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King County, WA courthouse wedding cost

License and 1 copy: $172, plus the ceremony. A marriage license costs $169. The clerk lists no courthouse ceremony fee, so add your judge's or officiant's fee. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $3.

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Government fees

Fees for 20 large counties and cities, copied from each clerk's own page.

The Recorder's Office doesn't perform ceremonies. King County District Court and Superior Court judges marry couples by appointment, and each judge sets the fee: add it under Judge or officiant.

$3 each. You'll need one for each name change.

Extras (optional)

Tick what you'll pay for and add your own amount. A ticked extra with no amount stays open.

Courthouse wedding cost

$172King County, WA, with more still open

Courthouse wedding cost by line
CostAmount
Marriage licenseMarriage license$169
Certified copies1 × $3$3

Still open (not counted)

  • Ask the judge or officiant for the ceremony fee, then add it under Judge or officiant.

Witnesses: 2, age 18 or older. Bring your own.

Waiting period: 3 days, and it can't be waived.

How long the license lasts: 60 days. The clerk's page counts it from the end of the 3-day wait in one place and from the issue date in another, so marry within 60 days of issue to be safe.

Fees from the King County Recorder's Office, checked October 24, 2026. Fees change, so confirm before you go.

King County Recorder's Office

King County, WA courthouse wedding fees

From the clerk's own pages · checked October 24, 2026
FeePriceWhat the clerk says
Marriage license$169“There is a fee of $169 to apply for a marriage license.” Source
Certified copy$3 each“Certified copies are not automatically sent to married couples, and there is a fee of $3 for each copy.” Source
Courthouse ceremonySet by each judgeThe Recorder's Office doesn't perform ceremonies. King County District Court and Superior Court judges marry couples by appointment, and each judge sets the fee: add it under Judge or officiant.

You'll need a certified copy for each name change (Social Security, the DMV, a passport, the bank). With 3 copies instead of 1, add $6.

Before you go

What the clerk asks of you

  • Ceremony: The Recorder's Office doesn't perform ceremonies. King County District Court and Superior Court judges marry couples by appointment, and each judge sets the fee: add it under Judge or officiant.
  • Witnesses: 2, age 18 or older. Bring your own.
  • Waiting period: 3 days, and it can't be waived.
  • How long the license lasts: 60 days. The clerk's page counts it from the end of the 3-day wait in one place and from the issue date in another, so marry within 60 days of issue to be safe.

Ask the clerk

  • "Do we need an appointment for the license or the ceremony?"
  • "How many guests can come in?"
  • "Which payment methods do you take, and is there a card fee?"

Having a friend or a hired officiant marry you instead? Compare officiant quotes or put the license in your budget.

King County courthouse wedding questions

How much is a courthouse wedding in King County?

License and 1 copy: $172, plus the ceremony. A marriage license costs $169. The clerk lists no courthouse ceremony fee, so add your judge's or officiant's fee. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $3. These are the official prices of the King County Recorder's Office, checked October 24, 2026. Photos, outfits, rings or a meal afterwards are extra.

How much is a marriage license in King County?

A marriage license costs $169.

Who performs courthouse weddings in King County?

The Recorder's Office doesn't perform ceremonies. King County District Court and Superior Court judges marry couples by appointment, and each judge sets the fee: add it under Judge or officiant.

Is there a waiting period, and how long does the license last?

Waiting period: 3 days, and it can't be waived. How long it lasts: 60 days. The clerk's page counts it from the end of the 3-day wait in one place and from the issue date in another, so marry within 60 days of issue to be safe.

Do we need a witness?

2, age 18 or older. Bring your own.

Courthouse wedding cost in other counties

Compare every county side by side. Not listed? The courthouse wedding cost calculator takes your own county's fees.

Fees checked October 24, 2026. Report a fee that changed.