DC Department of Health 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for “DC Department of Health,” “DC Health,” “DC health phone number,” “DC health license lookup,” or “DC vital records” need one practical answer: which official page handles birth certificates, death certificates, domestic partnership records, professional licensing, immunization records, food establishment complaints, health facility complaints, FOIA requests, or walk-up services.
This guide is written in plain U.S. English for District residents, seniors, caregivers, parents, professionals, employers, funeral homes, students, and out-of-state family members who need DC records or public health services. It is not the official DC Health website; it helps you choose the correct official route before you call, pay, mail forms, log in, file a complaint, or visit 2201 Shannon Place SE.
Quick answer: what DC Health helps with in 2026
DC Health, officially the District of Columbia Department of Health, handles District public health programs, DC vital records, health professional licensing, health facility regulation, food safety and hygiene, immunization registry support, disease surveillance, public health data, FOIA/open government requests, community hygiene, emergency preparedness, and health complaint routing.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare first | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Department of Health phone number | DC Health Contact Directory or Contact Us page | Topic, callback number, address or record number if available | Ask, “Which division handles this and what official page should I use?” |
| DC birth certificate | DC Vital Records / Birth Certificates page | Full name, date of birth, valid ID, relationship or entitlement proof, payment | DC birth records date back to August 1874, but privacy rules still apply. |
| DC death certificate | DC Vital Records / Death Certificates page | Decedent name, date of death, valid ID, proof of entitlement or legal need | Ask the bank, insurer, attorney, or benefits office which copy type it accepts. |
| Domestic partnership certificate | DC Vital Records Domestic Partnership page | Both partners’ information, ID, forms, notarization or appointment need | Both applicants usually must be present for registration at DC Vital Records. |
| DC Health license lookup | DC Health licensure lookup portal / Health Professionals page | License number, full name, profession, facility name, or business name | Search the official portal before trusting an old screenshot. |
| DC Health license renewal | Health Professionals, licensing boards, or profession-specific online renewal route | License number, login, profession, continuing education details, payment method | Use the whole license number, including letters, spaces or dashes when required. |
| DC immunization records | DOCIIS / Digital Vaccine Record / Immunization Program | Name, date of birth, email/phone tied to record, school or child-care details if needed | For school deadlines, contact provider or school nurse early. |
| Food establishment complaint | DC Health Division of Food or food.safety@dc.gov | Business name, address, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt/photos | For suspected foodborne illness, use the foodborne illness reporting route. |
| FOIA or agency public records | Open Government and FOIA page | Program name, record type, date range, subject, facility/provider if relevant | A narrow request is easier to process than “send all records.” |
For DC Health tasks, first decide whether your issue is a certificate, a professional license, a facility license, an immunization record, a food complaint, a health professional complaint, a FOIA request, or a walk-up service question. That one choice prevents most wrong calls and wrong office visits.
DC Department of Health route finder: choose the right official service
Use this route finder before you call, pay, log in, report, or visit. It matches common searches like “DC Health license lookup,” “DC Health birth certificate,” “DC vital records,” “DC health professional licensing,” “DC food complaint,” and “DC Department of Health phone number.”
DC Health task router
Select your need. The safest next step appears below.
DC Department of Health phone number, contact directory and call script
DC Health lists 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020 as its contact address, with general phone 202-442-5955, fax 202-442-4795, TTY 711, and email route doh@dc.gov. The contact directory also lists direct numbers for Vital Records, food safety, health professional licensing, health facility licensing, immunization, rabies and animal exposures, radiation protection, pools, and more.
General DC Health help
Use this when you need help finding the correct division, office, service, phone number, or official page.
Open DC HealthProgram phone numbers
Use the directory when you already know the topic, such as Vital Records, licensing, food safety, or facility regulation.
Open directoryUse a short call script
Say: “I need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, domestic partnership, license lookup, license renewal, food complaint, immunization record, health facility complaint, FOIA request]. Which DC Health division or official page should I use?”
Call the direct route when you know the service
Use 202-442-9303 for Vital Records, 1-877-672-2174 for health professional or health facility licensing, 202-535-2180 for food safety and hygiene, and 202-442-5865 for some disease surveillance or foodborne illness reporting routes when shown by DC Health pages.
Keep one sheet of paper with your topic, full name, phone number, email, address, date of birth if relevant, license number if relevant, facility name if relevant, and order number if you have one. Ask staff to repeat the correct official webpage slowly before you hang up.
