Find Marriage Records in Bremerton

Bremerton marriage records are managed by the Kitsap County Auditor, not by the city. The auditor's office in Port Orchard issues marriage licenses, keeps official certificates, and handles copy requests for all Kitsap County marriages, including those involving Bremerton residents. Whether you need to apply for a license, track down a historical record, or order a certified copy for legal purposes, this guide walks you through each step and points you to the right offices across the county and state.

Kitsap County Auditor - Marriage License for Bremerton

The Kitsap County Auditor issues all marriage licenses for Bremerton residents. The office is in Port Orchard, not in Bremerton itself. Both applicants must appear in person to complete the application. You can save time by filling out the online portion of the application at home before your visit, but you still need to come in to finalize it and pay.

The current fee is $172. Be aware that a fee increase of $100 is scheduled to take effect beginning July 27, 2025. If you plan to apply near that date, call ahead to confirm the current amount. The office accepts various payment methods; confirm what is accepted when you call.

After you pay and the license is issued, the mandatory three-day waiting period begins. You cannot hold your ceremony before that window closes. The license is then good for 60 days. Use it or lose it. If 60 days pass and you have not married, you need to apply again.

The Kitsap County Auditor's marriage license page is a good starting point before your visit. The page covers the online pre-application process, required identification, and the current fee schedule including the upcoming increase.

Note that Washington State requires no blood test. Both applicants just need valid photo ID. There is no residency requirement either. Anyone can apply in Kitsap County regardless of where they live, as long as the ceremony takes place in Washington.

Licensing Services and Affidavit of Correction

If you need to correct information on a marriage certificate after it has been filed, Kitsap County offers an Affidavit of Correction form. You can get the PDF from the auditor's licensing page. A lost marriage certificate can also be replaced; the process is handled through the same office.

The licensing page at kitsapgov.com/auditor/Pages/licensing.aspx lists the forms and instructions for corrections and replacements. Download the Affidavit of Correction PDF directly from that page if you need to fix a name, date, or other detail on an existing record.

Corrections to vital records sometimes require supporting documentation. Bring original documents like a birth certificate or passport when you submit a correction request. Call the office at (360) 337-7164 before your visit if you are unsure what to bring.

Online Services for Bremerton Marriage Records

Kitsap County offers several online tools for marriage records. You can start the marriage license application online, submit public records requests electronically, and search recorded documents through the county's online portal.

The online services page at kitsapgov.com links to marriage license applications and the public records request system. Public records requests can be submitted to publicrecords@kitsap.gov. The document search portal at psearch.kitsapgov.com lets you look up recorded marriage documents online.

Certified copies ordered through the online document search cost $5 for the first page. Standard certified copies obtained in person or by mail are $10. These are current prices, but call ahead to confirm since fees can change.

For public records requests, Kitsap County typically responds within five business days, though complex requests may take longer. Email is the fastest way to get a response for simple copy requests.

Washington State Law and the Three-Day Wait

The three-day waiting period is set by RCW 26.04.180. No court or official can waive it. Apply on Monday, hold the ceremony on Thursday at the earliest. Apply on Thursday, the earliest ceremony date is Sunday.

Authorized officiants include judges, justices of the peace, ordained ministers, and certain other religious officials. The full list is in RCW 26.04.050. Kitsap District Court judges can perform ceremonies; call (360) 337-7033 to inquire about scheduling. Two witnesses who are present at the ceremony must sign the certificate.

Your officiant must return the completed Certificate of Marriage to the county within 30 days of the ceremony. That returned certificate is what creates the official legal record. If your officiant fails to return it, follow up with them promptly. A missing certificate can cause problems later when you need to prove the marriage.

Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect December 6, 2012. Certificates issued after that date list Person A and Person B instead of groom and bride. This is a legal distinction that shows up in official documents and archives.

Historical Bremerton and Kitsap County Marriage Records

The Washington State Digital Archives holds a Kitsap County marriage collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The collection includes 153,158 records: marriage returns from 1900 to 1910, certificates from 1860 to 2014, and a Soundex index. Access is free and no account is needed.

Kitsap County was founded in 1857. It was originally called Slaughter County and was renamed Kitsap in 1857 after Chief Kitsap, a leader of the Suquamish people. Records from the early county period are included in the Digital Archives collection, though some older records may be incomplete or only partially digitized.

For marriages from 1968 to present, the Washington State Department of Health holds statewide records. Contact DOH at 360-236-4300 or email ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov. VitalChek orders can be placed at doh.wa.gov for $25 per certified copy. Call VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. Mail orders go to DOH directly and take about 6-8 weeks to process.

For very recent marriages (within about five months of the ceremony), DOH may not yet have the record. In that case, contact the Kitsap County Auditor directly for a certified copy.

Kitsap County Marriage Records

Bremerton is in Kitsap County. All marriage licenses for Bremerton residents come from the Kitsap County Auditor. Visit the county page for full office details, fee schedules, and historical record resources.

View Kitsap County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Bremerton. Each uses its own county auditor for marriage records.