Washington, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The time period covered by this collection includes the dates 1858-1950.

Record History
County officials began recording marriages in 1853 or soon after the counties were organized. Information was filled in by the minister, priest or official performing the marriage ceremony and then returned to the county auditor of the county in which the marriage took place. Statewide registration of marriages began in 1968.

Why This Record Was Created
Marriage records legalize marital relationships and validate a wife’s legal claim to property.

Record Reliability
County marriage records are considered a reliable source in family history research because they contain a record of an event usually registered very near the time the event occurred. The reliability, of course, depends on the accuracy of the informant.

Record Description
This collection contains marriage returns, certificates and a few affidavits depending on the county. Most of the records are pre-printed forms filled in by hand or typewritten. Some of the certificates are handwritten entries recorded in registers.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts that may be found in the marriage records are:


 * Names of bride and groom
 * Residences
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Ages of bride and groom (on marriage return)
 * Places of birth (on marriage return)
 * Occupation (on marriage return)
 * Names of parents (on marriage return)
 * Names of witnesses
 * Name of person performing the marriage

How to Use the Record
Marriage records are the best source for proving the date and place of marriage. Use the marriage as the basis for compiling a family group. Use the birth date or age and birthplace of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names. Use the place of residence to search for other records that may have information on parents and siblings. The name of the officiator can be a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other counties.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Washington State Vital Records

Sources of This Collection

 * "Washington State County Marriages, 1858-1950," database, FamilySearch Record Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch), 2009, from Washington State Archives. Digital copies of originals housed in County Auditors in various counties throughout Washington.

How to Cite Your Sources
''An example of citing these records is: Washington State Archives, Olympia, Washington. Washington State County Marriages, 1858-1950. Marriage record. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Fay Clayton Smith, marriage license date 31 Aug 1918, image number 00438.''

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

Marriages