Death Records in Kittitas County

Kittitas County death records are handled by the Kittitas County Public Health Department in Ellensburg, which issues certified death certificates for deaths in the county from 1907 forward. The department began offering online ordering in 2023 alongside its walk-in and mail request options. Historical death registers going back to 1892 are digitized and available through the Washington State Digital Archives at no cost. This page explains how to search, order, and find Kittitas County death records through each available source.

Kittitas County Public Health Vital Records

The Kittitas County Public Health Department at 507 N. Nenum Street in Ellensburg is the local office for death certificates covering events in Kittitas County. The department is a local agent for the Washington State Department of Health. You can order death certificates in person during walk-in hours, by mail, or online through the department's ordering system, which has been available since 2023. For basic questions about ordering, call (509) 962-7515.

Death certificates cost $25 for the first certified copy. Additional copies and any handling charges vary. Contact the office directly for current fee details and to confirm what identification and documentation you will need to bring or include with your request. In-person service is available during regular business hours, and the office staff can walk you through the request process if you are not sure what you need.

Under RCW 70.58A, only eligible parties can receive a certified death certificate. Qualifying requesters include the spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Bring a government-issued photo ID and documentation of your relationship to the person on the record. If you do not have a qualifying relationship, you may be able to get an informational copy, which is not valid for legal use but works for research purposes.

You can also order Kittitas County death certificates through the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia or through VitalChek, the state's online vendor. Both options handle requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Washington, including Kittitas County.

Historical Kittitas County Death Records

Kittitas County has death records going back to 1892, before Washington State took over death registration in July 1907. The county auditor kept death registers from 1892 to 1907. A separate death register from Roslyn covers 1901 to 1904, reflecting the coal mining community that was active in that part of the county during that era. Both sets of records are digitized and available through the Washington State Digital Archives.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds the Kittitas County Auditor death records from 1892 to 1907 with index and images. State death certificates from 1907 to 1997 are also available with full image access. The death index covers 1907 to 1960 and again from 1965 to 2020. Birth returns from 1891 to 1907 and marriage records from 1891 to 2005 are also in the digital archives, which can be useful for family history research. All searches and image views are free with no registration required.

The Kittitas County Auditor at kittitascountywa.gov/auditor in Ellensburg holds original records and can assist with historical research questions about county records. Phone is (509) 962-7535. The auditor maintains land records going back to 1882 and marriage records from 1884, which are related research paths for genealogy work. The auditor is not the right office for certified death certificates on recent deaths. Those come from the health department.

The Washington State Archives Central Regional Branch is located in Ellensburg. Phone is (509) 963-2136. This branch holds Kittitas County Superior Court records and other older county government documents. For researchers who need primary sources that go beyond what is online, the Central Regional Branch is the closest state archives facility to Ellensburg and is worth contacting before making a trip.

How to Order Kittitas County Death Records

Kittitas County offers three ways to request death certificates: online, in person, and by mail. The health department added online ordering in 2023, which is a convenience for people who cannot make the trip to Ellensburg.

Online ordering is available through the Kittitas County Public Health Department's system or through VitalChek. Online orders are processed and mailed to you. Check the department's website at kittitascountywa.gov/health for current online ordering instructions and any service fees that apply. VitalChek is the state's authorized online vendor and adds its own service fee on top of the $25 certificate cost.

In-person requests at 507 N. Nenum Street in Ellensburg are handled during regular business hours. Walk-in service is available. Bring your completed request form, photo ID, and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Payment is due at the time of the request. Call (509) 962-7515 before going to confirm hours and availability.

Mail requests should include a written description of what you need, the full name of the deceased, date and county of death, your name and relationship to the deceased, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for the correct amount. Mail to: Kittitas County Public Health Department, 507 N. Nenum Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Contact the office by phone to confirm current fees and any processing time estimates before mailing your request.

For records from 1997 or earlier that are needed for research, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the fastest option. Search by name and county, view certificate images, and download results for free. No account or fee is needed.

Genealogy Resources for Kittitas County

Kittitas County has a small but useful set of genealogy resources for researchers. The Kittitas County Historical Society in Ellensburg maintains local historical collections and offers research resources for family history work in the county. The organization focuses on preserving the history of the Kittitas Valley, including early settlement, farming, and the coal mining communities around Roslyn and Cle Elum.

The Ellensburg Public Library has a local history and genealogy section with access to regional databases and historical newspapers. Local newspapers can be valuable for obituaries and death notices that provide context beyond what a formal death certificate contains. The library is open to the public and staff can help you navigate the local history collection.

Central Washington University in Ellensburg, through its library system, also has resources for regional history research. The university library holds some historical records and periodicals related to the Kittitas Valley. For researchers who combine a visit to the state archives branch with a library visit, Ellensburg has multiple research options within a short distance of each other.

For broader digital research, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the primary online tool. Kittitas County death and birth records are well-represented in the archives, with data going back to 1892. The Roslyn-specific death register from 1901 to 1904 is a unique local resource for anyone with mining family connections in that area.

Washington Death Records Law

Kittitas County death records are governed by Washington State vital records law under RCW 70.58A. This chapter defines who can access certified death certificates, how deaths must be registered, and how records are maintained by the state and its local agents. The 2021 updates to this chapter made eligibility requirements more specific. A certified copy is only issued to eligible parties: spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal representatives, and others who can document a direct legal interest.

The death registration process in Kittitas County follows the same statewide rules as other counties. When someone dies, the attending physician or medical examiner certifies the cause and manner of death. The funeral home or person handling the disposition files the full death record through Washington's electronic death registration system. Once filed, the Kittitas County Public Health Department can issue certified copies. The whole process is required by law and must be completed within specific time limits set by state statute.

Informational copies of death records are marked as not valid for legal use. They show the same information as a certified copy but cannot be used for estate settlement, property transfer, benefits claims, or other legal transactions. They work fine for genealogy and personal research. Informational copies may be available to a broader set of requesters than certified copies.

State archival rules determine when older records become more broadly available. Records more than 50 years old are generally accessible to the public. That is why the Washington State Digital Archives makes pre-1998 death records available to anyone who searches. Records from 1998 forward remain restricted to eligible parties. If you need a recent Kittitas County death record and do not have a qualifying relationship, contact the health department to discuss your options or consult legal counsel.

Cities in Kittitas County

Kittitas County includes Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Roslyn, Kittitas, and other communities. Death certificates for events anywhere in the county are available through the Kittitas County Public Health Department.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kittitas County. Each has its own vital records office for deaths that occurred within their area.