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are marriage records public in washington state

by Barrett Fadel Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The State of Washington is an open record state. Anyone may order copies of Washington marriage certificates, as long as they can provide the required information. More information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register.Jul 21, 2022

How do you search for marriage records?

Marriage license records from 1972 to present are viewable online. Go to Online Search of Official Records, and enter either spouse's name at the time of marriage (Record Type for this search is MAR). There is no charge to view a marriage document in person or online.

Where can you find free online marriage records?

Top Free Online Marriage Indexes and Databases

  • FamilySearch: Birth, Marriage & Death Collections. ...
  • FreeBMD. ...
  • Jewish Records Indexing - Poland. ...
  • GenWed.com. ...
  • West Virginia Marriage Records Search. ...
  • Las Vegas, Nevada Marriage Records. ...
  • Illinois Statewide Marriage Index. ...
  • New York City Marriage Index. ...
  • Minnesota Official Marriage System. ...
  • Maine Marriage Records 1892-1966, 1977-2009. ...

How do you obtain a marriage license in Washington State?

To do so please follow the steps below:

  • Submit your Marriage Application online.
  • After the Marriage Application is completed, the system will state Document Submitted -On Line Marriage XXXXX. ...
  • Please download the Marriage Application and have it signed in front of a notary public.
  • Mail this and notate your phone number to:

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What are the marriage laws in Washington State?

What are the marriage laws in Washington state?

  • Age requirements. Persons applying for a marriage license must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Residency: It's OK. You do not need to be a resident of Washington state to be married in Washington state.
  • Auditor's office.
  • No blood test.
  • License time limits.
  • Online applications.
  • License cost.
  • License signatures.

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How do I find marriage records in Washington state?

For recent marriage certificates from the last 2 months, contact the county auditor where the license was filed. For divorce certificates, contact the county clerk. For marriage certificates before January 1, 1968, the Washington State Archives has copies of many of them.

How do I find free marriage records in Washington state?

Free marriage records in Washington do not exist. However, interested parties can access these records by paying relatively inexpensive fees. Marriage records from before 1968 are held and maintained by the County Auditor, and records from 1968 to present are held and maintained by the Washington Department of Health.

Are divorce records public in WA state?

Are Washington Divorce Records Public Records? Washington divorce records should always be available to the public unless sealed by a judge or court order. Any person can order certified copies of divorce certificates, and when requesting through the WDH, it is not necessary to provide valid identification.

Are US marriage records public?

Marriage licenses and divorces are public records and are available to anyone that requests them. Divorce records can be sealed under certain situations. In the case where they are sealed they will no longer be available to the general public.

How do i find divorce records in Washington?

Washington Divorce Records before 1968 are held by the County Clerk, after 1968, they are held by the Health DepartmentFor divorces between 1935 and 1967, you must search under the "General Plaintiff" index.For divorces between 1968 and 1979, you must search under the "Domestic" index.More items...

How do I check my marital status?

Verifying your marital status You can also sms the letter M followed by your ID number (example: M 5001010050080) to 32551 A reply sms will be sent back to your cellphone to confirm your marital status and the date of your marriage.

Can you check if someone is divorced?

Divorce records, like marriage records, are public. You can search for divorce records from the comfort of your own home, or you can visit the state's Department of Health and Vital Records. Although records are sometimes free, you might need to pay to use certain private or state services.

Are birth records public in Washington?

Yes. Washington birth records are presently considered public records in Washington.

How does divorce work in Washington state?

Washington is a “no-fault” divorce state. You do not need to prove a spouse was “at fault.” You must only prove irreconcilable differences: you no longer get along. What does a divorce do? It legally ends your marriage.

Can you look up someone to see if they are married?

Today, information relating to marriage between two people is publicly registered and accessible. The state office for vital records, or the state equivalent, provides access to marriage license records and issues official and certified copies of marriage documents to persons authorized by law to obtain them.

How does Social Security verify marriage?

You prove a ceremonial marriage by providing: A certified copy of the public record of the marriage; A certified copy of the religious record of the marriage; or. The original marriage certificate.

How can I find when my parents were married?

County level records – Look for marriage licenses, registers , bonds and minister's returns in county records. These may be at the county courthouse and/or in the state archives. Various collections can be found in online databases such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org , Ancestry.com or FindMyPast.com.

Where do I get a copy of my marriage certificate in Washington state?