DC Health records: birth, death, domestic partnership, amendments, data requests and archives
When people search “DC Department of Health records,” they may mean several different things. DC Vital Records collects, preserves, and administers DC’s system of birth and death records. DC Health also handles domestic partnership certificate services, record amendments, vital statistics data requests, FOIA requests, and some immunization record routes. These are not the same service.
Birth and death certificates
Use DC Vital Records for birth and death records when the event occurred in the District of Columbia.
Open Vital RecordsRegistration and certificates
Use DC Vital Records for domestic partnership registration, termination, certificates, and related forms.
Open partnershipCorrect a record
Use the amendment route for birth, death, or domestic partnership record corrections and supporting documents.
Open amendmentsVaccine records
Use DOCIIS, Digital Vaccine Record, Docket, school forms, or provider/school routes for immunization records.
Open immunization| Record type | Use this route | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| DC birth certificate | DC Vital Records Birth Certificates page, walk-up, phone, mail or remote ordering route | Hospital souvenir record, birth worksheet, or birth from another state |
| DC death certificate | DC Vital Records Death Certificates page | Obituary, funeral program, Social Security record, or death outside DC |
| Domestic partnership certificate | DC Vital Records Domestic Partnership page | Marriage certificate or divorce decree |
| Marriage certificate | DC Courts Marriage Bureau or court route | DC Health domestic partnership record |
| Divorce decree | DC Superior Court / court records route | Vital Records birth, death, or domestic partnership service |
| Immunization record | DOCIIS, Digital Vaccine Record, Docket, provider, school or immunization division | Vital record certificate or FOIA request |
| DC Health agency record | Open Government and FOIA page | Personal certificate order, license lookup, or court document |
DC Vital Records does not issue birth, death, or domestic partnership certificates for events that occurred in another state. If the birth, death, or partnership happened outside DC, request the record from the state or jurisdiction where it occurred.
DC birth certificate: order route, ID, entitlement and older records checklist
Use this section when you need a District of Columbia birth certificate for ID, passport, school, benefits, Social Security, name correction, genealogy, or family records. DC Vital Records maintains birth certificates dating back to August 1874, but birth records become public only after the required privacy period.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Full name on the birth record | Helps match the correct DC birth record. | Using a current name when the birth record shows a different name. |
| Date and place of birth | Confirms the event occurred in the District of Columbia. | Ordering from DC when the birth happened in Maryland, Virginia, or another state. |
| Valid identity documents | DC Vital Records enforces identity verification requirements for certificates. | Submitting unclear, expired, or incomplete ID documents. |
| Entitlement or relationship proof | Some certificates require proof that you are allowed to receive the record. | Assuming anyone can order a recent certified birth certificate. |
| Order method | Walk-up, phone, mail, and remote ordering may have different steps and fees. | Driving in without checking current walk-up hours and wait times. |
Start with the official Birth Certificates page
The DC Health Birth Certificates page explains the DC Vital Records birth certificate service, record history, public access timing, and application routes. Use it before uploading ID or paying any website.
Use walk-up only when it fits your situation
DC Vital Records walk-up services often allow residents to retrieve a vital record such as a birth or death certificate the same day, but the official walk-up schedule should be checked before visiting.
If you only need an unofficial copy of a very old open record, check DC Archives guidance. If you need a certified copy for official use, use DC Vital Records or the current official ordering provider route.
DC death certificate: estate, insurance, benefits and older death record route
A DC death certificate may be needed for probate, insurance, bank accounts, property, pensions, veterans benefits, Social Security, funeral arrangements, genealogy, and family records. The key is knowing whether the death occurred in DC and which official copy type the receiving agency will accept.
Official transactions
Often needed for banks, estate, insurance, court, property, benefits and legal tasks. Confirm requirements before ordering.
Open death certificatesArchives or public copy route
Very old open death records may route differently than recent certified death certificates.
Open Vital RecordsAsk the receiving agency what it accepts
Before ordering, ask the bank, court, insurer, attorney, benefits office, or property office whether it needs a certified copy, a copy with specific details, or only an informational record.
Keep a written list of every agency that receives a certified death certificate. This helps families avoid paying for extra copies or losing track during estate and insurance work.
DC domestic partnership records: registration, termination, certificates and notary appointment
DC Vital Records handles domestic partnership registration, termination, and certificate services. This is separate from marriage licensing and divorce court records. If the partnership is related to benefits, housing, employment, insurance, or legal rights, confirm exactly what document the receiving office requires.
