Tillamook County Vital Records

Tillamook County birth records are managed by the Tillamook County Community Health Centers. This coastal Oregon county has a population of about 27,000 residents. The county seat is Tillamook, known for its dairy industry and beautiful coastline. Birth certificates can be obtained locally through the Community Health Centers or through the state. The County Clerk's Office also assists with genealogical research. Historical vital records dating back to 1854 are preserved at the Oregon State Archives.

Tillamook County Birth Certificate Requests

The Tillamook County Community Health Centers handle birth certificate requests for the county. The office is located at 801 Pacific Avenue in Tillamook, OR 97141. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can contact Lola at 503-842-3994 for questions about the process.

The fee is $25 per copy. This rate took effect on January 1, 2018. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Make checks payable to Tillamook County Community Health Centers. The office processes requests for births that occurred in Tillamook County within the past six months. Walk-in service is available during office hours.

To request a birth certificate, you need to provide several pieces of information. The office requires the child's full name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth. You must also give the mother's maiden name and the father's name if it is on the record. State your relationship to the person on the certificate. Include the reason for your request, your contact information, and your signature on the application form.

For births that occurred outside Tillamook County, or for records older than six months, you will need to use the Oregon Health Authority application form. You can also call the state office at 971-673-1190 for help with those requests.

Community Health Centers Office

The Community Health Centers serve as the local vital records registrar for Tillamook County. The image below shows their website with details about vital statistics services.

The website includes forms and instructions for requesting birth certificates. Review the site before your visit so you know what to bring. Staff at the office are friendly and can walk you through the process step by step.

Tillamook County Clerk's Office

The Tillamook County Clerk's Office plays a role in vital records as well. While the Community Health Centers handle current birth certificates, the Clerk's Office assists with genealogical research and historical records. The clerk maintains older documents in the county vault and can help researchers find what they need.

The Clerk's Office is a good resource for anyone doing family history research in Tillamook County. Staff there know the local records well and can point you to other sources in the county.

Historical Birth Records

Tillamook County has vital records that date back to 1854. This makes it one of the counties with the oldest surviving records in Oregon. The Oregon State Archives holds Tillamook County vital records from 1854 to 1967. Birth records from 1903 to 1943 are part of this collection. These records were kept at the county level before the state centralized registration in 1943.

The archives inventory page lists all available record types. Researchers can visit the reading room in Salem to view these documents. Some records may be available on microfilm or by mail request.

The early records from the 1850s and 1860s are rare. Tillamook County was remote and sparsely populated during that time. The coast was hard to reach. Settlers who lived there did not always file formal records. What survives from this era is especially valuable for genealogy. Oregon law under ORS 432.350 sets access rules for these records, though records older than 100 years may be open for research.

Oregon State Birth Records

The Oregon Health Authority holds all state birth records from 1903 to the present. This includes Tillamook County births. You can order a certified copy by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at the Portland office. The fee is $25. Online orders may include an extra service fee.

The state office is the right contact for births in Tillamook County that are older than six months. You can download the application form from the Oregon Health Authority website and mail it in with your payment and a copy of your photo ID. Processing by mail takes two to four weeks.

Who Can Request Records

Oregon law limits who can receive a certified birth certificate. These rules apply in Tillamook County just as they do statewide. Eligible requestors include the person on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, or a child or grandchild. A legal representative with court authorization may also request a copy.

You need a valid photo ID for any request. A driver license, state ID, or passport is acceptable. If you are requesting on behalf of another person, bring a signed letter from them and a copy of their ID. The Community Health Centers staff verify eligibility before releasing any certified copies.

Tillamook County Genealogy

Tillamook County offers unique research opportunities. The county's coastal location attracted a different type of settler than the inland valleys. Dairy farming, fishing, and logging drew families to the area. Birth records from these early communities help trace the county's growth from a remote outpost to a thriving coastal region.

Start your research at the State Archives. The Tillamook County inventory covers vital records from 1854 to 1967. The Clerk's Office in Tillamook can help with local searches. Consider visiting the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum for additional historical records. Church records, school records, and cemetery records can also fill in gaps when official documents are missing.

Nearby Counties

Tillamook County borders Clatsop County to the north, Washington County to the east, Yamhill County to the southeast, and Lincoln County to the south. The Pacific Ocean forms the western boundary. If the birth took place in a neighboring county, contact that county's office or the Oregon Health Authority for help finding the record.