Family Resource Sheet Compliments of Funeral Alternatives of Washington Tumwater and Lacey Locations Tumwater (360) 753-1065 Lacey (360) 491-2222 Yelm (360) 400-5400 Or Toll Free (888) 753-1065 (all locations) Death Certificates: A death certificate is a document used to record the vital statistics and cause of death for a deceased person. The original death certificate is kept on permanent file with the State Department of Vital Records, and is not obtainable by the public. Additional certified copies can be ordered through Funeral Alternatives, the county registrar of death or the Washington State Department of Health. Certified Copy: The initial order for certified copies of the death certificate is made through the health department in the county where the death occurred. These are colored legal documents with the County registrar’s signature and the state seal. These copies are usually required to make claims, transfer ownership, and for other legal purposes. Funeral Alternatives does not charge a fee for acquiring these documents; we obtain the copies on your behalf as a service to you. However, all Counties in Washington charge a $20 fee for each death certificate ordered. Thurston County Health Dept. 412 Lilly Rd NE Olympia WA 98506 (360) 867-2500 $20 Copy fee Mason County Health Dept. PO Box 1666 426 W. Cedar St. Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 Ext. 400 $20 Copy fee Lewis County Health Services 360 NW North St. Chehalis WA 98532 (360) 740-1223 $20 Copy Fee Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Office of Vital Records 3701 Pacific Ave. Suite 100 Tacoma WA 98418 (253) 798-6418 $20 Copy Fee King County VITAL STATISTICS Public Health – Seattle & King County KING CO. ADMIN. BLDG., RM 214 500 4th Ave. Seattle WA 98104 (206) 296-4769 $20 Copy Fee Washington State Dept. of Health Center for Health Statistics PO Box 9709 1010 Israel Road SE Tumwater WA 98507-9709 (360) 236-4313 $20 copy fee Contact for death certificates older than 3 months Usually, certified copies of the death certificate are required for insurance, insured loans, stocks or bonds in joint ownership and for real property in joint ownership. Note: You will need to remove the deceased’s name from everything. Most counties only keep recent records available. This time frame varies from county to county. Generally in order to obtain a certified copy of the death certificate for a death that is over 3 months it is advised to contact the Center for Health Statistics. The exception is those counties that file electronically. These counties can produce certified copies over the counter during business hours. Counties electronically are Thurston, Pierce, and Mason. Social Security: Funeral Alternatives of Washington will notify the Social Security Department and then the family MUST call Social Security to make an appointment if they are eligible for benefits. The requirements are different for each family so you need to get the information from Social Security in order to apply for any benefits that are due. Call 1-800-772-1213 between 7am-7pm Monday through Friday. In addition, you can access more information via the website: www.ssa.gov. Local SSA numbers for: Thurston and Mason County: (866)755-6199 Lewis County: (360) 330-2866 Pierce County: 1-888-487-9229 King County: North Seattle (866)931-2875 South Seattle (206)553-4100 Downtown (206)553-8613 Banks and Credit Unions: Be sure to notify banks of a death. Banking accounts, government bonds, time savings certificates, etc. Note: Some credit unions have death benefits tied into saving balances. Safety Deposit Box: If in joint ownership, remove deceased’s name. If in name of deceased only, inquire with the bank as to what steps need to be taken. Thurston County Assessor’s Office Thurston County Courthouse Bldg 1, Room 127 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Olympia WA 98502 (360) 867-2200 Mason County Assessor’s Office P.O. Box J 411 N 5th St. Bldg I Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 ext. 491 Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer 2401 South 35th St. Room 142 Tacoma WA 98409 (235) 798-6111 Lewis County Assessor’s Office 360 NW North St. Chehalis WA 98532 (360) 740-1392 King County Dept. of Assessments 500 Fourth Ave. Suite ADM-AS-0708 Seattle WA 98104 (206) 296-7300 Bank Loans & Installment Contracts: Call each lending institution and inquire if any loans are insured with credit life. Stocks and Bonds: Call or write to your brokerage company or the stock company direct and ask about their procedures in case of a death. Insurance: Notify the life insurance company agent in the local area, or notify the company itself. Check for life insurance coverage at the place of employment, also auto coverage and health and accident coverage if applicable. Be sure to check with all credit card companies regarding possible policies on the account. Call the agent for each or write to the headquarters for appropriate forms for claims. Make sure you keep a written log of who you spoke with and when so that you can track the claim easier. Fire Insurance: Remove the name of the deceased from the policies. Motor Vehicles: Change the title for each vehicle, including boats. For more detailed information contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at (360) 902-3770. Mail a certified copy of the death certificate to PO Box 9020, Olympia, WA 98507 or bring the certified copy to Department of Motor Vehicles and receive it back. Note: If there is not a Community Property Agreement, you will need to fill out an Affidavit of Inheritance that is available through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Home and Real Property: Take a certified death certificate to the Tax Assessor’s Office in the county in which the Property is owned. Federal Internal Revenue Service: IRS regulations change regularly, it is best to contact the IRS directly for their current regulations. Voter Registration: To cancel an individual’s voter registration write a cancellation notice stating that the individual is deceased. Voter registration cancellations should be sent the appropriate county Auditor’s Office. Thurston County Auditor’s Office 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW Bldg #1 Olympia WA 98502 (360) 786-5224 Mason County Auditor’s Office P.O. Box 400 411 N 5th St. Shelton WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 ext. 468 Pierce County Election Center 2501 S. 35th St. Suite C Tacoma WA 98409 (253) 798-7424 Lewis County Auditor’s Office Elections Dept. P.O. Box 29 Chehalis WA 98532-0029 (360) 740-1156 King County Elections Headquarters 919 SW Grady Way Renton WA 98057-2905 (206) 296-8683 Veterans Administration: Funeral Alternatives can help you obtain a U.S. flag for the next of kin. In most cases, the cemetery of choice will file ordering of a Veteran’s marker or cemetery reimbursement. Contact: VA Regional Office – Office of Memorial Affairs (Benefits information and assistance) 1-800-827-1000. Consult an Attorney as Necessary: This is not a comprehensive guide to required action to be taken in the event of death. This list is simply a public service list to help you get started on your own. It should not, for any reason, be misconstrued to be any form of legal advice or guide. We are not responsible for any information contained herein, as it was all gathered by contacting agencies and individuals who are not affiliated with our establishment(s). Be aware that policies, procedures, address, phone numbers, prices, etc., may change without our knowledge despite our attempts to keep this list reasonable up-to-date for your convenience.