Federal Way Genealogy Records
Federal Way genealogy research centers on King County, which holds all vital records, land filings, court cases, and probate records for this area. Federal Way incorporated in 1990 from unincorporated King County, so genealogy records predating 1990 are entirely part of the King County system. King County's records go back to 1852, making it one of the most extensive county record systems in Washington. This guide covers the primary sources for Federal Way family history research across birth, marriage, death, and court records.
Federal Way Overview
Federal Way Genealogy Before 1990
Federal Way was unincorporated King County until 1990. Every genealogy record tied to this area before cityhood is held in the King County system. That includes births, marriages, deaths, land transactions, court cases, and probate filings. For researchers tracing families who lived here in the mid-20th century or earlier, King County is the only place to look.
King County was formed from Thurston County on December 22, 1852, and the county seat is Seattle. The County Auditor has birth and death records from 1891 to 1907 and marriage records going back to 1853. The County Clerk holds divorce records from 1886 and probate records from 1891. These records cover the full span of family history in the Federal Way area from well before Washington statehood.
The King County FamilySearch Wiki is a useful starting point. It lists naturalization records from 1906 to 1920, probate records from 1854 to 1927, historical school district registers and censuses from 1890 to 1936, military records, and plats and surveys from 1870 forward. It also notes research facilities including the King County Archives, Seattle Public Library, and King County Library System.
Note: The King County Auditor's Office is at 516 Third Ave., Room W-1033, Seattle, WA 98104, phone (206) 296-1655. The Superior Court Clerk's Office is at King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Ave., Room E609, Seattle, WA 98104-2386, phone (206) 296-9300, email clerksofficecustomerservice@KingCounty.gov.
King County Records at the Washington State Digital Archives
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov has free searchable collections from King County covering the Federal Way area.
The King County Auditor, Birth Records, 1891-1907 collection holds 19,663 records. Search by parents' names for best results; the mother's last name will be her maiden name. The collection was transcribed by members of the South King County Genealogical Society, which is appropriate given that Federal Way is in the south King County area. The Washington State Archives Puget Sound Regional Branch handles questions about this collection at (425) 564-3940 or psbrancharchives@sos.wa.gov.
The King County Marriage Records, 1855-2017 collection covers more than 160 years of marriages. The database is searchable by groom or bride name, year, and Soundex. Records from after December 6, 2012 use the terms Person A and Person B. This is a broad collection that covers the Federal Way area through the unincorporated period and beyond.
The Washington State Library guide at washstatelib.libguides.com lists King County Auditor death records from 1891 to 1907 and Seattle-King County Health Department death records from 1891 to 1907 as part of the State Library's NW Microfilm collection. The City of Seattle death returns from 1881 to 1907 are also available there.
Federal Way and King County Genealogy Sources
The Washington State Digital Archives Federal Way area collections draw from King County records and include birth registers, marriage certificates, and other historical documents for the south King County region.
The Digital Archives is the best free starting point for Federal Way family research. Most collections are fully indexed and include scanned images of original documents.
The King County marriage records at the Digital Archives cover the Federal Way area across multiple centuries, from the 1850s through 2017.
These marriage records are among the most comprehensive county-level collections in Washington, reflecting King County's size and the longevity of its record system.
The City of Federal Way website provides access to the City Clerk's office, which maintains city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public records from 1990 forward. Public records requests are processed under RCW 42.56.
Municipal records from the city clerk can help researchers confirm addresses, property ownership, and local events for families in Federal Way after 1990. For records before cityhood, everything goes through King County.
State Vital Records for Federal Way Families
After July 1, 1907, statewide vital registration replaced county-level recording for births and deaths. For Federal Way families with events after that date, the Washington State Department of Health is the primary source for birth and death certificates.
Marriage records split differently. For marriages before January 1, 1968, contact the King County Auditor. For marriages from January 1, 1968 forward, order through the Center for Health Statistics at 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. The Washington Genealogy vital records guide at washingtongenealogy.com/vital outlines these cutoff dates clearly and notes that for King County records before July 1, 1907, researchers should contact the local health department.
FamilySearch at familysearch.org maintains a Washington Genealogy wiki with links to all King County collections. The Washington Secretary of State genealogy page at sos.wa.gov also lists statewide and county resources. Both are free to use.
Land Records and Other King County Sources
Land records are among the most useful tools for tracing Federal Way-area families through the unincorporated period. The King County Recorder's Office at 500 Fourth Ave., Room 311, Seattle, WA 98104 has marriage and deed records on microfilm and microfiche. The online index goes back to 1870 for plats and surveys.
Historical school district registers and censuses from 1890 to 1936 can help confirm where children lived in south King County and identify family addresses. These are listed in the King County FamilySearch wiki along with military records. For researchers tracing male ancestors through WWI or WWII, military records combined with land and court records can give a fuller picture of a family's history in the Federal Way area.
Probate records from King County go back to 1891 and are held at the Washington, King County Probate Records, 1854-1927 collection at FamilySearch. Naturalization records from 1906 to 1920 are at the King County Clerk's office and can help trace immigrant families. These records are especially relevant for south King County, which saw significant settlement in the early 20th century.
The Washington State Library genealogy guide at washstatelib.libguides.com/genealogy provides a broad overview of all available Washington genealogy tools and is a good place to start if you are new to researching in the King County system.
King County Genealogy Records
Federal Way is in King County, and all genealogy records for the city and the area it was carved from are in the King County system. Visit the King County page for a complete overview of archives, collections, and contacts.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Federal Way and file genealogy records through King County or nearby county systems.