Bothell Marriage License

Bothell is one of the few Washington cities that spans two counties, King and Snohomish, which means residents may have two options for where to apply for a marriage license. Most Bothell residents will apply through Snohomish County. This page explains both county options, what you need to bring, how much it costs, and how to search Bothell marriage records. It also covers Bothell Municipal Court, which offers civil wedding ceremonies performed by a judge.

Getting a Marriage License in Bothell

Bothell straddles the King-Snohomish county line. Depending on which part of Bothell you live in, you may apply through either county. The fees differ significantly between the two, so it is worth knowing which county your address falls in. The Snohomish County Auditor charges $64 for a marriage license. King County charges $169. Most of Bothell's developed residential areas are in Snohomish County, though the southern portion of the city extends into King County.

The Snohomish County Auditor's Office is at 3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 204 in Everett and can be reached at (425) 388-3483. Their website is at snohomishcountywa.gov/294/Marriage-Licenses. The King County Recorder's Office is at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle, with a mailing address of 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. King County can be reached at (206) 477-6620. Their website is at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/records-licensing. Either way, you need to apply in person at whichever county office handles your address.

The City of Bothell does not issue marriage licenses. The Bothell City Clerk at (425) 486-2766 handles city records and other municipal matters but cannot help with a marriage license application. All marriage license questions should go to either the Snohomish County Auditor or the King County Recorder depending on your home address.

The City of Bothell website provides general city information and department contacts. If you are unsure which county your address falls in, that is worth sorting out before you make the trip to apply. A quick county parcel lookup or a call to either county can clarify it.

The City of Bothell website provides city department contacts and information about local services, including the Bothell Municipal Court where civil wedding ceremonies are available.

The Bothell city website is the best starting point for finding contact details for local city services, though the marriage license itself must be obtained from Snohomish or King County.

Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 governs marriage license requirements statewide. Whether you apply through Snohomish County or King County, the core requirements are the same.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the county office. If one person has already signed the application before a notary public, the other person can complete it alone. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID showing their date of birth. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require either party to be a resident of the state, so out-of-state couples can apply here.

Social Security numbers are required for both parties. If you do not have one, you can sign an exemption form. The application asks for your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Write this information down before you go. It is not something you can quickly look up while standing at the counter. No blood test is required.

Note: Two witnesses over the age of 18 must be present at your ceremony. This applies whether you are married at a private venue or at Bothell Municipal Court. If you do not have witnesses, let your officiant or the judge know ahead of time.

The Bothell Municipal Court marriage and wedding page has details on scheduling a civil ceremony with a judge, including timing, what to bring, and courtroom rules.

Bothell Municipal Court Judge Rozzano is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies outside of regular court business hours, making it a practical option for couples who want a simple civil ceremony close to home.

Bothell Municipal Court Wedding Ceremonies

One of Bothell's useful local options is the Bothell Municipal Court, which offers civil wedding ceremonies performed by a judge. Under Washington law, a judge is an authorized officiant for marriage ceremonies. The Bothell Municipal Court Judge is authorized to perform marriages anywhere in Washington State, not just in Bothell. Ceremonies are held outside of regular court business hours, which keeps the courtroom available for court proceedings during the day.

Marriages at the court are performed by Judge Rozzano. You can schedule a ceremony through the city's website at bothellwa.gov/2498/MarriageWedding. The page includes a link to schedule with the judge directly. Marriages performed at the court do not involve courthouse staff, so your questions and coordination should go directly to the judge, not to the court clerk's office. The court is located at 18415 101st Ave NE in Bothell, and the court phone number is (425) 481-1740.

A few rules apply for court ceremonies. Two witnesses over age 18 must attend. If you do not have witnesses, you need to tell the judge ahead of time. No food or drink is allowed in the courtroom. Bring your marriage license and certificate with you on the day of the ceremony. The court does not provide or replace the license if you forget it. The City of Bothell and the Municipal Court do not issue marriage certificates, so the signed license goes back to the county after the ceremony.

Fees and Waiting Period

The fee for a marriage license through Snohomish County is $64. Through King County, the fee is $169. The King County fee increased significantly in July 2025 under House Bill 1498. If your address is in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell, using Snohomish County is the more affordable option.

Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington requires a mandatory three-day waiting period between the date you apply and the earliest date your ceremony can take place. This waiting period applies statewide and cannot be waived or shortened. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If your ceremony does not happen within that 60-day period, the license expires and you must apply again and pay the fee a second time.

Your ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington State. It does not have to be in Bothell or in the county where you got the license. After the ceremony, the officiant or judge returns the signed license to the county that issued it, and the county records it as the official marriage document.

Bothell Marriage License Records

Bothell marriage records are held by whichever county issued the license, either Snohomish County or King County. Each county's records office handles requests for copies of marriage certificates from that county.

For Snohomish County records, contact the Snohomish County Auditor at (425) 388-3483. For King County records, use the King County Recorder's online document search at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/records-licensing. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also holds marriage records statewide and can issue certified copies. For third-party ordering, VitalChek is an authorized service for ordering copies from state and county offices.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best free resource. It holds marriage records from both Snohomish and King counties going back many decades and is searchable by name online. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records on file with the county are part of the public record. Social Security numbers collected during the application are kept confidential and are not visible on public copies.

County Marriage License Pages

Since Bothell spans two counties, both county marriage license pages are relevant depending on your address. Each page has detailed information about that county's process, fees, and records.

Nearby Cities

Bothell is surrounded by cities in both Snohomish and King counties. Here are nearby cities with their own marriage license pages.