Search Richland Death Records
Richland death records are held by the Benton-Franklin Health District, the local health authority that covers both Benton and Franklin Counties. City of Richland death records go back to 1959 through this office. If you need a certified copy or are searching for historical death information tied to someone who lived or died in Richland, this page covers where to go, what to bring, and what resources exist for older records that predate formal local registration.
Richland Overview
Richland Death Records: Getting Certified Copies
The Benton-Franklin Health District issues certified death certificates for Richland and the broader Benton County area. The office is in Kennewick, not Richland itself. The address is 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, WA 99336. You can reach them at (509) 460-4204 or toll-free at (866) 687-1464. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
City of Richland death records are available from 1959 to present. All Benton County death records are available from 1980 forward. The standard fee is $25 per certified copy. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $20 each. Processing is typically within two business days for in-person and mail requests. Bring valid photo ID when you visit in person.
The Benton-Franklin Health District at bfhd.wa.gov is the primary source for certified Richland death certificates.
Washington's vital statistics law under RCW 70.58A.530 defines who can get a certified copy. Close family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest qualify. Everyone else can get a noncertified informational copy. Both types cost the same but carry different legal weight. Informational copies are fine for genealogy but won't work for estate, insurance, or legal proceedings.
| Office | Benton-Franklin Health District - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 7102 W. Okanogan Place Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | (509) 460-4204 / (866) 687-1464 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | bfhd.wa.gov/programs_services/vital_records |
| Fee | $25 first copy; $20 each additional |
Historical Death Records for Richland
Richland has a unique history tied to the Manhattan Project and the Hanford Site. Many early residents arrived in the 1940s as part of the wartime nuclear program, so local records from that era reflect a rapidly growing government-planned city. The East Benton County Historical Society holds historical materials on Richland, Kennewick, and the broader Hanford area. These include promotional materials, photographs, and community records that give context to older death records.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds Benton County death records that can be searched online at no cost. This includes records filed with the Benton County Auditor before statewide registration was well established. The Digital Archives includes death indexes and linked images going back to the early 20th century for most Washington counties.
FamilySearch has indexed many Washington death records with links to scanned originals. Searching by name and state often turns up Benton County results tied to Richland-area residents. The Richland Family History Center also holds extensive genealogy books and local history materials including records related to Hanford, White Bluffs, and the original Richland settlement.
The Benton County Auditor's office also holds property and recorded documents related to Benton County history, which can supplement death record research.
How to Order a Richland Death Certificate
You can get a Richland death certificate in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online.
In-person visits to the Benton-Franklin Health District office in Kennewick are the quickest route. Show your ID, fill out the request form, and pay at the counter. Processing is typically done within two business days, and some same-day service may be available. The office is on W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick, about 10 minutes from downtown Richland.
Mail requests take longer. Write out your request, include a copy of your ID, and send a check or money order for $25 (plus $20 for each additional copy). Send everything to the Benton-Franklin Health District at 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, WA 99336. Processing within two business days starts once they receive your request, but add time for postal delivery on both ends.
Online orders go through VitalChek. This is Washington State's only contracted third-party ordering service. VitalChek charges fees on top of the $25 base cost, so total expenses run higher. You do get more shipping options including expedited delivery. Identity verification is handled electronically during the order process.
Research Resources for Richland Death Records
The Tri-City Genealogical Society at tcgs.ws covers the Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco area. The society has compiled cemetery records for Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick and other local burial sites. Cemetery records often note full names, birth years, and death dates that tie directly to official records. This is a useful supplement when you have partial information.
The Washington State Archives regional office serves eastern Washington and holds older county records including death registers filed with the Benton County Auditor before 1907. These records can fill gaps for early residents who arrived when the area was still sparsely populated. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
The Washington Department of Health holds statewide death records going back to 1907 and can issue certified copies through their Vital Records office. For deaths that fall outside the Benton-Franklin Health District's date range, DOH is the backup source. They accept mail orders and orders through VitalChek. The state death index from 1907 to 1960 and 1965 to 2020 is also searchable through the Digital Archives.
Washington Death Records Law
Washington regulates access to death records through RCW 70.58A. Death records are not open public records under the state Public Records Act. RCW 70.58A.540 specifically exempts vital records from public disclosure, meaning you can't request them the same way you'd request a government contract or a meeting agenda.
Certified copies go to qualifying family members and legal representatives. Informational copies are available to others for research, but they carry a notice that they are not valid for legal purposes. For Richland residents working through estate matters, insurance claims, or name changes, a certified copy is required. Informational copies work well for genealogy, family trees, and historical research.
The fee is set by state law at $25 per copy under RCW 70.58A.560. Local health districts like Benton-Franklin may add fees for additional copies or identity verification. Records 25 years or older are transferred to the Washington State Archives under RCW 70.58A.510, which opens them up for broader access. For anything more recent, the health district or state DOH holds the record and applies eligibility checks.
Benton County Death Records
Richland is in Benton County. Death records for Richland are issued through the Benton-Franklin Health District. The county page has more on archives, court records, and other Benton County resources.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Richland and each has a death records page with local details.