BIRTH
CERTIFICATES
As of January 1, 2021, a new vital records law goes into effect that changes the ordering requirements for birth certificates. For increased security of personal information, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the birth record being requested can receive a birth certificate. Identity and proof documentation will be required.
To purchase a birth certificate, you must be a qualified applicant and prove your relationship by:
More information
HOW TO OBTAIN CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATES
The
Skagit County Public Health Department can issue certified birth certificates
for persons born in Washington State from July 1, 1907 to the present. We can also issue certified copies of birth certificates for persons
born outside the United States who were adopted in Washington.
Once
a completed application and the $25.00 fee per certified copy are
received, issuance may occur immediately. We accept cash, check, MasterCard
or Visa credit cards. If paying by credit card, you may also choose
to mail this application to us, or fax it to the confidential fax
number listed on the application. Requests are processed and mailed
the same day we receive them.
Our office hours for issuing birth certificates are MONDAY through
FRIDAY from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Applications can be obtained at the
Health Department, or you may download one using the link below.
Application
for Certified Birth Certificate (PDF | ONLINE)
Aplicacion
Para Acta De Nacimiento (PDF | ONLINE)
If
you have any questions regarding the issuance of certified copies
of birth certificates, please call the Skagit County Public Health
Department at (360) 416-1500.
Copies
of birth certificates for births that occurred in Skagit County from
1891 to 1907 may be requested from the Skagit
County Auditors Office, Recording Division.
HOW TO OBTAIN NON-CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Noncertified informational copies of birth and death records are not issued on the certified paper with security features and cannot be used for legal purposes. It will contain a watermark stating “Cannot be used for legal purposes. Informational only.”
Check with the agency or business about whether or not they will accept informational copies prior to purchasing a noncertified informational copy.
Informational copies of birth records contain the same information as a certified birth copy.
Informational copies of death records contain the same information as the certified short form death copy. It does not contain cause and manner of death information or social security number of the decedent.
Noncertified informational copy of long form death, fetal death, marriage, or divorce records are not available.
Application
for NON-Certified (Informational) Birth Certificate
Authorized Representative Form | Spanish
WHAT IS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
By law every person, physician
or otherwise, who delivers an infant must prepare a standardized birth
certificate which verifies the fact of the birth. The form of document
is prescribed by State law. All original birth certificates
are on file with the Washington State Center for Health Statistics
office in Olympia, Washington.
Some hospitals or physicians
may issue to parents of a newborn a card or document attesting to
the fact of birth. This is not a valid birth certificate.
The only valid certificate is the original certificate on file with
the Center for Health Statistics in Olympia, Washington. Either the
Skagit County Public Health Department or the State Office is authorized
to issue "certified copies". These are photostatic copies certified
by the appropriate government official as being true copies of the
original document and fulfill all legal requirements.
WHY ARE BIRTH CERTIFICATES
NEEDED?
Certified copies of birth
certificates are of great value or absolutely essential for various
purposes. These include verification of age for school entry, drivers
licenses, establishment of citizenship, proof of eligibility for Medicare,
provision of information necessary for life insurance policies, acquisition
of passports, and similar identity or age verifications.
Some families keep two birth
certificates for each family member. One copy is kept in a safe place
outside the home, for example, in a safe deposit box to protect against
loss by fire. The second copy is kept on file at home and is the copy
for routine use.
Government needs birth certificates
for determination of population trends and for development of a wide
variety of health related statistics.
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