|
Applying for a
Marriage License in Washington State
In Washington State, the minimum age for a marriage applicant is 18.
People who are underage will need parental consent to apply. Same sex
marriages are not recognized in Washington State. There is no residency
requirement in Washington State to apply for a marriage license, but the
marriage ceremony must be performed in Washington State.
Applicants do not need to provide divorce papers if they have been
divorced prior to the impending marriage. However, until the divorce is
finalized, applicants cannot apply for a license. A valid marriage must
be between two people who understand that they are being married and the
legal implications of marriage. There is a 3-day waiting period in
Washington State for the marriage icense. The marriage license fee is
$60.
Keeping your name after marriage
In Washington State, both marrying parties have the right to keep and
change their names. It is totally depended on the individuals'
preferences to decide whether they want to adopt a each other's name or
even a new name in their marriage life. However, unless the woman follow
the traditional pattern to adopt her new husband's last name, any name
change is required to file a petition to the court for an official order
changing your name.
If a woman want to adopt her husband's name upon marriage, she
doesn't need to do anything beyond promptly beginning to use that name.
She should be sure that her identification, accounts, and other
important documents are updated with her new name.
The Marriage Ceremony
The marriage ceremony must take place in Washington State. The only
requirement during the marriage ceremony is that the bride and groom
each declare, in the presence of two witnesses and the officiant, that
they take each other to be husband and wife. Proxy marriages are not
recognized. The two parties must be present before the two witnesses and
the officiant in order for the ceremony to be performed.
Public Disclosure of Marriage Records
Marriage records are publicly disclosed unless, unless the parties
have already been the participants of the office of the secretary of
State Address Confidentiality Program before the marriage license is
issued. In Washington State, the marriage applications are retained for
six years, and the copies can be obtained from the Records Division.
Marriage certificates, on the other hand, are permanent records.
Marriage Licenses fees
The Washington State marriage license fee is 60 US dollars. The fee
is authorized and established by the State legislature. State law
authorizes Counties to collect up to $8 for processing marriage
licenses, $8 to be used for Family Court, $15 to be used for family
services in the County, $2 for the King County Council, and $4 for
recording fees.
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 401 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:
http://www.metrokc.gov/recelec/records/recorderServices.htm, but
you are not required to do so.
|
