Find Marriage Records in Shoreline
Marriage records for Shoreline are held by the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle, which serves all residents in King County. Shoreline is a city of around 55,000 people on the northern edge of Seattle, and while it has its own city government, marriage licensing and record-keeping is entirely a county function under Washington State law. This page explains how to apply for a marriage license, get certified copies, and find older marriage records through archives and state databases.
Shoreline Overview
Where to Get a Marriage License in Shoreline
Shoreline residents go to the King County Recorder's Office to apply for a marriage license. The office is at 201 S Jackson St. in downtown Seattle. Both applicants must appear in person together. There is no option to apply online or send someone else in your place, though there is a notarization exception for parties who truly cannot appear together.
The license fee is $69. After paying and submitting your application, Washington law requires a three-day waiting period before you may legally hold your ceremony. The license is then valid for 60 days. If you do not use it within that time, you have to start the process again.
| Office | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-1655 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov - Recorder's Office |
| License Fee | $69 |
| Certified Copies | $3 per copy |
| Wait Period | 3 days (RCW 26.04.180) |
| License Valid | 60 days from issue |
Getting Certified Copies of a Marriage Certificate
Once a marriage ceremony is complete and the officiant has returned the signed certificate to the Recorder's Office, you can request certified copies. The standard fee is $3 per copy. Certified copies carry an official seal and signature, which makes them acceptable for legal and administrative purposes such as name changes on a driver's license or Social Security card, updating insurance, or opening joint bank accounts.
Order more copies than you think you need. Each agency or institution typically wants its own original certified copy. Getting several at the time of your initial request is easier and cheaper than coming back for more later. You can request copies in person at the Recorder's Office or by mail. Mail requests take longer.
If you need to confirm that someone has never been married in Washington, or is not currently married, you can request a Single Status Search through the Recorder's Office. This type of search starts at $8 and can be useful for legal proceedings or when a foreign government requires proof of marital status.
Shoreline Public Records: What the City Handles
The Shoreline City Clerk's office is at 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133. The clerk handles city government records, not marriage records. If you need ordinances, council meeting minutes, bid openings, or similar municipal documents, the clerk's office is the right contact. For marriage and vital records, you need King County.
The clerk can be reached at (206) 801-2233. Public records requests go through (206) 801-2231 or by email at prr@shorelinewa.gov. The city processes public records requests within five business days per Washington State law. You can submit a records request online at the city's public records page.
Marriage records, divorce records, and birth certificates for Shoreline residents are all maintained at the county level through King County's offices, not through the city. The directory is useful for knowing which office to call first.
King County Digital Archives: Historical Marriage Records
The King County Digital Archives holds one of the largest marriage record collections in Washington State. The collection covers over 1.6 million records dating from 1855 through 2017. This includes marriage applications, certificates, and returns. The database is free to search. No login is required.
If you are researching family history or trying to confirm whether an older marriage exists in the records, this archive is your best free starting point for King County. You can search by name, year range, and record type. Results typically include the names of both parties, the marriage date, and the record type.
The King County portion of the Washington State Digital Archives is one of the most extensive county collections available online, with records going back to the mid-1800s. The Washington State Digital Archives King County collection provides free access to marriage records from 1855 through 2017 for Shoreline and all other King County communities.
For records after 2017, contact the King County Recorder's Office directly. The digital archive only covers through 2017 at this time, though updates are made periodically as more records are digitized.
Washington State Department of Health Records
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) maintains a statewide vital records database that includes marriage records from 1968 to the present. You can order certified copies through VitalChek for $25 per record. Online orders through VitalChek typically process in 3 to 7 business days. Mail-in requests take considerably longer, often 6 to 8 weeks.
The DOH is a good option if you are not near Seattle and prefer to handle everything remotely. The ordering process is entirely online. You will need to provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and the county where the marriage took place. Acceptable identification is required before the copy is released.
The DOH only holds records from 1968 onward. For older marriages, the King County Recorder's Office or the Digital Archives collection are the right resources. There is no statewide index for marriages before 1968 that is centrally searchable.
Washington Marriage Law Basics
A few rules apply to all Washington marriages. Both parties must be at least 18. The three-day waiting period after application is required by RCW 26.04.180 and cannot be waived under any circumstances. Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. No blood tests are required.
Who can perform the ceremony is governed by RCW 26.04.050. Authorized officiants include judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and ordained ministers. The officiant must return the signed certificate to the Recorder's Office within 30 days of the ceremony. If they do not, it creates problems for the couple when trying to obtain copies later.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act became effective December 6, 2012. Since then, marriage licenses use Person A and Person B terminology instead of bride and groom. All marriages are treated the same under Washington law regardless of the parties involved. Older records issued before December 2012 use traditional terminology.
King County Marriage Records
Shoreline is in King County. Marriage licenses for Shoreline residents come from the King County Recorder's Office. The county page has full office details and historical record resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities use county auditors for marriage records.