License copies

Obtaining certified copies of the marriage record

Marriage records of licenses purchased from King County government are maintained at the King County Recorder's Office.

• Certified copies of your marriage record can be obtained either in-person at the King County Recorder's Office in downtown Seattle or by sending a $3.00 check (payable to King County Records) along with both parties' application names and the date of the marriage to:

  King County Marriage Records
  King County Administration Building
  500 - 4th Avenue, Room 311
  Seattle, WA 98104

• Certified copies should be available approximately 10 business days from the date the marriage record was returned to King County. To confirm availability call (206) 296-1844.

• If you need certified copies immediately following your ceremony, return the Health Certificate of Marriage to the Marriage License Desk, Room 311 of the King County Administration Building, 5th & James, in downtown Seattle. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., except holidays.

• If you were married elsewhere according to the local laws and your license was duly recorded, obtain certified copies of your marriage license from the local registrar of the governing body where you were married, including a certified translation into English, if your license is in another language. You can record that document with the King County Recorder's Office but you are not required to do so.

• In the case of older marriage records please visit the King County Recorder's Office or call them at 206 296-1570 or 1-800-325-6165 ext 61570 or Washington State Department of Public Health/Vital Statiistics.

Public Disclosure of Marriage Records

• Marriage records are part of public record, with one major exception. Program participants of the State's Address Confidentiality Program may have their marriage records excluded from the public filing. Only active participants are included, and they must apply for their marriage license at our downtown Seattle office. If the marriage license was obtained prior to becoming an active participant, the record cannot be "unrecorded".

• Newspapers in King County do not print lists of marriage license applications. Couples may pay a newspaper to print an announcement.

Obtaining An Apostille for a Marriage Record

• Apostille certificates are issued by a state government only for documents which have been signed by a government official of that same state. For complete information on obtaining an apostille for your recorded Washington State Marriage Certificate, visit the Washington Secretary of State's website.