Find Genealogy Records in Edmonds
Edmonds genealogy research draws on Snohomish County archives, the Washington State Digital Archives, and the city's own municipal records that stretch back to its founding in 1876 and incorporation in 1890. As one of the oldest cities in Snohomish County, Edmonds has a longer documented history than many nearby communities, which means more record types are available for researchers tracing families here. This guide covers the main sources for birth, marriage, death, land, court, and other records relevant to Edmonds ancestry.
Edmonds Overview
Edmonds City Genealogy and Municipal Archives
The City of Edmonds was founded in 1876 and incorporated in 1890, making it one of Snohomish County's oldest cities. The City Clerk's office at edmondswa.gov maintains city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public records going back to incorporation. For a city with a history this long, the municipal archives can be a meaningful supplement to county-level research.
Public records requests for city documents are handled under RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. The Clerk's office can produce copies of meeting minutes, permit records, and municipal decisions that document Edmonds families' interactions with local government. Building permits and annexation files are often useful for establishing when a family first settled at a particular Edmonds address.
For records predating 1890, researchers need to go to Snohomish County directly. The area that became Edmonds was part of unincorporated Snohomish County before the city existed, so all early vital records, land documents, and court files from the pre-incorporation period are county-level materials.
Snohomish County Birth Records for Edmonds Research
The Washington State Digital Archives holds the Snohomish County Auditor Birth Records, 1891 to 1907, which contains 4,593 records with both index and images of birth returns and affidavits filed before the state took over vital registration. Families who lived in the Edmonds area during this period would appear in this collection if births were properly registered.
The Digital Archives provides free search access to these collections with no login required. For best results when searching birth records, use the parents' names rather than the child's name. The mother's last name in the database reflects her maiden name.
For births after July 1, 1907, the Washington State Department of Health holds the records. In Snohomish County specifically, the guidance from Washington Genealogy's vital records guide notes that for records before July 1, 1907, researchers should contact the local health department for King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Whatcom counties, rather than the county auditor. Contact the Snohomish County Health District for clarification on pre-1907 records in this county.
Edmonds Marriage Records and Archives
Snohomish County marriage records from 1867 to 1999 and 2004 to 2005 are held by the Washington State Archives Northwest Regional Branch and are searchable through the Digital Archives. The FamilySearch Wiki for Snohomish County confirms that the County Auditor has marriage records from 1891 onward and that indexes and images for the 1867 to 1999 range are available at Washington State Archives. These cover marriages registered in Edmonds and all other Snohomish County communities.
The Edmonds city website provides a direct connection to the City Clerk and municipal records division. The clerk can direct researchers to city documents not yet transferred to county or state archives and explain how to submit a formal public records request.
For marriage certificates from January 1, 1968, to about four months before the present, order through the Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics at 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. For certificates before January 1, 1968, contact the county auditor where the license was obtained.
Washington State Digital Archives for Edmonds
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides free access to more than 200 million records from Washington state and local governments. For Edmonds and Snohomish County research, the portal holds birth records, marriage records, death records, land records, naturalization files, school censuses, and more. Collections are searchable by name, Soundex, date range, and collection type.
The Northwest Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives in Bellingham directly serves Snohomish County. The branch holds birth and death records from January 1891 to July 1907, marriage records, court records including naturalization records and probate case files, land records including deed indices, county commissioner proceedings, and school district records. The branch is open Wednesdays through Fridays by appointment at 808 25th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Call (360) 650-3125 or email nwbrancharchives@sos.wa.gov.
Note: There is no charge to view public archival documents at the Northwest Regional Branch, but fees apply for document copies and special research services by Archives staff.
Snohomish County Death and Vital Records
Death records from 1891 to 1907 for Snohomish County are held by the Washington State Archives Northwest Regional Branch and are searchable through the Digital Archives. These records include index and images of death returns filed with the Snohomish County Auditor during the pre-state registration period. For deaths after July 1, 1907, contact the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov. Certified death certificate copies cost $20 to $25 per record.
The Legacy Washington genealogy portal from the Secretary of State's office provides free online access to the Death Records Index covering 1907 to 2000. This index lets you confirm a death was registered and find the approximate year before ordering a certified copy from the DOH. The portal also indexes births from 1907 to 1929, marriages from 1968 to 2004, and divorces from 1968 to 1999.
Genealogy Research Resources Near Edmonds
The Washington State Library's Snohomish County Genealogy Research guide lists numerous local historical organizations in the county. Those most relevant to Edmonds include the Edmonds Historical Museum and the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society. These groups hold local photographs, family histories, cemetery records, and community archives that do not appear in official government databases.
The Sno-Isle Genealogical Society is an active research organization serving Snohomish and Island counties. Members work on indexing projects, maintain surname databases, and can often provide guidance on locating hard-to-find Edmonds records. Checking with local genealogical societies before ordering records can save time and help you find leads you might otherwise miss.
The Washington Rural Heritage program holds digitized photographs, newspapers, and historical documents from Snohomish County libraries, museums, and historical societies. Browsing by county often turns up images and records from Edmonds community organizations not available anywhere else. The Washington State Genealogical Society also maintains a directory of all local societies and county research guides.
Snohomish County Genealogy Records
Edmonds is in Snohomish County, and the county's archives are the primary source for historical genealogy records in this area. The Snohomish County Auditor holds birth, death, and marriage records from the pre-1907 era, while the Superior Court Clerk has divorce decrees and court case files. For a full overview of county-level genealogy resources, visit the Snohomish County records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Edmonds and have their own genealogy records pages.