Marriage License in King County

King County marriage licenses are issued by the King County Recorder's Office, located in Seattle. As the most populous county in Washington with roughly 2.3 million residents, King County processes a high volume of marriage license applications each year. Both parties must appear in person to complete the application, though an online pre-application can speed up your visit. This page covers what you need to bring, what it costs, how the process works, and where to find historical King County marriage records.

King County Recorder's Office

King County uses a Recorder's Office rather than the standard County Auditor setup found in most other Washington counties. The King County Recorder falls under the Department of Records and Licensing Services. Marriage licenses, recorded documents, and related services are all handled through this office. The department's director is Reagan G. Dunn.

The physical office is at 201 S Jackson St in Seattle. The mailing address differs, so use the correct one depending on whether you are sending documents or visiting in person. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Because King County is the state's largest county, wait times can vary. Using the online pre-application tool before your visit can help reduce time spent at the counter.

King County Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the baseline requirements for marriage licenses. King County follows these statewide rules. The steps are clear if you come prepared.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the Recorder's Office. One exception exists: if one party has already signed the application before a notary, the other party can complete the process alone. This is useful if one person cannot travel to Seattle easily. Each person must present a government-issued photo ID that shows a birth date. Valid IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require either party to be a state resident.

You will need to provide Social Security numbers for both parties or sign an exemption form if you do not have one. The application also asks for your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Gathering this information ahead of time makes the visit faster. King County recommends completing the online pre-application through their website before going in, which can reduce your time at the office significantly. No blood test is required.

The King County marriage license page includes a ceremony calculator tool that helps you figure out the earliest possible date for your ceremony based on when you apply. This is a practical tool given the mandatory waiting period.

Fees and Waiting Period for King County Marriage Licenses

The current fee for a King County marriage license is $169. This fee increased on July 27, 2025, from the previous rate of $69. The increase was tied to House Bill 1498, which established the Domestic Violence Co-Responder Grant Program. King County accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a mandatory three-day waiting period between the date you apply and the earliest date your ceremony can occur. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. That gives you a ceremony window between three and 63 days from the application date. Your ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington State, not just in King County.

Certified copies of a King County marriage certificate cost $3 each. If you plan to use the certificate for a name change or benefits update, you will likely need at least two or three copies. Online ordering for certified copies is available through the county's records portal, which is convenient if you do not want to return to the office in person.

Note: Confirm the current fee before your visit, as rates are subject to change based on new legislation or county updates.

The King County Department of Records and Licensing Services handles all marriage license applications and maintains recorded marriage documents for the county.

Searching King County Marriage License Records

King County has maintained marriage records since 1853. For recent records, the Recorder's Office is the right place to start. The county provides an online recorded document search tool through its website. You can search by name and access basic record information without going to the office in person.

For records before 1948, the Washington State Digital Archives holds King County marriage records going back to 1853. The Washington State Digital Archives - King County collection is free to search online. This is a useful resource for genealogy research or locating older family records. The archive is maintained by the Washington State Archives and includes records from counties across the state.

Certified copies of marriage records can be ordered online through the county's records portal or in person at the office. Each certified copy costs $3. If you are researching a record from many years ago and cannot find it through the county's online system, check the Digital Archives first. For state-level access, the Washington State Department of Health vital records office also maintains certain marriage documents. For third-party record searches, services like VitalChek can help you order official copies from state and county offices.

What King County Marriage Records Contain

A King County marriage license application and the resulting recorded certificate include a detailed set of information about both parties. The application captures data before the ceremony. After the wedding, the signed license is returned and recorded, becoming the official marriage certificate on file with the county.

King County marriage records typically show the full legal names of both parties (listed as Person A and Person B), their ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and home addresses at the time of application. The record also includes parents' full names, the mother's maiden name, and parents' birthplaces for both parties. Previous marital status is noted. After recording, the certificate includes the ceremony date and location, the name of the officiant who performed the ceremony, witness signatures, and recording information from the Recorder's Office.

Social Security numbers are collected during the application process but are not part of the public-facing record. They are kept confidential. Most other details on the license are part of the public record and can be accessed by anyone who requests a copy. Older records, particularly those from the 1800s or early 1900s, may contain less detail depending on what was collected at the time.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate serve as legal proof of the marriage. They are accepted for name changes with the Social Security Administration, Department of Licensing, passport applications, and other official purposes. Each certified copy ordered from the Recorder's Office costs $3.

Cities in King County

King County is home to dozens of cities and communities. All residents of King County, regardless of which city they live in, apply for marriage licenses at the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle.

Other communities in King County include Kent, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, SeaTac, Shoreline, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Covington, and many others. All marriage license applications go through the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle regardless of which city or community you live in.

Nearby Counties

King County borders several other Washington counties. If you are near a county line, confirm your address falls within King County before heading to Seattle to apply.