Kent Marriage License

Kent residents who need a marriage license apply through King County, not the city itself. The King County Records and Licensing Services office in Seattle handles all marriage license applications for everyone in the county, including those from Kent. Whether you are planning a small ceremony or something larger, the process starts at the county level. This page covers where to go, what to bring, how much to pay, how the waiting period works, and how to get a certified copy of your marriage record once the ceremony is complete.

Getting a Marriage License in Kent

Kent is in King County, so your marriage license comes from the King County Records and Licensing Services office in Seattle. The office sits at 500 4th Ave, Room 311. Both people who plan to marry must show up in person. You cannot mail in the forms or send a proxy. The staff there are used to high volume, so arriving with all your documents ready will make the visit go faster. Plan for about an hour total, maybe a bit more if the office is busy that day.

King County offers an online pre-application that you can fill out before your visit. Completing that step online means less time filling out paper forms at the counter. The county's records website has the form and other current details. Call ahead if you have questions about accepted payment types or anything unusual about your situation.

Kent does not have a satellite marriage license office inside city limits. The drive from Kent to Seattle runs about 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and route. If you are coming from the south end of Kent, allow extra time during peak hours on I-5.

Kent Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the baseline rules for marriage licenses statewide. King County follows those rules without adding local conditions. You must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old may apply only with a court order. No one under 17 may marry in Washington.

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The name on your ID is what goes on the license, so if there is a mismatch with a prior name change, sort that out ahead of time. You also need to know your Social Security number, though you do not have to bring the physical card. If you do not have a Social Security number, there is an exemption form you can sign instead.

The application asks for details about both applicants: full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and parents' names including the mother's maiden name. If either person was married before, you will need to state when and how that marriage ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. You do not need to bring court documents to prove it, but you should know the date. No blood test or medical exam is required at any point in the process. Washington dropped that requirement years ago.

There is no residency requirement. Kent residents, people moving into the area, and out-of-state visitors can all apply at King County as long as the ceremony will take place somewhere in Washington State.

Note: Washington State does not require a blood test or any other medical exam before issuing a marriage license.

Fees and Waiting Period for Kent Marriage Licenses

The current fee for a King County marriage license is $169. That rate took effect in July 2025 and is higher than most other Washington counties. The increase came as part of House Bill 1498, which created the Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program. The fee covers the license along with state and county surcharges. It is non-refundable once you have paid. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and money orders. Call ahead to confirm whether cash is accepted if that is your only option.

Washington law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period. The count starts the day after you apply. So if you go in on a Monday, the earliest your ceremony can happen is Thursday. The waiting period runs through weekends and holidays with no exceptions. After the waiting period, you have 60 days to hold your ceremony. If the 60-day window closes and you have not yet married, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the fee again.

Plan ahead. Most couples apply at least a week before the ceremony so there is a buffer if anything shifts. That still leaves several weeks of valid license time.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 each. Most people need two or three copies for things like name changes with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, and an employer or bank. You can order copies from the King County office in person or through their online records portal.

Kent Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the King County Recorder within 30 days. The county records it and sends the data to the Washington State Department of Health. From there it becomes part of the official state vital records registry. Under RCW 26.04.160, officiants carry a clear legal duty to complete this step. If the license is not returned and recorded, the marriage may not be officially recognized in state records.

For recent records, the King County office is your first stop. They can provide certified copies in person or through their online portal. If you need a copy for legal purposes, ordering at least two is worth doing while you are at it.

The Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to historical marriage records from King County and other counties across Washington State.

For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives is the right place to look. It holds historical marriage records from King County going back to 1853 and is free to search online. This is a useful tool for genealogy work or if you need a record from decades ago that may not be in the county's active system. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also handles certified copy requests by mail if going to Seattle in person is not practical. For an online request option, VitalChek can process orders for certified copies, though their service adds a processing fee on top of the state's cost.

King County Marriage License Resources

Kent falls inside King County. Every marriage license for Kent residents runs through the King County Records and Licensing Services office in Seattle. The county page has additional detail on office hours, the online pre-application process, recorded document searches, and more. If you have questions that go beyond what this page covers, the county page is a good next step.

View King County Marriage License Info

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have marriage license information pages. Most of them fall within King or Pierce County.