The Department of Health issues certified copies of vital records (or “certificates”) for births, deaths, stillbirths, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces that took place in the state of Washington.

How do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate in King county WA?

Please call (206) 263-2480 or email the Archives if you have any questions. The Archives currently has a turnaround of 15-20 business days for recorded document copy requests.

How do I find marriage records in Clark county Washington?

Copy RequestIn person: Copies are available at: Clark County Public Service Center. ... By mail: Please mail your completed Request for Certified Copy Form with payment (check or money order) and self-addressed stamped envelope to: ... Online: Copies may be requested here or from Washington State Digital Archives.

How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in Washington state?

How do I request a marriage or divorce certificate?Submit an application with required pieces of information.Pay the applicable fee(s). The base fee starts at $25 per copy. Other fees may apply depending on ordering or shipping method.

What are Washington Marriage Records?

Washington marriage records include all the information about a marriage proceeding or ceremony. Inside, they include Marriage Certificates and Marriage Licenses. This is the most complete proof of marriage in the state of Washington, and the documents inside it can be used to fulfill different legal needs.

How to get free marriage records in Washington?

Free marriage records in Washington do not exist. However, interested parties can access these records by paying relatively inexpensive fees. Marriage records from before 1968 are held and maintained by the County Auditor, and records from 1968 to present are held and maintained by the Washington Department of Health. One can access these through the state from the State Department of Health or their local Washington county health department. These records may not come with verification, but unverified records can still serve a number of purposes. It is important to confirm with the Washington Department of Health whether the records that are being accessed are fit to serve the requesting party’s needs.

How do I get my Marriage Certificate in Washington?

To order one's own marriage certificate in Washington, check to see what government entity is holding them. All marriages from 1968 to present are held in the State Department of Health or a local Washington county health department. To begin the process, start by filling out an application or written statement. If ordering in-person, fill out the counter application. If mailing in the request, fill out the mail order application. These applications require one to know general information about the marriage, including the names of the spouses, and the date and county that the marriage took place in. The fees for these records vary. For in-person requests, visit

How old do you have to be to get a marriage license?

It is also possible to obtain a marriage license at 17 years old if previously emancipated, and those documents should be brought at the time of applying.

What is family court records?

Family Court Records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain personal information of those involved and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records, and may not be available through government sources or third party public record websites.

What is state records?

Staterecords.org is a privately owned, independently run resource for government-generated public records. It is not operated by, affiliated or associated with any state, local or federal government or agency.

Is StateRecords a consumer reporting agency?

Staterecords.org is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") and should not be used to determine an individual's eligibility for personal credit or employment, tenant screening or to assess risk associated with a business transaction. You understand and agree that you may not use information provided by Staterecords.org for any unlawful purpose, such as stalking or harassing others, and including for any purpose under the FCRA.

Why is it important to trace out the roots of a marriage?

Tracing out the roots is the main objective why marriage documentation is done and preserved for future generation. Knowing one’s family history brings awareness of the past that makes one feel more complete. Other reasons are for any legal proceedings where the records stand as a proof of evidence.

Is there an online search service in Washington?

Apart from the purely manual procedure, an online service is also available in Washington. There would still be a standard operating procedure though in order to proceed, but it would not be as lengthy as the typical manual searching of files.

Where are vital records held in Washington State?

However, many Washington counties have given the vital records they collected to the Washington State Archives . The Archives has begun to put many of the vital records in their collection up on their Digital Archives site. Vital records collected by Washington State are held by the Department of Health. For information about Vital Records in other ...

When was the birth index in Washington?

WA Birth Index July 1, 1907 - 1919 - on Ancestry.com (State Library has a subscription - You will need to be in the library to use it. There is no remote access) WA Birth Index July 1, 1907 - 1929 - on microfilm at the State Library * the index is listed by father's name.

What year was the WA death index?

WA Death Index 1940-1996 - on Ancestry.com (State Library has a subscription - You will need to be in the library to use it. There is no remote access); Ancestry's index has gaps, the largest being 1955-1964.

Does the divorce ledger show the filing date?

The ledgers will only provide the filing date of the case-- not the final date of divorce.

Where to Find Marriage Records?

