Death Records in Spokane County
Spokane County death records are issued by the Spokane Regional Health District, the local vital records authority for the county and the city of Spokane. The county is the most populous in Eastern Washington with roughly 550,000 residents, anchored by Spokane and Spokane Valley. If you need to search for a death that occurred in Spokane County, request a certified copy, or dig into historical genealogy records, this page covers the offices, fees, and methods you need to know.
Spokane County Overview
Spokane County Vital Records Office
The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is the primary source for Spokane County death certificates. Their main office is located at 1101 W College Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. You can reach them at 509-324-1601 or by email at records_web@srhd.org. The health district issues certified copies for deaths occurring in Spokane County and can access all Washington State deaths registered electronically through the state system.
Death certificates cost $25 per copy plus any additional fees tied to your ordering method. Washington state law under RCW 70.58.107 says the fee cannot be waived under any circumstances. That means no exceptions for financial hardship or government agency requests. Pay attention to the method you choose because third-party ordering services add their own fees on top of the base $25. The health district also issues burial transit permits for deaths occurring in Spokane County, which funeral homes need to transport remains across county or state lines.
The Spokane Regional Health District handles requests in person and by mail. Walk-in visits during business hours are the fastest way to get a certificate. Bring valid government-issued photo ID and be prepared to show proof of your relationship to the deceased or your legal interest in the record. You cannot simply walk in and request a death certificate for any person without showing eligibility.
| Office | Spokane Regional Health District - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 1101 W College Ave Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Phone | 509-324-1601 |
| records_web@srhd.org | |
| Website | srhd.org/birth-death-certificates-faqs |
The Spokane Regional Health District website covers all current fees and ordering options for Spokane County death records.
The SRHD site lists accepted forms of ID, eligible requesters, and current fees for Spokane County death certificates.
Historical Spokane County Death Records
Spokane County has some of the richest early death record collections in Eastern Washington. The county auditor registered deaths going back to 1888, well before Washington statehood in 1889. The Washington State Digital Archives holds the Spokane County Auditor's Death Register from 1891 to 1907 and Death Returns from 1888 to 1907. These are free to search and include index entries and in many cases scanned images of the original documents.
For deaths between 1907 and 1997, the state Department of Health death certificates are indexed and available at the Digital Archives. Spokane County is well represented in this collection. You can search by name and pull up the scanned certificate image for many records. The archive also contains a Spokane County death index that covers 1888 to 1907 and another set covering 1989 to 2011. This gives researchers a strong base for tracing deaths across multiple eras without needing to pay for certified copies.
The Spokane County Auditor at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 maintains historical property and recording documents and can direct you to older vital record collections held on microfilm. Their phone is (509) 477-2270 and they are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Spokane County Auditor's recording system is also where you can find recorded documents tied to estates, including affidavits of heirship and probate-related filings.
The Spokane County Auditor's online recording portal lets you search property and recorded documents that may relate to estate and probate matters following a death.
How to Order Spokane Death Records
Getting a certified death certificate from Spokane County involves choosing the right method. In person at SRHD is the fastest option and you typically walk out with the record. Mail orders work if you can't visit in person, but take longer. Online orders through VitalChek add convenience but also add fees.
For in-person requests at SRHD, bring your government-issued photo ID and any documents showing your relationship to the deceased or your legal interest. You will fill out a request form at the office. Pay at the window. The $25 fee applies per copy. If you need multiple copies for estate purposes, request them all at once since each costs $25 regardless of how many you order at the same time. Having several certified copies saves you from making multiple trips later when banks, insurance companies, and courts all want an original.
Mail requests should include a completed application form, a photocopy of your valid ID, documentation of your relationship or legal interest, and a check or money order payable to SRHD. Mail to Spokane Regional Health District at 1101 W College Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. Processing times vary but generally run one to two weeks once the office receives your package. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to speed up return delivery.
For deaths that occurred before the health district's coverage window or outside Spokane County, contact the Washington State Department of Health. The state holds records from 1907 forward and can issue certified copies for any Washington death during that period. VitalChek also routes orders to the state when the local health district cannot fulfill a request.
Note: SRHD does not accept personal checks for vital records orders. Use a money order, cashier's check, or pay by card in person.Genealogy Resources in Spokane County
The Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) is headquartered in Spokane at PO Box 1826, Spokane, WA 99210-1826. They offer research assistance, publications, and regular meetings focused on Eastern Washington genealogy including Spokane County. Their resources include surname indexes, cemetery records, and local history collections that can help you track down deaths not captured in official records.
The Spokane Public Library Northwest Room at 906 W. Main, Spokane is one of the best places to dig into local genealogy research. Their phone is 509-444-5336. The library is open Monday and Tuesday from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Genealogy volunteers are on hand every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These volunteers can help you navigate newspaper archives, obituary collections, and local history materials. The library holds a strong collection of Spokane area obituaries going back many decades.
The Washington State Digital Archives is free to use and covers Spokane County well. The Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch holds records not yet digitized and is worth contacting if the Digital Archives search turns up nothing for a specific person or time period.
Washington Vital Records Law
Spokane County death records fall under RCW 70.58A, Washington's Vital Records Act. This law governs who may obtain a certified copy, what a death certificate must include, and how records are maintained over time. The SRHD follows these rules and must deny requests from people who don't qualify under the statute.
Certified copies with full personal information go only to specific people: the deceased's immediate family members including spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents. A legal representative, attorney of record, or person with a direct and tangible interest may also request a copy. You will need to declare your relationship and provide ID. The health district can verify your eligibility before issuing the record. After 50 years from the date of death, the record opens to the public and anyone can request it.
The state law also sets out what a death certificate must contain. This includes the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause and manner of death, the attending physician or coroner's name, and information about the disposition of remains. These details make a death certificate useful not just for legal purposes but also for genealogical research, since a good death certificate can confirm age, birthplace, parents' names, and residence at the time of death.
Errors on a death certificate can be corrected through an amendment process. Cause of death changes require input from the attending physician or medical examiner. Other factual corrections need supporting documents. SRHD handles amendments for records within their jurisdiction. The state DOH handles corrections for records outside the health district's coverage. It is worth correcting errors because future family members may rely on the record for genealogy or legal purposes.
Note: Washington law expressly prohibits fee waivers for vital records under RCW 70.58.107, so there is no way to reduce the $25 per copy fee regardless of the reason for the request.Cities in Spokane County
Deaths in all Spokane County cities are recorded through the Spokane Regional Health District. Both major cities route death certificate requests through the same SRHD office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Spokane County. Deaths in each county are handled by that county's local health department or health district.