Important state warning: This page is for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department in Washington State. There is also a Pierce County Health Department in Georgia. If you need Blackshear, Georgia, use the Southeast Health District route instead. For Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, Bonney Lake, Gig Harbor, University Place, Spanaway, Parkland, Sumner, Edgewood, Fife, DuPont, Orting or Key Peninsula, this Washington guide is the correct starting point.
Pierce County Health Department Services, Phone Numbers, Records and Correct 2026 Contact Routes
Use this guide to reach the right Pierce County Health Department service in Washington without calling the wrong desk. It covers the main Tacoma office, phone numbers, public health clinic, immunizations, birth and death certificates, food safety, septic systems, drinking water, family support, opioid services, Key Peninsula office, fees and the common marriage-record mistake.
- Official agency
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, serving Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington.
- Official website
- https://tpchd.org/
- Main address
- 3629 S. D St., Tacoma, WA 98418-6813. The department is near South 37th Street and Pacific Avenue.
- Main contact
- (253) 649-1500; toll-free (800) 330-1844; TDD (253) 649-1400; email info@tpchd.org.
- General hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, except holidays. Some programs have different hours or appointment rules.
- Key Peninsula
- Key Peninsula office phone: (253) 432-4948. Listed hours: Thursdays, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM.
- Leadership
- Chantell Harmon Reed is Director of Public Health. Dr. James S. Miller is Health Officer.
- Best first step
- If you are unsure where your issue belongs, call (253) 649-1500 or email info@tpchd.org and ask to be routed to the correct program.
Quick answer: what Pierce County Health Department can help with
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is the local public health agency for Pierce County, Washington. It helps residents, families, businesses, schools, providers and property owners with public health needs such as birth and death certificates, food safety, food worker cards, immunization information, communicable disease reporting, STI testing and treatment, opioid use disorder treatment connections, street medicine, maternal and family health referrals, family resource centers, septic system permits, drinking water resources, wells, waste management, pools, spas, recreational camps, schools, healthy homes, tobacco-free places, data and health education.
The most important point is this: the department is not one single clinic desk. A person ordering a birth certificate, a restaurant owner submitting food plans, a homeowner needing septic help, a school nurse reporting an outbreak, a resident needing STI testing and a family looking for WIC or diapers should not all follow the same route. The right phone number prevents wasted time.
Main office
Call (253) 649-1500 or email info@tpchd.org when you are unsure which program owns your issue. Staff can route you to the correct desk.
Birth and death certificates
Call (253) 649-1401 for Vital Records. The office handles birth and death certificates, but marriage certificates are through the Pierce County Auditor.
Food, septic and water
Food safety uses (253) 649-1417. Septic, drinking water and waste management generally route through Environmental Health at (253) 649-1420.
Pierce County Health Department phone numbers by service
Use this service routing table before calling. The main line is helpful, but several programs publish direct numbers. If your issue is time-sensitive, use the direct program number and be ready with your address, business name, patient record details, date of exposure, permit number or property parcel information.
