Federal Way Death Records Lookup
Death records for Federal Way are processed through King County Vital Statistics in Seattle. Federal Way does not have its own vital records office, so anyone who needs a certified death certificate for a death that occurred in Federal Way must go through the county. Federal Way is a large city in southern King County with roughly 97,000 residents. You can request death certificates online, by mail, or in person at the Seattle office. This page covers the process, what you need to bring, and where to find older historical records tied to the Federal Way area.
Federal Way Overview
Federal Way Death Records - Which Office Handles Them
King County Vital Statistics is the office that issues death certificates for Federal Way. The office is in Seattle at 908 Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104. The phone number is 888-273-4623. Walk-in orders are processed in the lobby and most are fulfilled in about 30 minutes. The office is not in Federal Way, so residents who want a certified copy the same day need to make the drive to Seattle. Mail and online orders are available if you do not need the record immediately.
The fee for a certified death certificate is $25 per copy. Washington does not charge an additional identity verification fee at this office, unlike some county health departments. Checks should be made payable to Vital Statistics. Cash and money orders are also accepted at the walk-in window. Credit cards are not accepted for in-person orders. For mail orders, include a photocopy of your valid photo ID and a check or money order for the correct amount. The mailing address is Box 359784, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-2499.
King County Vital Statistics at 908 Jefferson Street in Seattle handles all death certificate requests for Federal Way, with walk-in service available Monday through Friday.
Access to certified death certificates is limited by Washington law under RCW 70.58A. The law defines qualified applicants as the spouse, domestic partner, parents, adult children, grandparents, siblings, and legal representatives of the deceased. If you are outside this group, you may request an informational copy but not a certified one until 50 years after the date of death, when records become public.
| 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: In-person orders at King County Vital Statistics are fulfilled in approximately 30 minutes for most requests.
Historical Records for Federal Way
Federal Way incorporated as a city only in 1990. Before that, the area was unincorporated King County and deaths were recorded simply as occurring in King County rather than in Federal Way. This means older death records tied to this community are indexed under county records rather than city records. Washington State began requiring registration of vital events in 1907, so deaths from 1907 forward are in the state system even though the city itself did not yet exist.
For deaths in the Federal Way area from 1907 to the present, King County Vital Statistics holds or can access the records. For pre-1960 deaths, some older records are held by the Washington State Department of Health rather than the county office. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds indexes and images of historical vital records from across the state. This free resource is useful for tracking down deaths from the early to mid-twentieth century in what is now Federal Way.
The Federal Way Historical Society at federalwayhistory.org preserves local history for this community. They may hold materials like old photographs, newspaper clippings, and community records that help fill in historical details not captured by official vital records. For genealogical research on Federal Way families, combining the official county records with resources from the historical society and library databases typically yields the best results.
The King County Library System serves Federal Way with branch locations in the city. Library cards grant free access to Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogical databases. Obituaries and death notices from the Federal Way Mirror and the Seattle Times are indexed in several online newspaper archives and can help confirm the details of a death from this area.
How to Obtain a Death Certificate
Federal Way residents can get a certified death certificate through King County Vital Statistics using one of three methods. Each has different turnaround times and costs. All methods require you to establish your eligibility under RCW 70.58A before a certified copy is issued.
In person in Seattle: Walk in to 908 Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor during business hours. The office processes most walk-in orders in about 30 minutes. Bring a valid photo ID. Acceptable payment at the counter is cash, check, or money order made payable to Vital Statistics. This is the best choice if you need the record urgently.
By mail: Download the request form from the King County website or the Washington State DOH at doh.wa.gov. Complete the form, include a copy of your photo ID, and enclose $25 per certificate in the form of a check or money order. Mail to the address on the form. Allow 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your request.
Online: Order through VitalChek, which is the authorized online ordering service for Washington vital records. Provide the deceased's name, date of death, and city of death. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the $25 certificate fee. Online orders process within 7 to 10 business days. You will need to verify your identity as part of the online process.
The Federal Way City Clerk at 33325 8th Ave. S manages public records requests for city documents. Death certificates must be requested through King County Vital Statistics in Seattle.
Local Resources in Federal Way
The Federal Way City Clerk is at 33325 8th Ave. S, Federal Way, WA 98003. Phone is 253-835-2542. The clerk handles public records requests for city documents including council records, ordinances, and general city files. The clerk's office does not maintain death certificates or other vital records. For vital records, you go to King County. The city clerk can help you navigate other types of public records requests that the city handles directly.
Federal Way Municipal Court at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102 handles traffic, civil infractions, and municipal code violations. Their phone is 253-835-3000. This court does not handle probate or estate matters, which go through King County Superior Court. If you need court records related to an estate opened after a death in Federal Way, those records are at the King County Superior Court Clerk in Seattle.
For genealogical resources, the King County Library branches in Federal Way have strong collections and access to databases including Ancestry Library Edition. The Washington State Genealogical Society at wasgs.org also offers resources and assistance for researchers working on Washington families. For legal guidance related to estates or death records, Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free self-help guides.
Death Records and Washington Law
Washington State manages vital records through RCW Chapter 70.58A. The law governs the full lifecycle of a death record from initial registration through public access decades later. King County Vital Statistics applies this law when processing requests for Federal Way death certificates.
When a death occurs in Federal Way, the attending physician or coroner certifies the cause of death. The funeral home or person responsible for disposition completes the registration portion and files the record with the county within three days. From there, the record goes into the King County and state systems. The record is considered official once it is accepted and filed. Any changes after that point must go through a formal amendment process.
For the first 50 years after a death, certified copies are restricted to qualified family members and legal representatives. After that period, the records become open to the general public. Informational copies, which lack the certification required for legal use, may be available to others during the restricted period. But if you need a record for settling an estate, applying for benefits, or other legal purposes, you need a certified copy and must meet the eligibility requirements.
Washington State has a process for correcting errors on death certificates. If a name is misspelled, a date is wrong, or the cause of death needs to be updated based on new medical information, the family or legal representative can request an amendment. Documentation is required. King County Vital Statistics can process amendments for records in their system. Older records may need to go through the Washington State DOH directly. Starting the process as soon as an error is found is always better than waiting, since corrections get more complicated with time.
King County Death Records
Federal Way is in King County. Death certificates for the city are issued by King County Vital Statistics. Visit the King County death records page for more information on the county system, offices, and additional resources.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Federal Way. Each page covers local death records offices and resources.