By Kayla Fox
Birth and death are some of life’s most meaningful and complex moments, and for nearly two decades in Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Vital Records, Robbie has been supporting community members through the process of gathering and filing records for these momentous events. We’re proud to celebrate Robbie, her 24 years of service to King County, and the essential work of the eight dedicated staff she leads in our Vital Records team in our series, Portraits of Public Health.
Hi Robbie! What does the Vital Records team do?
Our work focuses on issuing birth and death certificates in King County. We typically process over 160,000 orders per year, and likely much more in recent years with the REAL-ID Act. Our team supports customers who need certificates for major life events, and who often come to us with urgency. We help resolve errors, guide people through amendments (in partnership with the state), answer phone calls, and process orders that come in by mail, online, or in person. Our team meets people where they’re at to help them gather the right documents and ensure we can legally release their records.
On the death‑registration side, we also review causes of death for accuracy and compliance with state guidelines and issue permits for disposition.
What makes this work meaningful to you?
People come to us during really significant life moments… and these aren’t just transactions. There’s often emotion, urgency, and sometimes confusion. Walking alongside them means honoring that, being gentle in how we ask questions, and helping them move forward while respecting both their experience and the processes we have to follow.
What’s a special quality you hold that you bring into this work?
I try to bring patience, deep listening, and empathy into every interaction. I want people to feel heard, valued, and supported when working together. My job is to balance guiding them through gathering sensitive information gently, while still meeting legal requirements, all with as much clarity and compassion as possible.
What do you wish more people knew about their own records?
I wish more people knew just how important these documents are. Birth and death certificates are foundational to so many parts of life: benefits, marriage, family history, travel, identity verification and more. When we ask for documentation, it’s not to create barriers — it’s to help open pathways!
More information about Vital Records
Order a birth certificate – King County, Washington
Order a death certificate – King County, Washington
Originally published on April 23, 2026.