
The county is named after the Kittitas tribe and was originally part of Yakima County. It was formally established on November 24, 1883. Ellensburg has been the county seat throughout the county's history. The Kittitas Valley corridor along the upper Yakima River includes communities like Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas in addition to Ellensburg. Residents of these smaller communities should also use the county health department for birth certificate requests.
Kittitas County Health Department provides local birth certificate services for Washington State births from 1907 to the present.
The county health department page lists current services, contact details, and any updates to procedures or fees for birth record requests.
Note: Call the Kittitas County Health Department ahead of your visit to confirm current hours and any changes to walk-in procedures before making the trip to Ellensburg.
How to Request a Kittitas County Birth Certificate
In person at the Ellensburg health department is the most direct option for Kittitas County residents. Same-day service means you can walk in with your documents and leave with your certificate. Bring a valid photo ID and, if applicable, proof of your qualifying relationship to the person on the record. The fee is $25 per certified copy, payable at the office.
For remote ordering, VitalChek offers online and phone ordering around the clock. The VitalChek phone line is 1-866-687-1464. Online orders typically process in three to seven business days. The total cost for a VitalChek order includes the $25 base fee, an $8.50 VitalChek service fee, and a $7.00 processing fee. Faster shipping is available at an additional charge. All fees are nonrefundable regardless of whether the record is found.
The Washington State DOH birth record ordering page provides the official application and instructions for ordering by mail, online, or in person at the state office in Tumwater. Mail requests sent to PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 take roughly eight to ten weeks. In-person appointments at the state office are available and often result in same-day service but must be scheduled in advance. The state phone is 360-236-4300, staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Washington State DOH Birth Record Ordering has the application form and ordering instructions for all available methods.
The state page is kept current and reflects any updates to fees, required ID, or delivery options.
The Washington State ordering methods overview compares fees and timelines across all available options, which can help you pick the method that fits your timeline and budget.
Note: Kittitas County Health Department offers same-day service for in-person requests, making it one of the more convenient local options in central Washington for urgent certificate needs.
Washington State Vital Records Law
Birth records in Washington fall under RCW Chapter 70.58A, which is the state's vital statistics act. This chapter defines the rules for birth registration, record access, privacy protections, and the difference between certified and informational copies. The 2021 updates to this law are the biggest change in Washington vital records access in many years.
The qualified applicant categories 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 lawful purposes. Everyone outside this list can request a noncertified informational copy. The informational copy contains the same data but is stamped as invalid for legal or official purposes. Both types of records show the same information; the difference is in how they can be used.
Under RCW 70.58A.540, some records carry a nondisclosure flag that restricts access beyond the standard rules. This is most common for records connected to adoption or sealed parentage. If a record has such a flag, the DOH will explain the process for seeking access through appropriate legal channels. These cases are relatively uncommon but do occur.
RCW Chapter 70.58A is the controlling Washington State law for birth records access, registration, and privacy protections.
Reviewing the statute helps you understand your eligibility and what to prepare before you submit a request.
Historical Kittitas County Birth Records
Kittitas County birth registration goes back to 1891 at the county auditor level. The county auditor holds birth records from 1891 through 1907, before statewide registration began. For births in the early mining communities of Roslyn and Cle Elum, additional specialized records exist. The Birth Register for the City of Roslyn from 1907 to 1908 and Early Birth Records of Kittitas County from 1889 to 1907 are both available at the Washington State Archives. The collection titled Washington Kittitas County Birth and Death Records 1870 to 1943 is a broader resource that covers a longer time span and includes both birth and death data.
The Washington State Digital Archives is the best online tool for accessing early Kittitas County birth records. The free search tool lets you look up records by name and date range. Many of the county auditor's early records are indexed and some are digitized. This is particularly useful for researchers who can't travel to Ellensburg or the regional state archive. For records that haven't been digitized, you'll need to contact the relevant archive branch.
The Washington State Archives genealogy page describes the Central Regional Archives branch, which covers Kittitas County. That branch handles historical records from the central Washington region and can confirm what physical materials are available for in-person research. Calling ahead to verify holdings before making the trip saves time.
The Roslyn Birth Register is notable because Roslyn was a significant coal mining community in the late 1800s and early 1900s, drawing a diverse population of miners and their families. Birth records from that era can be valuable for genealogical research into the history of immigration and labor in the region. Combining the county auditor's records with the Roslyn-specific register can give a more complete picture of early births in that part of the county.
Washington State Digital Archives holds early Kittitas County birth record indexes and images, including records from the county auditor and special community registers.
The digital archives search is free and lets you check for early birth records in Kittitas County without traveling to the state archives.
Note: Kittitas County has specialized historical birth records for Roslyn and other communities available at the State Archives that supplement the standard county auditor collection.
Additional Resources
The Washington State DOH certificates FAQ is a practical resource for anyone who has questions before applying. It covers the difference between certified and informational copies, what ID is accepted, how to show proof of relationship, what happens when a record is not found, and what to do if your request is denied. Reading the FAQ first can save a significant amount of time.
The Washington State Library genealogy guide is a thorough reference for family history researchers working in Kittitas County or anywhere in Washington. It lists available record types by county, explains which archives hold which records, and provides guidance for research that spans multiple counties or time periods. The guide is free to access online and covers both modern and historical birth records.
Note: For questions about Kittitas County birth records, you can contact the state DOH by email at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov or by phone at 360-236-4300 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cities in Kittitas County
Kittitas County has no cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site. Ellensburg is the county seat and the largest community in the county. Other communities include Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas. Residents should use the county and state resources listed on this page to request birth records.
Nearby Counties
Browse birth records resources for counties near Kittitas County in central Washington.