Washington Marriage Records

Washington marriage records provide official information on all marriage applications and events filed across the Evergreen State. Generally, these documents provide the following information:

• The full birth names of both parties.
• The bride’s full name before the marriage event.
• Date and location of the marriage registration and certification.
• Name of the officiating minister.
• Names of witnesses at the wedding

Washington marriage records may be found on microfilm, online, as images of historical documents, or in physical files. Civil records are now the official governmental documents for marriage events, but historically, town clerks and churches were responsible for record-keeping. Records may be kept by state agencies, such as the Washington Department of Health, or by local governments, such as the county auditor or town clerks. They are also considered a part of the Washington Family Court Records. These records are available from historical times to the present.

What Types of Marriage Records Are Available In Washington?

In Washington, members of the public have access to many types of marriage records, such as marriage licenses and certificates.

Washington Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is an official document that documents the date two people married. Such records are created after a couple has obtained a marriage license and completed the wedding ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant, spouses, and witnesses sign the certificate, which is returned to the county clerk’s office. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, individuals must submit a request to the Department of Health. Applicants must complete a specific form as part of the application process, and it is important to submit a complete application or form to avoid delays. Certified copies of such documents are accepted as legal evidence of marriage and are issued by the state. The Washington Department of Health provides a certified copy of a marriage record (or marriage certificate) for events after 1968. The copy provided serves as official documentation. Marriage information, including the groom’s full name, the bride’s full name, and the date and place of marriage, is written and returned to the county clerk. The written marriage record serves as legal evidence of the marriage. All information is recorded in writing and kept as a written record.

Washington Marriage License

A Washington marriage license is a document issued by the county auditors granting the named persons the right to marry within the state. Marriage licenses must be obtained before a wedding. Licenses remain valid for a fixed period, during which intending couples must have a wedding ceremony. If the license expires before the wedding ceremony, both parties must apply and pay for a new one.

Are Washington Marriage Records Public?

Washington marriage records fall under the umbrella of public records and can be obtained by almost anyone as long as they provide the necessary information. Marriage events are officially recorded by the relevant authorities, such as the county auditor or state archives. However, records are maintained by different departments, depending on the age of the records. Records created before 1968 can be found by contacting the Washington State Archives, while records created after 1968 are filed with the Washington Department of Health. For older records or when both spouses are deceased, personal records or death certificates may be required to access marriage records. Residents who wish to obtain copies of marriage records created within the last three months can contact the county auditor’s office where the clerk was filed. Information about requesting marriage records, applicable fees for searches, copies, rush processing, and accepted payment methods—including Visa, Mastercard, and money order (money order payable to the appropriate office)—can be found on the official website.

How to Find Marriage Records in Washington

Certified copies of a marriage record may be required for various reasons, ranging from changing a name after marriage to applying for military benefits. Anyone can find marriage records in Washington using the following general steps:

Step 1. Determine when the Marriage Occurred

Multiple agencies maintain marriage records, depending on the creation date and record type. For example, records of marriages created within the last two months can be found in the county auditor’s office where the license was issued, while certified copies of records older than a year can be seen with the Washington Department of Health. To get details of marriages filed more than 60 years ago, record seekers will need to contact the Washington State Archives. The office maintains five archive branches around the state. Records are available from historical times to the present, and in some cases, images of marriage records may be accessible through archival systems.

Step 2. Collect the Necessary Information

Anyone may obtain copies of a marriage record if they can provide the necessary information. To access Washington marriage records, you must include:

• The full name of the person on record (first, middle, and last)
• The approximate date of when the marriage occurred (month, day, and year); providing accurate marriage dates is essential for locating the correct record
• The county where the license was obtained

Step 3. Submit Application and Pay Fee

The Department of Health provides different options for submitting record requests. Applicants must complete and submit a form to request a marriage record. Forms can be submitted in person, online, or by mail. For the last, completed forms should be sent to the:

Department of Health,
Center for Health Statistics
Box 47814 Olympia,
WA 98504-7814

Note: Applications must include the number of copies requested and the requester’s name and residential address. You’ll also be expected to pay the required fees to obtain a copy. Fees can be paid by check, money order, or money order payable to the Department of Health.

