Search Washington County Death Records

Washington County death records are managed by the county clerk in Hillsboro, Oregon. As the second most populated county in the state, Washington County processes a large volume of vital records each year. Finding a death certificate here starts with a call or visit to the clerk's office in Hillsboro. You will need the full name and date of death for your search. Washington County staff handle requests by mail, in person, and online. Death records from this county serve many purposes, from settling estates to tracing family history across the Portland metro area.

Washington County Vital Records

The Washington County Clerk handles death certificate requests at 155 N First Avenue, Room 130, Hillsboro, OR 97124. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (503) 846-8747 with questions about death records in Washington County.

In-person, mail, and online requests are all accepted at this office. Cash, check, money order, and credit card are valid forms of payment. The fee is $25.00 for each death certificate copy from Washington County. Walk-in requests are often processed the same day. Mail orders take a few extra business days. Washington County is one of the few Oregon counties that accepts online ordering through the county itself. After six months from the date of death, records transfer to the state. You would then need to contact the Oregon Health Authority for your copy. The Washington County website has more details about their services and departments.

Note: Washington County accepts credit cards for in-person visits, which not all Oregon counties offer.

Ordering Death Certificates

There are multiple ways to order a death certificate from Washington County. The method you pick depends on your location and how soon you need the record.

For in-person requests, visit the Washington County Clerk at 155 N First Avenue in Hillsboro. Fill out the order form at the desk. Show your photo ID. Pay the $25 fee. Staff will search their files for the death record you need. Most walk-in orders are filled that day. This is the fastest way to get a Washington County death certificate. The Washington County Clerk vital records page has forms and instructions for all request methods. You can also use VitalChek for online orders. VitalChek is the only vendor approved by Oregon for this service. They charge a service fee on top of the $25 state fee and accept credit cards.

Mail orders go to the Washington County Clerk at 155 N First Avenue, Room 130, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Include a filled-out request form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $25 per copy. Under ORS 432.380, death records are restricted for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible persons can get certified copies during that period.

Washington County Record Resources

The Washington County official website provides information about county departments, offices, and services for Hillsboro area residents.

This site is a useful first stop for anyone looking into Washington County government services. You can find contact details, office hours, and links to vital record forms and instructions.

The Oregon State Archives Washington County page holds information about archived records dating back to the 1800s.

These archives are a valuable resource for anyone doing genealogy or historical research in Washington County. Many older death records and vital documents are housed at the state level and can be accessed through the archives team in Salem.

Who Can Order Death Records

Oregon law controls who can get a certified death certificate. This rule applies in Washington County and every other county in Oregon. Under ORS 432.005, only certain people may order a certified copy within 50 years of the death. After that period, death records become open to the public.

People eligible to request Washington County death records include:

• Spouse or registered domestic partner
• Parent or grandparent of the deceased
• Child or grandchild of the deceased
• Sibling of the deceased
• Legal or authorized representative
• Government agencies for official duties
• Funeral directors named on the record

If you are not eligible on your own, an eligible person can sign a notarized form that lets you order on their behalf. Washington County staff can explain this option if you call or visit their office.

Historical Death Records

Washington County has rich historical resources for death record research. The Washington County Museum in Hillsboro holds obituary files, cemetery records, funeral records, family files, and photograph collections. The Washington County Historical Society also maintains historical records, cemetery transcriptions, and obituary indexes that can aid your research.

The Hillsboro Public Library has a local history collection and newspaper archives from the Hillsboro Argus. Obituaries from old newspapers often contain details that are not part of official death records. Library staff can help you search through their archives for Washington County death notices. The Oregon State Archives research services offer yet another path. State archives hold vital records going back to 1903 for deaths across Oregon.

Note: The Washington County Historical Society may charge a small fee for research assistance with older death records and genealogy requests.

Washington County Cemetery Records

Cemetery records often tie to death records and can help confirm dates and details. Washington County has many cemeteries with records that add depth to your research.

Key cemeteries in Washington County include Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery, Bethany Presbyterian Cemetery, Cornelius Methodist Cemetery, Forest Grove IOOF Cemetery, Zion Memorial Cemetery, Crescent Grove Cemetery, and Garden Home Cemetery. Each one may hold burial records with dates, family connections, and plot details. These records are especially useful for deaths that took place before modern vital records were standard in Oregon. Researchers looking into Washington County death information should check both official county files and local cemetery records for a complete picture of the facts they need.

Washington County Certificate Details

Death certificates from Washington County come in two forms. The short form lists the name, date of death, place of death, birth date, parents' names, spouse name, and Social Security number. It does not include cause of death. Short form records are on file from 1978 to the present. This type is used for probate, title changes, wills, and DMV matters.

The long form includes all those facts plus cause of death, manner of death, time of death, certifying physician, funeral home, and how the body was handled. Long form records go back to 1903 in Oregon. Insurance claims and legal matters that need cause of death details require the long form from Washington County. Both forms cost $25.00 each. Under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 333, strict guidelines govern how these records are issued and who may receive them.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Yamhill County, Columbia County, and Tillamook County. If you are unsure which county holds the death record you need, check where the death took place. Records are filed in the county where the death occurred, not where the person lived.