Sammamish Marriage License

Sammamish is in King County, so residents who need a marriage license must apply through King County Records and Licensing Services in Seattle. The city does not issue marriage licenses at city hall. This page covers where to apply, what to bring, what the license costs, and how to look up Sammamish and King County marriage license records. Whether you are getting married soon or searching for records from years past, this guide covers the key steps.

Getting a Marriage License in Sammamish

The Sammamish City Clerk handles local city records and government business but does not take part in the marriage license process. Marriage licenses in King County are issued by one office: King County Records and Licensing Services, located in Seattle. All Sammamish residents must go there to apply. There is no shortcut or local option that bypasses the county office.

Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both applicants to appear in person at the county office. In most cases, you both need to be there at the same time. One limited exception applies: if one party has already signed the application before a notary public, the other may complete the process alone. Check with the office if that scenario fits your situation. Before your visit, complete the online pre-application through King County Records and Licensing Services. It lets you enter your information in advance and can cut down your time at the counter.

The Sammamish City Clerk is at (425) 295-0500 and city hall is at 801 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA 98075. The city's website is at sammamish.us. The clerk can answer city-related questions but cannot help with marriage license applications.

Marriage License Requirements

Washington State establishes marriage license requirements under RCW Chapter 26.04. These rules apply to all King County applicants, including Sammamish residents. Residency is not required. Couples from other states and even other countries can apply for a King County marriage license as long as they plan to hold the ceremony somewhere in Washington.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Each person must show a valid government-issued photo ID that includes a date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You will need to provide your Social Security number. If you do not have one, ask about the exemption form when you call ahead. The clerk will ask for both parents' full legal names, the mother's maiden name, and both parents' birthplaces. Pull this information together before your visit to keep things moving. No blood test is required at any point in the process.

If either applicant was previously married, be ready to say when that marriage ended and how it ended: divorce, annulment, or death of a spouse. The online pre-application from King County will walk you through all of these questions so you are not surprised at the counter.

The City of Sammamish's website at sammamish.us provides information on local government services. Marriage license applications for Sammamish residents are handled through the King County Records and Licensing Services office in Seattle.

Fees and Waiting Period

The King County marriage license fee is $169 as of July 2025. That is a significant jump from the previous $69 fee. House Bill 1498 added surcharges to county marriage license fees across Washington to fund domestic violence co-responder programs. The fee is collected when you apply and is not refundable if the marriage does not go forward. Call the office to ask what payment methods they accept.

After the license is issued, a mandatory three-day waiting period begins under RCW 26.04.180. You cannot hold the ceremony until those three days have passed. There is no waiver. Keep this in mind when setting your wedding date. The license remains valid for 60 days. If no ceremony takes place in that window, the license expires and a new application is required.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the license and returns it to King County for recording. It then becomes the official marriage certificate on file with the county. Certified copies are available for $3 each from the Records and Licensing Services office or through their online records portal.

Note: Verify current fees and hours with King County at (206) 477-6620 before planning your visit.

Sammamish Marriage License Records

Marriage records for Sammamish residents become part of King County's document system once recorded. To request a certified copy, contact King County Records and Licensing Services at (206) 477-6620 or visit their office in person. Certified copies are needed for legal name changes with the Social Security Administration, passport applications, and other official purposes. Each copy costs $3.

For records going back many decades, the Washington State Digital Archives is a solid starting point. The archive is free to search at digitalarchives.wa.gov and includes King County marriage records from the 1800s forward. It is run by the Washington State Archives and is a common tool for genealogists and anyone researching older family history in the Sammamish, Eastside, and greater King County area.

Marriage certificates filed since 1968 are also on file with the Washington State Department of Health. Certified copies can be ordered through the DOH vital records office. For online ordering without an in-person visit, VitalChek handles third-party requests for official copies from state and county offices throughout Washington.

King County Marriage License Resources

Sammamish is part of King County. The county page has the full breakdown of hours, documents, the pre-application process, and everything else Sammamish residents need when applying for a marriage license.

View King County Marriage License Info

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Sammamish. Marriage license requirements depend on which county each city falls in.