Find Kennewick Marriage Records

Kennewick marriage records are issued and maintained by the Benton County Auditor. If you live in Kennewick and need a marriage license, or if you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate from a past ceremony, the Benton County Auditor handles those requests. Kennewick residents have direct access through the county's sub-office located on West Canal Drive. For older records before 1968, the county holds those on file, and newer records from 1968 onward are also available through the Washington State Department of Health. This page covers where to go, what to bring, and what each step costs.

Benton County Auditor - Kennewick Office

Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County, and the county auditor maintains a sub-office right in the city for resident convenience. This is where you go to apply for a marriage license or to get certified copies of county-held marriage records. The Kennewick sub-office is on West Okanogan Place near the Justice Center.

Benton County also has its main auditor office in Prosser, the county seat. Either location can handle your request. The Kennewick location is generally more convenient for city residents since it is closer than driving to Prosser. Both offices follow the same fee schedule and procedures.

The City of Kennewick maintains its own municipal records through the City Clerk at 210 W Sixth Ave, PO Box 6108, Kennewick WA 99336. That office handles city government records like permits and city council minutes. For marriage records, they refer residents to the county auditor.

The Benton County Clerk also maintains court records including dissolution records. The Justice Center at 7122 West Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick handles court-related requests. Phone: (509) 735-8388.

Marriage License Process for Kennewick Residents

Applying for a marriage license in Benton County requires both parties to appear in person. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. Washington does not require a blood test. The county does not accept online applications for the license itself, though you may be able to pre-fill some information before your visit.

Under RCW 26.04.180, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period before the ceremony can take place. The license stays valid for 60 days after that waiting period expires. If you do not use it within that window, you would need to apply again. Plan the timing carefully so your ceremony date falls within the valid period.

After the ceremony, the person who officiates returns the completed license to the Benton County Auditor. The auditor's office then files the official record. Certified copies of that record cost $3 each from the county, or $1 per page for plain photocopies. The county holds these records for marriages that were licensed in Benton County.

Certified Copies of Kennewick Marriage Records

Where you get a certified copy depends on when the marriage took place. Two main sources exist for Kennewick-area marriage records.

For marriages that happened before 1968, the Benton County Auditor holds the original records. Certified copies cost $3 each. Photocopies without certification are available for $1 per page. Contact the Kennewick sub-office at (509) 736-2727 or email auditor@co.benton.wa.us to start the request. You will need the names of the parties and the approximate date of the marriage. The office can often process requests the same day if you visit in person.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health maintains certified copies. The DOH base fee is $25 per certified copy. An optional apostille adds $15 if you need the document for international use. You can order through doh.wa.gov directly or use VitalChek for expedited service. Mail orders take about 6 to 8 weeks. VitalChek orders are typically processed in 3 to 7 business days. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family relationship.

Historical Marriage Records - Kennewick Area

For older Kennewick-area marriages, the Washington State Digital Archives is a good first stop. The Digital Archives holds Benton County historical records and other county collections. You can search at no cost at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The site has records going back to the 1800s for many Washington counties.

Benton County Auditor records cover marriages licensed in the county before the state began its statewide registration system. The Prosser main office is where most historical paper records are kept. If you are researching a marriage from the early or mid-1900s, contact the Prosser office at (509) 786-5620 first. They can tell you if the record exists and how to get a copy.

Online Records and Search Tools

The Benton County Auditor website at co.benton.wa.us has information on requesting records online, by mail, or in person. The Washington State Digital Archives offers a free searchable database. The DOH provides a paid online ordering portal for certified copies from 1968 onward.

You can also search court records for Benton County through the Washington Courts case search tool. That is useful if you are looking for dissolution of marriage records rather than the marriage license itself. The Benton County Clerk maintains those files. Dissolution records and marriage license records are separate and held by different offices.

For general public records requests at the city level, the Kennewick City Clerk at (509) 585-4273 processes requests under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. That office does not handle marriage records but can assist with other city-level documents.

Benton County Marriage Records

Kennewick is in Benton County. All marriage licenses and records for Kennewick residents are handled through the Benton County Auditor. The county page covers the full process, fees, office hours, and access options for all Benton County residents.

View Benton County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

Richland and Pasco are the other major cities in the Tri-Cities area and share the same regional resources.