Search Death Records in Des Moines
Death records for Des Moines residents are held by King County Vital Statistics in Seattle. If you need a certified death certificate for someone who died in Des Moines or anywhere in King County, that office is your primary stop. Des Moines sits on Puget Sound in southern King County, and all vital records for the area go through the county system. You can request records by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at the King County office. Processing times and fees vary by method. This page covers where to go, what to bring, and how to search historical records tied to Des Moines.
Des Moines Overview
Des Moines Death Records - Which Office Handles Them
Des Moines does not have its own vital records office. The city is part of King County, so death certificates for anyone who died in Des Moines are issued by King County Vital Statistics. This office handles all birth and death records for the county, including deaths in Des Moines going back to when the state began registering vital events. The office is in Seattle, not in Des Moines itself, so most residents choose to order by mail or online rather than making the trip.
King County Vital Statistics is located at 908 Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104. The main phone number is 888-273-4623. Walk-in orders are handled in the lobby and most are fulfilled in about 30 minutes. For mailed or online orders, expect 7 to 10 business days. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order at the counter. Checks should be made payable to Vital Statistics. The office also has order forms available in both English and Spanish.
The fee for a certified death certificate is $25 per copy. If you need multiple copies, each one costs the same. Washington allows only eligible parties to request death certificates under RCW 70.58A. Eligible parties include the decedent's spouse, parents, children, siblings, and legal representatives. You must provide a valid photo ID when requesting a record.
King County Vital Statistics issues certified death certificates for all deaths in Des Moines and the broader King County area, with in-person service available at their Seattle office.
| Office | King County Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 908 Jefferson St., 2nd Floor Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Mailing Address | Box 359784, 325 Ninth Ave. Seattle, WA 98104-2499 |
| Phone | 888-273-4623 |
| Fee | $25 per certified copy |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/depts/health/vital-statistics |
Note: Payment at the King County walk-in counter is accepted in cash, check, or money order only. The office does not accept credit cards for in-person orders.
Historical Records for Des Moines
Washington State began requiring the registration of births and deaths in 1907. Records from 1907 through the 1960s were kept at the county level and many have since been transferred or digitized. If you are looking for a death record from the early part of the twentieth century tied to Des Moines or the surrounding south King County area, there are a few places to search.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds a range of historical vital records and county documents. The site is free to search and indexes records from counties across the state. It is a good starting point for pre-1960 records. Washington State Department of Health also holds older records going back to statehood, and their vital records page explains what is available and how to request them.
The Highline Historical Society covers the Des Moines area along with other south King County communities. They hold local historical materials including obituaries and old newspaper clippings that can help you trace a death that occurred in this part of the county. Genealogical research in this area often relies on combining county death records with local newspaper archives and cemetery records to fill in gaps.
For deaths prior to 1907, official state records do not exist. Researchers typically turn to church registers, cemetery inscriptions, probate court filings, and early census mortality schedules. The Washington State Library and the University of Washington Special Collections both hold relevant materials for early King County history.
How to Obtain a Death Certificate
There are three main ways to get a certified death certificate for a Des Moines death. Each method works, but the speed and cost vary. Choose the one that fits your situation.
Online through VitalChek: The Washington State Department of Health uses VitalChek as its authorized online ordering partner. You can also order through King County's own online portal. Online orders are convenient but carry an additional service fee on top of the $25 certificate cost. You will need to provide the deceased's name, date of death, and place of death. Identity verification is required. Orders typically process within 7 to 10 business days.
In person at the King County office: Walk-in service is available at 908 Jefferson St., 2nd Floor in Seattle. Most orders placed in person are filled in about 30 minutes. Bring a valid photo ID and payment in cash, check, or money order. This is the fastest method if you need the record the same day.
By mail: Download and complete the request form from the King County website or the Washington State DOH site at doh.wa.gov. Include a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for $25 per certificate, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to the address on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your request.
The Des Moines City Clerk at 21630 11th Avenue S handles public records requests for city-level documents, though vital records like death certificates are processed through King County.
Note: Washington law requires proof of eligibility for all certified death certificate requests. Informational copies may be available to the general public, but certified copies require documentation of your relationship to the decedent.
Local Resources in Des Moines
The Des Moines City Clerk is located at 21630 11th Avenue S, Suite C, Des Moines, WA 98198. The clerk's office handles public records requests for city-level documents. This includes city council minutes, ordinances, and other municipal records. They do not maintain vital records like death certificates. If you have a question about whether a public record is held by the city, the clerk's office can point you in the right direction.
For genealogical research, the Highline area is served by several resources. King County Library System branches in Des Moines carry local history collections and have access to databases like Ancestry and Newspapers.com through library cards. The Seattle Genealogical Society at seagensoc.org offers research help and maintains an extensive collection of Washington vital records indexes. Funeral homes serving Des Moines also keep records of the deaths they handle and can sometimes provide information about older deaths when official records are incomplete.
Obituaries from the Des Moines area have historically appeared in publications like the Federal Way Mirror and the Seattle Times. Many older obituaries are indexed in genealogical databases or held in local library archives. The King County Library System's local history collection is a good place to look for printed sources tied to this community.
Death Records and Washington Law
Washington State regulates death records through RCW Chapter 70.58A, which governs vital statistics statewide. The law defines who can request certified copies of death certificates, what information must be included in a death record, and how records are stored and maintained. King County Vital Statistics follows these rules when processing requests from Des Moines residents and others in the county.
Under state law, a death certificate must be filed within three days of death and before disposition of the body. The medical certifier, usually a physician or coroner, completes the cause of death section. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition fills out the demographic and registration information. The record is then filed with the local registrar and transmitted to the state.
Access rules matter for people trying to get records. Washington treats death certificates as restricted records for 50 years after the date of death. During that period, only qualified applicants can receive a certified copy. After 50 years, the records become available to the general public. The Washington State Department of Health maintains older records and makes some available through its own request process and through the Digital Archives. If you are looking for a record from a death that occurred more than 50 years ago, you have broader access rights than you would for a recent death.
Washington also allows for amendment of death records when errors are discovered. If the cause of death, personal information, or other details on a certificate are wrong, the next of kin or legal representative can submit an amendment request. The process is handled through the state DOH. Corrections to county-level information go through King County Vital Statistics first.
King County Death Records
Des Moines is part of King County. All death certificates and vital records for the city are processed through the county system. For more details on King County resources, offices, and search options, visit the King County death records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Des Moines. Each has its own death records page with local office information.