Page Text: Many King County services are continually adapting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each agency will update its pages with current information.
Apply for
Services
With restrictions about COVID-19 rapidly changing, please check with individual departments to be sure a building is open before you seek in-person service. Also, some downtown buildings are not open to the public due to a project to close the Administration Building and relocate the agencies affected. This project will continue at least through the end of 2021.
Many King County services are continually adapting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each agency will update its pages with current information.
Apply for
Services
With restrictions about COVID-19 rapidly changing, please check with individual departments to be sure a building is open before you seek in-person service. Also, some downtown buildings are not open to the public due to a project to close the Administration Building and relocate the agencies affected. This project will continue at least through the end of 2021.
Marriage licensing
Marriage licensing
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! King County wants to make applying for and picking up your marriage license quick and easy.
Things to remember
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Things to remember
Don’t wait until the last minute! Due to reduced staffing in the pandemic, the Recorder’s Office cannot guarantee a three-day turnaround. We are running a few days behind processing marriage applications and a week behind processing marriage certificates.
Please print legibly or type the information on your application. This cuts down on data entry errors.
Your application should reflect your current full, legal names, not the name(s) you intend to take after marriage.
Your application must be notarized.
Please include at least one phone number where you can be reached during the day.
Enclose a check or money order for $69 payable to King County. The check or money order must include your address. Starter checks are not accepted.
Please provide a physical mailing address where we should return your packet. P.O. boxes are not acceptable. If you do not include a return address, we will use the one on the application.
Packets will be returned by Priority Mail or FedEx once your application has been processed.
Ceremonies can be conducted by video, but we must receive the actual physical certificate, properly executed, for your marriage to be valid.
If you have questions, please contact us at kcrocust@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-9521.
Close
In-person services closed. Plan ahead and allow more time for processing.
The King County Recorder's Office, located in the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle, is currently closed for walk-in service. Please see the links below for alternative service delivery options. Staff are also available by phone at 206-477-9521 or kcrocust@kingcounty.gov to assist customers. Do not wait until the last minute! Due to staffing issues because of the pandemic, we cannot guarantee a three-day turnaround on marriage licenses. We are running a few days behind in marriage applications and a week behind in processing marriage certificates.
3 Day Waiting Period,
60 Day Expiration
When we issue a marriage license, Washington state law requires a three-day waiting period before you can use it. Licenses are valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period.
A license issued today would be valid for use between DATE and DATE.
Ceremony Date
Pick your wedding ceremony date and the dates below it will show when you should obtain your marriage license. Don't wait til the last minute!
You must obtain your license between DATE and DATE.
Both applicants must currently be unmarried.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old or can meet the age requirements.
Both applicants must not be nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, whole or half blood.
Both applicants must have current photo ID: U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. military ID, permanent resident card, driver's license or state photo ID card issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL), or foreign government issued passport.
The couple must pay a $69 application fee.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, unless they satisfy the requirements for underage applicants listed below.
17-year-olds can apply if one of the following conditions is met:
A parent or legal guardian submits a notarized statement of consent (available at any marriage licensing location). Please bring a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate or documents establishing legal guardianship.
The applicant is legally emancipated and takes the court-certified copy of the emancipation document with them to apply.
Applicants under age 17 can apply only when the age requirement is waived by a superior court judge of the county in which one of the parties resides. Each party to the marriage that is under 17 years of age must present a waiver specifically naming them.
Residency and Citizenship Requirements
Marriage license applicants do not have to reside in Washington State or King County.
A marriage license purchased from any county in Washington State can be used to get married anywhere in Washington State.
Applicants do not have to apply for their marriage license in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place.
A marriage license obtained in Washington State cannot be used to get married in another state or country.
Applicants are not required to have a U.S. Social Security number in order to obtain a marriage license. However, one of the marriage license forms requires the inclusion of one's Social Security number OR the applicant's signature on a declaration that they do not have a U.S. Social Security number. This will not impair the couple's ability to receive their marriage license.
Location
A marriage license purchased from any county in Washington State can be used to get married anywhere in the state. If you plan to marry in another state or country, you must apply for its marriage license and comply with its laws for getting married. A marriage in another jurisdiction is valid in Washington State if it is not prohibited by Washington state law.
Option 1
Apply online.
This process is not available to anyone who answers "yes" to the following questions:
Are you under the control of a parent or legal guardian/are you under the age of 18?
Are you enrolled in the Address Confidentiality Program?
If you answered yes to either of the above questions, you must either apply by mail or contact the office (KCROMarriage@kingcounty.gov) for further instructions.
Otherwise, begin the online application process through the King County Online Marriage Kiosk
Fill out all required fields for both parties. Required fields are shaded light yellow.
You will be prompted to enter your current physical address(es). If you would like your paperwork mailed to a different address, please indicate that in your email (see next step below).
After completing the Online Marriage Kiosk, email us with the following information:
The transaction number generated when you clicked “Submit”
At least one good telephone number
Recorder’s Office staff will call you to accept credit/debit payment within three business days between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
If we are unable to reach you, we will leave a voicemail if possible.
We will make two attempts to reach you by phone.
If we are still unable to make contact, you will receive an email with a deadline to reply by, or we will assume you are no longer interested in proceeding with the marriage application process.
Option 2