Find Sammamish Obituary Records
Sammamish obituary and death records fall under King County's system for vital records and archives. Certified death certificates for events in Sammamish are available through the Washington State Department of Health, which maintains records for the entire state going back to July 1907. The King County Archives also holds historical death records including coroner files, death registers, and burial permits for the broader King County area. For genealogy research or locating recent death notices, the King County Library System provides free access to newspaper databases and obituary indexes. This page explains where to look and how to get what you need.
Sammamish Quick Facts
King County Death Records for Sammamish
Death records for Sammamish are processed through the King County system. The King County Archives maintains a broad collection of death-related records for the area, including death registers, coroner's records, death certificates, and burial permits. These collections cover the Seattle-King County region, which includes Sammamish. Researchers looking for older records can contact the King County Archives directly for help accessing these materials.
For certified copies of death certificates for events in Sammamish, the primary source is the Washington State Department of Health. The county itself does not issue certified copies for recent deaths the same way some county health departments do. Requests go directly to the state through mail, phone, or online. The DOH Center for Health Statistics holds records from July 1, 1907, through the present.
Since January 1, 2021, RCW 70.58A limits certified Sammamish death certificates to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record. That includes the decedent's immediate family, legal representatives, and others with a documented need. Anyone else can request a noncertified informational copy, which carries the same data but includes a watermark and cannot be used for legal purposes.
Note: King County Archives staff can answer questions about historical collections and help you identify what records exist for a specific Sammamish address or family name.
The Washington DOH vital records page at doh.wa.gov covers how Sammamish residents can order certified death certificates from the state, including all available ordering methods and current fees.
The DOH page explains who qualifies for a certified copy and describes the noncertified informational copy option available to any member of the public for Sammamish death records.
Washington Digital Archives: Sammamish Death Index
The Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds the Department of Health Death Index for the entire state, which includes all deaths registered in Sammamish. Coverage spans July 1, 1907, through 1960 and continues from 1965 through 2017. The index is free to search and contains over 2.3 million entries statewide. You can search by name and find records tied to the Sammamish and King County area. For deaths in the most recent 25 years, only the index entry is publicly available. Getting the full certificate requires a formal request.
Related records in the Digital Archives include Department of Health Death Certificates from July 1, 1907, through 1997, with images available for records more than 25 years old. If you are doing genealogy research on a Sammamish family, these image records can be a direct substitute for ordering a certified copy and they are accessible for free.
Records from 1961 to 1964 are not in the online digital index. Those years are available on microfilm at the State Archives in Olympia. If you need a record from that range, contact the State Archives or the DOH directly.
Historical Sammamish Death Records
Sammamish was incorporated as a city in 1999, but the area has been part of King County since the county's formation. Death records for residents of the Sammamish area before 1999 were registered under King County. The King County Auditor held death records before July 1, 1907, and some of those older county-level records have been digitized and are searchable through the Washington Digital Archives. For deaths in the period after state registration began, the main source is the DOH Death Index and the related certificate images.
The Washington State Library's Vital Records LibGuide provides a comprehensive overview of how Washington death records are organized and where to find records from different time periods. The guide explains what is held at the county level, what is held by the state, and how to navigate both systems. For researchers with ties to the Sammamish area, it is a useful starting point before making formal requests.
Before July 1, 1907, the responsibility for collecting death records fell to the counties. Most kept death ledgers or registers. These have been microfilmed and are available through the State Library and the Washington Digital Archives. If you are researching early King County residents in the Sammamish area, those sources cover the period when the area was largely rural and unincorporated.
King County Library System Resources
The King County Library System (KCLS) serves Sammamish residents through the Sammamish Library branch. The library provides access to local history and genealogy resources, including newspaper archives and obituary indexes. Reference staff at the Sammamish branch can help researchers locate death notices published in King County newspapers. KCLS offers free cardholder access to Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogy platforms, which include extensive obituary and death notice databases.
For newspaper-based obituary research, KCLS provides access to ProQuest Historical Newspapers and other digital newspaper databases that cover the greater Seattle-King County region. Sammamish-area obituaries from the late 20th century onward are likely indexed in these platforms. The library also holds regional directories and other local history materials that can help confirm when and where a person lived before their death.
KCLS cardholders can access many of these databases remotely from home, which is convenient for researchers who cannot easily visit a branch. Check the KCLS website for current availability of remote access to genealogy databases.
The DOH death record ordering page at doh.wa.gov provides step-by-step instructions for Sammamish residents on how to request a certified or informational death certificate from the state.
The ordering page includes required identification documents, eligible requestor types, and mailing instructions for death certificate requests tied to Sammamish and King County events.
Ordering Sammamish Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for events in Sammamish are available from the Washington State Department of Health. Mail requests go to Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. The fee is $25 per certified copy. Online orders through VitalChek cost $40.50 per copy. You can also order by phone at 1-866-687-1464. Mail orders typically ship within eight to ten weeks after payment is processed.
Under RCW 70.58A, only eligible individuals can receive certified Sammamish death certificates. You will need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID and documentation showing your qualifying relationship to the decedent. Noncertified informational copies are available to anyone and cost the same fee but carry a watermark indicating they are not valid for legal use.
- State DOH mail: $25 per certified copy
- VitalChek online or phone: $40.50 per certified copy
- Noncertified informational copy: same fee, available to anyone
- Valid government-issued photo ID required
- Proof of qualifying relationship required for certified copies
King County Obituary Records
Sammamish is in King County, and death records for the city are part of the King County vital records system. For more on the King County Archives, additional offices, and resources covering the broader county area, visit the King County obituary records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Sammamish also have obituary and death record resources through King County and state offices.