Washington Marriage Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes marriage indexes from the Washington State Archives for the years 1969-2014. The records are arranged by year and then in boxed files, alphabetically by name.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Names of Bride and Groom
 * Date and place of marriage

Collection Content
A sample image of an indexed record:

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the bride or groom
 * The approximate date or place of marriage

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log. Remember to:
 * Whenever possible, look at the original record. If often has more information than the indexed record
 * Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the marriage date to estimate a date of birth in searching other county records such as birth, baptism, and death records
 * An original copy of the indexed record may show witnesses to the marriage. Witnesses were usually family members
 * Use the marriage place and date to find the couple in future census records
 * After marriage, it is possible the couple purchased land. Land records may be available
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching in nearby areas
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Washington.
 * Washington Guided Research
 * Washington Record Finder
 * Washington Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1907 &#124; 1907-Present

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008
 * Washington, Pierce County Marriage Returns, 1891-1938
 * Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950
 * Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014

Related Digital Books

 * Washington Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. Guide to public vital statistics records in Washington. Seattle, Washington:, 1941.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.