Both partners present
DC Health domestic partnership guidance says both applicants must be present to register at DC Vital Records.
Open domestic partnershipNotary service may need appointment
If you need notary service provided by the office, schedule an appointment or call 202-442-9303 option 1, then option 9.
Check instructionsPrepare identity and partnership details
Domestic partnership forms may ask for Social Security numbers, dates of birth, address, previous marriage information, phone numbers, and proof of identity. Do not arrive without checking current form and ID instructions.
If the record is needed for benefits, insurance, employer paperwork, housing, or legal proof, ask the receiving party whether it needs the certificate, the affidavit, the termination document, or another official copy.
DC marriage and divorce records: do not use DC Health for every court document
A common mistake is searching “DC Department of Health marriage certificate” or “DC Department of Health divorce records” when the needed record is actually held through the DC Courts route. DC Health’s Vital Records focus is birth, death, and domestic partnership records, while marriage and divorce court documents may require court-specific services.
Use DC Courts Marriage Bureau
For a DC marriage license, certified marriage copy, or marriage bureau record, use the court route rather than a DC Health domestic partnership page.
Open marriage mattersUse DC Superior Court route
For divorce decree, judgment, or court-certified divorce document, use DC Courts records and family court guidance.
Open family mattersBefore ordering anything, ask the receiving agency if it needs a marriage certificate, marriage license copy, divorce decree, divorce judgment, domestic partnership certificate, or domestic partnership termination record.
DC immunization records, DOCIIS, Digital Vaccine Record, Docket and school vaccine forms
If you searched “DC Health immunization records,” “DOCIIS,” “DC vaccine record,” or “DC school immunization form,” you likely need the DC Immunization Program route. DOCIIS is the District of Columbia Immunization Information System. DC Health also points residents to Digital Vaccine Record or Docket for certain vaccine record access.
DOCIIS
Used by immunization providers, school nurses, and childcare facility staff for registry access and immunization record support.
Open DOCIISDigital Vaccine Record
Residents can request a digital vaccine record through the DC digital vaccine record route when eligible records are found.
Open DVR FAQSchool and childcare forms
Use DC Health immunization forms guidance for school or childcare records, requirements, and in-person or email support.
Open formsChoose the right immunization route
Residents and visitors can use DC Health immunization resources and the Digital Vaccine Record/Docket options for certain official vaccination records. Providers, school nurses, and childcare facility staff should use DOCIIS access guidance.
For school needs, include the child’s name, date of birth and school or childcare facility
DC Health immunization forms guidance asks users requesting school-related immunization help to submit the name of each child, date of birth, and the school or childcare facility where the child is or will be enrolled, or visit the Immunization Division during listed hours.
If a school, daycare, college, employer, or travel deadline is near, contact your provider, school nurse, or childcare facility while also using DC Health’s official record route. Some records may take time to match or update.
DC Health food establishment complaints, foodborne illness and restaurant inspection routing
Food service issues in DC can involve the Division of Food, food safety inspections, restaurant complaints, foodborne illness surveillance, or community hygiene. Prepare details before reporting so the complaint is useful.
| Collect this before reporting | Example details | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and full address | Restaurant, food truck, market, hotel kitchen, cafeteria, or food establishment address | DC Health needs the correct location for follow-up. |
| Date and time | When you ate, bought food, saw the issue, or became ill | Helps connect complaint details to inspection or illness timeline. |
| Food item or observed issue | Dish, drink, packaged item, pests, temperature issue, unsafe handling, sanitation concern | Different issues may route to food safety, hygiene, or disease surveillance. |
| Symptoms and timing | Who became sick, symptoms, when symptoms began, whether medical care was needed | Foodborne illness reporting needs a clear symptom timeline. |
| Proof if available | Receipt, order number, photos, package label, delivery app record | Gives staff details beyond memory. |
Restaurant or food business complaint
DC Health’s Division of Food page lists an online complaint form and food.safety@dc.gov for food establishment complaints.
Open Division of FoodIllness after eating
For suspected foodborne illness, DC Health lists the Division of Epidemiology-Disease Surveillance and Investigation route.
Open illness routeCall 911 for severe dehydration, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe allergic reaction, poisoning, confusion, stroke symptoms, or any life-threatening condition. A complaint form is not emergency medical care.
