Bellevue Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Bellevue means going through King County, since Bellevue is located in King County and the county handles all marriage license applications for the area. The King County Recorder's Office in Seattle is where you apply in person. This page explains the full process for Bellevue residents, including what to bring, what it costs, how long the process takes, and where to find Bellevue marriage records after your ceremony.

Getting a Marriage License in Bellevue

Bellevue is in King County, and King County's Recorder's Office is the only office that can issue a marriage license for Bellevue residents. The Bellevue City Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. The City Clerk handles elections support, city records, ordinances, and council support, but marriage licenses are a county function. You need to go to Seattle to apply.

The King County Records and Licensing Services office is at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle. The mailing address is 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call (206) 477-6620 or visit kingcounty.gov/en/dept/records-licensing for more information. The King County website also has an online pre-application tool that can cut your wait time at the counter. It is worth doing before your visit.

Bellevue is just across Lake Washington from Seattle, making the trip to the Recorder's Office relatively short. You can take SR-520 or I-90. Either way, traffic during peak hours can slow things down. Going mid-morning on a weekday tends to be less crowded than first thing in the morning or around lunchtime. If you complete the online pre-application ahead of time, your time at the office will be shorter.

The City of Bellevue website provides general city information and department contacts for Bellevue residents, but marriage licenses are a King County function handled in Seattle.

Bellevue City Hall and the city website can help with municipal services, but residents must go to the King County Recorder's Office to apply for a marriage license.

Bellevue Marriage License Requirements

Washington State sets the rules for marriage licenses under RCW Chapter 26.04. All King County applicants, including Bellevue residents, follow the same statewide requirements. Coming prepared makes the process straightforward.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the King County Recorder's Office. There is one exception to the in-person rule. If one party has already signed the application in front of a notary public, the other party can complete the application alone. Each person needs to bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing their date of birth. This can be a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington State does not require either party to live in the state, so people from outside Washington can apply here as well.

You will need to provide Social Security numbers for both people applying. If you or your partner do not have a Social Security number, you can sign an exemption form in its place. The application also asks for your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. This is not information you can look up on the spot, so it is smart to write it all down before you go. No blood test is required in Washington.

Note: The Bellevue City Clerk at (425) 452-6800 can answer questions about city services, but cannot help with marriage license applications. All questions about the license should go to King County at (206) 477-6620.

Fees and Waiting Period

The current King County marriage license fee is $169. The fee went up in July 2025 from a previous rate of $69. House Bill 1498 drove the increase by creating a Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program funded through marriage license fees. King County accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. The fee is non-refundable once you pay it.

Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a three-day waiting period between the date you apply and the earliest date your ceremony can happen. You cannot waive this waiting period. The license stays valid for 60 days after it is issued. If your ceremony has not happened by the end of that 60-day window, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time.

Your ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington State after the three-day wait is up. Bellevue has many private venues, parks, and event spaces well suited for ceremonies. The Bellevue Municipal Court does not regularly perform wedding ceremonies, so if you want a civil ceremony close to home, you will need to find a private officiant. Many judges and officiants in the Bellevue area are available to perform ceremonies.

Certified copies of a King County marriage certificate cost $3 each. If you plan to change your name or update official documents after getting married, order at least two or three copies. You can order through the King County online records portal or pick them up in person. Note: Confirm the current fee before your visit since it can change with new legislation.

Bellevue Marriage License Records

Once your ceremony is complete and the signed license is returned to the King County Recorder's Office, it becomes an official public record. King County has kept marriage records going back to 1853, and many of those older records are now accessible through state archives.

For recent marriage records, the King County Recorder's Office maintains an online document search on their website. You can search by name and view basic record details. Certified copies cost $3 each. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also holds marriage records and can issue certified copies for records on file with the state. If you prefer to order through a third party, VitalChek is an authorized service that works with county and state offices to fulfill record requests.

For older records and genealogy research, the Washington State Digital Archives has King County marriage records going back to 1853. The archive is free to use online and is searchable by name. Records from the 1800s may be less complete than modern ones, but many are available in digital form. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records on file with the county are public documents that anyone can request access to.

King County Marriage License

Bellevue is part of King County, and the King County Recorder's Office is the sole issuer of marriage licenses for Bellevue residents. King County is the largest county in Washington by population, with roughly 2.3 million residents. The Recorder's Office is busy, and the online pre-application is the best way to cut your visit short.

For full details on the King County marriage license process, requirements, fees, and how to search records, visit the King County Marriage License page.

Nearby Cities

Bellevue is surrounded by other King County cities, all of which apply for marriage licenses through the same King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.