Vancouver Death Records
Vancouver death records are maintained by Clark County Public Health, which issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Clark County. If you need to search Vancouver death records or get a copy of a certificate, the county health department is your main contact. You can also order records online through VitalChek. Vancouver is the largest city in Clark County and the county seat, so all vital records for the area flow through county offices located in and around the city.
Vancouver Overview
Where to Get Vancouver Death Records
The main office for Vancouver death records is Clark County Public Health - Vital Records. This office issues certified copies of Clark County death certificates for deaths within the last ten years. Their address is 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Building 17, 4th Floor, Suite 419, Vancouver, WA 98661. You can reach them at 564-397-8092. They also handle Washington State birth certificates from 1940 to present. VitalChek online ordering is available for those who prefer to request records remotely.
For deaths that happened more than ten years ago, the Washington State Department of Health holds those records. You can order older certificates directly through the state office or through VitalChek at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records. The state maintains death records from 1907 to present.
| Office | Clark County Public Health - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. Building 17, 4th Floor, Suite 419 Vancouver, WA 98661 |
| Phone | 564-397-8092 |
| Online Orders | VitalChek available |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/public-health |
Clark County Public Health serves Vancouver and all other communities in Clark County. The office went through a service adjustment when Washington's new Vital Records law took effect on January 1, 2021. That law changed who can request certified copies and what ID is required. Under current rules, only eligible individuals such as the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a documented need can get a certified copy.
Clark County Public Health handles certified death certificates for Vancouver and all of Clark County through their vital records office.
The office is located in Building 17 on the Fourth Plain Blvd campus in Vancouver.
How to Search Vancouver Death Records
You have several ways to search death records for Vancouver. For recent deaths in Clark County, contact the health department directly at 564-397-8092 or visit the office in person. You can also use VitalChek to order online. For historical records going back to 1891, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov offers free access.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds Clark County Auditor death records from 1891 to 1907, including both index and image files. After 1907, the state took over registration. The digital archives also hold Department of Health death certificates from 1907 to 1997 and a death index from 1907 to 1960 and from 1965 to 2020. All of these are freely searchable and viewable online. This is a strong starting point if you are doing family history research or need records from before the modern era.
For court-related death records such as probate filings or coroner inquests, the Clark County Clerk's office handles those files. You can find their public records portal at clarkcountycourt.org/public-records. Most court records are viewable online through the county's case management system.
Note: Washington became a closed record state on January 1, 2021, meaning recent death certificates are restricted to qualified requestors. Historical records in the digital archives remain open to the public.
The Clark County Court maintains public records including probate and coroner files related to deaths in Vancouver.
Court records for Clark County cases are largely available online through the county's records portal.
Vancouver Death Records - Historical Research
The Clark County Genealogical Society keeps death indexes from local newspapers going back to 2002. Their collection includes yearly death indexes from 2002 through 2021. If you are searching for a death that was reported in a local Clark County newspaper, these indexes can help you find the right entry quickly. Their library is located at 3609 NW 6th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604. You can reach them at 360-687-8653 or email info@ccgswa.org. Their main website is ccgs-wa.org.
The Clark County Historical Society also maintains research collections for genealogy work. Their resources include cemetery records and obituary indexes that are useful for older Vancouver and Clark County deaths. Visit cchmuseum.org for more on what they hold.
For pre-1907 deaths, the Clark County Auditor's recording records are the best source. These are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. After 1907, the state Department of Health holds the primary records. Both sources are searchable at digitalarchives.wa.gov at no charge.
Who Can Request Vancouver Death Records
Washington law restricts certified copies of death certificates to a specific set of qualified individuals. This rule applies to deaths registered in Vancouver and across all of Clark County. You must be the registrant's spouse or domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or a legal representative. You can also qualify if you have a court order authorizing access or a documented legal or financial need connected to the record.
To request a certified copy, you must show a valid government-issued photo ID. The Clark County Public Health office at 564-397-8092 can walk you through the exact documentation required for your situation. If you are ordering through VitalChek, the site collects the same identity information electronically.
Death records that are more than 25 years old can be accessed under broader rules once they become public record under Washington's vital records timeline. Historical records in the Washington State Digital Archives do not require proof of eligibility and are freely available to anyone with internet access.
Note: Fees for certified copies from Clark County Public Health are set by the state and subject to change. Contact the office to confirm current pricing before you visit or order.
Clark County Death Records
Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County, and all death records for the area are registered through Clark County offices. The county health department, the county auditor, and the state digital archives all hold records relevant to Vancouver deaths. For a full overview of Clark County death records resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Vancouver. Each files vital records through its own county system.