Thurston County Death Records
Thurston County death records are issued by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services in Olympia, which serves as the local vital records office for deaths occurring in the county from January 1, 2008 forward. The county is home to Washington's state capital and roughly 290,000 residents across Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. For deaths before 2008, the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia is the right place to start. This guide covers both current and historical Thurston County death records and how to access them.
Thurston County Overview
Thurston County Vital Records Office
The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services vital records office is located at 412 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506-5132. Their main phone number is 360-867-2618 and you can also reach the department at (360) 867-2500. Fax is 360-867-2600 and email is vital_records@co.thurston.wa.us. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with no appointment needed for walk-in visits. Same-day service is typically available during business hours.
Death certificates cost $25 per certified copy. If you pay by credit card, expect a fee of $2.00 or 2.30 percent of the total, whichever is higher. Debit card payments carry a $2.00 or 1 percent fee, whichever is greater. Mail orders must be paid by check or money order made out to "TCHD." Do not send personal checks by mail for vital records orders. TCHD stands for Thurston County Health Department, so make sure you use that exact payee name to avoid delays.
An important limitation to know up front: Thurston County Public Health covers most Washington State deaths from January 1, 2008 forward. For deaths that occurred before 2008, you need to contact the Washington State Department of Health. The state office is actually located nearby in Olympia, so residents of the county don't have to travel far either way. The state holds records back to 1907.
| Office | Thurston County Public Health - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 412 Lilly Road NE Olympia, WA 98506-5132 |
| Phone | 360-867-2618 |
| vital_records@co.thurston.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov vital records |
The Thurston County vital records office handles most death certificate requests for the county, starting with deaths from 2008 forward.
The county's vital records page lays out fees, coverage dates, required identification, and ordering options for Thurston County death certificates.
Historical Thurston County Death Records
Thurston County's early vital records are well preserved and accessible. The Washington State Digital Archives holds the Thurston County Auditor's death records from 1891 to 1907. The state DOH death certificates from 1907 through 1997 are also indexed and available in the archive. A death index covering 1907 to 1960 and another covering 1965 to 2020 are both searchable for free. These indexes are useful even if you don't need a certified copy because they confirm names, dates, and locations.
Thurston County has been the site of Washington's territorial and state capital since the 1850s, which means its records go back further than most counties. The Olympia area saw settlement before the formal county system was established, and some early territorial records touch on what is now Thurston County. Church records, cemetery inscriptions, and local newspaper death notices fill in gaps that official records leave. The Washington State Historical Society at 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma holds major Pacific Northwest collections that include Thurston County materials. Their research library is open to the public.
The Thurston County Auditor at 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Suite 130, Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-786-5405, handles recorded documents including property records, marriage licenses, and historical filings. Their alternate location is 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 1, Room 106, Olympia. Photo copies cost $1.00 per page and certified copies are $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The auditor is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Thurston County Auditor also offers eRecording for documents that qualify, which lets you search recorded documents online without visiting the office.
The Thurston County Auditor's office maintains recorded documents including historical vital records and estate-related filings.
How to Order Thurston County Death Records
To get a certified Thurston County death certificate, start by confirming the date of death. If it was on or after January 1, 2008, contact Thurston County Public Health at 412 Lilly Road NE, Olympia. If it was before 2008, contact the Washington State Department of Health instead. This split coverage date is specific to Thurston County and is worth knowing before you make a trip or send a mail request.
Walk-in requests at the county health office are straightforward. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any documents that prove your relationship to the deceased. Spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild all qualify as immediate family. An attorney acting for the estate or a person with a direct legal or financial interest in the record also qualifies. Fill out the request form on-site. Payment by debit or credit card is accepted with the fee described above. Same-day service is usually available.
Mail requests take longer but work well if you are not local. Write to Thurston County Public Health, Vital Records, 412 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506-5132. Include a completed request form, a copy of your ID, proof of your relationship or legal interest, and a check or money order made out to "TCHD." No personal checks. Standard mail delivery time plus one to two weeks of processing is the typical turnaround. You can also order through VitalChek for an online option, though their service fees add to the total cost.
Note: If you are not sure which office covers the death you are researching, call the state DOH first. They can tell you whether the local health department or the state holds the record you need.Genealogy Resources in Thurston County
The Olympia Genealogical Society serves Thurston County researchers with monthly meetings, educational programs, and a library collection. Their resources cover Thurston County genealogy and broader Pacific Northwest research. Membership provides access to the full library. Research assistance is available from experienced volunteers. Check their website at olympiagenealogy.org for meeting schedules and contact details.
The Washington State Historical Society in Tacoma holds significant collections covering Thurston County and the broader Washington Territory and State. Their research library is a good resource for pre-statehood records and early settlement history. Since Olympia was the territorial capital, the historical society holds records related to early government functions that can include vital record-adjacent information like probate filings, land grants, and legislative records from the territorial era.
For free online searching, the Washington State Digital Archives remains the best starting point for Thurston County deaths before 1997. The death index covering 1907 to 1960 and 1965 to 2020 gives you a quick way to confirm a death occurred and get the reference number you need to request the actual record. The Washington State Archives in Olympia also holds court and administrative records for Thurston County, and their location in the state capital means they have a particularly strong collection of early Washington government records.
Washington Vital Records Law
Thurston County death records are governed by RCW 70.58A, the Washington Vital Records Act. This law applies to all counties and controls access to certified copies, what information the record must contain, and the process for corrections. The Thurston County Public Health office follows these rules when processing requests.
The law restricts access to certified copies with full personal information during the confidentiality period. Eligible requesters include the deceased's immediate family, their legal representatives, and persons with a direct and tangible interest in the record. After 50 years from the date of death, the record becomes open to the general public. For genealogists searching Thurston County, deaths before the mid-1970s are now fully public. Pre-1907 records are available for free at the Digital Archives. Deaths from 1907 through the 1970s may be requested by anyone and are also searchable free in the death index.
Washington law does not allow the death certificate fee to be waived for any reason. This is set by statute and applies uniformly across all counties. Thurston County cannot make exceptions even for financial hardship or government requests. The $25 fee per certified copy is fixed.
Amendments to death certificates are possible when information is incorrect. Changes to cause of death need a supporting statement from the certifying physician or medical examiner. Other factual corrections like name spelling or date of birth require supporting documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official record. The Thurston County health office handles amendments for records within their coverage window. The state DOH handles changes to older records. Correcting errors promptly is worth the effort because future family members and legal processes may rely on the record being accurate.
Note: Washington's vital records law was substantially updated and recodified under RCW 70.58A. References to the older RCW 70.58 in historical documents refer to the same subject matter under prior law.Cities in Thurston County
Thurston County's three main cities all rely on the county health department for death certificates. Olympia is the county seat and the location of both the county health office and the state DOH.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Thurston County. Each has its own local health office for death certificate requests.