Get your certified Washington Marriage Certificate

The fee for a certified copy of a Washington marriage certificate varies by county and ordering method. When ordering through VitalRecordsOnline.com, processing fees apply in addition to the state or county fee. Contact your local vital records office or county clerk for the exact current fee schedule. Expedited processing and shipping options are available for an additional charge.

Yes, you can order a Washington marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, provide required information, and pay securely. Online orders are typically processed faster than mail-in requests. You will need to provide identifying information about both spouses and the date and location of the marriage.

In Washington, the individuals named on the marriage certificate, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest may request a certified copy. Third-party requestors typically need to provide a notarized authorization letter from one of the parties named on the certificate, along with valid identification and a statement explaining the purpose of the request.

Washington marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the Washington vital records office for specific access policies.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Washington. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Washington marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the DOH-CHS.
2. 1. For in-person applications, present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The DOH-CHS does not accept walk-ins (in-person applications) at its location.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the DOH-CHS at:
      Washington Department of Health,
      Center for Health Statistics,
      PO Box 9709,
      Olympia, WA 98507
      present
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. DOH-CHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Amendments to marriage records are made through the Washington DOH-CHS. The eligibility criteria and forms vary depending on the information that needs to be amended.

To assist, the DOH-CHS provides a list of common amendment situations and the requirements for marriage certificate on its website. Some amendments may require a court order, which typically involves hiring an attorney.

Amendments or corrections are added to the marriage record as addendums, as any entity can alter the original document. You can exchange or order a certificate when you change a vital record.

Correcting or amending a marriage certificate usually requires the following:

1. A completed amendment application for the Correction form.
2. Supporting documents: changes beyond administrative data entry errors. A copy of your government-issued photo identification card is needed.
3. Apply: In-person submissions are by appointment only.
   By Mail:
   Center for Health Statistics Attn: Amendments P.O. Box 47814 Olympia, WA 98504-7814

Apostilles can be requested from the Washington State Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries.

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Washington State Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records originally filed with the Washington State DOH-CHS.

If you request by mail, you will need to provide the following information:

1. A completed Apostille Authentication Request Form
2. Certified marriage certificate
3. $15.00 per document; checks or money orders should be made payable to the Secretary of State
4. Self-addressed envelope only if expedited delivery is needed

You can submit requests for marriage record apostilles to the Washington Secretary of State at the following addresses:

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

For standard mail, use the following address: