Find Death Index Records in Garfield County
Garfield County death index records can be searched for free through the Washington State Digital Archives for deaths registered from 1907 through 1967, and certified Garfield County death certificates are issued by the Washington State Department of Health. This page explains how to find and request death records, what access rules apply under Washington law, and where to look for older historical records in Garfield County.
Garfield County Overview
How Garfield County Death Index Records Are Kept
Garfield County is one of Washington's smallest counties by population. Death records follow the same statewide system as all other Washington counties. The Washington State Department of Health holds all death certificates registered in the state from 1907 onward. The Digital Archives provides free index access for 1907 through 1967. For deaths before 1907, county-level records and State Archives microfilm are the primary sources.
Garfield County was organized in 1881, so there are several decades of history before state registration began. Some early death registers and burial records may survive at the county level or in the State Archives. Because Garfield County has always been sparsely populated, record survival from the pre-1907 period is uncertain. To search Garfield County death index records for the period covered by the Digital Archives, visit digitalarchives.wa.gov and filter by county.
The Digital Archives index shows name, date of death, county, certificate number, age, and gender. This is enough to confirm the record exists and to order a certified copy from DOH. Cemetery records and early burial permits may also appear in the Digital Archives alongside the main death index for Garfield County.
Garfield County Auditor Office
The Garfield County Auditor in Pomeroy maintains county government records and may hold early death registers and burial records predating 1907. The auditor's office is the best local contact for any county-held historical documents. For death certificates from 1907 onward, the auditor will direct you to the Washington State Department of Health. Public records requests for county-held materials go through the auditor's office under Washington's Public Records Act.
Given the small size of Garfield County, the auditor's office handles a wide range of county functions. Staff are familiar with local records and can tell you what historical materials survive and whether they are available for review. If you are doing genealogical research on a Garfield County family, a direct call to the auditor may save time compared to submitting a formal written request.
| Office | Garfield County Auditor |
|---|---|
| Address | 789 Main Street Pomeroy, WA 99347 |
| Phone | 509-843-3731 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | garfieldcountywa.gov/auditor |
The Garfield County Auditor in Pomeroy is the main local office for county records and historical death register inquiries.
The auditor's office can confirm what pre-1907 records exist for Garfield County and whether they are available for public review.
Searching Garfield County Death Records Online
The Washington State Digital Archives is the primary free tool for searching Garfield County death index records online. The database covers deaths registered in Washington from 1907 through 1967. No account or fee is required. Go to digitalarchives.wa.gov, enter the name, and filter by Garfield County. Search results show name, date of death, county, certificate number, age, and gender.
The Digital Archives does not provide full photographic copies of certificates through its standard search. It is a transcribed index. Use the certificate number from the index entry when ordering a certified copy from DOH. This makes processing faster and more accurate, especially for common surnames.
Because Garfield County has a very small population, the number of indexed records is lower than in larger counties. If you do not find the record you need on the first try, try alternate spellings of the surname or broaden the date range. Some early records may have transcription errors that cause them to appear under slightly different names in the index.
The Digital Archives also includes some early burial and cemetery records for Garfield County. These can help confirm deaths before 1907 or provide supporting evidence when the state index does not capture the record you need.
The Digital Archives search is open to anyone at no cost and covers Garfield County death index records from 1907 through 1967.
Note: Death index records after 1967 are not in the Digital Archives. For deaths after that year, contact DOH directly to order a certified copy.
Ordering a Garfield County Death Certificate
Certified death certificates for Garfield County are issued by the Washington State Department of Health. The standard fee is $20 per certified copy. DOH also offers a Verification of Death letter for $15, which confirms a record exists without providing the full certificate content. The verification is useful if you only need to confirm that a death occurred and do not need a certified copy for legal purposes.
You can order through three channels. Online orders go through VitalChek, the authorized state vendor. VitalChek charges $20 for the certificate plus $12.50 processing and shipping. Phone orders also go through VitalChek. For mail, send a completed application, a photocopy of valid photo ID, and a check or money order payable to DOH. The mailing address is PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709. Mail processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. For in-person service, visit the DOH Vital Records office at 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 360-236-4300.
Under RCW 70.58.107, death certificates are restricted for 50 years from the date of death. Only qualified applicants can order certified copies during that period. After 50 years the record is open to the public. Qualified applicants include the spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Amendments to certificates under RCW 70.58.200 take 8 to 12 weeks to process.
VitalChek's portal is shown below. It is the fastest way to order a Garfield County death certificate without visiting DOH in person.
VitalChek accepts major credit cards and processes orders online around the clock.
Garfield County Coroner Records
The Garfield County Coroner investigates sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths within the county. Coroner records include investigation reports, cause of death findings, and related documents. These records are separate from death certificates and are not part of the DOH vital records system or the Digital Archives death index.
To request Garfield County coroner records, contact the Coroner's office at garfieldcountywa.gov/coroner. Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, governs access to these records. Some parts of coroner reports may be exempt from public disclosure. Submit your request in writing. The county must respond within 5 business days with the records or an explanation of any exemptions that apply.
Historical Death Records in Garfield County
Garfield County has a long history going back to the 1880s. For deaths before 1907, early county registers, burial records, and cemetery transcriptions are the main sources. The Washington State Archives in Olympia holds microfilm for many Washington counties' early records. Contact the archives at 360-586-1492 or archives@sos.wa.gov to find out what Garfield County material is available. In-person access is Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 1129 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504.
FamilySearch has digitized some Washington vital records and provides free access to its genealogy collections. Their Washington collection includes early vital records and may have material relevant to Garfield County families. Cemetery records are another strong resource. Transcriptions of rural Garfield County cemeteries can confirm burial dates and locations for people who died before state registration began. The Digital Archives holds some Garfield County cemetery records alongside the main death index.
Probate court records from Garfield County list decedents, approximate death dates, and heirs. These files went through the county court and may now be held at the State Archives. Old newspaper records from the Pomeroy area can provide obituaries and death notices that do not appear in official records. Local historical societies may hold additional resources.
The Washington State Archives is shown below. This is where pre-1907 microfilm collections for Garfield County are held.
State Archives staff can help identify which microfilm collections cover Garfield County and whether specific records have been digitized.
Access Rules for Garfield County Death Records
Washington's RCW 70.58.107 restricts death certificates for 50 years from the date of death. Only qualified applicants may receive a certified copy during that period. Qualified applicants include the spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Once the 50-year restriction lifts, the record is open to anyone and no relationship to the deceased is required.
For county-held records not in the DOH system, Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 governs access. Records held by the Garfield County Auditor or Coroner are generally public unless a specific exemption applies. Submit a written request to the Garfield County Public Records Officer. The county must respond within 5 business days with the records, a production timeline, or an applicable exemption.
The CDC maintains a guide to Washington State vital records that provides additional context on record availability and ordering procedures. It is available at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/washington.htm. That resource covers all Washington counties, including Garfield.
The Washington State Legislature's RCW portal shows the full text of the vital statistics laws governing Garfield County death record access.
RCW 70.58 sets out registration requirements, access restrictions, fee authority, and amendment procedures for all Washington death records including those from Garfield County.
Note: RCW 70.58.220 makes fraudulent procurement of a death certificate a criminal offense. Always request only those records you are legally authorized to receive.
Cities in Garfield County
Garfield County's county seat and only incorporated city is Pomeroy. No Garfield County cities meet the population threshold for individual death index pages. All death certificate requests for Garfield County residents are processed by the Washington State Department of Health.
Nearby Counties
Garfield County borders three neighboring Washington counties. If a death was registered near a county line, check the Digital Archives index to confirm which county holds the record before ordering.