Online: In the past, the two main bodies that kept official marriage records were religious bodies such as churches and the state’s offices for vital records or their equivalent in each state. Today, information relating to marriage between persons is publicly registered and can be obtained online through verifiable websites like staterecords.org which provide easy access to the public records in full compliance with all laws relating to the confidentiality of certain information.

How to get marriage records?

To obtain marriage records, some states require the applicants to fill request forms and pay necessary charges while submitting the form online. The applicant may be required to fill necessary fields requesting for information that would aid in finding the specific records sought.

Why are Marriage Records Important?

Compliance to Law: Maintenance of marriage record is in compliance to local statutes. Each state in the US has a family law or code requiring the registration of vital records and provides the legal process for obtaining a marriage license and filing a marriage certificate. The States are also obligated under their public access to information laws to provide access to the vital records so kept.

What are the Possible Uses of Marriage Records?

Change of name: A certified marriage certificate is required for changing from one’s last name to marital name or the other spouse’s last name, before the name is reflected on be reflected on important documents such as international passport, social security card, driver’s license, tax, insurance and bank documents etc.

What Information is Required to Obtain Marriage Records?

Providing all or some of the following information may foster easier location and access for the applicant as well as the record keeper or the online public record service provider:

Why is a marriage certificate needed?

Marriage certificate may be necessary as supporting documents for many other transactions that require proof of a person’s marital status.

What is public record?

Marriage Records. Marriage is a binding legal contract between two people and records relating to marriage are documents kept by the government or local authorities as proof that a marriage has occurred. Marriage records serve as a legal and official evidence of the marital union.

How long is a marriage license valid in Washington?

Licenses are valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony in Washington?

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.

How to change your surname after marriage?

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.

How long does it take to change your name after marriage in Washington?

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.

How to check if you were married in 1991?

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.

What should my name reflect on my marriage application?

Your application should reflect your current full, legal names , not the name (s) you intend to take after marriage.

Where is the King County Recorder's Office?

The King County Recorder's Office, located in the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle, is currently closed for walk-in service. Please see the links below for alternative service delivery options. Staff are also available by phone at 206-477-6620 or [email protected] to assist customers.

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1.Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record | Washington …

Url:https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/ordering-vital-record/marriage-or-divorce-record

32 hours ago You can obtain Washington state marriage and divorce records as certified copies (or “certificates”). The Department of Health can also provide you with a letter of single status (Single Status Letter) if you are traveling to another country to get married. What does it cost? …

2.How to Find Washington Marriage Records

Url:https://washington.staterecords.org/marriagerecords

4 hours ago While Washington Marriage Records are public, they represent some of the most difficult records to obtain due to the personal nature of the information within. Government …

3.Washington Marriage Records | Enter Name and Search …

Url:https://gov-record.org/washington-marriage-records/

25 hours ago Washington based citizens may look for marriage documents at the state’s Department of Health Vital Records office. Any transactions that relate to marriage must be coursed through …

4.Vital Records in Washington State - Washington State …

Url:https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/vitalrecords.aspx

5 hours ago How to find Washington State MARRIAGE & DIVORCE Records handout; King County (Seattle) Marriage Index 1975 - present available from the King County Recorder's Office (select …

5.Marriage and Divorce Data | Washington State …

Url:https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/health-statistics/marriage-and-divorce

20 hours ago The filing of marriage certificates at the state level began in 1968. The department does not have information about marriages or other legal unions that occurred outside of Washington State, …

6.How to Find Washington Marriage Records • FamilySearch

Url:https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/How_to_Find_Washington_Marriage_Records

30 hours ago  · The State of Washington is an open record state. Anyone may order copies of Washington marriage certificates, as long as they can provide the required information. More …

7.Marriage State Records | StateRecords.org

Url:https://staterecords.org/vital/marriage

7 hours ago Washington Marriage Records. Washington based citizens may look for marriage documents at the state's Department of Health Vital Records office. Any transactions that relate to marriage …

8.Marriage licensing - King County - King County, Washington

Url:https://kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/recorders-office/marriage-licensing.aspx

10 hours ago Marriage records are classified as vital records and are usually a matter of public record. Obtaining a marriage record is often possible, and can be useful in a variety of circumstances. …

9.Washington Marriage Records Search - County Office

Url:https://www.countyoffice.org/wa-marriage-records/

2 hours ago A marriage license purchased from any county in Washington State can be used to get married anywhere in Washington State. Applicants do not have to apply for their marriage license in the …

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