Tina's Washington Adoption Page

Washington State Vital Records Office
Dept. of Health/Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Phone: 360-753-5936

Make check or money order payable to Department of Health.

Washington Birth Index

Washington does have a birth index. There is one in Spokane and there is also one in Tacoma. (There may be one in Seattle, but not certain.) The one in Tacoma is at the Tacoma Public Library (the main branch) in the genealogy room. Go to the Northwest Room and get on the microfilm. You can ask the reference guy where it is and how to use it and it's totally free. If you find a section that you want, you can copy it off. Once you have found the person you are looking for, you copy a specific number off of it and then put in a request to Washington State Vital Records Office

Available Records from Washington Dept. of Vital Records

State office has had birth and death records since July 1907. For King, Pierce and Spokane counties, copies may also be obtained from county health departments. Fees vary. County Auditor of county of birth has registered births prior to July 1907.
State office has had divorce records since January 1968. If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available from the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.
State office has had marriage records since January 1968. If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available for $2.00 from the County Auditor in the county where the license was issued. Fees vary.
In Washington, a birth parent can request a photocopy of an original birth certificate. The cost is $15.00.

To order the birth ceritficate, the State requires a letter stating that you are the birthparent along with the following information: Name of child at birth if name given, Date of birth, City/County of Birth, Fathers full name if named, Mothers full name at time of birth, Current address.

Send to:
Attn: Marjorie
Department of Health, DSHS,
PO Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709

The laws in the State of Washington provide that members of the adoption Triad (adoptees, adoptive parents, birthparents) may receive NON-IDENTIFYING (non-id) INFORMATION on the "missing" party. This includes first names, brief bio's on the other parties and the family. Washington State Courts

KING COUNTY (includes Seattle)

King County Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Information for King County Government (Voice & TTY): (206) 296-0100
Outside local calling area (toll-free): 1-800-325-6165
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

King County Adoption Services
a division of KC Family Court - Superior Court
King County Courthouse
516 3rd Ave, Rm C-203
Seattle, WA 98104-2381
Phone: 206-296-9350

This phone number is 24 hour with voice mail - remember to leave your name and address. Request a Non Identifying Information Request Form. They mail these out almost instantly.

When the form comes complete as much as you can and return to them with $8 money order or cashiers check. REQUEST FIRST NAMES. There is not a space for it on the form so write it in the white space. Within about 2 weeks, a single sheet of information will be returned to you.

Children and Family Services - Dept. of Social Services
(adoption, child protection, family reconciliation)
2809 26th S
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: 206-721-4136

PIERCE COUNTY(includes Tacoma)

Pierce County Adoption Services
5501 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA 98406
Phone: 253-593-7900.

When they answer, they will say something like "Raymond Hall". Do not hang up! About 10 years ago they moved the adoption offices to the Juvenile Courts system. Request a Non Identifying Information Request Form.

Some of the smaller counties may give you a hard time and even refuse to comply with state law. This is against the law... but it often doesn't pay to argue. You can contact the head of adoptions and inform them of the problem and request him to correct the situation and provide the information. Contact:

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services
Patrick A Weber, Adoption Program Manager
Adoptions, DCFS, OB-41
Olympia, WA 98504

The smaller counties may refer you to WARM - a non profit agency in Seattle. Any member of the triad may contact them to conduct a search for a fee - however YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CONTACT THEM TO RECEIVE NON ID - THE STATE IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION.

With non-id, there many resources available that are helpful in finding the lost parties.

An alternative to searching on your own using these other resources is using the Washington State sanctioned Confidential Intermediary (CI) program. Average fees associated with a CI search run $250 - $500.00 +. The CI is authorized to view the entire adoption file and conduct a search for the missing person.

If for whatever reason you are not comfortable with the CI you are assigned, you may request another CI be assigned to your case. SPEAK YOUR MIND BEFORE ANY CONTACT IS MADE AND MAKE A CHANGE IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE - IT IS OK TO CHANGE - it is your right - exercise it.

The contacted person has the choice to refuse contact. If that happens ... the CI is bound by law to maintain complete confidentiality concerning the other persons identification and location. If refused, the CI will return all files to the courts and nothing further is done. Of course, all fees are paid up front and are non-refundable.

Washington State Resources
Adoptees Liberation Movement Association (ALMA)
National Headquarters
P.O. Box 727
Radio City Station, New York, NY 10101-0727
ALMA - Browns Point Chapter
P.O. Box 23683
Federal Way, WA 98093
(206) 927-1856
55 chapters nationwide. Membership $65. ALMA has a national registry, provides emotional support to relinquishing birth parents and adoptees, and will assist in the search for birth parents/relinquished children. They do not help minor children in search for birth parents, but will help adoptive parents in minor child's search for birth parents.
ADOPTION RESOURCE CENTER (Northwest)
Children's Home Society
3300 N.E. 65th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 527-6068
Search services are offered to provide current information and/or attempt to locate biological relatives. These services are available to birth parents who placed a child through CHS of Washington as well as to persons who were placed for adoption by the agency.
ADOPTION RESOURCE CENTER (Northeast)
Children's Home Society
S 4315 Scott St
Spokane, WA 98203-6258
(509) 747-4174
Search consultation is available on request. This consultation entails exploring whether search is right for you, fears, expectations, where to begin, as well as offering support. It includes a packet of articles and information on search. Fees vary according to the service provided. Please call for more information.
ASCC SERVICES
6201 - 15th Ave. NW # P210
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 284-8538
(206) 284-8612 (fax)
ASCCME@aol.com
ASCC provides therapy, workshops, and counseling services for those deciding to search through to post-reunion services. ASCC specializes in consulting/counseling prior to reunion to help prevent pitfalls and post reunion to assist with issues that may arise.
AMERICAN ADOPTION CONGRESS (AAC)
National Headquarters
1000 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 9
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 483-3399
AAC Decree published quarterly.
CONCERNED UNITED BIRTH PARENTS (CUB)
National Headquarters
2000 Walker Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
1-800-822-2777
CUB Communicator published monthly. CUB purposes are providing mutual support for coping with the ongoing pain and problems of adoption, working for adoption reform in law and social policy, preventing unnecessary family separations, assisting adoption- separated relatives in searching for family members, and educating the public about adoption issues and realities.
SEATTLE AND OUTSKIRTS BASTARDS (SOBS)
12865 NE 85th St., Suite 179
Kirkland, WA 98033
425-883-7293
Shea Grimm
Local activist group of adult adoptees and friends connected to the international adoptee rights group Bastard Nation.

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