What Are Washington Marriage Records?

Washington State has been keeping official marriage records since 1865, documenting legal unions across the state. These records include key details such as the full names of the married individuals, marriage date and location, officiant's name, and license number.

The two most common types of marriage records in Washington are:

• Marriage licenses: Issued before the wedding and grants legal permission to marry.
• Marriage certificates:Provided after the ceremony as proof of the union.

Marriage records are valuable for legal, genealogical, and personal reasons. They help individuals confirm marriages, claim spousal rights, update legal documents, and trace family history. Courts, insurance providers, and government agencies often require marriage records for official documentation.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

Per the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), marriage records, including marriage certificates, are generally considered public records, meaning that anyone can access basic details about a marriage. However, due to privacy concerns, certain sensitive information may be restricted or redacted.

Some details, such as Social Security numbers and certain personal identifiers, may be withheld from general requests. Individuals who are legally entitled to obtain a full certified copy of a marriage certificate typically include the following:

• Married individuals
• Their legal representatives
• Immediate family members

Others may access basic information, such as the following:

• The names of the couple
• The date and location of the marriage
• The officiant's name, but not sensitive personal details

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Washington?

In Washington, marriage records are maintained by different agencies depending on the period. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) holds marriage records from January 1, 1968, to the present.

For marriages before 1968, records are typically kept by the County Auditor's Office (CAO) in the county where the marriage took place. Keep in mind that some CAOs also function as the Recorder's Office, like the case of the King County CAO.

To look up or obtain copies of marriage records, requesters generally need to provide specific details such as the following:

• The full names of the married individuals
• The date of marriage
• The county where the marriage occurred

Some agencies may also require government-issued identification or proof of eligibility to request certified copies. Additionally, there may be fees for obtaining these documents, which can vary by agency. Requests can often be made online, by mail, or in person, depending on the agency's procedures.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

A marriage certificate is an official document proving that a marriage took place. There are two types of copies available:

• Certified Copy: A legal document used for official purposes such as name changes, spousal benefits, and legal claims.
• Informational Copy: A non-certified version typically used for genealogical or research purposes and cannot be used for legal transactions.

In Washington, individuals can request certified copies of marriage certificates through multiple methods, including:

Online

If ordering marriage certificates online from the Washington DOH, requesters will have to use the VitalChek portal. Once in the portal, requesters will have to do the following:

• Complete the application using the online form.
• Pay the associated fees.
• Verify their identity.
• Wait for a copy of the marriage certificate to be processed.
• The certificate will then be shipped within 3-7 business days.

If ordering from the County Auditor's Office, individuals will have to follow these steps:

• Identify the county where the marriage was registered.
• Check if the county has an online facility for requested marriage certificates.

   

  For example, King County has an Online Records Search tool for requesting records.

• Complete the online form with the required information.
• Pay the fees and wait for the processing time to finish.

By Mail

If ordering from the Washington DOH by mail, requesters must complete an application form with the required information. They must also pay the fees, typically $25 plus additional shipping fees. After, they must mail the form with a money order or check with the fees to:

The requester will receive their marriage certificate in 6-8 weeks.

If ordering from the CAO, requesters must complete the required form, pay the fees, and send it to the CAO's address.

For example, in the King County CAO, serving as the Recorder of the marriage records, requesters must complete the Recorded Document Copy Request Form. Then, they must send the form with the check, money order, or cashier's check to:

In-Person

For those who want to request their marriage certificates in person, they can only do so at the CAO. The Washington DOH does not provide in-person services for marriage requests.

For example, for marriage requests in the King County, they can go to the CAO at:

The requesters must proceed to the Customer Service Center on the second floor from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

A marriage license is a legal document obtained before the wedding authorizing a couple to marry. Unlike marriage certificates, these records are maintained by the CAOs (County Auditor's Offices), not the Washington DOH.

Requesters must contact the CAO where the marriage license was issued. Most counties provide options for requesting copies in person, by mail, or online.

Here is the general process:

• Identify the issuing county.
• Submit a request via the county's website, mail, or in person.
• Provide necessary details, such as:
  • Full names of both individuals
  • Date of the marriage license issuance
  • Marriage license number (if available)
• Pay the required fee (varies by county).
• Receive the document via mail or in-person pickup.

For example, in Pierce County, marriage license records can be requested:

• Online using the online documents portal
• By mail using the Mail Request for Marriage Records form and mailing it to:
• In-person through an appointment

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Aside from the online options offered by the Washington DOH and some CAOs (County Auditor's Offices), other online resources provide access to marriage records. While these sources may not provide certified copies, they can confirm whether a marriage occurred and offer basic details.

