Marriage licensing

  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, if you would like to complete the process over the phone email us with the following information:
  • The transaction number generated when you clicked "Submit"
  • At least one good telephone number for us to contact to complete payment
• 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.
• If you would like to complete the process in person:
  • Take note of the transaction number generated when you clicked “Submit.”
  • Finalize the process at our Seattle office (King County Recorder, 201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 204, Seattle, WA 98104).
    • Both parties must be present with a valid photo I.D. (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.
    • You must bring payment for the $69 application fee (cash, check, money order, debit or credit).

  Option 2
Apply by mail.

• Complete this Application
• Have the application notarized (King County does not provide notary service)
• Send us the original notarized application with a check or money order for $69
• King County Recorder, 201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 204, Seattle, WA 98104
• Payable to King County Recorder
• Starter checks are not acceptable
• Check to see if your application has been processed by searching our online records. If your record shows a "Marriage Application" Doc Type, then your license is ready for pick up.
• You or someone you authorize must pick up the license at our Seattle office (201 S. Jackson St., second floor, Seattle, WA 98104).

Obtaining the license is just the first step in making your marriage official. Select the "2. Have the ceremony" tab to review the next step.

Who can officiate the ceremony?
State law prescribes who can perform a marriage ceremony: active and retired Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, Superior Court judges, Superior Court commissioners, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, as well as any regularly licensed or ordained minister or priest of any church or religious denomination. See Chapter 26.04 of Washington state law for a complete list.

Ministers from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, but the ceremony must be performed in the State of Washington. Neither person getting married may perform the ceremony.

To schedule a wedding with a judge click on the links below for instructions and contact information:

King County District Court

King County Superior Court

What do we do with the marriage certificate on the day of the ceremony?

Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign the marriage certificate. It is the officiant's responsibility to complete and return the license to King County within 30 days after the ceremony.

What do we do with the marriage certificate?

Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign the license. It is the officiant's responsibility to complete and return the license to King County within 30 days after the ceremony. The officiant can walk into any of our locations to drop it off in person or use the self-addressed envelope provided in your application packet to mail it.

How can we verify if our marriage certificate has been processed?

If you were married in 1991 or later, check if your certificate has been processed by searching online records. If your record shows a "Marriage Certificate" Doc Type, then you can request a copy.

Marriages 1991 to present

If you were married in 1990 or earlier, you can request copies from Washington State Digital Archives.

Marriages 1990 or earlier

How do I change my name?

All marriage license documents are signed with one's current legal name, never the intended new name.

There is no legal requirement for a name change after getting married; it is a right a couple may choose to exercise.

If you or your spouse want to change your surname after marriage take a certified copy of your marriage license to any organization that you need to notify, such as the ones listed below. If you want to change your first or middle name or create a new last name, check with King County District Court for details on a court-ordered name change.

• State Driver's License/Identification Card: dol.wa.gov/driverslicense or 360-902-3900
• Social Security: ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213
• Immigration Services: uscis.gov or 206-553-5956
• Passport: travel.state.gov or 1-877-487-2778
• Banks, Insurance, Employer, Military, Voter Registration

Washington state law does not impose a time limit after the wedding by which a name change must be accomplished. However, if you are making the change more than a year after your wedding, check with each agency to determine if a certified copy of your marriage license will suffice to change your name with them.