Access Bremerton Marriage License

Bremerton residents who need a marriage license apply through the Kitsap County Auditor's Office, which is located in Port Orchard. The City of Bremerton does not issue marriage licenses. This page covers where to go, what to bring, how much the license costs, how long the waiting period is, and how to get copies of Bremerton marriage records once your ceremony is complete.

Getting a Marriage License in Bremerton

Bremerton is located in Kitsap County. Marriage license applications for Bremerton residents go through the Kitsap County Auditor's Office in Port Orchard. The Bremerton City Clerk at 239 4th St maintains city records, council minutes, and public records for the city, but the Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. For a marriage license, you need to visit the Kitsap County Auditor.

The Kitsap County Auditor's Office is at 614 Division St in Port Orchard, WA 98366. Port Orchard is Kitsap County's seat and is about a 20-minute drive south of Bremerton along State Route 16. You can also take local roads through Gorst or along the waterfront. The Auditor can be reached at (360) 337-7128. Their website at kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/kitsap-county-marriage-license.aspx has current information on the application process and may have an online application start option.

The Bremerton City Clerk can be reached at (360) 473-5284 for questions about city records or other city services. If you want to ask about civil ceremony options closer to home, you can also contact the Kitsap County District Court in Bremerton to ask whether a judge there is available to perform a ceremony. Contact that court directly for details on judge availability and any associated fees.

The City of Bremerton website covers a range of city services and department contacts. It will not have specific marriage license information since that is handled by Kitsap County, but it is a useful resource for general city services and contact info.

The City of Bremerton website provides general city services, department contacts, and community information for Bremerton residents.

For marriage license applications, Bremerton residents need to visit the Kitsap County Auditor's Office in Port Orchard rather than a city office in Bremerton.

Bremerton Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the requirements for marriage licenses across the state. Bremerton residents applying through Kitsap County follow the same statewide rules. The requirements are clear if you come with the right documents.

Both parties must appear in person at the Kitsap County Auditor's Office. There is a narrow exception: if one person has signed the application before a notary public, the other may finish the process alone. Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID are all acceptable. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require either person to be a state resident, so couples from out of state can apply in Kitsap County.

Social Security numbers are needed for both people. If you or your partner do not have one, you can sign an exemption form at the Auditor's office. The application also asks for your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. This is information you should write down or look up before your visit. You cannot easily gather it at the counter during your appointment. No blood test is required in Washington.

Check the Kitsap County Auditor's website for any online application options that might be available to reduce your time at the office. The website at kitsap.gov/auditor is the best source for current procedures. Note: Confirm hours before visiting, especially around holidays when county offices may have adjusted schedules.

Fees and Waiting Period for Bremerton Marriage Licenses

The Kitsap County marriage license fee is $172. This is one of the higher county fees in Washington, though it is broadly consistent with the increases many counties have seen in recent years. Confirm the exact current amount before your visit, as fees can shift. The Auditor's office can tell you what payment methods are accepted when you call.

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. The waiting period cannot be shortened or waived. Your license is valid for 60 days after the issue date. You must hold your ceremony within that 60-day window. If you miss it, the license expires and you have to start the process over and pay the fee again.

Your ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington State. It does not have to be in Bremerton or in Kitsap County. Many couples who get their license in Port Orchard then hold their ceremony back in Bremerton, on the Kitsap Peninsula waterfront, or in other parts of the state. The Kitsap County District Court in Bremerton may offer civil ceremony services. Contact the court directly to ask about judge availability and scheduling.

Certified copies of your Kitsap County marriage certificate can be ordered from the Auditor's office. Ask about the current per-copy fee when you call. Plan to get at least two or three copies if you need them for a name change, insurance, Social Security, or other official purposes. Note: Confirm the current fee before your visit as county rates are subject to change.

Bremerton Marriage License Records

After your ceremony, the signed marriage license is returned to the Kitsap County Auditor's Office, where it becomes an official public record. The Auditor holds Kitsap County marriage records and can provide certified copies upon request. Contact the office at (360) 337-7128 to ask about how to order copies and the current fee.

The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also holds marriage records for the state and can issue certified copies. If you prefer to use a third-party ordering service, VitalChek is an authorized provider that works with state and county offices. VitalChek can be a convenient option if you cannot visit the Auditor's office in person or do not want to mail a request.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Kitsap County marriage records and makes them available to search for free online. This is a strong resource for genealogy work or locating older family records. Records from earlier decades may be less detailed, but many are indexed by name. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records on file with the county are public records. Social Security numbers collected during the application are kept confidential and do not appear on the public certificate.

Kitsap County Marriage License

Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County by population. All Bremerton residents apply for marriage licenses through the Kitsap County Auditor in Port Orchard. The Auditor also holds all official Kitsap County marriage records and issues certified copies. The Kitsap County Auditor's website has current information on fees, requirements, and the application process.

For full details on the Kitsap County marriage license process, fees, and record access, visit the Kitsap County Marriage License page.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the Puget Sound region also have marriage license pages with local details. These are cities within the qualifying population threshold that have their own pages.