Order a Marriage or Divorce Record
What marriage and divorce products can I get?
Our office has marriage and divorce records from 1968 to present that occurred in the state of Washington. You can obtain Washington state marriage and divorce records as certified copies (or “certificates”). The Department of Health can also provide you with a letter of single status (Single Status Letter) if you are traveling to another country to get married.
What does it cost?
Nonrefundable fees start at $25 per certified or noncertified informational copy. Other fees may apply depending on ordering or shipping method.
Who qualifies?
Anyone can request a marriage or divorce certificate. You do not need to provide proof of identity or qualified relationship status to the subject(s) of the record.
How do I request a marriage or divorce certificate?
You must complete the following steps to request and receive a marriage certificate:
- Submit an application with required pieces of information.
- Pay the applicable fee(s). The base fee starts at $25 per copy. Other fees may apply depending on ordering or shipping method.
How long does it take?
It depends on the way you order and the shipping method you select. The time listed is from when we receive full payment and all required documentation. Missing information or documentation will delay orders.
- Review the Marriage Certificate or Divorce Certificate section for more details, as it can take up to five (5) months for the Department to receive these records.
- VitalChek online or by phone orders process and ship within 3-7 business days, depending on the shipping option you select.
- By mail, the customer will receive the order within 6-8 weeks after receiving and processing of payment.
- Marriage Certificate
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It may take up to five (5) months from the date of marriage for a marriage record to be sent to the Department of Health. For marriages within the past five (5) months, you can obtain a county certified white copy of your marriage license from the county auditor's office where you obtained the marriage license. You can use the county auditor's copy of your marriage license to add your spouse to your insurance, and in most cases changing the last name on a driver license. Check with the agency or organization requesting the marriage record to determine the document they will accept. Most federal agencies do not allow for use of the county auditor's copy of your marriage license.
- List of auditors by county:
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What do I need to provide?
The required pieces of information for marriage certificates are:
- First and last name of one of the persons on the record. Providing both persons' names decreases chance of delay.
- Approximate date the event occurred (month, day, year)
- County where you obtained your marriage license paperwork from the Auditor's Office
What do I do if my marriage occurred before 1968?
For marriages that occurred before 1968, contact the county auditor's office in the county the marriage license was obtained.
What do I need to get married outside the United States?
Before you can get married in some countries, that country may require a document stating you are not currently married. This is known as a single status letter. Visit the Single Status Letter page for more information.
- Divorce Certificate
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Divorce certificates are also known as a certificate of dissolution. You may want a divorce certificate in addition to the divorce decree. The Department of Health can issue a certificate after registering a divorce record sent by the county clerk’s office.
It may take up to five (5) months from the date of divorce for a county clerk's office to send a divorce record to the Department of Health. If you were divorced within the past five (5) months, you may need to contact the county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized and ask if the divorce record was sent. The county clerk's office cannot issue a divorce certificate.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
Divorce certificates
Divorce certificates serve as official one-page documents printed on certified security paper stating two parties were divorced on a specific date. The Department of Health issues certificates from existing records. We have divorce certificates for divorces from January 1, 1968, to present.
Divorce decrees
Divorce decrees are several paged documents explaining the terms of the divorce. You can obtain your divorce decree from the county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized. The Department of Health does not have divorce decrees.
What do I need to provide?
The required pieces of information for divorce certificates include:
- First and last name of one of the persons on the record. Providing the names of both people decreases the chance of delay.
- Approximate date the event occurred (month, day, year).
- County where the court finalized the divorce.
What do I do if my divorce occurred before 1968?
For divorces that occurred before January 1, 1968, contact the county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized.
What do I need to get remarried outside the United States?
Before you can get married in some countries, the country may require a document stating you are not currently married. This is known as a single status letter. Visit the Single Status Letter page for more information.
- Single Status Letter
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What is a single status letter?
A single status letter states that you are not currently married to anyone in Washington state. Before you can get married in some countries, the country will require a document stating you are not currently married. You should contact the country where you will get married to find out if they require confirmation of single status.
Who qualifies?
Anyone who resided in Washington state for a period of time can order a single status letter. 18 years or older.
What does the single status letter contain?
The single status letter will say we do not have any record that you are currently married. We can only provide the confirmation from the time you are 18 or from the time of a previous divorce.
For example:
- If you request a letter in 2013 and you married in 2004 and divorced in 2006 in Washington, the letter will state that we do not have any marriage on record from 2006 to the current date.
- If you request a letter in 2013 and have never been married and you turned 18 in 2004, the letter will state that we do not have any marriage on record from 2004 to the current date.
How do I get a single status letter?
To request a single status letter:
- Call our contracted vendor VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Pay the applicable fee(s). Fees start at $25 per single status letter, which covers a 10 year search period. Other fees may apply depending on how many years need searching, ordering, or shipping method.
A vital records customer service representatives may contact you to verify information.
How much does it cost?
The cost will depend on how many years we need to search for records to confirm that you have never been married or that you are divorced. A single status letter costs $25 for each ten-year range of records searched. A customer service representative will provide you with the total cost when you order the letter.
Why do I have to call to get a single status letter?
Single status letters require different information depending on your circumstances. A trained customer service representative will ask you the right questions to get you the information you need.
Please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Are you a current resident of Washington state?
- If yes, how many years have you been a resident of Washington state?
- Years married?
- Have you been divorced in Washington state?
- If yes, what was the date the divorce was finalized?
What do I need to use my certificate or single status letter outside the United States?
To use a certified document issued in Washington state, like a marriage or divorce certificate, in another country for official purposes you may need an apostille from the Secretary of State. Visit the apostille web page for more information.