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Frequently
Asked Questions
How do I order a Birth or Death certificate outside of Washington State?
Visit
the National
Center for Health Statistics to access your state or territory
information or visit Vitalchek.com.
Foreign
or high-seas, or Panama Canal Zone birth and death certificates
(usbirthcertificate.net
is a fee-based on-line service that can help obtain records)
Can I get a credit card-size certificate?
No, credit card sized copies of birth
certificates are no longer available. Not all of the information was
provided on them. For this reason, they became invalid documents by
federal law in 1989.
How
can I make changes or edits to my birth certificate?
The
Affidavit for Correction form is on the back of the certified certificate
along with instructions and it must be returned within one year of the
date it was issued to receive a replacement copy free of charge. The
certificate will not be available until the Department of Health in
Olympia processes the change affidavit.
Court
Order Name Change: You must go to the County District Court (Cowlitz
County District Court) you reside in to file a petition for change of name.
How
do I establish legal paternity or add a father to the certificate?
For
information on how to establish paternity, visit the Washington State
Department of Social and Health Services webpage at:
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/. You
may pick up the Paternity Affidavit form at the Cowlitz County Health
Department.
A Paternity Affidavit must be filled out and
signed by the mother and father in front of a notary and filed (for a
$15 fee) with the Center for Health Statistics in Olympia to add the
father's name to the birth certificate. If either parent is not
available or refuses to sign then either parent, adult themselves, or
legal guardian must file Petition for Superior Court Establishment of
Paternity and get a Court Order for the father to be listed.
How
do I get a copy of a Paternity Affidavit?
If the father's name is already listed on
the birth certificate, requests for the Paternity Affidavit copy must be
made through the Center for Health Statistics in Olympia. Visit
their website at: www.doh.wa.gov for
ordering or call 360-236-4300.
How do I get an Apostille for
my certificate?
Apostilles
are prepared by the Washington State Secretary of State Office in Olympia,
WA at:
Secretary
of State
Corporations Division
Apostille and Certificate Program
801 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98504
Online: www.secstate.wa.gov/apostilles
How
do I get an adopted child's birth certificate?
If
born in Washington, we are able to issue a certified birth
certificate. We recommend bringing in documentation of the
adoption. Name changes that were not followed through to the state
office may not
reflect on the birth certificate.
If
born in another state, you must request the birth certificate from the original
birth state.
What
do I need to travel to a foreign country?
For
US Citizens traveling to foreign country, visit the
US
Department of State, Foreign Entry Requirements.
Where can I get a copy of a Marriage
Certificate?
-
For recent marriage certificates from the last 4 months: contact the
county auditor
where the license was filed.
-
For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present:
order through the
Center for Health Statistics.
-
For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the
county auditor
where the license was obtained.
Where can I get a copy of a Divorce Certificate?
-
For recent divorce certificates from the last four months: contact the
county clerk
where the event was filed.
-
For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present:
order through the
Center for Health Statistics.
-
For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the
county clerk
where the event occurred.
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