The Snohomish Health District is the agency that provides vital records—specifically, birth and death certificates—for citizens in Snohomish County (RCW 70.58A.050.) Certificates are ordered over the phone, online, or in person at our customer service desk. Fees are collected by customer service staff.
As of January 1, 2021, RCW 70.58A.005 goes into effect. This requires people requesting a birth or a death certificate to provide proof of relationship to the person for which the certificate applies. This additional requirement will add additional obligations on customer service staff to ensure documentation is correctly provided.
VitalChek Network Inc. is an authorized third-party service for obtaining vital records. SHD uses them exclusively. Records can be obtained directly through VitalChek, or SHD staff can use VitalChek’s system to order the record for the customer.
VitalChek has electronic kiosks available to them for this purpose. Local authorized agencies can install these kiosks, and customers can utilize them independently to order their vital records. Records are then processed by SHD staff and either mailed or picked up at a later time by the customer. The kiosks would be provided by VitalChek at no cost to SHD. VitalChek would maintain the hardware and software of the kiosks. There would be a convenience fee of $3.50 added to the cost the customer pays for the vital record, and that payment would be processed at the kiosk.
Staff would like to enter into negotiations with VitalChek to pursue the installation of two electronic kiosks in the lobby of the Rucker Building. This would help modernize our customer service processes, improve the experience for the customer, and ease the burden on customer service staff once new requirements are enacted.
There is no fiscal impact to SHD to installing these kiosks, except the negligible electricity they would require. There is a $3.50 per certificate fee to the customer for utilizing the kiosks. If the customer wants to save the fee, they may still order their records at the customer service desk.
Staff is looking for Board input/support to pursue discussion with VitalCheck regarding the installation of two electronic kiosks in the lobby of the Rucker Building.