King County (Seattle) processes marriage licenses through its Recorder’s Office, with an online option to start the application before finishing in person, or the option to apply entirely by mail with a notarized form.
| License fee | $169. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days after issuance (Washington statewide rule) — cannot be waived under any circumstances. |
| Documents / ID required | Completed marriage license application, valid ID for both applicants, current legal names (not intended post-marriage names). Mail applications require a notarized signature. |
| License validity | 60 days, beginning after the mandatory 3-day waiting period ends (Washington statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Start online at the Recorder’s website and finish in person at the King County Customer Service Center (201 S. Jackson St., Suite 204, Seattle), or apply entirely by mail with a notarized application and check or money order. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed weekends and county holidays. |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Can the 3-day waiting period be waived in King County?
No. Washington’s 3-day waiting period applies statewide and cannot be waived by a court or for any other reason, unlike some other states.
How to get a marriage license in King County, step by step
- Decide whether to apply in person or by mail. Most couples start the application online, then finish in person; you can also apply entirely by mail if you can’t make it to Seattle.
- If applying in person, go to the King County Customer Service Center at 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 204, Seattle — the only physical office that issues King County marriage licenses.
- If applying by mail, print the application and sign it in front of a notary public. The signature must be notarized — a scanned or faxed copy is not accepted.
- Pay the $169 fee. In person you can use cash, check, money order, or a card (2.35% surcharge, $2 minimum); by mail, send a check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to “King County Recorder” — no cash by mail.
- Wait the mandatory 3 days after the license is issued. This cannot be waived for any reason in Washington.
- Marry within 60 days of the license becoming valid, then make sure the completed Certificate of Marriage gets back to the county (see below).
What to bring to the King County office
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants
- Your current legal names, not any name you plan to use after marriage
- Both parents’ full legal names, including mothers’ maiden names, and their birthplaces
- $169, by cash, check, money order, or card (card surcharge applies)
When to apply for your King County license
Washington’s 3-day wait cannot be shortened by a court or for any other reason, so count on at least 3 days between applying and marrying. The license is then good for 60 days. If you want a ceremony on a specific date, apply at least 3 days ahead, and no more than roughly 63 days ahead of it (the 3-day wait plus the 60-day window), so the license doesn’t expire first.
After the ceremony: filing your King County license and getting certified copies
In Washington, it’s the officiant’s responsibility, not the couple’s, to complete the Certificate of Marriage and return it to King County within 30 days of the ceremony, either by mail or in person to the Jackson St. office. Certified copies become available about 10 business days after the county receives it, and cost $3 each. (Filing rules checked October 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in King County
$3 for the first certified copy (same price for each copy)
| Issued by | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $3 per certified copy. |
| How to order | App or online (marriages after 1990), by phone 206-477-6620, by mail, or in person at 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 204, Seattle. |
| Timing | Mailed within about 10 business days of the request; copies are available about 10 business days after the county receives the certificate. |
| Heads up | Some pages say certified copies can only be ordered by mail to preserve the seal; others point to the online app. |
Source: King County Recorder - Marriage licensing · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for King County
- The Jackson St. office in Pioneer Square is the only place that handles King County marriage licenses in person — there’s no satellite office elsewhere in the county.
- Applying by mail skips the trip to Seattle entirely, but requires a notary and only accepts check, money order, or cashier’s check — budget extra mailing time on top of the 3-day wait.
- Remind whoever performs your ceremony about the 30-day return deadline for the Certificate of Marriage; a late return delays your certified copies.
More questions about getting married in King County
Can we apply for a King County marriage license entirely by mail?
Yes. Print the application, sign it in front of a notary, and mail it with a check, money order, or cashier’s check for $169 to the King County Recorder’s office. The county mails back the license and paperwork.
Who is responsible for returning our King County marriage certificate after the ceremony?
The officiant, not the couple. Washington law requires whoever performed the ceremony to complete and return the Certificate of Marriage to the county within 30 days.
How much does a certified copy cost in King County?
$3 each, available about 10 business days after the completed Certificate of Marriage is returned to the county.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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