Amendments Specialist, Vital Records Program

What You Will Do:

As an Amendment Specialist in the Center for Health Statistics, you’ll play a key role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of Washington State’s vital records—documents that serve as the legal foundation for identity, citizenship, parentage, and access to critical services. Your work directly supports individuals, families, and state systems that rely on verified information for legal, medical, and social needs.

You’ll provide technical guidance and consult on legal amendments to records such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, and adoption—ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. Whether assisting an adoptee requesting access to sealed records or resolving discrepancies in a certificate, your attention to detail and commitment to public service will help uphold the credibility and trustworthiness of our vital records system.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide specialized consultation on amendments and certifications to a wide range of audiences, including the public, hospitals, attorneys, state and federal agencies, and local health jurisdictions.
• Interpret and apply statutes, rules, and policies related to vital records, including those governing adoption, parentage, marriage, divorce, and identity verification.
• Research complex cases, guide applicants through legal and regulatory requirements, and evaluate documentation for amendments or corrections.
• Assess amendment and registration requests, verify requestor authority, identify potential fraud, and determine whether changes can be legally applied.
• Manage sealed adoption records and provide appropriate information to eligible individuals in compliance with RCW 26.33 and WAC 246-491.
• Update the state’s official vital records database (WHALES) to reflect approved amendments, and maintain organized documentation to ensure accuracy and privacy.
• Contribute to ongoing policy development, legislative implementation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Respond to escalated inquiries and legal requests, and support public records responses in collaboration with administrative staff.
• Test and support system updates to WHALES, ensuring system functionality aligns with legal requirements.