Find Death Records in Skagit County

Skagit County death records in Washington State are issued by Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon. The office handles certified death certificate requests for deaths that occurred in Skagit County from January 1, 2011 to the present, as well as deaths filed in some other Washington State counties. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives and the county auditor's historical collection provide free online access going back to the 1890s. This page explains where to go, what to bring, and what each source covers.

Skagit County Public Health - Vital Statistics

The primary source for certified Skagit County death records is Skagit County Public Health. The office is at 700 South 2nd Street, Suite 301 in Mount Vernon. You can reach them by phone at (360) 416-1500. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office issues certified death certificates for deaths occurring in Skagit County from January 1, 2011 to present, as well as certain deaths filed statewide.

The fee is $25 per certified copy. The office accepts cash, check, and MasterCard or Visa credit cards. This is more flexible than some other county health offices in Washington, so you have options when it comes to payment. You will need to complete the Skagit County Death Certificate Order Form and provide acceptable proof of your identity and your eligibility to receive the record.

The Skagit County Public Health website provides the order form, identification requirements, and fee schedule for requesting certified death certificates in Mount Vernon.

For deaths that occurred before January 1, 2011, the Skagit County Public Health office may not have the record. In those cases, the Washington State Department of Health in Tumwater is your best option. The DOH maintains death records for all Washington State deaths and can issue certified copies for older events as well.

Historical Skagit County Death Records

Skagit County's oldest public death records date to 1891. The Skagit County Auditor death records from 1891 to 1908 are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The collection includes both an index and scanned images of the original records. You can access these for free with a simple name or date search. This is the best starting point for anyone researching Skagit County family history from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Beyond the auditor records, the Skagit County Auditor's current recording division at 700 S 2nd Street also holds death records from 1891 to 1910 in its office. You can contact the recording division at (360) 416-1704 to ask about accessing those physical records. The recording division handles property documents and marriage records as its main work, but older death records from before state registration took over are also in their holdings.

The statewide DOH death certificate collection on the Digital Archives covers 1907 to 1997. If a person died in Skagit County during that time, their record is likely in this database. Pair that with the auditor records going back to 1891, and you have nearly unbroken digital access to Skagit County deaths over more than a century.

Note: Physical records and microfilm for Skagit County are held at the Washington State Archives Northwest Regional Branch in Bellingham, reachable at (360) 650-3125.

How to Order Skagit County Death Certificates

To get a certified death certificate for a death in Skagit County from 2011 to the present, start with Skagit County Public Health at 700 South 2nd Street, Suite 301 in Mount Vernon. In-person requests are the fastest. Bring your ID and payment when you visit during business hours. The staff can process your request and issue the certificate on the same visit in most cases.

You can also submit a mail request to the same address. Include the completed Skagit County Death Certificate Order Form, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, documentation of your eligible relationship to the deceased if needed, and your payment. A personal check or money order is best for mail orders. The office will process your request and mail the certificate back to you.

If you cannot reach the county health office or need a record from before 2011, contact the Washington State Department of Health. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the DOH office in Tumwater. Online ordering through VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the $25 base cost, but it is a convenient option if you need to order quickly or from a distance.

Genealogy Resources in Skagit County

Skagit County has active genealogy resources for family history research. The Skagit Valley Genealogical Society maintains local genealogical records, obituaries, and cemetery records. Their collection is a valuable supplement to official death records, especially for older families and for deaths that predate consistent state registration.

The Skagit County Historical Society in Mount Vernon holds pioneer family files, historical records, and obituaries that can support death records research in the county.

The Skagit County Historical Society is another key resource. Their collection includes pioneer family files, historical records, and obituaries that span many decades. These materials can provide context and detail that official death certificates do not always capture. The society is based in Mount Vernon and can be reached through their website for information on accessing their collections.

For digital research from home, the Washington State Digital Archives covers the bulk of what you need for pre-1997 deaths. Their interface is straightforward, and the Skagit County auditor records and DOH death certificate collections are well organized. Start there before traveling to Mount Vernon or Bellingham for physical records.

Washington Death Records Law

Skagit County death records are governed by RCW 70.58A, Washington State's vital statistics law. This statute defines the rules for death certificate issuance, access, and privacy. Under this law, death records are restricted records, not fully public documents. You must demonstrate a qualified relationship or legal need to receive a certified copy.

Qualified requestors include the surviving spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Attorneys with a documented need, funeral homes, and government agencies can also obtain records. If you do not have one of these relationships, you may request an informational copy. Informational copies are stamped to show they are not valid for legal purposes but can serve genealogy and personal research needs.

Access to older records loosens after 50 years under state law. That is why records from the early 1900s through the 1970s are widely available through the Digital Archives. Recent records follow tighter rules, and Skagit County Public Health will ask for your ID and proof of relationship before releasing any certified copy.

Washington requires that deaths be reported and registered promptly. The registrar at the local health department records each death and assigns a state file number. That file number appears on certified copies and is useful if you need to request the same record again in the future. Keep a note of it once you receive your copy.

Cities in Skagit County

Skagit County includes Mount Vernon and several smaller communities. All death records in the county go through Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon.

Other communities in Skagit County include Burlington, Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, and Burlington. Death records for all of these go through the same Skagit County Public Health office.

Nearby Counties

Skagit County borders several other northwest Washington counties. Each has its own vital records office and process.