Graham Washington Obituary Search
Graham obituary and death records are part of the Pierce County records system, with certified death certificates issued by the Washington State Department of Health. If you are searching for an obituary or need a death certificate for a Graham resident, the state vital records office handles most requests. The Washington State Digital Archives provides free access to a statewide death index covering deaths from 1907 through 2020, which is a useful first stop for historical research. Local library resources and genealogy databases can help you find newspaper obituaries going back many decades.
Graham Overview
Graham Death Certificates and Vital Records
Graham is an unincorporated community in Pierce County. Deaths that occur in the Graham area are registered under the Pierce County system and issued as certified documents by the Washington State Department of Health. The state holds death records from July 1, 1907 to the present.
To order a certified Graham death certificate, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics. Phone inquiries go to 360-236-4300. Online orders go through VitalChek, which is the state's sole approved online ordering vendor. Paper applications can be mailed to the state office in Olympia. The fee is $25 by mail and $40.50 through VitalChek.
| Agency | Washington State Dept. of Health, Center for Health Statistics |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 |
| Phone | 360-236-4300 |
| Email Status Check | contactchs@doh.wa.gov |
| Death Records Page | doh.wa.gov/death-record |
Ordering Graham Obituary and Death Records
The Washington State DOH death records page is the main starting point for ordering a certified copy for a Graham resident. It explains what documents you need to submit, who qualifies for a certified copy, and how long each delivery method takes.
The DOH page at doh.wa.gov/death-record details the full process. Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. VitalChek expedited orders arrive in 3 to 7 business days. Qualified applicants include the spouse or domestic partner of the deceased, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, legal representatives, and government agencies with documented official need.
The broader vital records portal at doh.wa.gov/vital-records covers all vital records types. It links to VitalChek, provides the mailing address, and explains the rules around informational versus certified copies.
Washington Digital Archives for Graham Deaths
The Washington State Digital Archives holds a death index of over two million records covering 1907 to 2020. For Graham and the broader Pierce County area, searches by name and year are reliable and free. The collection is at digitalarchives.wa.gov. This is an index, not a certified document, but it helps confirm dates and details before you submit a formal certificate request.
Pierce County also has records available through their online portal at piercecountywa.gov. Not all record types are there, but it is worth checking for more recent administrative documents related to deaths in the county.
Historical and Genealogy Research
For older Graham obituary records, the Pierce County Library System is a strong resource. Library branches provide access to genealogy databases including Ancestry Library Edition, which has newspaper archives with obituary notices. The News Tribune published obituaries for Pierce County communities including Graham for many decades, and many of those issues are available through library database access.
FamilySearch has free Washington State death certificates from 1907 to 1960. The collection is at familysearch.org and includes Pierce County deaths. For older records, Washington county death registers from 1881 to 1979 are also indexed and available on FamilySearch. These cover deaths that occurred in Pierce County well before formal death certificate registration was standardized.
Note: Some very early Pierce County death and burial records from before 1907 are held at the Washington State Historical Society in Tacoma and the Washington State Archives.
Washington State Death Record Law
Washington State's vital records law under RCW 70.58A governs who can request a certified death certificate and what information must be on the record. The law was updated effective January 1, 2021 with changes to eligibility, fees, and ID requirements. For Graham residents and anyone researching Graham-area deaths, these rules determine which type of copy you can get and how to apply for it.
A certified copy is the legal version. It can be used for insurance claims, estate actions, Social Security notification, and other official purposes. An informational copy cannot be used for legal purposes but is fine for genealogy and family records. Eligible requesters for certified copies include the spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and legal representatives of the deceased. Government agencies acting officially also qualify. Anyone else can get an informational copy.
For VitalChek orders, the cost is $40.50 per certified copy. Mail orders to the Olympia DOH office cost $25 per copy. Acceptable payment methods include money order or credit card. The DOH office also accepts in-person appointments at 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. You must call or schedule online to set up an appointment since walk-ins are not accepted.
Pierce County Obituary Records
Graham is part of Pierce County. Death certificates and vital records for Graham residents run through the Pierce County and Washington State systems. For county-level search tools and office contacts, see the Pierce County obituary records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Graham and use Pierce County vital records services for death certificates and obituary records.