| Need | Correct phone or route | What to say first |
|---|---|---|
| General Health Department help | (253) 649-1500; toll-free (800) 330-1844; TDD (253) 649-1400 | Say your city, the service you need and whether you need a clinic, record, permit, inspection or report. |
| Birth or death certificate | (253) 649-1401; fax (253) 649-1390 | Say whether you need a birth certificate or death certificate, whether you want in-person, mail or online ordering, and whether the record is eligible. |
| STD/HIV clinic | (253) 649-1418 | Ask for STI testing or treatment appointment rules. Walk-in information can change by clinic flow. |
| STI, TB, hepatitis, refugee screening, communicable disease referral | (253) 649-1412 | Give the disease, exposure, test result, provider status or reporting question. Providers should use official reporting routes. |
| 24-hour communicable disease reporting line | (253) 649-1413 | Use for urgent reportable-condition routing when appropriate, especially for providers. |
| Food and Community Safety | (253) 649-1417; food@tpchd.org | Say whether you need a food worker card, inspection, food business question, complaint or permit. |
| Food establishment plan review | (253) 649-1706 | Say whether you are opening, remodeling, changing ownership or submitting plans for review. |
| Food worker card information | (253) 649-1416 | Ask about card training, testing, replacement or food worker requirements. |
| Foodborne illness report | (253) 649-1696 | Give the restaurant or food source, date eaten, symptoms, date symptoms started and others affected. |
| Environmental Health general line | (253) 649-1420 | Say whether your issue is septic, drinking water, solid waste, pools, wells, waste management or environmental health records. |
| Septic systems | EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org; (253) 649-1420 or septic help pages | Give the property address, parcel if available, permit status and whether this is sale, construction, repair or complaint related. |
| Stub-outs and finals | StubOut@tpchd.org; Finals@tpchd.org; (253) 649-1422 | Ask for the specific inspection route and include the permit or site details. |
| On-site sewage compliance | (253) 649-1868 | Use for sewage compliance questions, not routine food or vital-record issues. |
| Water resources | EHDrinkingWater@tpchd.org; (253) 649-1420, option 2 | Say whether this is a water system, individual well, advisory, testing or property-related question. |
| Pools and spas or school safety | (253) 649-1713 | Say whether you are asking about a school facility, pool, spa, inspection or professional requirement. |
| Family health and maternal-child health referral | (253) 649-1404; mchservices@tpchd.org | Say whether you need family support, pregnancy or postpartum support, child health help or home visiting referral. |
| Family Resource Centers | (253) 649-1011 | Ask which center fits your address and whether diapers, WIC connection, Basic Food, health insurance or parenting help is available. |
| Substance use or opioid treatment services | (253) 649-1406 | Ask about opioid treatment services, walk-in availability or naloxone pickup instructions. |
| Street Medicine | streetmeds@tpchd.org; (253) 649-1642 | Use for street medicine care connection and outreach questions. |
| Key Peninsula Office | (253) 432-4948 | Ask whether the Key Peninsula office is open that Thursday and whether your service can be handled there. |
Best call script
Use this simple script: “I live in Pierce County, Washington, and I need help with [birth certificate / STI testing / food worker card / food business permit / septic record / water well / family support]. Which program handles this, and do I need an appointment or online application first?”
Do not start with a long story. Start with the service category. The department has many programs, and the fastest route is a clear category plus your location or property address.
Main office, hours and map
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s main office is at 3629 S. D St., Tacoma, WA 98418-6813. The department describes the building as near the corner of South 37th Street and Pacific Avenue. General public hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, except holidays, but program hours can differ. The Food Safety office, for example, lists weekday hours and a midday closure from noon to 1:00 PM.
Before you visit 3629 S. D St.
- Call the specific program before driving if your service needs an appointment.
- Bring ID and proof of eligibility for birth or death certificates.
- Bring food business documents, plan review details or permit information if visiting Food Safety.
- Bring property address, parcel details and permit numbers for septic or well questions.
- Check whether the service is handled online first, especially permits and septic applications.
Nearby service area
The department serves Pierce County communities such as Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, University Place, Fircrest, Fife, Milton, Edgewood, Gig Harbor, DuPont, Steilacoom, Orting, Spanaway, Parkland, Graham, Eatonville and Key Peninsula areas.
Public Health Clinic, STI testing, opioid services and street medicine
The Public Health Clinic is the best route for residents who need help with STI testing or treatment, opioid use disorder treatment connection, street medicine or similar direct-care public health support. TPCHD describes walk-ins as welcome for the Public Health Clinic, but specific services still have their own times and phone numbers. The STD/HIV clinic is listed as by appointment, with (253) 649-1418 as the clinic phone.
For STI information, the department tells residents they can visit the Public Health Clinic Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-11:30 AM, with walk-ins welcome, and questions can go to (253) 649-1418. For opioid treatment services, the department lists the Pacific Avenue Public Health Clinic entrance, lower level, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-11:30 AM, with a separate option to call (253) 649-1406 for appointments to pick up naloxone Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM-4:30 PM.
STI and HIV clinic
Call (253) 649-1418. If you have symptoms, a positive test, partner exposure or need confidential testing, ask what clinic option fits your situation.
Opioid treatment services
Call (253) 649-1406 for opioid treatment service questions and naloxone pickup appointment information.
Street Medicine
Email streetmeds@tpchd.org or call (253) 649-1642 for Street Medicine questions and care connection.
