Vancouver Washington Obituary Records
Vancouver obituary and death records are available through Clark County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health. Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County and the fourth-largest city in Washington. Death certificates for Vancouver events have been maintained at the state level since July 1, 1907, and Clark County holds additional records going back through the county auditor. The Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries also offers genealogy resources and newspaper archives with obituary indexes useful for researching Vancouver residents across many decades.
Vancouver Quick Facts
Clark County Public Health Vital Records
Clark County Public Health Vital Records issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Clark County, including Vancouver. The office is located at 1000 NE Oregon Street, Suite D, Vancouver, WA 98660. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $25 per certified copy. Same-day service is available for most requests made in person. Orders can also be placed by mail or online through VitalChek.
For Vancouver deaths, the local Clark County office is often the most convenient option since it can handle the request in-person with same-day turnaround. The county office coordinates with the Washington State Center for Health Statistics to ensure records are properly registered and certified. If you are unsure whether your record is held at the county or state level, calling the Clark County office first is the most direct approach.
Clark County also maintains records related to the county Medical Examiner. If a Vancouver death fell under medical examiner jurisdiction, additional documentation about manner and cause of death may be available through a separate request to that office. You can learn more about Clark County vital records services at clark.wa.gov.
Online ordering through VitalChek for Clark County is available at the Clark County VitalChek page. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
The Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries at fvrl.org provides Vancouver residents with genealogy resources, newspaper archives, and obituary indexes covering the Clark County area.
The library system's Vancouver Community Library branch offers reference services and database access to help researchers locate obituary notices and death records for Vancouver residents.
Washington Digital Archives: Clark County Records
The Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds the statewide Death Index, which includes all Clark County and Vancouver records. The index spans July 1, 1907 through 1960 and 1965 through 2017. With over 2.3 million records statewide, this is the broadest free death record database available for Washington. Searches are open to anyone and do not require an account.
The Clark County portion of the Digital Archives also includes historical death records from before 1907 held by the county auditor. These older records are useful for tracing Vancouver families during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Clark County historical records collection at the Digital Archives includes materials from this early period. The Washington State Archives Southwest Regional Branch can assist with physical records not yet digitized.
Death certificate images are available for records older than 25 years. For more recent Vancouver deaths, the index entry is publicly accessible but the actual document requires a formal request to the county or state.
Historical Vancouver Obituary Sources
Vancouver has a long history as one of the oldest American settlements in Washington. Death records going back into the mid-1800s can be found through a combination of county auditor records, early church registers, and newspaper obituary archives. The Clark County Auditor held birth and death registrations before the state took over in 1907. The Washington State Archives Digital Archives holds some of these early Clark County records.
Newspaper obituaries published in the Columbian, Vancouver's primary daily paper, and other local publications cover Vancouver deaths going back well over a century. Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries provides access to digitized and microfilmed local newspaper archives. The Washington State Library Vital Records guide also covers Clark County records and explains how to access materials in the state library's genealogy collections. The Washington State Library holds microfilm copies of Clark County death registers.
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Genealogy Resources
The Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries serves Vancouver and Clark County with genealogy and local history resources. The Vancouver Community Library branch is the primary location, offering reference services, newspaper archives, and access to online genealogy databases. With a library card, you can access Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, and digitized newspaper collections at no cost during library hours.
The library's genealogy collection includes Clark County history volumes, city directories, funeral home records, and cemetery indexes. These materials can help confirm identities and locate additional information beyond what is in the official death record. Library staff can help you navigate the collection and determine which database or microfilm reel is most likely to contain the obituary or death notice you are looking for.
Some database access is available remotely for Fort Vancouver Regional Library cardholders. Check the library website for information on which platforms can be used from home. The library also participates in interlibrary loan programs that can bring materials from other Washington libraries if needed.
Ordering Vancouver Death Certificates
To get a death certificate for a Vancouver resident, you can contact Clark County Public Health at 1000 NE Oregon Street, Suite D, Vancouver, WA 98660, or order from the Washington State Department of Health. The county office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offers same-day service for most in-person requests. The fee is $25 per certified copy at both the county and state level for mail orders.
Online orders through VitalChek cost $40.50 per certified copy. Mail orders to the state go to Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507. The DOH death records ordering page explains the full process. Under RCW 70.58A, certified copies are restricted to qualifying individuals. Noncertified informational copies are available to all requesters without eligibility proof.
- Clark County in-person: $25 per copy, same-day service available
- State DOH mail: $25 per copy, 2 to 4 weeks processing
- VitalChek online: $40.50 per copy, expedited available
- Valid government-issued photo ID required
- Certified copies require eligibility documentation
- Noncertified copies open to all requesters
Clark County Obituary Records
Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County. All death certificates and vital records for the city run through Clark County Public Health and the state vital records system. For a full overview of Clark County death records resources and genealogy tools, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Vancouver also have obituary and death record resources available through county and state offices.