Sammamish Marriage Records
Sammamish marriage records are managed by the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle. Sammamish was an unincorporated area of King County until it incorporated as a city in 1999, which means pre-1999 marriage records connected to the area were recorded under the broader King County system. For current licensing and certified copies, the King County Recorder at 201 S Jackson Street is the correct office for all Sammamish residents. King County holds over 1.6 million marriage records in the Washington State Digital Archives going back to 1855. This guide covers licensing, certified copies, single-status searches, and historical research for the Sammamish area.
Sammamish Overview
King County Recorder - Marriage Licensing for Sammamish
The King County Recorder's Office at 201 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104, is the office that issues marriage licenses and holds certified marriage records for all of King County, including Sammamish. The phone number is (206) 296-1655. The Recorder's page is at kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/recorders-office.aspx.
Sammamish does not have a city-level records office for marriage licensing. Washington state designates county auditors and recorders as the sole authorities for marriage licensing and certification. The City of Sammamish handles local city administration, but marriage records are entirely a county function. Any question about a Sammamish marriage record goes to King County at (206) 296-1655.
| 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 yrs), $16 (5-10 yrs), $24 (10-15 yrs), $32 (15-20 yrs) |
| Photo ID Required | Yes - valid government-issued ID |
Marriage records from 1855 to 1989 are held at the Washington State Digital Archives. Records from 1990 to the present are available through the King County Archives or directly from the Recorder's Office. Call (206) 296-1655 to determine which system holds the specific record you need and the best method for requesting a copy.
Marriage License Requirements
Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period between license issuance and the ceremony date. No waiver exists. No exception applies. Apply at least three days before the wedding, and ideally several days ahead to avoid stress if there are any delays at the Recorder's Office.
Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. The license costs $69. It is valid for 60 days from issuance. After 60 days, the license expires. The only option is to reapply and pay the $69 fee again. Plan the timing carefully so the license is still valid on the ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed and signed Certificate of Marriage to the King County Recorder within 30 days. Under RCW 26.04.050, authorized officiants include judges, licensed ministers, and ordained clergy. The returned certificate is what creates the legal marriage record. If the officiant fails to return it on time, follow up with the Recorder's Office. Washington's Marriage Equality Act, effective December 6, 2012, applies Person A and Person B terminology to all licenses. 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. Single-status searches, which verify whether a person has a marriage record in King County, are available at tiered rates based on the number of years searched. A 1 to 5 year search costs $8. A 5 to 10 year search costs $16. A 10 to 15 year search is $24. A 15 to 20 year search is $32. Contact the Recorder at (206) 296-1655 to initiate a search or request copies.
For mail requests, include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the marriage, your return address, and payment. Mail to the King County Recorder's Office at 201 S Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104. Checks or money orders should be made payable to King County Recorder. In-person requests are typically processed the same day.
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov holds statewide certified records from 1968 to the present. Copies cost $25 and can be ordered through VitalChek online or by mail. VitalChek orders take 3 to 7 business days. Mail to DOH takes 6 to 8 weeks. Anyone can request a copy without needing to be a party to the marriage.
King County Superior Court Records for Sammamish
The King County Superior Court serves all of King County including Sammamish for court proceedings related to marriage, including dissolution and divorce. The court is at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle.
The King County Superior Court at (206) 477-0832 handles divorce and dissolution records for Sammamish. Marriage licenses and certificates go through the King County Recorder at (206) 296-1655. These are separate offices with separate record systems. If you need a marriage certificate, call the Recorder. If you need a divorce decree, call the Superior Court. Knowing the difference before you call saves time.
The King County Digital Archives collection is one of the most extensive in Washington. The link below goes directly to the King County marriage records collection at the Washington State Digital Archives.
The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds 1,610,882 King County records from 1855 to 2017. Search is free and images are included for most records. This is the best no-cost option for historical marriage research in the Sammamish area. Records after 2017 require contacting the King County Recorder or Archives directly.
Historical Records and Sammamish's Incorporation History
Sammamish has a distinctive records history because it did not exist as a city until 1999. Before incorporation, the area was unincorporated King County. Marriage records for Sammamish-area residents before 1999 were recorded under King County jurisdiction just as they are today, but the city name "Sammamish" would not appear in older records. Older records might list a rural route address or simply "King County" as the location.
This means that researchers looking for marriages from the Sammamish plateau area in the 1800s or early 1900s should search King County records more broadly rather than expecting the city name to appear. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov covers King County from 1855 to 2017 and is searchable by name, making it possible to find records without knowing the exact location.
The King County Archives holds records that complement the Digital Archives collection. For records between 1989 and 2017, the King County Archives or the Recorder's Office are the right sources. The digital collection for that range may not be complete online. Call (206) 296-1655 to confirm what records are accessible and through which system for any specific year.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch carry portions of King County's historical marriage records. These third-party databases are useful supplements, especially for older records where coverage in the Digital Archives may be partial or where image quality can make reading difficult. Cross-referencing multiple sources is good practice for serious genealogy research on Sammamish-area families.
Washington State Department of Health for Sammamish
DOH at doh.wa.gov holds statewide marriage records from 1968 to the present. This is useful when you are not sure which county recorded a marriage, or when you 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. Certified copies are $25 each.
For records before 1968, DOH has nothing. Go to the King County Recorder or the Digital Archives for those. The Digital Archives free collection is a better starting point than DOH for pre-1968 research because it has images and free access to over a century of King County marriage records.
For single-status verification covering all of Washington, DOH can provide a statewide search. For King County only, the Recorder at (206) 296-1655 is faster and less expensive for recent records. Both options are valid depending on the scope of the search you need.
King County Marriage Records
Sammamish is in King County. Marriage licenses for Sammamish 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.