Search Everett Marriage Records

Everett marriage records are issued and maintained by the Snohomish County Auditor, whose main office is located right in Everett. That means Everett residents have the shortest trip of any city in the county when applying for a marriage license. The auditor's office handles new license applications, certified copy requests, and historical records. This guide explains the full process from application through ceremony and how to find records going back to 1867.

Snohomish County Auditor - Marriage Licenses in Everett

The Snohomish County Auditor's marriage license office is at 3000 Rockefeller, M/S 204, Everett, WA 98201. Everett residents do not need to travel far. Both applicants must appear in person. Bring valid government-issued photo ID for each person. No blood tests are required.

The fee is $170. Payment is accepted in all common forms: cash, check, money order, or card. When you pick up the license, recording staff hand you the license itself, the Certificate of Marriage, and an information packet. Keep the certificate with you so your officiant can complete and return it after the ceremony.

You can apply in person or by mail at the same address. Mail applications must include notarized signatures or follow the auditor's specific mail instructions. Call (425) 388-3693 to confirm current mail application requirements before sending anything.

The Snohomish County Auditor's office page gives an overview of the office and its divisions. The auditor is a nonpartisan elected official who runs four divisions: elections, licensing, recording, and administrative services. The recording division at the Drewel building handles marriage licenses.

Three-Day Wait and Ceremony Rules

Washington State mandates a three-day waiting period under RCW 26.04.180. It cannot be shortened. Plan your application date based on your ceremony date. Apply on Monday and your first eligible ceremony day is Thursday. Apply on Tuesday: Friday. Apply on Wednesday: Saturday. Thursday: Sunday. Friday: Monday.

The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If you have not held the ceremony by day 60, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay the $170 fee again.

Two witnesses must be at the ceremony. Both must sign the Certificate of Marriage. Your officiant is required to return the completed certificate to Snohomish County within 30 days. That filed certificate is what creates the legal marriage record. No certificate return means no record in the county files.

Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, ordained ministers, and certain civil officials. If you want a judge to perform the ceremony, contact Snohomish County District Court or Superior Court to ask about scheduling and any fees.

Certified Copies of Everett Marriage Certificates

Snohomish County charges $3 for certified copies and $1 for unofficial copies. Records from before 1976 carry an additional $8 per hour search fee. Postage is $1 for 1-10 copies. You can order copies online, in person, by phone, or by mail.

The certified copies page at snohomishcountywa.gov walks through each ordering method. For mail requests, contact Recording@snoco.org or call 425-388-3483. The recording staff are in the Drewel building, first floor, same address as the marriage license office.

For records from 1968 to present across all of Washington State, the Department of Health at doh.wa.gov has statewide coverage. The fee is $25 per certified copy through VitalChek. VitalChek processes orders in 3-7 business days. Call 1-866-687-1464 for expedited service. Mailing directly to DOH takes 6-8 weeks.

Historical Everett and Snohomish County Marriage Records

Snohomish County historical marriage records go back to 1867 at the Washington State Digital Archives. The free collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds 396,425 records, including bulk scanned certificates from 1873 to 1919 and 1968 to 1985. It also includes marriage licenses from 1877 to 1888 and applications from 1976 to 1999.

There are gaps in the digitized index for the following years: 1948-1950, 1953-1956, 1960-1964, and 1993. For records falling in those years, contact the Snohomish County Auditor directly. Physical records may still exist and be accessible by request even if they are not in the online archive.

The Digital Archives collection is searchable by name and by Soundex code. Soundex searching is especially useful for older records where spelling of surnames varied widely. No account or fee is required to search or view images.

Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect December 6, 2012. Certificates from before that date list groom and bride. After that date they use Person A and Person B. If you are searching around 2012-2013, be aware that the terminology differs on either side of that date.

About the Snohomish County Auditor

The Snohomish County Auditor is a nonpartisan elected official. The office has four divisions. The recording division handles marriage licenses, real property records, and other legal documents. Elections handles voter registration and elections administration. Licensing handles vehicle tabs and other state licensing. Administrative services covers the rest.

The auditor's About page at snohomishcountywa.gov has a breakdown of each division and how to reach the right staff for your question. For marriage records specifically, the recording division is your contact. Email Recording@snoco.org or call 425-388-3483.

All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170. Anyone can look up a marriage application. Certified certificates on file with the county are also public records. There is no identity or relationship requirement to access them.

Snohomish County Marriage Records

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

View Snohomish County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

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