These sources can include the following:

• Washington State Digital Archives: Holds historical marriage records.
• Genealogical Societies: Organizations such as the Washington State Genealogical Society may have marriage databases.
• Commercial Record Retrieval Services: Websites like RecordsFinder.com offer search tools for marriage records.

To use these sources, requesters will need to provide the basic details required and pay access fees. While these online resources provide helpful information, only the Washington DOH and CAOs can issue certified copies of marriage records for legal purposes.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage is a type of marriage where the record is sealed and not accessible to the general public. Couples may choose a confidential marriage for privacy reasons, such as protecting personal information, avoiding public scrutiny, or maintaining discretion due to personal, legal, or security concerns.

In some states, these records can only be accessed by married individuals, a court order, or authorized parties.

However, Washington State does not allow confidential marriages. All marriages registered in the state are considered public records. Anyone can access basic details, such as the names of the spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where it occurred.

While marriage records are publicly available, certain sensitive information like Social Security numbers and personal identifiers may be restricted.

For cases where a marriage record is sealed or requires special access, a court order is typically needed. Individuals seeking access to a sealed or restricted marriage record must file a petition.

This petition is usually addressed to the Washington State Superior Court in the county where the marriage took place. If granted, the court order must be presented to the relevant agency, such as the Washington DOH or the CAO, to obtain the requested document.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

Before getting married in Washington State, couples must meet specific requirements to obtain a marriage license. Below are the key eligibility criteria and legal guidelines:

Identification Required

Both individuals applying for a marriage license must present a valid photo ID that includes their birthdate. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued identification card.

Age Requirements

The legal age to marry in Washington without parental consent is 18 years old. However, minors aged 17 may obtain a marriage license with a notarized parental consent form. If an applicant is under 17, they must receive approval from the court before applying for a marriage license.

Residency Requirement

Washington does not have any residency requirement to get married. Couples from any state or country can apply for a marriage license and legally marry within the state.

License Validity

A marriage license issued in Washington is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If the couple does not get married within this time frame, they must apply for a new license.

Waiting Periods

Washington has a mandatory three-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license. This means that couples cannot get married on the same day they receive their license. The ceremony must take place on or after the third day following the issuance date.

Officiants and Witnesses

A legal marriage ceremony in Washington must be performed by an authorized officiant, which includes:

• Judges or retired judges
• Justices of the peace
• Ordained ministers or religious officials
• Court commissioners

Additionally, two witnesses must be present at the time of the ceremony. Witnesses must be at least 12 years old and able to sign the marriage certificate.

Blood Test Requirement

Washington does not require couples to undergo a blood test to obtain a marriage license.

Proxy Marriages

Proxy marriages are not allowed in Washington. However, if one applicant cannot appear in person to apply for a marriage license, both parties can apply online or by mail. For example, in King County, both parties can apply through the following means:

• Online through the Marriage Kiosk
• By mailing a completed and notarized Marriage License Application form to the King County CAO

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

In Washington, it is possible to correct errors on a marriage certificate or marriage license. The Washington DOH allows corrections for certain mistakes, but the process varies depending on the type of error and whether the marriage record has already been registered.

Mistakes that may appear on a marriage certificate or license include:

• Misspelled names (of either spouse, officiant, or witnesses)
• Incorrect date of marriage
• Wrong marriage location (county or venue)
• Clerical errors on personal details (birthdate, place of birth, etc.)

To request a correction, follow these steps:

• Download and complete the Affidavit for Correction Form.
• Attach official documents (such as a birth certificate, valid ID, or court order) that verify the correct information.
• Mail the completed form, supporting documents, and applicable fees to the Washington DOH Centre of Health Statistics.

Some county offices may allow in-person submission for faster processing. Corrections typically take 2-4 weeks to process. Also, keep in mind that the Affidavit of Correction will not allow corrections on the following:

• Social Security numbers
• Original signatures

Corrections on marriage or divorce certificates registered through a court order may also require a court order.

Are Marriage Records Under the Washington Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Washington's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) protects victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking by keeping their residential addresses private. The program provides a substitute address that participants can use instead of their real address.

When applying for a marriage license, ACP participants must notify the CAO (County Auditor's Office) of their enrollment and use their substitute address on official documents. Marriage records of ACP participants are confidential and not available to the public. Access to these records is restricted to the individual, their legal representative, or through a court order.

Washington Marriage Statistics and Trends

In the United States, marriage rates have experienced a decline over the past few decades. As of 2019, approximately 53% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older were married, a decrease from 58% in 1995.

Conversely, cohabitation has seen an increase, with 7% of adults living with an unmarried partner in 2019, up from 3% in 1995. This shift indicates changing societal norms and attitudes toward marriage and partnership.

For Washington State marriage trends and statistics, check the table below.

Related Articles

What Different Types of Marriages Are There? 

What Is Civil Marriage: Pros and Cons