How to Get Married in Seattle Without Going to the Courthouse
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
You've done the easy part. You picked your person. Now you're realizing you don't actually want the year of planning, the guest list negotiations, the venue deposits or the catering minimums. You just want to be married.
That's a completely reasonable thing to want. And it's more doable than most people realize.
A lot of people assume the only simple option is the courthouse. It's not.
The courthouse is optional. Seriously.
In Washington state, once you have your marriage license in hand, you can get married almost anywhere. A park. A restaurant back room. A friend's backyard. Or a pink shipping container chapel in Georgetown.
The only requirements are a licensed officiant and two witnesses. That's it. No specific venue. No county office. No fluorescent lighting.
So what does the process actually look like?
You apply for your King County marriage license either online or in person at the Recorder's Office (201 S. Jackson St. in Pioneer Square is one option - but you can also do this at any office in the state). Only one of you needs to show up in person. The fee is $169, and after you pay, a mandatory 3-day waiting period begins before the license is valid.
Once that waiting period is up, your license is good for 60 days. That's your window to make it official.
Where Shotgun Ceremonies comes in
We're a licensed elopement chapel in Georgetown, Seattle. We've been doing this for over 15 years and we handle everything after you show up with your license.
🥂 Here's what that looks like:
You book online, pick your ceremony style and time, and show up on your chosen date. We provide the officiant, the ceremony space (a chapel or a covered outdoor gazebo), and witnesses if you need them. We play whatever music you request and we're happy to take pictures for you (our phone or yours!)
After the ceremony, we file the paperwork for you. You don't go to the courthouse. You don't mail anything. You just get married and go celebrate.
Why couples choose this over the courthouse
The King County Recorder's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. No evenings, no weekends, no ceremony to speak of. You exchange vows in between other people doing their paperwork (when you can actually score an appointment).
At Shotgun, you get an actual ceremony. A real moment. Vows that mean something, in a space that feels intentional. We keep it simple and personal (and it's only $500).
We see a lot of couples who wanted to skip the big wedding but didn't want to skip the moment. This is what we're built for. We're the in-between.
A few things worth knowing before you book
You can apply for your license in any Washington county and use it anywhere in the state
Only one partner needs to appear in person at the Recorder's Office
The 3-day waiting period starts the day you pay, not the day you apply online
We're appointment-only, so book before you get your license if you have a date in mind. But we often have same-day openings available if you already have your license!
Out-of-state couples are welcome and this counts as a legal Washington marriage
Got your license or ready to get it? Book your ceremony here!
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