Seattle City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Seattle Courthouse Wedding Special

Most cities give you one courthouse, one process, one way to do it. Seattle gives you a choice. Two wedding venues sit within a few blocks of each other in downtown Seattle: the Seattle Municipal Court on 5th Avenue and the King County Courthouse on 3rd Avenue. Each runs its own civil ceremony scheduling, sets its own officiant fees, and operates on a different timeline. That flexibility is rare among courthouse weddings nationally.

The King County Courthouse stands out for one reason most couples don’t expect: weekend and holiday wedding ceremonies. Nearly every courthouse in the country limits civil marriages to weekday business hours. King County judges perform ceremonies on Saturdays, Sundays, and even holidays by appointment. If your work schedule or out-of-town guests make a weekday courthouse wedding impossible, this option opens up your planning.

Neither venue requires Washington state residency. Couples from any state or country can apply for a King County marriage license, and that license is valid anywhere in Washington. You could complete your marriage license application in downtown Seattle and hold your wedding ceremony on the coast, in wine country, or at a mountain lodge. The license travels with you.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at a Seattle Courthouse

A Seattle courthouse wedding takes two steps separated by a mandatory three-day waiting period. Plan at least one to two weeks between your marriage license application and wedding ceremony date to give yourself room within the 60-day validity window.

1. Apply for your King County marriage license. Visit the King County Recorder’s Office in person (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, no appointment needed), or start the application online and finalize by phone. Both partners must appear together with valid government-issued photo ID. Pay the $169 marriage license fee. (The Recorder’s Office address has had conflicting listings online. Verify the current location at kingcounty.gov before your visit.)

2. Wait three days. Washington state law requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after your marriage license is issued. This waiting period cannot be waived. Use this time to contact your chosen venue or judge and confirm your ceremony booking.

3. Choose your wedding venue. Decide between Seattle Municipal Court (structured weekday ceremonies at 4:30 PM, approximately $80) or King County Courthouse (flexible scheduling including weekends, $100-$300 depending on the judge). See the Ceremony Details section below for a full comparison.

4. Book your civil ceremony. For Seattle Municipal Court, submit a request through the online booking form up to 8 weeks in advance. For King County Courthouse, contact judges directly through the King County District Court judges list.

5. Arrive on your wedding day. Get to your venue 30 minutes early. Both courthouses have security screening at the entrance, and downtown Seattle parking can be unpredictable. Bring your marriage license, two witnesses who are 18 or older, and your rings if you plan to exchange them.

6. Exchange your wedding vows. Your officiant leads a 10-15 minute civil ceremony. After the pronouncement, you, your spouse, and both witnesses sign the Certificate of Marriage.

7. File and order certified copies. The officiant returns your signed marriage certificate to the King County Recorder’s Office within 30 days. Order certified copies separately for legal name changes and official records.

Marriage License Details

Documents Required for Your King County Marriage License

Both partners need to bring the following to the Recorder’s Office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (U.S. passport, driver’s license, or state-issued ID card)
• Social Security numbers (requested but not mandatory)
• If previously married: certified divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate for a widowed applicant
• Printed copy of your online application confirmation (if you started the process online)

Marriage License Fee

The King County marriage license fee is $169. This increased from $69 on July 27, 2025, so older online sources may still list the lower amount. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

(Verify the current marriage license fee at kingcounty.gov before applying.)

Three Ways to Apply for Your Marriage License

In person at the Recorder’s Office: Walk in during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). No appointment required. Both partners must appear together with valid photo ID.

Online application plus phone: Complete the marriage license application on the King County Recorder’s Office website, then finalize and pay by phone with a credit card. Pick up your license in person or have it mailed to you.

By mail: Complete a paper application, have it notarized, and mail it with a check to the Recorder’s Office. You may still need to pick up the license in person. (Verify current mail application requirements with King County before using this option.)

