Access Spokane County Birth Records
Spokane County birth records are available through the Spokane Regional Health District, which issues certified Washington State birth certificates at its office in Spokane. The health district covers certified copies for all Washington births from 1907 to the present, and the Spokane County Recorder's Office holds historical pre-1907 records going back to the early 1890s. Whether you need a current certified copy or an older record for genealogy, this page covers your options.
Spokane County Overview
Spokane Regional Health District - Birth Certificates
The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) issues both certified Washington State birth records and Spokane County death records from its office at 1101 West College Avenue, Room 180, in Spokane. The office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which gives it one of the earlier start times among county vital records offices in Washington.
Walk-in service is available during business hours. Bring your valid government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship to the person named on the record if you are not the subject. Having the basic details ready, including the full name, birth date, and parents' names, will help staff locate the record quickly. Payment of the $25 fee is required at the time of the request.
It is worth noting that Washington state law does not allow the birth certificate fee to be waived. Under RCW 70.58.107, the $25 fee applies to every request regardless of circumstances. There are no low-income exemptions or hardship waivers for birth certificate fees in Spokane County.
| Office | Spokane Regional Health District |
|---|---|
| Address | 1101 West College Avenue, Room 180, Spokane, WA 99201-2095 |
| Phone | 509-324-1601 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Online | srhd.org - Birth and Death Certificates FAQ |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy (nonrefundable; fee cannot be waived) |
The SRHD birth and death certificates FAQ page covers frequently asked questions about eligibility, required documents, and what to do if you cannot find a record. It is a useful resource before you visit or mail a request.
Note: Washington is a closed-record state since January 1, 2021. Certified copies are only available to qualified applicants. The SRHD also issues noncertified informational copies, which are available to any member of the public but cannot be used for legal identification purposes.
Eligibility for Certified Spokane County Birth Records
Washington's closed-record law under RCW 70.58A.530 limits certified birth certificates to a specific list of qualified applicants. The SRHD follows this law strictly. If you do not fall into one of the qualified categories, you will receive a noncertified informational copy instead.
Qualified applicants include the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), their spouse or domestic partner, a parent or stepparent, a child or stepchild, a sibling, a grandparent or great-grandparent, a grandchild or great-grandchild, a legal guardian, a legal representative, an authorized representative, or a government agency or court. Bring a government-issued photo ID. If you are requesting as a family member, bring documentation that proves the relationship.
Noncertified informational copies are available to anyone. They are printed on plain paper and marked with a watermark indicating they are for informational use only. These are acceptable for genealogy research but not for passports, driver's licenses, or other official purposes. The fee structure for informational copies is the same as for certified copies.
If you have questions about your eligibility, contact the SRHD at 509-324-1601 before visiting. You can also reach the state DOH at 360-236-4300 for additional guidance on the access rules under RCW Chapter 70.58A.
Ordering Options and State DOH
In addition to the SRHD, you can order Spokane County birth certificates directly through the Washington State Department of Health or through VitalChek. These options are useful if you cannot visit the SRHD office in person or if you prefer online ordering.
The Washington State DOH at PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 accepts mail requests for any Washington birth record, including those from Spokane County. Mail requests to the state take about 8 to 10 weeks to process. The phone number is 360-236-4300 and email is ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov. In-person appointments at the state's physical office in Tumwater are also available.
Online and phone orders go through VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. VitalChek typically processes orders in 3 to 7 business days. Additional service and shipping fees apply on top of the $25 base fee. Online ordering: $25 + $8.50 service fee + $7.00 shipping. Phone ordering has similar fees. Check the VitalChek website for current rates.
The Washington DOH ordering page walks through each method with current fees and expected processing times for Spokane County and all other Washington counties.
Note: All fees are nonrefundable. If the record is not found or your application is incomplete, you will not receive a refund. Make sure you have all required information and documentation before submitting a request.
Historical Spokane County Birth Records
For births before July 1, 1907, the Spokane County Recorder's Office is the main source. The Spokane County Auditor held a register of births from January 26, 1892 to May 9, 1907. Early records from 1890 to 1906 are also available in various forms. These records predate Washington's statewide vital records system and were kept by the county rather than the state.
The Spokane County Recorder's Office handles recorded documents and historical birth records from the pre-1907 period. The office can assist researchers looking for early birth documentation. This is a different office from the SRHD and handles a different set of records.
The Eastern Regional Archives, reachable at (509) 235-7508, holds physical copies of many older Spokane County records. The Washington State Digital Archives has digitized some of these records and offers free online access. Search by name and date range to find early Spokane County birth entries. The phonetic Soundex search helps with spelling variations in older records.
For genealogy research, the Washington Secretary of State genealogy resources page lists holdings for each county and links to finding aids. The Washington State Library genealogical guide also has information on Spokane County records collections and microfilm availability.
The Spokane County Recorder's Office is the place to look for birth records from before the state began centralized vital records registration in 1907.
Birth Records Law in Washington
Washington vital records are governed by RCW Chapter 70.58A. This statute covers the full lifecycle of vital records in the state, from how births are registered to who can access records and under what conditions. The closed-record rules that apply at the SRHD are part of this statute.
Under RCW 70.58A.540, nondisclosure protections can be placed on specific birth records. This statute outlines the circumstances where a record may be withheld even from otherwise qualified applicants, typically in cases involving safety concerns or confidential adoption. If you believe a nondisclosure order may affect a record you are trying to access, contact the state DOH for guidance.
RCW 70.58A sets the legal framework for birth record access across all of Washington, including the closed-record rules that apply in Spokane County.
The state DOH serves as the centralized authority for all Washington vital records and provides backup access when the local health district office is not convenient.
Cities in Spokane County
Spokane County is the population center of eastern Washington. The following cities in Spokane County meet the threshold for dedicated birth records pages.
Nearby Counties
If you need birth records from counties adjacent to Spokane, each has its own records office and page.