How to Find Washington Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

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{{breadcrumb
''[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find United States Marriage Records]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Washington Marriages'''<br>
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
| link3=[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find U.S. Marriage Records]]
| link4=[[Washington Vital Records|Washington Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records|How to Find Washington Marriage Records]]
}}


== Finding Washington Marriage Records  ==
<br>


The Washington Territory was established in 1853. Marriages were recorded by the county auditor as each county was created. Statehood was granted in 1889. Statewide registration of marriages in Washington began in 1968.
This page is under construction.
 
:*1848 – Oregon Territory created, including present day Washington state
:*1853 – Washington Territory organized
:*1889 – Washington granted statehood as the 42nd state of the Union
:*1968 - Statewide registration of marriages began on July 1
 
The State of Washington is an open record state. Anyone may order copies of Washington marriage certificates, as long as they can provide the required information.
 
{{Tip|More information is usually found on the '''marriage license application''' or the '''marriage register'''. Less information is found on the '''marriage certificate'''. }}
 
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== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==
 
| bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |
:'''Marriage Records'''
:'''Choose a time period:'''
:*'''[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1853|Before 1853]]'''
:*'''[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Marriages_1853_to_1968|1853 to 1968]]'''
:*'''[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Marriages_1968_to_present|1968 to present]]'''
:*'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''
 
|}
 
[[Frequently Asked Questions about United States Marriage Records|'''Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records''']]
 
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== '''Marriages Before 1853'''  ==
 
*Before 1853, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
*1853 to 1968 marriages were recorded by the county
*Some early records are available at the following Findmypast collection:
:*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=washington '''United States Marriages – Washington, 1801-1962'''] ($) index & images
 
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records]].
 
{| width="75%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto"
|-
| '''1. Look first in'''
| '''2. Then search'''
|-
| [[Washington Church Records|Church Records]]<br>
[[Washington Newspapers|Newspapers]]<br> [[Washington Military Records|Military Records]]<br> [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]]
 
| [[Washington Census|Census Records]]
[[Washington Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]<br> [[Washington Vital Records|Death Records]]<br> [[United States Bible Records|Bible Records]]
 
|}
 
::
<center>[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Finding_Washington_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
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|-
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== '''Marriages 1853 to 1968'''<br>  ==
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Washington Marriage Database - includes index and digital Images'''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 1st:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| width="25%" | [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:1 Washington Marriage Records, 1843 to present]
| width="65%" | '''Washington State Digital Archives – Free, '''includes marriage records, license applications and certificates. Coverage varies by county.
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 2nd:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| {{RecordSearch|1534448|Washington, County Marriages, 1855–2008}}
| '''FamilySearch.org – Free''', partial index, browse images, not complete for all counties<br> [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60226 Also on Ancestry.com] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60226 free at FamilySearch centers] and [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30134/washington-county-marriages-1855-2008?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com] ($).
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 3rd:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
|
{{RecordSearch|1910364|Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}}
 
| '''FamilySearch.org – Free''', dates vary by county; includes marriage records from the county clerks for early Washington. This is a browsable collection, select for your county and then the Marriage Records.<br>
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 4th:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2378 Washington Marriage Records, 1854–2013]<br>
| '''Ancestry.com – ($)''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2378 Free at FamilySearch centers.]<br>[https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ Find your local FamilySearch Center]
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 5th:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
|
[http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/search.cfm Western States Marriage Index, 1809-present]
 
| '''Western States Marriage Index – Free''', incomplete
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 6th:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
|
[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=washington Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1801-1962]
 
| '''Findmypast.com - ($)''', index & images
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
|
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
 
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]
 
|}
 
'''Marriage Records on Microfilm''' <br> Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.
 
::*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
::*For a small fee, [https://familysearch.org/films/ order the microfilm] to view at a local Family Search Center. <br><br>
 
'''Order marriage records''' from the county auditor. If you do not find your ancestor in a marriage index contact the county auditor where you think the marriage took place.<br>
<center>[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Finding_Washington_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |
|}
 
== '''Marriages 1968 to present'''  ==
 
Marriage licenses may be found in the records of the county where the marriage occurred.
 
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index'''  ====
 
Some marriages records after 1968 with digital images are found in the following databases.
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Washington Marriage Database - includes index and digital Images'''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 1st:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| width="25%" | [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Collections#RSID:1 Washington Marriage Records, 1843 to present]
| width="65%" | '''Washington State Digital Archives – Free, '''includes marriage records, license applications and certificates. Coverage varies by county.
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 2nd:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| {{RecordSearch|1534448|Washington, County Marriages, 1855–2008}}
| '''FamilySearch.org – Free''', partial index, browse images, not complete for all counties<br> [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60226 Also on Ancestry.com] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60226 free at FamilySearch centers] and [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30134/washington-county-marriages-1855-2008?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com] ($).
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 3rd:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2378 Washington, Marriage Records, 1854-2013]
| '''Ancestry.com – $''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2378 Free at FamilySearch centers.] Index and images taken from the Washington State Archives.
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 4th:''
| <br>
| <br>
|-
| <br>
|
[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=washington Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1801-1962]
 
| '''Findmypast.com - ($)''', index & images
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
|
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
 
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]
 
|}
 
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
 
If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below.
 
'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''
 
:*If you know the county of marriage, request a search for a fee from the county auditor. To find the county auditor for the county you are interested in.  For example if you are interested in finding Yakima County Auditor, on Google enter; Yakima County Auditor Washington State.<br>
:*If you don't know the county or date of marriage, request a search for a fee from the Washington State Department of Health.
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]
 
'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records'''
 
:*Order copies from the county auditor.  To find the county auditor for the county you are interested in:  for example if you are interested in finding Yakima County Auditor, on Google enter: Yakima County Auditor Washington State    –''OR''–
:*Order copies from the [https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/ordering-vital-record/marriage-or-divorce-record Washington State Department of Health]
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Marriage Certificates'''
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | From [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Washington County] where marriage occurred
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | From [https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/ordering-vital-record/marriage-or-divorce-record Washington State Dept. of Health]
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
|-
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state
| County websites can be more difficult to use
| Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}
 
{{Tip|'''When ordering Washington marriage records:'''
Request the '''marriage license''' or the '''marriage register''', rather than the '''marriage certificate'''. The license or register usually contains more information.}}<br> <br>
<center>[[How to Find Washington Marriage Records#Finding_Washington_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |
|}
 
== Wiki Articles  ==
 
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]]
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]]
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]__NOTOC__
 
{{Washington|Washington}}[[Category:Washington_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Revision as of 09:38, 28 June 2013

How to Find United States Marriage Records Gotoarrow.png Washington Marriages


This page is under construction.

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