Do not use routine clinic numbers for a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 for immediate danger, severe symptoms, overdose emergency, severe allergic reaction, serious injury, trouble breathing or any urgent medical crisis. Public health services are important, but they are not a replacement for emergency care.
Immunizations, school vaccines and adult vaccine guidance
The department’s immunization section helps residents learn about vaccines and where to find them. It covers children’s vaccines, adult immunizations, travel vaccines, HPV vaccine, flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine information. For children’s immunization questions, TPCHD lists (253) 649-1412. The department’s back-to-school information emphasizes that vaccines prevent disease and help keep kids in school.
For families, the practical move is simple: do not wait until the last week before school, childcare, sports, camp, college or travel. Vaccine timing, missing records, insurance questions and appointment capacity can create delays. If your child needs MMR, varicella, Tdap or other school-related shots, gather records first and call early.
- Gather vaccine records first. Bring records from doctors, pharmacies, schools, prior states, military records or family files.
- Call before visiting. Use (253) 649-1412 for immunization questions and ask where the vaccine is available.
- Ask about age and eligibility. A child, teen, adult, traveler and high-risk adult may need different guidance.
- Use school deadlines correctly. Ask your school what documentation is required and when it is due.
- Keep the updated record. Save a digital and paper copy after the visit or provider update.
Children’s vaccines
Use TPCHD’s children’s immunization page for school and child vaccine information. If you are missing records, call before assuming a school can accept an old printout or parent memory.
Adult and travel vaccines
Adult vaccine needs depend on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, travel plans and vaccine history. TPCHD’s travel page recommends getting vaccinated about two months before travel when possible.
Birth and death certificates in Pierce County
Unlike many county health departments, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department does handle birth and death certificates. The Vital Records office lists (253) 649-1401, fax (253) 649-1390, and the same 3629 S. D St. Tacoma address. General Vital Records hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. On the last Tuesday of each month, the office opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 4:30 PM.
For online ordering through VitalChek, TPCHD lists a non-refundable $48.50 base fee, made up of a $25 certificate fee per record, a $12.50 Health Department Vital Records processing fee, and an $11.50 VitalChek fee. Expedited shipping costs extra. If you order in person or by mail, read the official birth and death records page before assuming the same online total applies.
| Record need | Correct office | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | TPCHD Vital Records, (253) 649-1401 | Use the official birth and death records page for eligibility, ID and ordering options. |
| Death certificate | TPCHD Vital Records, (253) 649-1401 | Ask whether the record can be issued by TPCHD and what proof is required. |
| Online order | VitalChek authorized route through TPCHD page | $48.50 base fee listed for online order by mail, plus extra expedited shipping if selected. |
| Marriage certificate | Pierce County Auditor, not TPCHD | TPCHD says Pierce County marriage certificates come from the Auditor. Do not call Vital Records for marriage copies. |
Do not confuse birth and death records with marriage records
TPCHD handles birth and death certificates. Marriage certificates are a Pierce County Auditor route. The Auditor lists marriage licensing and certified copy services at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, with Auditor contact routes. If your search intent is marriage license, marriage certificate or returned marriage certificate, you are no longer in the Health Department lane.
Food safety, food worker cards, foodborne illness and plan review
Food Safety is one of the most searched Pierce County Health Department services because it affects restaurant workers, food trucks, temporary events, restaurants, school kitchens, plan review projects and customers reporting possible foodborne illness. TPCHD lists Food and Community Safety at (253) 649-1417, Food Worker Card information at (253) 649-1416, and Food Establishment Plan Review at (253) 649-1706. The food safety office lists Monday-Friday hours, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, closed from noon to 1:00 PM, with applications accepted until 4:00 PM.
