Everett Death Records Search

Death records for Everett are handled by Snohomish County Health Department, which is located right in Everett itself since the city is the county seat. If you need a certified death certificate for someone who died in Everett, the county health department can issue it the same day you walk in. The Snohomish County Health Department maintains death records for Everett deaths from 1953 forward and county-wide records from 1960 forward. For older deaths or statewide searches, the Washington State Department of Health and the Digital Archives have additional records. This page walks you through all your options.

Everett Death Records - Which Office Handles Them

Because Everett is the county seat, the Snohomish County Health Department office is physically located in the city. You do not have to travel elsewhere to get records. The office is at 3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104, Everett, WA 98201. The main number is 425-339-5200 or 425-339-5220. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. to begin the application process. If you come in on the first or third Thursday of the month, note that the office does not open until 9:30 a.m. on those days.

The Snohomish County Health Department holds death certificates specifically for Everett deaths from 1953 to the present. For deaths in the rest of Snohomish County outside Everett, their records go back to 1960. Starting in 2016, Washington moved to electronic registration for most deaths statewide, so all Washington State deaths filed electronically are accessible through the health department system. Birth certificates are also available statewide from 1907 forward.

The fee is $25 per certified copy. There is also a $15 identity verification and record retention fee per order. This $15 charge applies once per visit or order, not once per certificate. Mail orders carry an additional $2 postage and handling fee. Washington law under RCW 70.58A defines who can request certified death certificates. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit and be prepared to show proof of relationship if requested.

Snohomish County Health Department in Everett is the primary office for death certificate requests, with records covering Everett deaths from 1953 and county-wide records from 1960.

Historical Records for Everett

Everett was incorporated in 1893 and grew quickly as a timber and manufacturing hub. Death records from the earliest years of the city are not held at the county health department. The formal state registration system for vital events did not begin until 1907. For deaths between 1893 and 1907, researchers look to church records, funeral home registers, cemetery inscriptions, and early county probate files.

Once the state registration system started in 1907, records were kept at the county level. For Everett deaths from 1907 through about 1952, the Snohomish County Health Department does not hold the original records. These older records are held by the Washington State Department of Health and are searchable through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The Digital Archives site is free to use and indexes a wide range of Washington vital records by name, date, and location.

The Everett Public Library Northwest Room at epls.org is one of the best local resources for historical research. The Northwest Room holds local history materials, genealogy collections, and newspaper archives. The Everett Herald has published since 1901, and many issues are indexed or digitized. Death notices and obituaries from the Herald can help confirm details and dates for deaths across the twentieth century. Library staff in the Northwest Room can assist with research queries and direct you to specific collections.

The Snohomish County Historical Society at snohomishhistory.org also holds materials relevant to Everett. They maintain genealogical resources, early county documents, and indexes that supplement what is available at state and county offices. For deaths prior to formal registration, this organization can be especially helpful.

How to Obtain a Death Certificate

Everett residents have multiple options for getting a certified death certificate. Since the Snohomish County Health Department is right in Everett, the in-person option is particularly convenient compared to residents of smaller Snohomish County communities who must also travel to Everett.

In person at SNOHD: Walk in to 3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, but remember the 9:30 a.m. start on the first and third Thursdays. Bring a valid photo ID and cash or check. Most walk-in orders are completed the same day. This is the fastest and most straightforward method.

By mail: Download the request form from the Snohomish County Health Department website at snohd.org/314/Death-Certificates. Complete it fully and include a photocopy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order for the required fees. Mail everything to the office address. Expect two to three weeks from the time the office receives your request.

Online through VitalChek: Use VitalChek or the Washington State DOH portal at doh.wa.gov to place an order online. You will need to enter the deceased's name, date of death, city of death, and your own identifying information. An additional service fee applies. Orders process within 7 to 10 business days.

The Everett City Clerk handles public records requests for city-level documents. For death certificates, residents should contact Snohomish County Health Department directly.

Local Resources in Everett

The Everett City Clerk is located at Everett City Hall, accessible at everettwa.gov. The clerk handles city records including council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public records requests. If you are looking for a city-level document rather than a death certificate, this is the right place to start. Vital records are not held by the city, but the clerk's office can direct you if you have questions about other types of records.

The Everett Public Library Northwest Room is the main genealogical and local history resource for Everett. The Northwest Room holds a substantial collection of local history materials including old city directories, newspaper archives, and genealogical reference books. Library staff there specialize in helping researchers find records related to Everett and Snohomish County. You can also access subscription genealogy databases for free using your library card through the Sno-Isle Libraries system.

For legal help related to estate matters or death records, the Snohomish County Bar Association can provide referrals. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org offers free legal guides on probate, estates, and related topics. Funeral homes in Everett also maintain their own records and can sometimes help family members locate a death date or funeral details when official records are hard to access.

Death Records and Washington Law

All death records in Washington are governed by RCW Chapter 70.58A. This statute sets the rules for how deaths are registered, who can access records, what the certificate must contain, and how long restrictions remain in place. The Snohomish County Health Department applies these rules to all Everett death certificate requests.

A death must be reported and registered within three days of occurrence and before the body is moved for disposition. The physician or coroner certifies the cause of death. The funeral home or responsible party registers the demographic information. Once the record is filed, it enters the county and state systems. Washington uses an Electronic Death Registration System for most deaths since 2016, which speeds up processing and reduces errors in the initial filing.

Certified copies are restricted for 50 years after the date of death. During that window, only qualifying family members and legal representatives can receive a certified copy. After 50 years, the record becomes available to the general public. This rule applies uniformly across the state. If you are searching for a death that occurred before 1976, you can request a certified copy without having to prove a family relationship. Older records can be requested directly from the Washington State DOH for very old deaths, or through the Digital Archives for research purposes.

Washington also allows for corrections and amendments. If the name of the deceased, date of death, or cause of death is listed incorrectly on the certificate, the next of kin or their representative can submit an amendment. Snohomish County Health Department processes corrections for records in their system. Amendments to older state records go through the DOH. Either way, there is a formal process and documentation requirements involved.

Snohomish County Death Records

Everett is the county seat of Snohomish County. All death records for the city and the broader county flow through the same health department office. Visit the Snohomish County death records page for more county-wide information and resources.

View Snohomish County Death Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Everett. Each page has local office details for death records in that area.