Family Resource Sheet

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.