Jefferson County Death Index

Jefferson County death index records are available for free through the Washington State Digital Archives for deaths registered from 1907 through 1967, and certified death certificates for Jefferson County are issued by the Washington State Department of Health. This page covers how to search the death index online, how to order a certified copy, what the access rules are under Washington law, and where to find older historical death records in Jefferson County.

How Jefferson County Death Index Records Are Kept

Jefferson County death records are maintained under Washington State's centralized vital records system. The Department of Health holds all death certificates registered from 1907 onward. The DOH does not post certificates online, but the Washington State Digital Archives provides a free searchable index for the 1907 through 1967 period. Pre-1907 records may survive at the county level or in State Archives microfilm collections.

Jefferson County was established in 1852, giving it a long history before state registration began. Port Townsend, the county seat, was one of Washington Territory's earliest settlements. Deaths registered in the county from 1907 onward are in the DOH system. To search the free index for that period, visit digitalarchives.wa.gov and filter by Jefferson County. The index shows name, date of death, county, certificate number, age, and gender.

For deaths before 1907, the Jefferson County Auditor in Port Townsend may hold early death registers and burial records. The State Archives in Olympia holds microfilm for many early county records as well. Given the county's long history, pre-1907 material may be more substantial here than in newer Washington counties.

Jefferson County Auditor Office

The Jefferson County Auditor in Port Townsend maintains county government records and may hold historical death registers and early burial documents predating the 1907 state registration system. For death certificates from 1907 onward, the auditor refers requests to DOH. The auditor also processes public records requests under Washington's Public Records Act for county-level materials.

Jefferson County's public records request process applies to records held at the county level rather than by DOH. Submit written requests to the Jefferson County Public Records Officer at co.jefferson.wa.us/public-records. The county must respond within 5 business days. Historical death registers and burial permits held at the county are generally public records. The auditor can tell you what pre-1907 material survives and how to access it.

The Jefferson County Auditor in Port Townsend is the main local contact for county-held records and public records requests outside the DOH vital records system.

Searching Jefferson County Death Records Online

The Washington State Digital Archives is the best free tool for searching Jefferson County death index records online. The database covers 1907 through 1967. Anyone can search it without registration or fees. Visit digitalarchives.wa.gov and enter the name. Filter by Jefferson County to narrow results. Each entry shows name, date of death, county, certificate number, age, and gender.

The Digital Archives provides a transcribed index rather than photographic certificate images. Use the certificate number from the index to order a certified copy from DOH. Having the certificate number makes the request more accurate and reduces processing time. This is especially helpful when searching for common surnames among Port Townsend's long-established families.

The Digital Archives also holds some pre-1907 cemetery records and burial documents for Jefferson County. Given the county's early settlement history, there may be useful material in these older collections. Try alternate spellings and broader date ranges if your first search returns no results, as transcription errors in very early records can shift names slightly from their expected form.

The Digital Archives portal for Jefferson County death records is shown below.

The Digital Archives is free and open to all, covering Jefferson County death index records from 1907 through 1967 without requiring registration or fees.

Note: The Digital Archives index ends at 1967. For deaths after that year, contact DOH directly or order through VitalChek.

Ordering a Jefferson County Death Certificate

Certified death certificates for Jefferson County are issued by the Washington State Department of Health. The standard fee is $20 per certified copy. DOH offers a $15 Verification of Death letter if you only need to confirm that a death record exists rather than getting a full certified copy. The verification is useful for genealogical research but does not substitute for a certified copy in legal proceedings or estate matters.

To order online, use VitalChek, the state's authorized vendor. VitalChek adds a $12.50 processing fee and shipping to the $20 base cost. Phone orders also go through VitalChek. For mail, send a completed application form, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a check or money order payable to DOH to: PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709. Mail processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. For in-person service, visit DOH Vital Records 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 during that period. Qualified applicants include the spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. After 50 years the record is open to the public. RCW 70.58.200 governs amendments, which take approximately 8 to 12 weeks. RCW 70.58.050 requires deaths to be registered within 10 days.