How to Get a Marriage License in Washington

Couples who wish to marry in Washington can apply for a marriage license from the Office of the County Clerk or County Auditor. While the application process may differ slightly in each county or town, the following is a general guide to getting a marriage license in Washington.

Step 1. Meet the State Eligibility Rules

Couples who wish to get a marriage license in Washington must meet the minimum age requirement. Applicants can apply for a license if they are at least 17. However, parties who are not yet 18 will require parental consent. In addition, both parties must be unrelated and willing to marry.

Step 2. Book an appointment with the local county or town office. Ensure you have the appropriate documents. Most offices will require the following documents.

• A valid photo ID such as a passport, driver’s license, or state ID.
• Birth certificates from both parties to confirm that the applicants are old enough to marry.
• Proposed date of marriage
• Social security number
• Full names of the bride and groom

Step 3. Visit the office and apply for a License

County clerks or auditors typically require couples to appear in person together when applying for a license. However, depending on the county or town, couples who cannot do so may still be able to apply by submitting a notarized written application form online or by mail. Applicants must complete the required form and ensure the application is complete to avoid delays. The application and license are written documents, and all marriage information is recorded in writing by the county clerk.

Applicants must also pay the required license fees, which average $2. Accepted payment options include Visa, Mastercard, money order, or money order payable to the county clerk for mail applications. Once issued, licenses have a three-day waiting period before couples can marry. If a permit is issued on Monday, couples must wait until Thursday before they can marry. Licenses remain valid for 60 days.

Note: Marriage license applications are considered public records, and as such, they may sometimes be published in local newspapers.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in Washington?

Anyone may obtain copies of a marriage record in Washington by submitting a request to the Washington State Department of Health. A certified copy of a marriage record serves as legal evidence of marriage and may be required for various legal purposes. Applicants can request a copy of the marriage record through the official website, where they must complete and submit the appropriate form as part of the process. Applicants do not need to provide a valid ID when obtaining records. In addition, unlike some US states where requesters must be related to the named parties, the Washington DOH does not require that record seekers provide proof of relationship to the subject.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in Washington?

Members of the public may be able to access online marriage records for free. Public marriage indexes, such as those maintained by the Washington State Archives, offer a vast array of information, including images of civil records that document marriage events. These images are available through the official website, which provides access to civil records from historical times to the present. Individuals can search these indexes by the spouse’s first or last name and the county where the marriage occurred.

Searchers may also be able to find free marriage records online using third-party registers or platforms. Operating as private entities independent of the Washington state government or any official agency, such sites provide access to records compiled from multiple jurisdictions across the state. For marriages not covered by civil records, personal records—such as officiant journals or personal logs—may also be available as alternative sources. Access to some records may require essential information, such as the subject’s name or marriage location.

Is Washington a Common Law State for Marriage?

Washington does not allow for establishing common law marriages within the state. Couples who live together and behave as if married are still considered unmarried unless they obtain a marriage license and hold a wedding ceremony. However, Washington acknowledges the legality of common law unions formed in states where such marriages are permitted.

Common law marriages refer to civil unions between two people who are considered legally married even though they did not have a wedding ceremony or obtain a license. Such marriages are fully or partially recognized in several US states, including Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. To establish a common law marriage in such states, both parties need to meet some state requirements, which typically include:

• The couple must be living together.
• Both parties must be old enough to get married.
• Neither party must be in another relationship that could be considered a marriage.
• Both parties must act as if married to friends, family members, and the general community.

Committed Intimate Relationships in Washington

Although common law marriages are not authorized in Washington, the state allows and recognizes committed personal relationships. Committed Intimate Relationships develop when the court grants two unmarried and cohabiting parties some financial and property rights. This decision is made based on the merits of each case.

Generally, the court considers various factors when deciding whether a relationship qualifies as a CIR. Some of these include:

• The duration of the partnership
• The goal and intention of the partnership
• The exclusive nature of the relationship
• Are there any domestic partnership agreements?
• The joint utilization of resources and cash by both parties

Note: Couples in a CIR do not typically have all the benefits of a married couple. For instance, couples are not entitled to spousal support or tax benefits.