Mason County Birth Records

Mason County birth records are issued through Mason County Public Health in Shelton for Washington births registered from July 1, 1907 to present. The county health office offers both in-person service and an online ordering portal for birth certificates, making it one of the more accessible county vital records offices in western Washington. Death certificates are available for deaths registered after January 1, 2007. This page covers how to order a birth certificate locally, who qualifies for certified copies, fees, and where to find older historical records dating back to the 1890s.

Mason County Birth Certificate Ordering

Mason County Public Health issues birth certificates through two methods: in-person visits at the Shelton office and online through a dedicated county portal. The office does not accept mail orders, so if you can't visit in person and don't want to use the online system, you'll need to go through the Washington State DOH instead. The county health office is at 2300 Kati Court in Shelton, and the phone number is 360-472-9670.

The county charges $25 for the birth certificate itself, plus a $5 processing fee and $1 for shipping when ordering online. In-person orders may have a different total, so confirm at the counter. All fees are nonrefundable once a request is processed. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and documentation of your relationship to the subject when requesting a certified copy. The online portal at masonwavitals.permitium.com walks through the steps and fee total before you submit payment.

The Mason County Public Health vital records page on the county's official site has current ordering information and a link to the online portal. Check that page for any updated instructions or office closure notices before planning a visit.

The Mason County Public Health vital records page shows ordering options and links to the county's online certificate portal.

Use this page to find the online ordering portal or confirm the current office address and hours before visiting Shelton.

Who Can Request Certified Copies

Washington State closed its birth records on January 1, 2021. Under RCW 70.58A.530, only specific categories of people are allowed to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. The qualified list covers 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 courts or government agencies acting in official roles.

If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you can still request a noncertified informational copy. Both types cost the same, and the underlying data is identical. The difference is that informational copies carry a stamp noting they cannot be used for legal identification purposes. Many people doing genealogy research use informational copies since the certificate details are the same. A valid photo ID is still required when requesting an informational copy.

Under RCW 70.58A.540, certain individuals may have requested nondisclosure of their birth record. When a nondisclosure is active, the record is not released to anyone outside the qualified list. If you encounter a nondisclosure denial, the office will typically inform you that a record exists but cannot be released, without specifying the reason.

Historical Mason County Birth Records

Mason County was created in March 1854 and named after Charles H. Mason, the first Secretary of Washington Territory. The County Auditor began keeping local birth records starting April 2, 1891. Those records run through September 16, 1903 and are cataloged in the state archives under reference GEN MICRO 979.797. Birth Returns from 1891 to 1894 are also available separately. Marriage records at the County Auditor's office go back to 1892, giving genealogists a useful companion source when researching family history in Mason County.

The Washington State Digital Archives is the best first stop for pre-1907 Mason County records. The site lets you search by name, record type, county, and date range without making a trip to a physical archive. Some Mason County birth register entries have been digitized and indexed there. For records that haven't been digitized, the State Archives can help with copy requests or direct you to the nearest regional branch that holds the physical collection.

The Washington State Digital Archives has indexed historical Mason County birth records from the county auditor period.

Search for Mason County births from the 1891 to 1907 period using the Digital Archives free online search tool.

The County Auditor's office is also worth contacting for marriage records from 1892 onward. Marriage records can help researchers trace birth lines when direct birth documentation is missing or incomplete. The courthouse at 419 N 4th Street in Shelton houses multiple county offices. The County Clerk holds civil and court records that may also contain birth-related documentation from estate and probate proceedings.

Washington State DOH as an Alternative

The Washington State Department of Health is an alternative for Mason County birth certificate requests, especially if the local office cannot fulfill your request or if you need a record from 1907 through the period before the county began issuing locally. The state office processes requests by mail, phone through VitalChek, and by in-person appointment in Tumwater.

Fees at the state office differ from Mason County's local rates. Mail requests cost $25 per copy. Online or phone orders through VitalChek add an $8.50 service fee and a $7.00 delivery fee. In-person appointments add $13.50 and $2.50. All fees are nonrefundable. Mail processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. VitalChek orders typically arrive in 3 to 7 business days. Phone: 360-236-4300. VitalChek: 1-866-687-1464. Mailing address: PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507.

The DOH birth record ordering page has full instructions for each ordering method and explains what to include with a mail request. If you're unsure whether to use the county or state option, either can process a Mason County birth certificate for births from 1907 onward.

The Washington DOH birth record ordering page walks through the mail, phone, and online options for getting a birth certificate.

This state page covers current fees and required documents for ordering a Mason County birth certificate through the state office.

Washington Birth Record Statutes

The legal framework for birth records in Washington is RCW Chapter 70.58A. This statute governs how birth records are registered, maintained, and released. It defines who can request certified copies, sets rules for informational copies, and establishes the process for amendments and nondisclosure requests. The chapter was implemented on January 1, 2021, replacing earlier vital records laws and creating the current closed record system.

Under this law, both the state DOH and county health offices like Mason County Public Health must follow the same rules. They cannot release a certified copy to anyone outside the qualified list even if you pay the fee. The only exception is for government agencies and courts with a lawful purpose, which can access records through official channels regardless of the closed record rules. Private third parties requesting records for employment or other commercial purposes do not qualify under this statute.

RCW Chapter 70.58A governs the creation, maintenance, and release of all Washington birth records.

Read the full statute to understand Washington's closed record rules, the qualified requester list, and how nondisclosure requests work.

Cities in Mason County

Mason County has no cities meeting the population threshold for a dedicated birth records page. Shelton is the county seat and the location of the Mason County Public Health office. Residents throughout the county use the Shelton office or the Washington State DOH for birth certificate requests.

Nearby Counties

Mason County shares borders with several other Washington counties. Find birth records resources for nearby areas using the links below.