DC Health license lookup, license verification, license renewal and health professional applications
For “DC Health license lookup,” “DC Department of Health license verification,” “DC nursing license lookup,” “DC medical license lookup,” or “DC health professional license renewal,” start with DC Health’s Health Professionals and licensure lookup resources. The online licensure lookup is described by DC Health as primary-source data derived from the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration database and updated daily.
Licensure lookup portal
Use for immediate verification of a DC health professional or applicable pharmaceutical facility license.
Open verificationProfessional license applications
Use for application packages and instructions for healthcare-related professions and certifications.
Open applicationsLicensing boards
Use for board-specific licensing information, processing center hours, and profession routing.
Open boardsOnline renewal and updates
Use the Health Professionals page for renewal, license information updates, complaints, controlled substance search and profile search routes.
Open professionals| Search need | Best route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| DC nursing license lookup | DC Board of Nursing and DC Health licensure lookup | Status, license number, expiration, board route, complaints and renewal information |
| DC physician license lookup | DC Board of Medicine and licensure lookup | License status, continuing education, board notices and professional profile details |
| DC controlled substance registration search | Health Professionals / controlled substance registration search | Enter the whole license number including lead letters and any spaces or dashes when required. |
| DC health facility license | Health Care Facilities / Health Facility Licensing | Facility type, license status, application status, inspection or complaint route |
| License verification letter or official request | Get a Verification of your License page | Online lookup for immediate verification or form route when a formal verification is needed |
For hiring, credentialing, or patient safety, verify directly through the official DC Health lookup and record the date searched, full license number, license status, profession, expiration, and any official disciplinary or complaint routing information.
DC Health complaints: health professional, facility, food, community hygiene, EMS and non-food establishments
A complaint should go to the correct DC Health route. A nursing complaint, hospital complaint, food establishment complaint, pool complaint, barber/cosmetology establishment complaint, rodent concern, or EMS complaint may use different forms or offices.
Provider or facility complaint
Use DC Health’s health professional or facility complaint route for regulated providers and facilities.
Open complaintFood establishment complaint
Use the Division of Food complaint form or food.safety@dc.gov for food establishment concerns.
Open food routePools, salons, bedding and non-food
Use Division of Community Hygiene for barbershops, personal grooming, pools, aquatics and related establishments.
Open hygieneWrite facts, not only opinions
Include names, dates, locations, license number if known, facility name, staff role, documents, photos, receipts, emails, medical records if appropriate, and a clear timeline of what happened.
Do not wait for the outcome of a complaint to get needed medical care, change providers, protect yourself, or call emergency services when there is immediate danger.
DC Health FOIA, open government, public records and data request routes
A DC Health FOIA request is for agency records under DC public records rules. It is not the same as ordering a birth certificate, death certificate, domestic partnership certificate, immunization record, license verification, medical chart, or court document.
Open Government and FOIA
Use the FOIA route for DC Health agency records and public disclosure requests.
Open FOIAVital Records data with identifiers
Use the data-with-identifiers route when a person, institution, agency, or office needs vital records data under specified rules.
Open data requestHealth data and reports
Use DC Health data and statistics pages for public health reports, dashboards, and research-style information.
Open dataMake the request narrow and searchable
Include the division, program name, record type, subject, facility or provider name if relevant, date range, and preferred contact method. A focused request is easier to process than a broad request like “send all health records.”
Use Vital Records for certificates, DOCIIS/Digital Vaccine Record for vaccine records, the provider or hospital for your medical chart, DC Courts for marriage or divorce court records, and FOIA only for DC Health agency records.
DC Health office address, walk-up processing center hours and map
DC Health lists 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020 as its contact/service location. General DC Health office hours are commonly listed as Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:30 pm, while processing center or walk-up service hours can be shorter. Always check the official page for your exact service before visiting.
| Need | Better than driving first |
|---|---|
| Birth, death or domestic partnership certificate | Check Vital Records walk-up hours, remote ordering, phone ordering, mail-in forms and important notices. |
| Professional license application or renewal | Use Health Professionals, licensing boards, online renewal and processing center guidance first. |
| Food establishment complaint | Use Division of Food complaint form or food.safety@dc.gov first. |
| Immunization school form | Check Immunization Forms page and whether email or in-person route is required. |
| FOIA request | Use Open Government and FOIA route instead of arriving at the office without a request description. |
Walk-up and processing center hours may not match general office hours. Appointment-only services, wait times, and service windows can change. Check the exact DC Health page for Vital Records, licensing, immunization, or community hygiene before traveling.
