Register an Adoption for a Child Born in Washington

We currently have a six (6) month processing turnaround time.
  • If you submitted an application with a processing fee, the date your check or money order is cashed is the date we received your request, which helps you estimate the time left for processing.
  • The turnaround times are estimations and are subject to fluctuate due to staffing availability.
  • We are working diligently to reduce the turnaround times. If your request has not been processed after six (6) months, please call us at (360) 236-4300. We appreciate your patience, thank you.

The following is information on how to get a new birth certificate following an adoption for a person born in Washington State.

Mail    In-Person

In-State Adoption – Send the following:

  1. A certified copy of the adoption decree. You can get this from the clerk of the court that granted the adoption. The adoption decree must include the following information:
  • Adoptee's full original name
  • Adoptee's full new name, if changed
  • Adoptee's date and place of birth
  • Full name of each petitioner
  • Whether the petitioner(s) is/are: married, stepparent, domestic partners or a single parent.
  1. A completed Application for Adoption Registration (DOH 422-040)
  • Non-refundable fee of $15 for processing the request
  1. A completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names. 
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

Out-of-State Adoption – Send the following:

  1. certified copy of your state’s adoption report or certificate of adoption.
  2. Non-refundable processing fee of $15*.
  3. Completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names.
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

Or

  1. certified copy of the adoption decree. You may get this from the clerk of the court in which the adoption was granted.  The adoption decree must include the following information:
  • Adoptee's full original name.
  • Adoptee's full new name, if changed.
  • Adoptee's date and place of birth.
  • Full name of each petitioner.
  • Whether the petitioner(s) is/are: husband and wife, step-parent, domestic partners or a single parent.
  1. A completed Application for Adoption Registration (DOH 422-040).
  • Non-refundable processing fee of $15*.
  1. A completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names.
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

*You can combine the adoption registration and certificate fees in one payment.

Make check or money order payable to Department of Health.

Mailing address:

Attn: Adoptions
Center for Health Statistics
PO Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709

For questions contact our office at 360-236-4300.

Return to the main Adoption page