Death Records in Bremerton
Bremerton death index records are part of Washington State's central vital records system, with free historical death indexes available through the Washington State Digital Archives for deaths dating back to 1907. Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County, and all death records from within the city are filed with the Washington State Department of Health. This page covers how to search the Bremerton death index, where to order certified death certificates, and what state laws govern access to vital records.
Bremerton Overview
How Bremerton Death Index Records Work
When a death occurs in Bremerton, the funeral home or attending physician files a death certificate with the Washington State Department of Health within ten days. The state uses an electronic system called EBDRS (Electronic Birth and Death Registration System) to collect and store all certificates. Bremerton does not maintain its own death index. All records go to the state, and the state is where you find and request them.
The death index is different from a death certificate. An index entry contains the name, date of death, county of death, certificate number, age at death, and gender. It does not include cause of death, family information, or any other private details. The index is a search tool. You use it to locate the certificate number for a specific person, then request the full certified document from DOH if you need it.
All Bremerton deaths are filed under Kitsap County in the state death index. Bremerton was incorporated in 1901, and records from that time forward can be found in the statewide system. For older records, the Kitsap County Auditor and the Washington State Archives hold pre-1907 death registers.
Kitsap County Handles Bremerton Death Records
Bremerton is in Kitsap County, and the county Auditor in Port Orchard serves as the custodian for historical Kitsap County death records. For modern records, all requests go through the state DOH. Kitsap County does not have a separate local vital statistics office that issues death certificates independently. All certified copies come from DOH in Tumwater.
| Kitsap County Auditor | 619 Division St., Port Orchard, WA 98366 |
|---|---|
| Auditor Phone | 360-337-7185 |
| Auditor Website | kitsap.gov - Auditor |
| State DOH | 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater WA 98501 | 360-236-4300 |
Source: Kitsap County Auditor
The Kitsap County Auditor in Port Orchard holds historical records for the county, including pre-1907 death registers that predate the state system.
The Kitsap County Coroner investigates deaths in Bremerton and the rest of the county that are sudden, suspicious, or otherwise require investigation. When the Coroner's office handles a case, it files the death certificate with DOH. The investigative records are separate and can be requested under Washington's Public Records Act.
Searching Bremerton Death Records Online
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides free access to the Bremerton death index. The statewide index covers 1907 through 1967. Filter your search by Kitsap County to focus on Bremerton records. Each result shows the name, date of death, county, certificate number, age, and gender. The certificate number is what you will need to order a certified copy from DOH.
The Digital Archives also contains older Kitsap County records that predate the 1907 statewide registration system. Searching by "Kitsap County death" or "Bremerton Washington death" can surface historical records including cemetery records and burial permits. No account or registration is needed to search. The service is completely free.
You can run a targeted search for Bremerton historical death records at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
Source: Washington State Digital Archives
The Digital Archives index covers 1907 through 1967 for all Washington counties and is the best free starting point for any Bremerton death search.
For deaths after 1967, there is no public online index. Contact DOH at 360-236-4300 to check whether a record exists before paying for a certified copy.
Ordering a Bremerton Death Certificate
Death certificates for Bremerton deaths are ordered from the Washington State Department of Health. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Under RCW 70.58, deaths within the past 50 years are restricted. Only qualified applicants can obtain those certificates: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, and legal representatives. Deaths older than 50 years are available to any member of the public.
A Verification of Death letter costs $15. It confirms a death occurred and provides basic information but does not give you a certified copy. The Verification has fewer access restrictions than a full certificate and may be sufficient for many purposes.
You have four ways to order a Bremerton death certificate:
- In person at DOH: 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater WA 98501
- By mail to DOH: PO Box 9709, Olympia WA 98507-9709
- By phone: 360-236-4300, Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm
- Online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com
VitalChek charges $20 for the state fee plus a $12.50 processing fee per order. Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks. Walk-in service at DOH is available for records from 1968 to present and is typically processed the same day.
Source: VitalChek Online Certificate Ordering
VitalChek is available around the clock and is the only authorized online vendor for Washington vital records.
Bremerton Local Resources
The Bremerton City Clerk handles public records requests for city documents under RCW 42.56. The Clerk does not hold death certificates but can assist with city records and direct you to the right agency. The Bremerton Police Department maintains police reports for death-related incidents in the city.
| City Clerk | Bremerton City Clerk Public Records |
|---|---|
| Police Records | Bremerton Police Department Records |
| Kitsap County Coroner | kitsap.gov - Coroner |
| Kitsap Public Records | kitsapgov.com/records |
Source: Kitsap County Coroner
The Kitsap County Coroner investigates sudden, unexplained, or violent deaths in Bremerton and files death certificates with DOH for those cases.
Historical Death Records for Bremerton
Bremerton was founded in 1891 and incorporated in 1901. For deaths from before the 1907 statewide death registration system, researchers need to check Kitsap County's older records. The Washington State Archives holds pre-statehood and early county death registers that may include Bremerton-area deaths from the 1890s and early 1900s.
The State Archives Research Facility in Olympia at 1129 Washington St SE can assist with historical records research. Staff are available Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm at 360-586-1492 or archives@sos.wa.gov. Their website is at sos.wa.gov/archives. The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov contains Kitsap County historical records that have been digitized so far, including some pre-1907 materials.
Source: Washington State Archives
The State Archives holds Kitsap County records that predate the 1907 DOH system and can assist researchers looking for early Bremerton deaths.
Cemetery records for Bremerton-area cemeteries, probate records at Kitsap County Superior Court, and historical newspapers are all good supplementary sources for historical death research. FamilySearch also maintains Washington death collections that include Kitsap County data.
Public Records and Access Laws
Washington's RCW 70.58 governs death certificate access. Certified copies for deaths within 50 years are restricted to qualified applicants. Deaths older than 50 years are public. The Digital Archives death index from 1907 to 1967 is fully public with no restrictions. Anyone can search it at no cost.
For other government records held by Bremerton or Kitsap County, RCW 42.56 (the Public Records Act) applies. This law gives the public the right to access government records. Agencies respond to requests within five business days. Some records may be withheld under specific exemptions, but most are available.
Source: RCW 70.58 Vital Statistics
RCW 70.58 sets out who can get death certificates in Washington, what fees apply, and when records become public.
The CDC page at cdc.gov provides national context and links to Washington state vital records resources including DOH.
Source: CDC Washington Vital Records
The CDC page links to the state DOH vital records system and provides national death statistics for Washington.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities are also served by Washington's death records system. Each has resources and guidance for searching death index records.