Official DC Health and related District links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final details, payment, forms, phone numbers, appointments, license verification, complaint submission, FOIA, and office visits. This independent guide does not process records, collect payments, verify licenses, or submit complaints.
People also search for: DC Department of Health Google and Bing intent guide
These are common search-style intents around “DC Department of Health.” Use the matching route instead of opening random third-party pages or a page about DC Comics.
DC Department of Health phone number
Use DC Health Contact Directory for main phone, Vital Records, food safety, licensing and direct division contacts.
Phone routeDC Health birth certificate
Use DC Vital Records Birth Certificates page, important notices, walk-up hours, phone or mail route.
Birth routeDC Health death certificate
Use DC Vital Records Death Certificates page and confirm the receiving agency’s requirements before ordering.
Death routeDC Health vital records
Use for birth, death and domestic partnership certificates, amendments and official notices.
Records routeDC Health immunization records
Use Immunization, DOCIIS, Digital Vaccine Record, Docket or school form routes.
Shot record routeDC Health license lookup
Use DC Health licensure lookup and Health Professionals pages for official primary-source verification.
License routeDC Health license renewal
Use Health Professionals, licensing boards, professional applications and profession-specific renewal pages.
Renewal routeDC Health food complaint
Use Division of Food for food establishment complaints and Foodborne Illness Surveillance for illness reporting.
Food routePrivacy, emergency and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent help guide. It is not the official DC Health website, not DC.gov, not DC Vital Records, not the DC Courts, not a DC licensing board, and not the District government.
Do not send birth certificates, death certificates, domestic partnership certificates, driver licenses, passports, Social Security numbers, medical records, immunization records, payment cards, license documents, complaint evidence, court documents, or patient information to an independent guide page. Use only official secure pages for final submission.
Fees, forms, office hours, walk-up status, wait times, identity rules, entitlement rules, phone numbers, complaint forms, license systems, renewal periods and FOIA procedures can change. Confirm final details on official DC Health, DC.gov, or DC Courts pages before taking action.
DC Department of Health FAQs
What is the DC Department of Health phone number?
DC Health lists general phone 202-442-5955, TTY 711, and contact address 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020. For direct services, use the DC Health Contact Directory. Vital Records is listed at 202-442-9303, and health professional licensing is listed at 1-877-672-2174.
What is the official DC Health website?
The official District of Columbia Department of Health website is dchealth.dc.gov. Use official DC Health, DC.gov, and DC Courts pages for final forms, payments, appointments, license lookup, complaint submission, and records instructions.
How do I order a DC birth certificate?
Start with the official DC Health Birth Certificates page or DC Vital Records page. Prepare the full name on the record, date and place of birth, valid identity documents, entitlement or relationship proof if required, payment method and delivery or walk-up plan.
How do I order a DC death certificate?
Use the official DC Health Death Certificates page. Before ordering, ask the receiving agency whether it needs a certified copy and what information must appear on the certificate. Prepare the decedent name, date of death, valid ID, entitlement proof if required and payment method.
Does DC Health issue marriage certificates or divorce decrees?
DC Health handles birth, death and domestic partnership records. Marriage records and divorce decrees usually route through DC Courts. Use DC Courts Marriage Matters for marriage services and the appropriate DC Courts route for divorce or family court documents.
Where do I get DC immunization records?
Use DC Health Immunization resources, DOCIIS, Digital Vaccine Record, Docket, your provider, school nurse, or child-care facility route depending on the record needed. For school form support, DC Health provides immunization forms guidance.
How do I verify a DC health professional license?
Use DC Health’s licensure lookup or Get a Verification of your License page. DC Health describes its online licensure lookup data as derived from the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration database and updated daily. Use the full license number when the portal asks for it.
How do I file a complaint against a DC health professional or facility?
Use DC Health’s File a Complaint Against a Health Professional or Facility page. Prepare provider or facility name, address, license number if known, dates, timeline, documents, and your contact information. For immediate danger or urgent medical needs, do not wait for a complaint process.
How do I report a restaurant or food establishment complaint in DC?
Use the DC Health Division of Food page or food.safety@dc.gov for food establishment complaints. For suspected foodborne illness, use the Foodborne Illness Surveillance route and prepare business name, address, date, time, food item, symptoms, and proof such as receipts or photos.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official DC Department of Health website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find the right official route. It does not process records, accept payments, verify licenses, file complaints, issue certificates, or replace official DC Health, DC.gov, or DC Courts pages.