Auburn Marriage Records
Auburn residents who need marriage records or want to get a marriage license go through King County. The King County Recorder handles all marriage license applications and keeps the official records for Auburn and the rest of King County. Whether you want to get married, search for a past marriage, or order a certified copy of a marriage certificate, this page walks you through what to do and where to go. Records go back to 1855 in the county archives and digital records cover more than 1.6 million marriages.
Auburn Overview
King County Recorder - Auburn Marriage Licenses
Auburn does not issue marriage licenses. The city is in King County, and the King County Recorder handles all marriage licensing for Auburn residents. You apply at the Recorder's office in Seattle, not at Auburn City Hall. Both people getting married must appear in person to apply. The office is open Monday through Friday and you can also start parts of the process online.
The Recorder's office is located in downtown Seattle. If you are coming from Auburn, budget time for the drive and possible parking costs. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The office processes applications the same day, and your three-day waiting period starts once the license is issued.
| Office | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-1570 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/recorders-office.aspx |
| Fee | $69 per marriage license |
| Certified Copies | $3 per copy |
The King County Recorder page at kingcounty.gov has current hours, the online application form, and details on what to bring. Confirm before you go, as hours can change.
The Recorder's office took over marriage licensing from the County Auditor in 1970. It keeps original marriage applications, returns, and certificates for all marriages in King County. That makes it the primary records source for Auburn marriages both past and present.
The King County Recorder maintains the official marriage record collection for Auburn and all of King County. You can visit the office in person or use the online portal to order certified copies of marriage certificates.
Getting a Marriage License in Auburn
Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period between when you get your license and when you can hold the ceremony. This is set by RCW 26.04.180 and it cannot be waived by a court or anyone else. Plan your timeline carefully. If you apply on a Monday, the earliest you can marry is Thursday. Apply Tuesday and the earliest is Friday. Apply Wednesday and the earliest is Saturday.
Your license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it within 60 days, it expires and you will need to apply again and pay the fee again. Both people must be at least 18 years old. You both need to appear in person at the Recorder's office. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. Payment is due at the time of application. King County accepts cash, credit, and debit cards.
After the ceremony, the person who performed it must complete the Certificate of Marriage form and return it to the King County Recorder's office. That return creates the official record. Without the returned certificate, the marriage may not appear in county records. Make sure whoever performs your ceremony knows this step.
Note: Online pre-application is available at kingcounty.gov, which can speed up your time at the office on the day you apply.
Certified Copies of Auburn Marriage Records
Once your marriage certificate has been filed with King County, you can order certified copies. You will need certified copies for things like changing your name with Social Security, updating your driver's license, applying for a passport, or handling military benefits. A certified copy carries an official seal and is accepted as legal proof of marriage.
King County charges $3 per certified copy. You can order in person at the Recorder's office, by mail, or online. The online portal at kingcounty.gov/recorder is the fastest way if you cannot visit in person. Mail requests take longer, so factor that into your plans if you have a deadline for a name change or other legal purpose.
The Washington State Department of Health also keeps marriage records from 1968 to the present. Certified copies from DOH cost $25 per copy and are available through VitalChek or by calling 1-866-687-1464. VitalChek orders process in about 3-7 business days. Mail orders sent to DOH take 6-8 weeks. For very recent marriages (within the last 5 months), the record may not be at DOH yet. In that case, go directly to King County.
Note: For Auburn marriages that happened before 1968, DOH does not have the record. Contact King County directly for those older certificates.
Historical Auburn Marriage Records
King County has kept marriage records since 1855. That gives Auburn a deep archive of historical marriage data going back well before Auburn was incorporated. These older records are valuable for genealogy research, probate matters, and family history projects.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds an indexed and imaged collection of King County marriage records from 1855 to 2017. The collection covers more than 1,610,882 records. You can search by the names of both parties and by year. The Digital Archives uses Soundex searching, which helps find records even when the spelling of a surname varies. Prior to December 6, 2012, records list a groom and a bride. After the Marriage Equality Act took effect, the terms changed to Person A and Person B.
For marriages from 1990 to the present, the King County Archives and the Recorder's office are the main sources. The Seattle Public Library also holds a statewide marriage index covering 1968 to 2003, which can be useful for cross-checking records across counties.
Researchers doing family history work in Auburn should start with the Digital Archives for older records, then move to the Recorder's office for anything more recent. Staff at the archives can help identify gaps or point you to related collections.
Search Auburn Marriage Records Online
The Washington State Digital Archives offers free online searching for historical King County marriage records. You can access the collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov. No account is required. Searches can be done by last name, first name, middle name, and year of marriage. Images of the original documents are available for most records.
For current records and certified copies, use the King County Recorder's online portal. You can search recent records and place copy orders without visiting the office. The portal is linked from the main King County Records page.
The DOH vital records site at doh.wa.gov covers statewide marriage records from 1968 to present. If you are not sure which county a marriage was recorded in, DOH is a good starting point because it covers all Washington counties. VitalChek is the only contracted third-party vendor for DOH orders.
Auburn City Hall does not hold marriage records and cannot fill records requests for marriage certificates. All requests go to King County or DOH. The city's public records office handles city government documents only.
King County Marriage Records
Auburn is in King County, and all marriage licenses and records for the city run through King County. The county holds records dating back to 1855 and serves all Auburn residents for licensing, copies, and historical research.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also file marriage records through their respective county offices.