If you believe food made you sick, the department provides an online report option and also lists (253) 649-1696 for phone reports. A strong report includes the food source, date and time eaten, symptoms, when symptoms started, how many people became sick and how staff can reach you for follow-up.
| Food-related need | Best route | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Food worker card | (253) 649-1416 or the food worker card page. | Do not wait until your first shift if your employer requires the card before work. |
| Open or remodel a food establishment | Plan Review at (253) 649-1706. | Do not build, remodel or buy equipment before checking plan review requirements. |
| General food safety or inspection question | Food and Community Safety at (253) 649-1417. | Do not send incomplete business information. Have name, address and permit status ready. |
| Possible foodborne illness | Report online or call (253) 649-1696. | Do not make a vague report. Dates, symptoms and food items matter. |
Septic systems, individual wells, drinking water and environmental health
For homes and properties in Pierce County, Environmental Health is critical. The department manages septic system permits, on-site sewage rules, operation and maintenance, stub-outs, final inspections, wells, drinking water, waste management and water resources. The main Environmental Health number shown on the hours page is (253) 649-1420. Septic system pages also list EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org, and some septic pages list (253) 649-1925 for septic questions.
The most common user mistake is waiting until closing week or construction week. Septic and well records can affect real estate closings, remodeling, critical area sign-off, drainage planning and repair deadlines. If you are buying a home, selling a home, applying for a building permit or planning work near a drainfield, get the septic route right early.
- Collect property information. Use the full site address, parcel number if available, permit number and owner information.
- Check whether the application is online. TPCHD says online submission is easiest for septic system and individual well forms.
- Use the correct septic email. For septic questions, use EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org when directed.
- Use the correct inspection route. Stub-out and final inspection questions go to StubOut@tpchd.org, Finals@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1422.
- Do not assume Pierce County Planning replaces Health Department review. A building, land-use or critical-area project may still need Health Department septic or water review.
Septic owners
Use the septic systems page for owner operation, maintenance, permits, inspections and service-company information. Operation and maintenance questions may route to omseptic@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1421.
Professionals and builders
Use the professional septic pages for applications, pre-application screening, inspections, forms, notices and development-related septic workflow.
Water and wells
For drinking water and individual well questions, use EHDrinkingWater@tpchd.org or call (253) 649-1420, option 2, when the issue is a water resource question.
Family health, WIC referrals and Family Resource Centers
TPCHD’s Family Health section includes family support, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Black Infant Health, healthcare help, maternal child outreach, nurse home visits and Family Resource Centers. The family health contact is mchservices@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1404. Family Resource Centers general information is listed at (253) 649-1011.
For WIC, do not assume the main Health Department switchboard is your only route. TPCHD’s family help materials point families to WIC food assistance and the Washington WIC route. The department’s Family Resource Centers page lists centers that may connect families to WIC, Basic Food, Apple Health, diapers, parenting support and local resources. The Eastside Family Resource Center is listed at 3569 E. Roosevelt Ave., Tacoma, with (253) 649-1012 and fspartnership@tpchd.org.
| Family need | Best route | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Family health or maternal-child support | (253) 649-1404 or mchservices@tpchd.org | Use for family support, maternal-child health, home visiting and related referrals. |
| Family Resource Centers | (253) 649-1011 | Ask which center fits your address and which services are currently offered. |
| Eastside Family Resource Center | (253) 649-1012; fspartnership@tpchd.org | Listed services include Apple Health, Basic Food, diapers, Triple P, food pantry support, legal help connections and WIC connection. |
| WIC food assistance | Use Washington WIC or TPCHD family help resources. | WIC helps eligible pregnant people, infants and children under five with nutritious food and health connections. |
2026 fee schedule, permits and payment checks
TPCHD has a 2026 Fee Schedule. The Board of Health adopted the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule on December 3, 2025, and the 2026 rates are effective January 1, 2026. This matters for food businesses, septic applications, water system or well work, waste management, pools, camps, vital records and other regulated services.
Do not copy fees from old posts, screenshots or third-party directories. Use the official fees and permits page before paying. Some fees are set locally, and some vital-record fees are governed by Washington State. Online birth and death certificate ordering can include a certificate fee, Health Department processing fee and VitalChek fee.
| Fee or permit need | Official route | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Food establishment or food worker item | Food Safety and Fees and Permits pages. | Plan review, permit, training, replacement card or application requirements before paying. |
| Septic or individual well application | Septic applications and forms; Fees and Permits. | Online application, permit type, parcel details, inspection stage and current fee. |
| Birth or death certificate | Birth and Death Records page. | $25 certificate fee per record and any processing, VitalChek or shipping fees depending on order method. |
| Pools, spas, camps or water systems | Fees and Permits and relevant professional pages. | Program-specific permit type, inspection requirement and annual renewal timing. |
What Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department does not handle
A strong directory page should stop you from going to the wrong office. TPCHD does many public health jobs, but it does not handle every county, state, medical or court problem.
