Burien Marriage License

Residents of Burien who want to get a marriage license apply through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. Burien sits within King County, so all marriage license applications go to the county office. This page covers where to go, what to bring, what it costs, how long you wait, and where to find Burien marriage records after the ceremony is done.

Getting a Marriage License in Burien

Burien does not have its own marriage license office. The city has a City Clerk at 400 SW 152nd St, but that office handles city records and council documents, not marriage licenses. For a marriage license in Burien, you go to the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. This is the only office that issues marriage licenses for anyone living in King County, including Burien residents.

The King County Recorder's Office is part of the Department of Records and Licensing Services. The physical location is at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle. The mailing address is different. If you are sending documents, use 500 4th Ave Rm 311, Seattle, WA 98104. If you are visiting in person, go to the 201 S Jackson St location. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead if you have questions about wait times or what to bring.

King County is the most populous county in Washington. The Recorder's Office handles a large number of applications each week. Using the online pre-application tool on the King County website before your visit can cut down the time you spend at the counter. It does not replace the in-person visit, but it does make things go faster once you arrive.

Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the rules for who can get a marriage license and what they need to bring. King County follows these statewide rules. There are no county-specific add-ons that apply to Burien residents.

Both people getting married must show up in person at the King County Recorder's Office. There is one exception. If one party has already signed the application before a notary, the other person can complete the process alone. This can help if one of you cannot get to Seattle easily. Each person needs a government-issued photo ID that shows a birth date. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington State does not require you to be a state resident, so you can get a King County license even if you live elsewhere, as long as you are applying there.

You will need Social Security numbers 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. Get this together ahead of time so your visit goes smoothly. No blood test is needed. Washington dropped that requirement years ago.

Note: Washington does not require you to be a resident to apply, so couples from outside the state can apply in King County if they choose.

Fees and Waiting Period for Burien Marriage Licenses

The fee for a King County marriage license is $169. This rate went into effect on July 27, 2025, after an increase tied to House Bill 1498, which created the Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program. The previous rate was $69. The fee is non-refundable. King County accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards at the Recorder's Office.

Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington requires a three-day waiting period between the date you apply and the earliest you can hold your ceremony. Once issued, the license stays valid for 60 days. So your ceremony window falls between day three and day sixty after the application date. The ceremony can happen anywhere in the state, not just in King County or Burien. A friend or family member can officiate if they are a registered officiant in Washington.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $3 each through King County. If you need the certificate for a name change or benefits update, plan to order a few copies at once. You can order them online through the county records portal or in person at the Recorder's Office.

The City of Burien's website at burienwa.gov provides local government information. For marriage license applications, Burien residents go to the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.

Burien Marriage License Records

Marriage records for Burien are part of the King County recorded documents system. After a wedding takes place, the signed license is returned to the King County Recorder's Office and officially recorded there. The county's online recorded document search tool lets you look up records by name. For recent records, the Recorder's Office is the first place to check.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds King County marriage records going back to 1853. The Washington State Digital Archives is free to search online. This is a good resource if you are looking for family history records or need to locate a marriage from decades ago. The archive is run by the Washington State Archives and covers counties across the state. King County has one of the larger collections given how long the area has been settled.

Certified copies can be ordered through the county's online portal or in person at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle. Each copy costs $3. If you need a copy for legal purposes, a certified copy is required. Plain or informational copies are not accepted by agencies like the Social Security Administration or Department of Licensing. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also maintains some marriage documents at the state level. For third-party ordering, VitalChek can process official copy requests from state and county offices.

Marriage records in Washington are generally public. Most information on the license, including names, dates, and addresses, can be accessed by request. Social Security numbers are kept private and do not appear on copies issued to the public.

What a Burien Marriage License Contains

A marriage license application and the recorded certificate include a detailed set of data about both parties. The application captures information before the ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant and witnesses sign the license, and it is returned to King County to be recorded as the official certificate.

King County marriage records list the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and home addresses at the time of application. The record also includes each person's parents' full names, the mother's maiden name, and parents' birthplaces. Previous marital status is noted. Once recorded, the certificate adds the ceremony date and location, the officiant's name, and witness signatures. Social Security numbers are collected but kept confidential. They do not appear on copies of the certificate.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate are accepted as legal proof of the marriage. Government agencies including the Social Security Administration, the Washington Department of Licensing, and federal passport offices require certified copies. King County charges $3 per copy.

King County Marriage License

All marriage license applications for Burien residents are processed through King County. The King County Recorder's Office in Seattle is the only office that can issue a marriage license for anyone in the county. Once recorded, your marriage certificate becomes part of the permanent King County records system.

Nearby Cities

Other King County cities near Burien also get their marriage licenses through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.