Bothell Death Index

Bothell death index records are part of Washington State's vital records system, and the city has an unusual situation because it spans both Snohomish County and King County. Deaths in Bothell are recorded under whichever county the death occurred in, and all records go to the state Department of Health. Free historical death indexes are available through the Washington State Digital Archives for records from 1907 through 1967. This page explains how to search Bothell death records, which county processes them, and how to obtain certified death certificates.

How Bothell Death Index Records Work

Death records in Bothell work the same way as anywhere else in Washington. When a death occurs in the city, the funeral home or attending physician files a death certificate electronically with DOH within ten days. That certificate becomes part of the state's permanent vital records registry. Bothell does not maintain its own death index. The state holds the records, and the state is where you search and request them.

Bothell is one of a small number of cities in Washington that straddles two counties. The larger portion of Bothell is in Snohomish County, but part of the city extends into King County. A death certificate for a Bothell resident will show whichever county the death actually occurred in. So when searching the death index, you may need to check both Snohomish County and King County if you are not sure exactly where in Bothell the death occurred.

The death index itself is a summary tool. Each entry shows the name, date of death, county of death, certificate number, age, and gender. No cause of death is in the index. Use the certificate number from an index entry to order the full certified death certificate from DOH if you need complete information.

Note: Most of Bothell's population and most deaths in the city will fall under Snohomish County's portion of the index. If your search in Snohomish County returns no results, check King County before concluding the record does not exist.

Which County Handles Bothell Death Records

The primary county for Bothell death records is Snohomish County. The Snohomish County Auditor in Everett holds historical records for the county. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner investigates unusual or unexplained deaths in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell. For the smaller King County portion of Bothell, King County resources apply instead.

The Snohomish Health District issues death certificates for events occurring in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell and can be an alternative to ordering through DOH directly. King County's Public Health Seattle and King County office can serve the same function for the King County portion of Bothell.

Searching Bothell Death Records Online

Start your Bothell death index search at the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The statewide index covers 1907 through 1967 and is free to search. Filter results by Snohomish County first, since that is where most of Bothell is located. If you do not find what you are looking for, run the same search filtered by King County.

Each index result shows the full name, death date, county, certificate number, age, and gender. The certificate number is what you will need if you decide to order a full certified copy from DOH. The Digital Archives search does not require a login or any account. You can run unlimited searches at no cost.

Source: Washington State Digital Archives

Because Bothell spans two counties, run your Digital Archives search for both Snohomish and King County to be thorough.

For deaths after 1967, no free online index exists. Contact DOH at 360-236-4300 or visit the Tumwater office. Staff can confirm whether a specific record exists before you pay for a full certificate.

Ordering a Bothell Death Certificate

Death certificates for Bothell deaths are ordered from the state Department of Health. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Under RCW 70.58, records within the past 50 years are restricted to qualified applicants. Close family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest can request restricted records. Deaths older than 50 years are available to anyone.

A Verification of Death letter costs $15 and confirms only that a death occurred. It has fewer access restrictions than a certified copy and is often enough for purposes that do not require the full certificate. Both documents are ordered from the same DOH office.

You can order Bothell death certificates four ways:

• In person at DOH: 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater WA 98501, Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm
• By mail to DOH: PO Box 9709, Olympia WA 98507-9709
• By phone: 360-236-4300
• Online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com ($20 state fee plus $12.50 processing fee)

Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks to process. Same-day service is available for in-person walk-in requests at DOH for records from 1968 to present.

Source: VitalChek Online Certificate Ordering

VitalChek is the authorized online vendor for Washington State vital records orders and is available 24 hours a day.

Bothell Local Resources

The Bothell City Clerk handles public records requests for city documents under RCW 42.56. The City Clerk does not hold death certificates, but can assist with other city records and direct you to the right agency. The Bothell Police Department maintains police reports for death-related incidents in the city.

Source: Snohomish County Medical Examiner

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner investigates sudden, unexplained, or violent deaths in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell.

Historical Bothell Death Records

Bothell was incorporated in 1909. For deaths occurring in the area before the 1907 statewide registration system, researchers need to check both Snohomish and King County pre-statehood records. The Digital Archives contains early death registers and burial records for both counties that predate 1907. Some records go back to the 1880s for King County and slightly later for Snohomish County.

The Washington State Archives in Olympia holds physical records that go beyond what is available online. You can reach them at 360-586-1492 or archives@sos.wa.gov, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Their site is at sos.wa.gov/archives. The Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue holds microfilmed King County records, which may cover the King County portion of Bothell.

Source: Washington State Archives

The State Archives holds pre-1907 records for both Snohomish and King counties, which are both relevant for Bothell historical research.

Probate records at both Snohomish and King County Superior Courts may also reference Bothell deaths. Cemetery records and obituaries from local newspapers can fill in gaps when official records are hard to find. FamilySearch has Washington death collections that include both counties.

Public Records and Access Laws

Washington's RCW 70.58 restricts certified death certificates for deaths within the past 50 years. Qualified applicants include close family members and legal representatives. Deaths older than 50 years are public. Death index records in the Digital Archives from 1907 to 1967 are open to everyone with no restrictions.

For records outside the vital records system, Washington's Public Records Act at RCW 42.56 applies. This covers police reports, ME investigative files, and other government records held by Bothell, Snohomish County, or King County. Agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days.

Source: RCW 70.58 Vital Statistics

RCW 70.58 sets the fees, access rules, and restricted applicant requirements for all Washington death certificates.

The CDC page at cdc.gov provides national context and links to Washington state vital records resources.

Source: CDC Washington Vital Records

The CDC page links to state-level vital records resources and provides data on death statistics across all Washington counties.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities are also served by Washington's death records system. Each has resources and guidance for searching death index records.