Marriage certificates and marriage licenses
Marriage certificates and marriage licenses are handled by the Pierce County Auditor, not TPCHD. The Auditor route includes 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, and Auditor phone routes.
Private hospital or doctor records
Private medical records come from the provider, clinic or hospital that created the record. TPCHD records are not a replacement for provider medical records.
Rodents, garbage or illegal dumping reports
TPCHD’s contact list routes rodents, garbage and illegal dumping reports to Pierce County Code Enforcement at (253) 798-4636 and Pierce County Responds.
Pierce County, Georgia
If you need the Georgia Pierce County Health Department, use the Southeast Health District route. This page is only Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington.
Pierce County Washington vs Pierce County Georgia
Search results can mix two very different agencies. The Washington agency is Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, based at 3629 S. D St. in Tacoma and using the official website tpchd.org. The Georgia agency is part of the Southeast Health District and serves Blackshear and Pierce County, Georgia. These offices have different addresses, phone numbers, state laws, programs, vital-record rules, fees and appointment systems.
Pierce County, Washington
Use this guide for Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Bonney Lake, University Place, Spanaway, Parkland, Sumner, Fife, Edgewood, Orting, DuPont and Key Peninsula.
Pierce County, Georgia
Use Georgia’s Southeast Health District if you need Blackshear, GA services, Georgia county clinic appointments, Georgia immunizations or Georgia vital-record routes.
Official Pierce County Health Department links
Use these official links for final verification before visiting, paying a fee, ordering a certificate, submitting an application, reporting illness or relying on program hours.
Main pages
Records and fees
Clinic and health
Food and business
Septic, water and environment
Family and community
Pierce County Health Department FAQ
What is the Pierce County Health Department phone number?
The main Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department phone number is (253) 649-1500. Toll-free is (800) 330-1844, and TDD is (253) 649-1400. For birth and death certificates, call (253) 649-1401.
Where is Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department located?
The main office is at 3629 S. D St., Tacoma, WA 98418-6813, near South 37th Street and Pacific Avenue.
What are the Health Department hours?
General hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, except holidays. Some programs have different hours. For example, the Vital Records office opens at 9:30 AM on the last Tuesday of each month, and Food Safety closes from noon to 1:00 PM.
Does Pierce County Health Department issue birth certificates?
Yes. TPCHD Vital Records issues birth certificates and death certificates. Call (253) 649-1401 or use the official Birth and Death Records page for order methods, identification rules and fees.
Does the Health Department issue marriage certificates?
No. Pierce County marriage certificates and marriage licenses are handled by the Pierce County Auditor, not Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
How much is a Pierce County birth or death certificate online?
For online ordering by mail through VitalChek, TPCHD lists a non-refundable $48.50 base fee: a $25 certificate fee, $12.50 Health Department Vital Records processing fee, and $11.50 VitalChek fee. Expedited shipping costs extra.
What is the phone number for Food Safety?
Food and Community Safety is (253) 649-1417. Food Establishment Plan Review is (253) 649-1706. Food Worker Card information is (253) 649-1416. To report a possible foodborne illness by phone, call (253) 649-1696.
Who handles septic systems in Pierce County?
Septic systems are handled through Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Environmental Health. Use EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org, the septic pages, or call Environmental Health routes such as (253) 649-1420. Stub-outs and finals can route to (253) 649-1422.
What number do I call for STI testing?
For the STD/HIV clinic, call (253) 649-1418. For STI referral and communicable disease referral questions, the contact list also includes (253) 649-1412.
What is the Key Peninsula Health Department office phone?
The Key Peninsula office phone is (253) 432-4948. The contact page lists Thursday hours from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Call before visiting to confirm whether your service is available there.
Who is the Director of Public Health?
Chantell Harmon Reed is the Director of Public Health for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Dr. James S. Miller is the Health Officer.
Is this page for Pierce County, Georgia?
No. This page is for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department in Washington State. If you need Pierce County Health Department in Georgia, use the Southeast Health District route.