Marriage License Validity Period

Your Washington state marriage license becomes active three days after issuance and remains valid for 60 days. It works in any county in Washington, not just King County. If you want to marry on the Olympic Peninsula, in the San Juan Islands, or in a small town east of the Cascades, the same marriage license covers you.

No Blood Test, No Residency Requirement

Washington state does not require a blood test or premarital medical exam for a marriage license. There is no residency requirement. Couples from any U.S. state or from outside the country can apply for and receive a King County marriage license.

Ceremony Details

Two Seattle Courthouse Wedding Venues

Seattle’s two courthouse wedding venues operate independently. Here’s how they compare:

Seattle Municipal Court (600 5th Ave)

• Civil ceremony fee: approximately $80 (verify current rate at seattle.gov)
• Ceremony schedule: Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM only
• No weekend or holiday ceremonies available
• Book your wedding ceremony online up to 8 weeks in advance
• Guest limit: 8 people total, including the couple (6 additional guests)
• Ceremony duration: 10-15 minutes

The Municipal Court runs a structured, predictable civil ceremony process. You know the time, you know the fee, and you book through a single online form. If you want simplicity and don’t need weekend availability, this is the straightforward option for your Seattle courthouse wedding.

King County Courthouse (516 3rd Ave)

• Officiant fees: $100-$300 (varies by individual judge)
• Weekday ceremony availability: before 8:30 AM or after 4:30 PM
• Weekend and holiday ceremony availability: any time, by appointment (premium fee, typically paid in cash)
• Book by contacting judges directly through the King County District Court judges list
• Payment methods: varies by judge (cash, check, some accept Venmo)
• Ceremony duration: 10-15 minutes

The King County option gives you more flexibility but requires more coordination. You’re working with a specific judge, and each one sets their own officiant fee, schedule, and payment preferences. Think of it less like booking a government service and more like coordinating with an individual wedding officiant.

Off-Site Wedding Ceremonies in King County

King County judges may also perform wedding ceremonies at locations outside the courthouse, anywhere within King County. Fees and availability vary. If you want a park ceremony, restaurant wedding, or waterfront celebration with the simplicity of a judge-officiated marriage, ask about off-site options when you contact the judge.

Personalizing Your Courthouse Wedding Ceremony

Some judges allow couples to:

• Exchange personal wedding vows
• Bring small floral arrangements or bouquets
• Include short readings or poems
• Add a ring exchange to the ceremony

Confirm what your specific judge permits when you schedule your ceremony. The Municipal Court process may be more standardized, while King County judges often have more individual flexibility for personalization.

Photography and Guest Tips

Guest Capacity at Seattle Courthouses

• Seattle Municipal Court: 8 people total, including the couple (6 additional guests). This is per seattle.gov. (Some sources cite a 10-guest limit. Confirm directly with the court when you book your ceremony.)
• King County Courthouse: Likely the same 8-person limit, but confirm with your judge when scheduling.

If your wedding party exceeds 8 people, a courthouse ceremony will feel too crowded. Consider an off-site ceremony with a King County judge if you need more space for family and friends.

Photography Rules for Seattle Courthouse Weddings

Seattle Municipal Court: Wedding photography is permitted 30 minutes before check-in and during the ceremony itself. Post-ceremony indoor photography is not allowed per seattle.gov’s FAQ. Plan your photo locations in advance and head outside right after the ceremony ends.

King County Courthouse: Photography policies vary by judge. Confirm what’s permitted when you book your wedding ceremony.

For both venues, hiring a wedding photographer who knows downtown Seattle will save you time on your ceremony day. The transition from courthouse ceremony to outdoor photo session goes smoother when someone already knows the angles and the light.

