Mount Vernon Obituary Records

Mount Vernon obituary and death records are handled through Skagit County, where Mount Vernon serves as the county seat. Researchers can obtain death certificates through Skagit County Public Health, search the statewide death index at the Washington State Digital Archives, and access genealogy resources through the Washington State Library. This page explains each source and covers how to request certified death records for Mount Vernon residents from local and state offices.

Skagit County Public Health

Skagit County Public Health provides public health services to residents of Mount Vernon and all of Skagit County. The department can assist with questions about birth and death certificate ordering. Mount Vernon is the county seat of Skagit County. Residents can obtain certified copies of birth and death certificates through the county health department or directly from the Washington State Department of Health.

For deaths before July 1, 1907, researchers should contact the Skagit County Auditor. The county auditor holds pre-statewide registration death records. Those early records were kept as registers where each death was entered into a ledger. Some counties also had death returns, which were single sheets filled out for each deceased person. Not all families registered deaths in that era, so gaps exist in the record set.

Under RCW 70.58A, RCW 70.58A.200 establishes reports of death and filing requirements for Washington. RCW 70.58A.520 and RCW 70.58A.530 govern disclosure and issuance of certified copies. Since January 1, 2021, only qualified applicants with direct and tangible interest can receive certified copies. Identity and proof of relationship documentation are required for all certified requests. Noncertified informational copies are available to anyone but cannot be used for legal purposes.

VitalChek is the state-contracted vendor for ordering Washington vital records online or by phone. Mount Vernon and Skagit County residents can order certified copies with expedited processing. Online or phone orders have a nonrefundable fee starting at $40.50 per certificate. Orders typically process and ship within 3-7 business days. Contact VitalChek through the DOH ordering page at doh.wa.gov.

Washington Digital Archives

The Washington State Digital Archives hosts the Department of Health Death Index covering July 1907 through 1960 and 1965 through 2017 for the entire state. All Skagit County deaths, including Mount Vernon residents, are included. The indexes for 1961-1964 are not in the digital database; those are available on microfilm at the State Archives in Olympia. The database is free and holds over 2.3 million statewide entries.

Scanned death certificates are available for records up to 1999. For 2000 through 2017, only the index entries are in the database. The 1907-1960 records were transcribed by FamilySearch volunteers and contain more complete information including cause of death, birthplace, occupation, and parents' names. The 1965-2017 data was extracted from DOH systems and is less detailed but still gives you the essential dates and certificate numbers needed to order certified copies.

The Washington State Library holds microfilm copies of Skagit County death registers in its genealogy collection. The library's Vital Records LibGuide explains what is available for Skagit County and how to access it. Researchers can submit specific name lookup requests through the Ask-A-Librarian service. Providing a date range helps library staff locate the correct index microfilm reel.

Historical Obituary Sources for Mount Vernon

The Washington State Library's genealogy collection is a key resource for Mount Vernon researchers. The library maintains Washington State Newspapers, Washington Digital Newspapers, and Northwest Digital Heritage, which together cover a wide range of regional papers over many decades. Mount Vernon is in the northwest corner of Washington, and newspapers from that region are well represented in the state library's collections.

Before statewide death registration began in 1907, Skagit County kept death registers where deaths were entered into ledgers. Those county registers were microfilmed and are available at the Washington State Library. They are also accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives, which has digitized many county-level pre-1907 records. FamilySearch holds Washington County Death Registers, 1881-1979, which includes Skagit County with free index and images available online.

The Washington State Library provides guidance through its obituary resources page. Although the library no longer offers a direct obituary lookup service due to budget cuts, its digital collections and Special Collections remain open to researchers. The Obituary Index and Cemetery Transcription Links page at the State Library directs researchers to county and city obituary indexes available both online and in the library's physical collections. Researchers can also use the Ask-A-Librarian service for help locating specific materials.

Note: The Washington State Archives holds original death registers and returns at its five regional branches. The Northwest Regional Branch covers Skagit County for the pre-1907 era. Contact the branch to confirm which records are available and to schedule a research visit.

Genealogy Tools for Mount Vernon Researchers

The Washington State Library provides obituary resources and genealogy guidance for Mount Vernon and Skagit County. Its Genealogy Research Links page lists the Washington State Digital Archives for cemetery and death records, links to the Municipal Research and Services Center for county websites, and the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. These tools help researchers understand how Skagit County's jurisdictional lines have changed over time, which matters for older death records that might be filed under a predecessor county.

FamilySearch provides several Washington collections relevant to Mount Vernon research. Washington Deaths and Burials, 1810-1960, is a free FamilySearch collection with index and some images. Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960, provides an indexed view of the same certificates in the Digital Archives but can be useful for cross-referencing when spelling varies. The FamilySearch wiki article on Skagit County genealogy provides a county-specific guide to where records are held and how to access them.

The CDC confirms the Center for Health Statistics phone number is (360) 236-4300 and the state vital records office holds records from July 1, 1907 to present for all counties. To request a death certificate, you submit an application with the decedent's name, place of death, and approximate date; show valid government identification; prove qualifying relationship; and pay the fee of at least $25 per certificate by personal check or money order payable to the Department of Health.

Ordering Mount Vernon Death Records

You can order Mount Vernon death records through the Washington State Department of Health. The DOH holds records from July 1, 1907 to present. Order online at doh.wa.gov through VitalChek or call 1-866-687-1464. Online and phone orders cost $40.50 per certificate. Mail orders cost $25 per certificate and take 8-10 weeks. Local health department in-person service may be same-day for eligible records with a possible additional fee.

Three products are available:

• Long form death certificate: includes cause and manner of death and SSN; used for insurance and benefits
• Short form death certificate: certified official copy without cause of death; used for legal transactions
• Noncertified informational copy: watermarked copy available to anyone; not valid for legal use

To order you need the deceased's full name, approximate date of death (month and year), and city or county of death. For certified copies, also provide valid photo ID and proof of qualifying relationship. Mail orders go to: Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. For order status, call 360-236-4300 or email contactchs@doh.wa.gov.

Skagit County Obituary Records

Mount Vernon is the county seat of Skagit County. All death records for Mount Vernon residents are filed through Skagit County and the state DOH. Visit the Skagit County records page for more information on county court resources and other genealogy tools.

View Skagit County Obituary Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Mount Vernon in northwest Washington state.