Demian

Domestic Partnership Registration

Washington State forbids legal marriage to same-sex partners.

The state does offer a Domestic Partnership Registration, which covers some of the spousal rights that are offered to legally married opposite-sex couples. It also is offered to opposite-sex couples in which at least one partner is past 62.
      Washington State registration form: “Declaration of State Registered Domestic Partnership”
      Also see this article: Domestic Partnership: The Washington Approach

In Washington state, Domestic Partnership Registrations are also offered in Lacy, Olympia, Seattle, and Tumwater. While offering a very small degree of public recognition — and are often used to qualify for workplace benefits — they do not offer any of the rights and responsibilities of legal marriage.

For some degree of legal protection, your family should utilise wills, powers of attorney, physician’s directives, and relationship agreements. These are the barest of supports, until legal marriage is available.
      Please see this article: Legal Precautions to Protect Your Relationship

Registration forms may be found at:
      Olympia - olympiawa.gov/citygovernment/forms/dprapp
      Seattle - cityofseattle.net/leg/clerk/dpr.htm
      Tumwater - ci.tumwater.wa.us/City Departments/Personnel/Domestic Partnership Registration form.pdf

Legal Marriage Process

You obtain a marriage license application at the county-level, usually at the county auditors’ office.

You can download a copy of the Marriage License Application from King County’s Web site:
      Application in PDF format
      Application in Rich Text format

You can receive the application form via fax by calling 206-296-3933 ext. 21

The application must be signed by a Deputy Auditor at the County office, or by a Notary Public. Most banks offer this as a free service.

To mail in your application, send completed and notarized application along with money order or cashier’s check for $64 made payable to:
      King County Marriage Licenses, 500 4th Ave., Room 403, Seattle, WA 98104

The County recommends calling the Seattle office at 206-296-4021 to verify receipt of applications.

Marriages licenses are not mailed.
The license itself must be picked up in person.

Marriage License Application Requirements

• Both parties must be at least 18.
• No blood test, identification, birth certificates or divorce papers are required.
• No witness required.
• If you are divorced, the divorce must be final and filed before applying for the license.
• No requirement for Washington State residency.
• The license becomes void if the marriage is not “solemnized” in Washington State by an officiant within 60 days from the day of the issuance.
• $64 fee (cash only) accompanies the completed the application.
• License is issued at the time of payment.

• Three full days must pass from the time of issuance of the license until the day of the ceremony.
• The license document must be present.
• An officiant can be any minister or priest of any church or religious denomination, or any Washington State judge or justice.
• Contrary to persistent myths, ship captains are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. Marriage ceremony can be on a boat, as long as there is a qualified officiant and in Washington State waters.
• Proxy marriages — where someone stands in for the other party — are not recognized. The two parties must be present before the two witnesses and the officiant in order for the ceremony to be performed.
• The license must be signed by the officiant, the marriage couple, and by two witnesses.