Best Photo Locations Near Seattle’s Courthouses

All of these spots are within a short walk or drive from both downtown courthouse venues:

• Pioneer Square for historic red brick architecture, cobblestone streets, and old-world Pacific Northwest character
• Seattle Waterfront Park for Puget Sound views, the Seattle Great Wheel, and open sky backgrounds
• Kerry Park for the iconic Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier behind it (a short drive up to Queen Anne Hill)
• Olympic Sculpture Park for modern art installations set against the waterfront and Puget Sound
• Discovery Park for wooded trails and a beach with the West Point Lighthouse (further out, best for couples with a car)

Pioneer Square and the waterfront are the easiest post-ceremony photo stops if you’re walking from either courthouse. Kerry Park requires a short drive but produces the most recognizable Seattle wedding backdrop.

Practical Tips for Your Seattle Courthouse Wedding

Parking in downtown Seattle. Street parking is metered and fills fast near both courthouses. Parking garages on 2nd and 4th Avenues are your most reliable option for wedding day parking. Budget $20-$40 for a downtown garage.

Take the Link Light Rail. Pioneer Square Station and University Street Station are both within walking distance of each courthouse venue. The light rail runs from Sea-Tac Airport through downtown Seattle, so out-of-town couples can get from the airport to the courthouse without renting a car.

Arrive 30 minutes early. Both courthouses have security screening (metal detectors, bag checks) at the entrance. Lines vary throughout the day, and you don’t want to start your wedding day feeling rushed or risk a late arrival.

Bring two witnesses. Washington state law requires two witnesses, both 18 years or older, to sign your marriage certificate. If you don’t have two people available, some judges or courthouse staff can provide witnesses, sometimes for an additional fee. Elopement photographers often serve double duty as witnesses.

Confirm payment methods before your ceremony. King County judges each set their own payment preferences. Some take cash only, others accept checks or Venmo. Ask when you book so you’re prepared on ceremony day.

Weekday vs. weekend ceremony trade-offs. Municipal Court ceremonies happen on weekdays only. King County weekend ceremonies are available but carry a premium fee. Weekday ceremony slots are generally cheaper and more predictable. If a weekend wedding matters to you, contact King County judges early because popular dates fill months in advance.

Order certified marriage certificate copies. A certified copy of your marriage certificate is different from the decorative keepsake. You’ll need certified copies for legal name changes with the Social Security Administration, Washington Department of Licensing, and the U.S. Passport Office. Order these from the King County Recorder’s Office after your officiant files the signed certificate.

Your marriage license works anywhere in Washington. If you change your mind about a courthouse ceremony after getting your license, you can marry anywhere in the state within the 60-day window. Some couples get their license in Seattle and hold their ceremony on Whidbey Island, in Leavenworth, or at a winery in Walla Walla.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in Seattle?

No. Washington state law requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after your marriage license is issued. You cannot apply for a license and marry on the same day. Plan to apply at least one to two weeks before your ceremony date to stay comfortably within the 60-day license validity window.

Do you need to be a Washington resident to get married in Seattle?

No. Washington state has no residency requirement for marriage. Couples from any U.S. state or from outside the country can apply for a King County marriage license and marry in Seattle or anywhere else in Washington state.

What’s the difference between Seattle Municipal Court and King County Courthouse for weddings?

Seattle Municipal Court offers a structured weekday-only civil ceremony process: ceremonies at 4:30 PM, approximately $80 fee, online booking. King County Courthouse works through individual judges who set their own officiant fees ($100-$300), ceremony schedules (including weekends and holidays), and payment methods. Municipal Court is simpler to book. King County offers more scheduling flexibility and weekend wedding availability but requires contacting judges directly.

How much does a Seattle courthouse wedding cost in total?

The King County marriage license costs $169 (increased from $69 in July 2025). Ceremony fees range from approximately $80 at Seattle Municipal Court to $100-$300 at King County Courthouse, depending on the judge and whether you choose a weekday or weekend ceremony. Total cost for a Seattle courthouse wedding ranges from roughly $249 to $469 before optional expenses like wedding photography, flowers, or a celebration dinner afterward.