Bellevue Marriage Records Search
Marriage records for Bellevue residents are maintained by King County. The King County Recorder issues marriage licenses and keeps official marriage certificates for all of King County, which includes Bellevue and dozens of surrounding communities. If you need to apply for a license, get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, or search historical records going back to 1855, this guide points you to the right offices and tools. The city of Bellevue does not issue marriage licenses or hold marriage records directly.
Bellevue Overview
King County Recorder - Bellevue Marriage Licenses
Bellevue residents apply for marriage licenses at the King County Recorder's office. The Recorder's office is located in Seattle, not in Bellevue itself. Both applicants must appear in person. The fee is approximately $69 and you can pay by cash, credit, or debit card. Once issued, your license has a three-day waiting period before you can hold the ceremony.
Bellevue City Hall is at 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98004. The city clerk's office there handles city government records like ordinances, resolutions, and public contracts. That office does not issue or store marriage licenses. If you call Bellevue City Hall at 425-452-4283, staff can confirm they will refer you to King County for anything marriage-related.
| Office | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 S Jackson St Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/records.aspx |
| Fee | Approximately $69 per marriage license |
| Certified Copies | $3 per copy |
| Online Ordering | Available at kingcounty.gov/recorder |
The Recorder's website at kingcounty.gov has current hours and instructions for the online pre-application process. Using the online form before you visit can cut your wait time at the office.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds over 1.6 million King County marriage records from 1855 to 2017, including Bellevue marriages. The collection is free to search and includes images of original documents.
Getting a Marriage License in Bellevue
Washington State requires a three-day waiting period after you get your license. This comes from RCW 26.04.180. The wait cannot be shortened for any reason. Both people must be at least 18 years old and present at the time of application. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. The license is good for 60 days from the date of issue. If you do not use it in that window, it expires.
After your ceremony, the person who performed it must fill out and return the Certificate of Marriage to King County. This step completes the legal record. Without that returned certificate, your marriage may not show up in the official records. Make sure your officiant knows to send it back promptly. For international marriage requirements, the Washington State Department of Health can issue a single status letter confirming you are eligible to marry.
Plan your timeline from the day you apply. Monday application means Thursday is the earliest ceremony date. Tuesday means Friday, Wednesday means Saturday, and so on. Budget extra time for the drive to the Recorder's office in Seattle, since Bellevue is across the lake from downtown.
Note: King County accepts online pre-applications at kingcounty.gov/recorder, which can reduce your time at the office window on the day you apply in person.
Certified Copies of Bellevue Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of Bellevue marriage certificates are available from King County and from the Washington State Department of Health. King County charges $3 per certified copy. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the online portal. For recent marriages (within about five months), go directly to King County since DOH may not have received the record yet.
The Washington State Department of Health holds marriage records from 1968 to present. Their fee is $25 per certified copy. Anyone can request a copy; you do not need to be the person named in the record or show proof of relationship. Orders through VitalChek process in about 3-7 business days. Mail orders to DOH take 6-8 weeks. Call VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 for expedited service.
DOH also issues noncertified informational copies at the same $25 fee. These are useful when you need to confirm details but do not need an official certified copy. If you need a single status letter for a marriage abroad, contact DOH directly at 360-236-4300 or email ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov.
Historical Bellevue Marriage Records
King County marriage records stretch back to 1855, well before Bellevue was incorporated. Historical records are available through two main sources. The Washington State Digital Archives holds indexed records and images from 1855 through 2017, covering over 1.6 million King County marriages. This includes records from when King County was first formed out of Thurston County. The Digital Archives collection is searchable by name, date, and using Soundex for variant spellings.
One thing to know about the records: terms changed after December 6, 2012, when the Marriage Equality Act took effect. Before that date, records list groom and bride. After that date, records use Person A and Person B. This affects how you search for records depending on the year you are looking at.
For marriages from 1990 to the present, the King County Archives and the Recorder's office are the best local sources. The Seattle Public Library holds a statewide marriage index covering 1968 to 2003. For records before 1968, the Digital Archives or the County Archives are your best options since DOH does not have those older records.
Online Search for Bellevue Marriage Records
Start your search at the Washington State Digital Archives. The collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov is free to use and covers King County marriages from 1855 to 2017. You can search by first and last name and by year. Soundex searching finds records even when the spelling of a name differs from what you expect. No account is needed to search or view images.
For records after 2017 or to order certified copies, use the King County Recorder's online portal at kingcounty.gov/recorder. The portal lets you place copy orders without visiting the office. You will need the names of both parties and an approximate date to locate the record.
The DOH vital records portal at doh.wa.gov covers all Washington marriages from 1968 forward across every county. This is useful if you are not sure which county the marriage was recorded in or if you want to order from a single state source. Bellevue City Hall does not hold or provide marriage records; all requests go to King County or DOH.
King County Marriage Records
Bellevue sits in King County, so all marriage licensing and official records run through King County. The county page has more details on the Recorder's office, fees, and how to search the full county archive.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities are also in or near King County and handle marriage records through their respective county offices.