Search Lincoln County Birth Records

Lincoln County birth records are available through the Lincoln County Health Department in Davenport for Washington births registered from 1921 to present. The health department offers same-day service for in-person walk-in requests. For records from 1907 through 1920, contact the Washington State Department of Health in Tumwater. Historical pre-state records from 1891 through 1907 are held at the Washington State Archives. This page walks through each option, explains who qualifies for certified copies, and covers what historical collections are available for genealogy research.

Lincoln County Birth Certificate Office

The Lincoln County Health Department handles certified birth certificates for Washington births registered from 1921 to present. The office is in Davenport, which is the county seat. In-person requests are typically processed the same day. The health department can also issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred after March 2016. For any out-of-state birth certificates, the county office cannot help, and you'll need to use VitalChek directly for out-of-state records.

The standard fee is $25 per copy. If you pay by credit or debit card, an additional $2.50 processing fee applies. Cash and check payments avoid that surcharge. The fee is nonrefundable once submitted, whether or not the record is found. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when visiting in person, along with any documents needed to prove your relationship to the person named on the certificate if you're requesting a certified copy.

For births from 1907 through 1920, the county health office does not hold those records locally. You'll need to contact the Washington State Department of Health directly. The state holds records from July 1, 1907 onward and can process requests by mail, phone through VitalChek, or by appointment in Tumwater.

The Lincoln County Health Department vital records page provides ordering instructions and contact information.

This page covers what records are available locally and how to request certificates from the Lincoln County Health Department.

Who Qualifies for a Certified Copy

Washington's vital records law, RCW Chapter 70.58A, restricts certified copies to qualified individuals. The law took effect January 1, 2021, and applies to all Washington birth records regardless of the year of birth. Qualified requesters include: the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a spouse or domestic partner, a parent, a stepparent, a child, a stepchild, a sibling, a grandparent, a great-grandparent, a grandchild, a great-grandchild, a legal guardian, a legal representative, an authorized agent, and government agencies or courts acting in official capacities.

If you're outside that list, you can still get a noncertified informational copy. The informational copy contains the same birth information but is stamped to show it has no legal standing. It costs $25, same as the certified version. Many genealogy researchers use informational copies since the underlying data is identical. Under RCW 70.58A.530, requesters must provide ID and, for certified copies, proof of their qualifying relationship.

Some individuals may have a nondisclosure request on file under RCW 70.58A.540. In those cases, the record is not released to anyone outside the qualified list, and even informational copies may be withheld. If you encounter a refusal on those grounds, contact the Washington State DOH to understand your options.

Historical Birth Records in Lincoln County

Lincoln County was created from Spokane County in November 1883 and named for President Abraham Lincoln. Before Washington required statewide birth registration in 1907, the County Auditor kept local birth and death records from 1891. The County Auditor's records are a primary source for genealogy research on Lincoln County families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Marriage and land records at the Auditor's office go back to 1891 as well.

The Washington State Archives holds Lincoln County Auditor birth records from 1891 to 1907 under the reference GEN MICRO 979.735. These records are housed at the Eastern Regional Archives branch, which serves eastern Washington counties. You can reach the Eastern Regional Archives at (509) 235-7508. Staff can help you determine whether a specific record exists and what access rules apply. Some of these records may also be searchable through the Washington State Digital Archives online database. The Digital Archives is a free resource and a good first stop before arranging a visit or requesting copies from the physical archive.

The Washington State Digital Archives has indexed many Lincoln County historical birth records from the 1891 to 1907 period.

Use the Digital Archives search to look up historical Lincoln County birth records by name, year, or record type without visiting a physical archive.

The County Clerk in Lincoln County handles divorce records and court files. The clerk's records can sometimes fill gaps in family history research when birth documents are incomplete or missing. If you need to establish parentage for an individual born before 1907, court files such as probate records or guardianship proceedings may contain sworn statements about birth dates and parentage that aren't available in standard vital records collections.

Washington State DOH Ordering Options

The Washington State Department of Health handles birth certificate requests for all Washington counties. For Lincoln County births from 1907 to 1920, the state DOH is the only option since local county records start in 1921. For births from 1921 onward, you can use either the county or the state. Some people prefer going through the state because it offers more ordering methods, including a dedicated online portal through VitalChek and a phone ordering line.

State DOH fees: $25 per copy by mail; $25 plus $8.50 service fee plus $7.00 delivery for online/phone; $25 plus $13.50 plus $2.50 for in-person appointments. All fees are nonrefundable. Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. Online and phone orders through VitalChek take 3 to 7 business days. In-person appointments at the Tumwater office are often same-day. State DOH contact: 360-236-4300. VitalChek line: 1-866-687-1464. Mailing address: PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. Office: 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

The DOH birth record ordering page has step-by-step instructions and links to VitalChek for online orders.

The state ordering page covers fees, required documents, and the three ways to submit a birth certificate request in Washington.

Vital Records Law and Access Rules

All Washington birth records are subject to RCW Chapter 70.58A. The statute covers how records are created, maintained, and released. It also sets out the rules for amendments, corrections, and nondisclosure requests. The closed record provisions under this chapter mean that anyone requesting a certified copy must demonstrate a qualified relationship before the record is released.

The law applies equally to county health departments and the state DOH. Whether you submit your request to Lincoln County Health or to the state office in Tumwater, the same eligibility rules apply. You'll need to provide the same documentation either way. If your request is denied, both offices should explain the reason and point you toward an appeal or alternative process if one is available.

RCW 70.58A.530 lists the specific categories of people who are authorized to receive certified birth certificates in Washington.

This statute page shows the complete list of qualified requesters and the documentation requirements for certified birth certificate requests.

Cities in Lincoln County

Lincoln County has no cities meeting the population threshold for a dedicated birth records page. Davenport is the county seat. Residents throughout the county can access birth records through the Lincoln County Health Department in Davenport or through the Washington State DOH in Tumwater.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Lincoln County. Each county page has local birth records contact information and ordering details.