Des Moines Marriage License

Des Moines residents who need a marriage license apply through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. Des Moines is in King County, so the county office handles all marriage license applications for people who live here. This page explains where to go, what to bring, what the license costs, and how to search for Des Moines marriage records if you need to find one.

Getting a Marriage License in Des Moines

Des Moines does not issue marriage licenses locally. The Des Moines City Clerk is at 21630 11th Ave S and handles city records, council documents, and municipal business. Marriage licenses are not part of what that office does. For a marriage license in Des Moines, you head to the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. This is the same office used by all King County residents, no matter which city they live in.

The King County Recorder's Office sits within the Department of Records and Licensing Services. The walk-in address is 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. If you are mailing something, use 500 4th Ave Rm 311, Seattle, WA 98104 instead. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. King County processes a high volume of marriage license applications each week. An online pre-application is available through the county's website and can reduce the time you spend at the counter on the day of your visit.

Des Moines is roughly 16 miles south of downtown Seattle. If you drive, account for traffic on I-5 and SR 99. The online pre-application can make a real difference in how long your in-person visit takes. Fill it out ahead of time and bring a printed or digital copy when you go.

Marriage License Requirements for Des Moines Residents

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 governs marriage licenses throughout the state. King County follows these rules without additional local requirements. Knowing what to bring makes your trip to Seattle faster and simpler.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the Recorder's Office to sign the application. There is an exception: if one person already signed the application in front of a notary, the other party can go alone to complete the process. Each person must show a government-issued photo ID that includes a birth date. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID works. You have to be at least 18. Washington does not require you to live in the state to apply for a license, so couples from out of state can apply in King County as well.

You will need Social Security numbers for both parties or a signed exemption form if you do not have one. The application asks for each person's parents' full legal names, mothers' maiden names, and parents' birthplaces. Getting this ready in advance saves time. No blood test is required in Washington. There is no residency requirement for either party.

Note: Completing the online pre-application on the King County website before your visit is strongly recommended for anyone coming from Des Moines or other South King County communities.

Des Moines Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period

A King County marriage license costs $169. This fee went up on July 27, 2025, when House Bill 1498 took effect, creating the Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program. The previous fee was $69. The $169 fee applies to all applicants regardless of where in King County they live. It is non-refundable. The Recorder's Office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards.

Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a three-day waiting period after you apply before your ceremony can take place. The license remains valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Your ceremony window falls between the three-day mark and day sixty. You can hold the ceremony anywhere in Washington State. The wedding does not have to happen in King County or near Des Moines.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 each from the King County Recorder's Office. If you need the certificate for a name change with the Social Security Administration or Department of Licensing, plan to order two or three copies. Online ordering is available through the county's records portal if you do not want to return to the office in person.

The City of Des Moines operates desmoineswa.gov for local city information. Marriage license applications for Des Moines residents are processed through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.

Des Moines Marriage License Records

Marriage records for Des Moines residents are part of the King County recorded documents system. After the ceremony, the signed license is returned to the King County Recorder's Office and officially recorded. That recorded certificate is the permanent marriage record on file for the county. The county's online recorded document search tool lets you search by name and access basic record information without going to the office in person.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds King County marriage records going back to 1853. This archive is free to use online and is run by the Washington State Archives. It covers counties across the state. If you are doing family history research or need to find a marriage from many decades ago, start with the digital archives before contacting the county office directly.

Certified copies of any marriage record can be ordered in person at the Recorder's Office or online through the county's records portal. Each certified copy is $3. For state-level records, the Washington State Department of Health vital records office maintains some marriage documents. Third-party services like VitalChek can also process certified copy orders from state and county record systems.

What Des Moines Marriage Records Contain

A marriage license application and the resulting recorded certificate include detailed information about both parties. The application captures data before the ceremony. After the wedding, both parties and the officiant sign the license, and it is returned to the Recorder's Office to become the official certificate on record.

King County marriage records list both parties' full legal names, ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and home addresses at the time of application. The record also includes each person's parents' full legal names, mothers' maiden names, and parents' birthplaces. Previous marital status is listed. Once recorded, the certificate adds the ceremony date and location, the officiant's name, and witness signatures. Social Security numbers collected during the application are kept confidential. They do not show up on any copy issued to the public.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate are the accepted form of proof for legal name changes. Government agencies and financial institutions require certified copies. The Social Security Administration, the Washington State Department of Licensing, and federal passport offices all ask for certified copies when updating records after a name change. Informational copies do not meet that standard. Order certified copies from the King County Recorder's Office at $3 per copy.

Records from before 1948 may contain less detail than more recent ones, depending on what was recorded at the time. For very old records, the Washington State Digital Archives is often the best resource.

King County Marriage License

Des Moines marriage license applications go through King County. The King County Recorder's Office in Seattle is the single issuing office for all King County residents. After your ceremony and the recording of your license, your marriage certificate becomes part of the permanent King County records.

Nearby Cities

Other South King County cities near Des Moines also apply for marriage licenses through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.