Find Vancouver Death Records

Death index records for Vancouver, Washington are managed through the state vital records system at the Washington State Department of Health and are searchable online through the Washington State Digital Archives. Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County and the largest city in southwest Washington, with a population of around 190,000. It sits across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. The Digital Archives provides free access to Washington death records from 1907 through 1967. This page covers how to search the Vancouver death index and how to order certified copies of death certificates.

How Vancouver Death Index Records Work

When a death occurs in Vancouver, the attending physician or funeral home files a death certificate with the Washington State Department of Health within ten days through the state's electronic registration system. The record enters the statewide vital records database. Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County, and deaths here are recorded under Clark County in the state registry and historical death index.

The death index is a finding tool. It lists the name, date, county, certificate number, age, and gender for each recorded death. Cause of death and family details are not in the index. You use the index to locate a specific record, then order the full certificate from DOH if needed. The Digital Archives index covers 1907 through 1967. For deaths after 1967, you contact DOH directly. No public online search tool exists for post-1967 deaths.

An important note for Vancouver research: because this city is on the Oregon border, some deaths involving Vancouver residents may have occurred just across the river in Oregon, and vice versa. Oregon death records are a separate system. Make sure you are searching the right state's records. Washington deaths are in the Washington Digital Archives and the DOH system. Oregon deaths are in Oregon's vital records system.

Note: Vancouver city offices do not issue death certificates. The Vancouver City Clerk handles city records requests but cannot copy or issue vital records. Those come from the Washington State DOH.

Clark County Handles Vancouver Death Records

Clark County is the county of record for all Vancouver deaths. The Clark County Auditor maintains county records including some historical documents. The Clark County Medical Examiner handles deaths that require investigation. For death certificates, DOH is the primary source. The Auditor's office at 415 W. 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 can provide guidance on historical records and county-level documents.

For full detail on Clark County death records, historical records, and local resources, see the Clark County Death Index page.

Searching Vancouver Death Records Online

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the free tool for searching historical Vancouver death records. No account is needed. Filter by Clark County and search by name. The death index runs from 1907 through 1967. Each result shows the name, death date, certificate number, age, and gender. Use the certificate number to order the full document from DOH. The site also holds Clark County cemetery records and burial permits that can supplement the death index for genealogical research.

Keep in mind that the Digital Archives covers Washington State records only. Deaths that occurred across the river in Oregon are not in this database. If you are researching Vancouver-area family members and are not finding them in the Washington records, check whether they may have died in Oregon.

Source: Clark County Auditor

The Clark County Auditor maintains county records including historical documents relevant to early Clark County death records research.

Source: Washington State Digital Archives

The Digital Archives is the free primary tool for searching historical Vancouver death records from 1907 through 1967.

Ordering a Vancouver Death Certificate

Certified death certificates for Vancouver are issued by the Washington State Department of Health. Under RCW 70.58, deaths within the past 50 years are restricted to qualified applicants. These include the spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal guardians, and legal representatives of the deceased. You must provide proof of relationship or legal authority. Deaths older than 50 years are public records open to anyone.

The fee is $20 per certified copy. A Verification of Death letter costs $15. You can order in person at the DOH walk-in office in Tumwater, by phone, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Note that Tumwater is about 90 miles north of Vancouver on I-5, so many Vancouver residents find VitalChek or phone ordering more convenient. Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks. VitalChek adds a $12.50 processing fee per order.

Source: VitalChek Online Certificate Ordering

VitalChek is Washington's authorized online vendor for death certificate orders. Vancouver residents frequently use this option given the distance to the Tumwater DOH office.

Vancouver Local Resources

The Vancouver City Clerk handles public records requests for city records. This covers city government files and administrative documents. Death certificates are not included. To request Vancouver city records, contact the City Clerk at the city's official website cityofvancouver.us/city-government/city-clerk. The city responds to requests within five business days under the Washington Public Records Act. Requests can also be made in person at Vancouver City Hall at 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.

The Clark County Auditor at 415 W. 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, phone 564-397-2235, maintains county records and can assist with historical records research. The Clark County Medical Examiner at 1300 Franklin Street, 4th Floor, Vancouver, WA 98660, phone 564-397-7300, handles deaths that require investigation. Their records are subject to public access under RCW 42.56.

Legal aid in Clark County is available through Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program and Northwest Justice Project. These organizations assist income-qualifying residents with civil legal matters, including probate and estate issues that require death records. Call Northwest Justice Project at 360-695-5892 for information about Clark County services.

Historical Death Records for Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the oldest cities in Washington State, with Fort Vancouver established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825. Deaths in the Vancouver area from the early pioneer period are among the oldest documented events in the Pacific Northwest. Washington statewide death registration started in 1907. For deaths before that, Clark County records and other sources provide coverage. The Digital Archives holds Clark County historical records and early death data.

The Washington State Archives in Olympia holds physical and microfilm copies of older Clark County records. Their facility is at 1129 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504. Contact them at 360-586-1492 or archives@sos.wa.gov. Research hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Website: sos.wa.gov/archives.

Source: Washington State Archives

The State Archives holds Clark County records from the territorial period and is the key source for pre-1907 Vancouver area death research.

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the Clark County Historical Museum both maintain historical collections that include records of early deaths in the Vancouver area. Fort Vancouver-era records are also held in part by the National Archives. For deaths involving military personnel at the Vancouver Barracks, federal records may be relevant in addition to state and county sources.

Public Records and Access Laws

Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 gives the public broad rights to access government records. Death certificates are specifically governed by RCW 70.58. Certified copies of recent death certificates are restricted to qualified applicants for the first 50 years. After 50 years, they become fully public. The law lists specific family members and legal roles that qualify someone to request a restricted record.

The Digital Archives death index from 1907 through 1967 is fully public with no restrictions. Anyone can search it for free. It shows names, dates, and certificate numbers but not cause of death. For records older than 50 years, the full certificate is also publicly accessible. For records within the restricted period, you need to document your qualifying relationship to the deceased.

Source: RCW 70.58 Vital Statistics

RCW 70.58 controls death record access statewide, including for Vancouver and Clark County deaths.

Nearby Cities

These Washington cities also have death records resources and guidance for searching the death index.