Redmond Marriage Records Lookup
Redmond marriage records are handled by the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. Washington does not issue marriage licenses through city offices, so Redmond residents who need a license, a certified copy of a marriage certificate, or access to historical records must go through King County. The county holds over 1.6 million marriage records in the Washington State Digital Archives going back to 1855, making it one of the most extensive county marriage record collections in the state. This page covers licensing, certified copies, historical research, and how to search King County marriage records from Redmond.
Redmond Overview
King County Recorder - Marriage Records
The King County Recorder's Office at 201 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104, is the office that issues marriage licenses and holds marriage records for all of King County, including Redmond. The phone number is (206) 296-1655. The Recorder's Office website is at kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/recorders-office.aspx.
King County marriage records go back to 1855, well before Washington became a state. Certified copies of King County marriage certificates cost $3 each. The Recorder's Office handles in-person requests, mail requests, and in some cases online requests depending on the record year. Call (206) 296-1655 to confirm the best method for the specific record you need.
| Office | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 S Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-1655 |
| License Fee | $69 |
| Certified Copy Fee | $3 each |
| Single Status Search | $8 (1-5 years), $16 (5-10 years), $24 (10-15 years), $32 (15-20 years) |
The King County Superior Court at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 477-0832, handles court records for the county. Marriage ceremonies can sometimes be arranged through the court system. For licensing and certificate records, the Recorder is the right office. For court-related marriage records such as dissolution decrees, contact the Superior Court.
Getting a Marriage License as a Redmond Resident
Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after a license is issued before the ceremony can take place. Apply at the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle at least three days before your ceremony date. The three-day wait cannot be reduced or waived.
Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. The license costs $69 and is valid for 60 days. If you do not hold the ceremony within 60 days, the license expires and you must apply again. There is no grace period and no way to extend the validity.
After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to return the signed Certificate of Marriage to the King County Recorder's Office. Under RCW 26.04.050, authorized officiants include judges, licensed ministers, and ordained clergy. Washington's Marriage Equality Act has been in effect since December 6, 2012, and all licenses use Person A and Person B terminology. All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170.
Certified Copies and Single Status Searches
Certified copies of King County marriage certificates cost $3 each. Requests can be made in person at the Seattle office, by mail, or by phone. For mail requests, include both parties' names, the approximate year of the marriage, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail to the King County Recorder's Office at 201 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104.
Single-status searches, which verify whether someone has a marriage record in King County, are available at tiered fees. A search covering 1 to 5 years costs $8. A 5 to 10 year search costs $16. A 10 to 15 year search costs $24. A 15 to 20 year search costs $32. These searches are useful for legal purposes such as immigration applications or estate matters. Contact the Recorder's Office at (206) 296-1655 to initiate a search.
The Washington State Department of Health holds statewide certified marriage records from 1968 to the present. A certified copy from DOH costs $25 and can be ordered through VitalChek online or by phone, or mailed directly to DOH. Online orders take 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks. For marriages before 1968, DOH does not hold records. The King County Recorder or the Digital Archives are the right sources for those.
Redmond Public Records Directory
For marriage licenses and certified copies, go to the King County Recorder at (206) 296-1655. For other Redmond-specific records such as city contracts, permits, or council minutes, the City of Redmond at PO Box 97010, Redmond, WA 98073-9710, (425) 556-2900, is the right contact. Marriage records are at the county level, not the city level, in Washington.
King County's massive Digital Archives collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov has 1,610,882 records from 1855 to 2017. The link below goes to that collection directly.
The Digital Archives search is free. No account is required. Images of original records are included for most entries. The collection covers King County marriages from 1855 to 2017, which includes all marriages recorded in the Redmond area up to that point. For records after 2017, contact the King County Recorder's Office directly.
Historical King County Marriage Records
King County has the most extensive marriage record collection in Washington. The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds 1,610,882 records covering 1855 to 2017. This includes marriages from the Redmond area, though Redmond was a much smaller community through most of that period. Records from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s reflect marriages in the broader King County area before suburban growth made Redmond a major city.
The Washington State Library and King County Archives hold additional records that complement the Digital Archives. For marriages from 1990 to the present that fall outside the digitized window in the Digital Archives, the King County Recorder's Office and the King County Archives are the right sources. Call (206) 296-1655 to ask about availability for specific years.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch also carry King County marriage records, particularly for the older portions of the collection. Using both the Digital Archives and these third-party tools gives the best coverage for research going back into the 1800s. For modern records, the Recorder's Office is the most reliable and authoritative source.
Washington State DOH Records for Redmond
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds certified marriage records statewide from 1968 to the present. This is a good option for Redmond residents who want to order a certified copy without going to the Seattle office. VitalChek orders take 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks.
Anyone can request a copy from DOH. You do not need to be a party to the marriage. Certified copies are $25 each. For marriages before 1968, DOH has no records. Go to the King County Recorder or the Digital Archives for those older records.
If you need a single-status letter confirming whether someone is currently married in Washington, contact the King County Recorder at (206) 296-1655 or DOH at 1-800-525-0127 for statewide coverage. Both offices can assist, though fees and search formats differ.
King County Marriage Records
Redmond is in King County. Marriage licenses for Redmond residents come from the King County Recorder. The county page has full office details, fee schedules, and historical record resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also use county auditors for marriage records.