VitalChek's online ordering portal is shown below. It is the fastest way to order a Jefferson County death certificate remotely.

VitalChek processes orders around the clock and accepts major credit cards. The total cost is $32.50 plus shipping for a single certified Jefferson County death certificate.

Jefferson County Coroner Records

The Jefferson County Coroner investigates deaths that are sudden, violent, or unexplained within the county. Coroner records are separate from death certificates and are not part of the state vital records system maintained by DOH. These records can include investigation reports, cause of death determinations, and autopsy results when applicable.

To request Jefferson County coroner records, contact the Coroner's office at co.jefferson.wa.us/coroner. These records are subject to Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56. Some portions may be exempt from public disclosure. Submit your request in writing to get a formal response on what records are available and what exemptions, if any, apply.

Historical Death Records in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has one of the longest recorded histories in Washington State. Port Townsend was a major port and customs district during the territorial era. Pre-1907 death records may include early county registers, burial records, and cemetery transcriptions going back to the 1850s. The Washington State Archives in Olympia holds microfilm for many early Washington county records. Contact the archives at 360-586-1492 or archives@sos.wa.gov. In-person access is at 1129 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

FamilySearch has digitized some Washington vital records through a partnership with the State Archives. Their free collections may include significant Jefferson County material given the county's early settlement history. Cemetery records in Port Townsend and surrounding areas are a strong supplement for pre-1907 deaths. Many of these cemetery transcriptions appear in the Digital Archives alongside the main death index.

Probate court records are especially useful for Jefferson County because of its long history. When someone died with property, an estate was opened in the local court. Probate files from the 1800s and early 1900s list the decedent, death date, and heirs. Many of these older probate records may now be held at the State Archives. Local newspaper archives from Port Townsend's historic papers are another strong source for obituaries and death notices from the territorial and early state era.

The Washington State Archives, shown below, holds pre-1907 microfilm collections and early Washington vital records that may include Jefferson County material from the territorial period.

State Archives staff can help identify which collections cover Jefferson County's early history and whether specific pre-1907 records have been digitized or are available on microfilm.

Access Rules for Jefferson County Death Records

Washington's vital records law under RCW 70.58.107 restricts death certificates for 50 years from the date of death. Only qualified applicants can receive certified copies during that restriction period. Qualified applicants are the spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives of the deceased. Once a record is over 50 years old, it is public and any person may request a copy without proving a relationship to the deceased.

For county-held records not in the DOH system, Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 governs access. Records held by the Jefferson County Auditor or Coroner are generally public unless a specific exemption applies. Submit a written request to the Jefferson County Public Records Officer. The county must respond within 5 business days.

The CDC guide at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/washington.htm covers the Washington State vital records system and ordering procedures that apply to Jefferson County. Amendments under RCW 70.58.200 take 8 to 12 weeks. Fraudulent procurement of a death certificate is a crime under RCW 70.58.220.

The Washington State Legislature's RCW portal is shown below. This is where you can read the full text of RCW 70.58 governing Jefferson County death record access.

RCW 70.58 sets out registration rules, access restrictions, fees, and amendment procedures that apply to Jefferson County death records as they do across all Washington counties.

Note: If you are not a qualified applicant and the 50-year restriction applies, a $15 Verification of Death letter from DOH can confirm the record exists without providing a full certified copy.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County's county seat is Port Townsend. Other communities include Quilcene, Brinnon, and Chimacum. No Jefferson County cities meet the population threshold for individual death index pages. All death certificate requests for Jefferson County residents are processed by the Washington State Department of Health regardless of which community the person lived in.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders three neighboring Washington counties on the Olympic Peninsula and Kitsap Peninsula. If you are unsure which county holds the death record you need, check the county field in the Digital Archives index entry.