Auburn Marriage License

Auburn residents who need a marriage license must apply through King County, which handles all marriage license applications for the Auburn area. King County uses its Recorder's Office rather than a standard auditor setup, and the office is located in Seattle. This page covers how to apply, what documents you need to bring, how much the license costs, and how to get copies of Auburn marriage records once your ceremony is done.

Getting a Marriage License in Auburn

Auburn is a city in King County, so all marriage license applications go through the King County Recorder's Office. The City of Auburn does not issue marriage licenses. The Auburn City Clerk handles city records, council minutes, and municipal code matters, but marriage licenses are not part of their services. You will need to visit the King County office in Seattle to apply in person.

The King County Records and Licensing office is at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle, with a mailing address of 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call them at (206) 477-6620. Their website at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/records-licensing has details on the online pre-application process, which is strongly recommended before your visit to reduce wait time at the counter.

Auburn sits roughly 30 miles south of Seattle. The drive up I-5 or Highway 99 can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour depending on traffic. It helps to arrive early in the day. King County is the state's most populous county, and the Recorder's Office sees a high volume of applications. Using the online pre-application tool before you go makes the process go faster once you are at the counter.

The City of Auburn website has general city information and contact details for local departments, but it will direct you to King County for anything related to a marriage license. The Auburn City Clerk can be reached at (253) 804-5040 for city records or other city services.

The Auburn city website provides contact information and general services for Auburn residents, though marriage licenses are handled through King County.

Auburn residents can use the city website to find local department contacts, but marriage license applications must be submitted to the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.

Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide. Auburn residents follow the same requirements as everyone else in King County. The steps are clear if you come prepared.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the Recorder's Office. There is one exception: if one person has already signed the application before a notary public, the other party may complete the process alone. This can help if one partner lives far away or cannot easily get to Seattle. Each person must show a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all qualify. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require either party to be a state resident, so out-of-state couples can apply here as well.

You will need to provide Social Security numbers for both people. If you do not have one, you can sign an exemption form instead. The application asks for your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Write this down before your visit since you cannot easily look it up at the counter. No blood test is needed. Washington removed that requirement years ago.

King County offers an online pre-application tool through their website. Completing it before your visit saves time at the counter. It does not replace the in-person visit, but it cuts down on the paperwork you need to fill out when you arrive. Note: Bring all your documents even after completing the pre-application online, since staff will verify everything in person.

Fees and Waiting Period for Auburn Marriage Licenses

The King County marriage license fee is $169. This rate went into effect in July 2025 after an increase from the previous $69 fee. The change was tied to House Bill 1498, which created a Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program funded in part through the license fee increase. King County accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Once paid, the fee is not refunded.

Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington law requires a three-day waiting period after you apply before your ceremony can take place. This waiting period cannot be waived. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. That gives you a ceremony window starting three days after you apply and ending 60 days later. If your ceremony does not happen in that time, the license expires and you must apply again.

Your ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington State. You are not required to hold it in King County or Auburn. You can marry outdoors, at a private venue, at a church, or anywhere else that works for you. Auburn Municipal Court may offer civil ceremonies, so contact the court directly if you want a simple local option close to home.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 each from King County. Plan to order at least two or three copies if you need them for a name change, insurance update, or other official use. You can order copies online through the King County records portal or in person at the office. Note: Confirm the current fee before your visit, as rates can change based on new legislation.

Auburn Marriage License Records

After your ceremony, the signed license is returned to the King County Recorder's Office and becomes the official marriage record on file. King County has maintained marriage records since the county was formed, and many older records are now searchable online through the Washington State Digital Archives.

For recent records, the King County Recorder's Office is the main source. They have an online document search tool on their website where you can look up recorded documents by name. Certified copies cost $3 each and can be ordered online or in person. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also holds certain marriage documents and can issue certified copies. For third-party ordering, VitalChek is an authorized service that works with state and county offices across Washington.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds King County marriage records going back to 1853. The archive is free to search online and is a strong resource for genealogy research. Records from the 1800s and early 1900s may have less detail, but many are indexed by name. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records filed with the county are part of the public record and available to anyone who requests them.

King County Marriage License

Auburn falls within King County, which means the King County Recorder's Office handles everything related to your marriage license. King County is Washington's most populous county, with roughly 2.3 million residents. The Recorder's Office processes a large volume of applications each year. Using the online pre-application tool before your visit is the best way to cut down on your time at the office.

For full details on the King County marriage license process, fees, requirements, and record searches, see the King County Marriage License page.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Auburn also use King County for marriage license services. These nearby cities all have their own marriage license pages with local details.