Washington County Death Certificates and Records
Washington County death records are managed by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department based in St. George. The department serves Washington County along with Iron, Garfield, Beaver, and Kane counties in the southwestern corner of Utah. Certified death certificates for events that occurred in Washington County are available through this office, with records going back to 1969. Older historical death records for the county are accessible through statewide archives and genealogical databases. This guide explains how to request death records, what resources exist for historical research, and what to expect during the process.
Washington County Quick Facts
Southwest Utah Public Health Department Records
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is the primary office for Washington County death certificates. The office is located at 620 S. 400 E., Suite 400, St. George, UT 84770. You can also reach the department through its location at 197 East Tabernacle St., St. George, UT 84770. Contact Claudia at (435) 986-2542 with questions about ordering death certificates. In 2025, the department processed 9,611 birth and death certificates across all five counties it serves.
Death certificates from Washington County are available for events from 1969 to the present. For deaths before 1969, you will need to consult historical collections at the Utah State Archives or through FamilySearch. The first certified copy of a death certificate costs $30. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $10. Applications are available in both English and Spanish.
Washington County death records are filed according to the state where the event occurred. If a death occurred in Utah, you may apply for a certified copy through any Utah Public Health Department, not just the one in Washington County. This gives residents flexibility in how they request records.
| Office |
Southwest Utah Public Health Department 620 S. 400 E., Suite 400 St. George, UT 84770 Phone: (435) 986-2542 (Claudia) |
|---|---|
| Also Located At | 197 East Tabernacle St., St. George, UT 84770 |
| Records Website | swuhealth.gov/records |
| Counties Served | Washington, Iron, Garfield, Beaver, Kane |
Washington County Death Certificate Ordering Methods
There are three ways to order a Washington County death certificate: online, by mail, or in person. Call (435) 986-2542 to schedule an in-person appointment, as walk-ins may not be accommodated without advance notice.
For in-person visits, bring the completed application, valid identification, proof of relationship to the deceased, and payment. Applications are available in English and Spanish on the department website. Staff will process your request at the time of your appointment in most cases. This is the fastest method if you need a certificate right away.
Mail applications are also accepted. Include a completed application form, a clear photocopy of your valid photo ID, documentation showing your relationship to the deceased, and a check or money order for the fee. Do not send cash. Mail your request to the St. George office address. Allow additional time for mailing in both directions.
Online ordering through VitalChek is available for Washington County death certificates. This is a secure service that processes orders on an expedited basis. Additional service fees apply for online orders. Certified copies are mailed directly to your address.
Note: Regardless of which method you use, you must show proof of qualifying relationship for death certificates that are less than 50 years old under Utah law.
Utah State Death Records and Washington County
The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics in Salt Lake City holds death certificates for the entire state, including Washington County, from 1904 to the present. The state office is at 288 North 1460 West, PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012, and can be reached at (801) 538-6105. The fee structure is the same as local health departments: $30 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy.
Under Utah Code 26-2-22, death records older than 50 years are public records and may be requested by anyone. Restrictions apply to more recent records. The CDC vital records guide for Utah provides a helpful overview of the state ordering process for those unfamiliar with Utah's vital records system.
Washington County Historical Death Records
Washington County was founded in 1852 and has a rich settlement history centered on St. George and the surrounding communities. Death records from the county's early history are available through several sources. The FamilySearch Utah death records collection holds Washington County death certificates from 1904 to 1966. These are free to search and include images of original certificates. Search by name, year, or community at the FamilySearch Utah death records collection.
Washington County Birth and Death Registers exist as separate historical collections. St. George and Washington vital statistics from 1963 to 1970 have been compiled and are available through genealogical sources. Some early death registers from Washington County predate state registration and were kept by local government officials and church record keepers. These can often be found through FamilySearch's broader collection of Utah county records.
The Ancestor Hunt guide to free Utah death records is a useful reference for finding Washington County historical records online. It lists indexed collections, free search tools, and tips for locating records from southwestern Utah communities including St. George, Hurricane, and Washington City.
Washington County Cemeteries and Local Research
St. George Cemetery records are available and can be searched for burial information. Cemetery records often include death dates, ages, and family relationships that supplement official death certificates. Washington County has several historic cemeteries reflecting the area's deep pioneer heritage, and burial records from many of them have been preserved and indexed.
The Washington County Historical Society holds local historical materials including obituaries, family histories, and community records. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers chapter in St. George also maintains historical records related to early Washington County families. These collections can be helpful when searching for deaths that occurred before state registration began or when official records are incomplete.
Military death certificates are also maintained for Washington County veterans. These records may be available through the Utah State Archives or through federal military records channels. The state archives can help identify which collections cover military deaths for Washington County.
Note: The Utah Population Database at the University of Utah links Washington County death certificate data from 1904 to the present for academic research purposes. Learn more at uofuhealth.utah.edu.
Cities in Washington County
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department handles death records for all cities and communities in Washington County. Below are some of the larger communities in the county.
Other communities served by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department include Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, and Toquerville. All Washington County death records are processed through the department's St. George office.
Nearby Counties
Washington County is located in the southwestern corner of Utah and shares borders with Iron and Kane counties, as well as the states of Nevada and Arizona. If the death you are researching occurred near a county boundary, check records from neighboring counties as well.