Summary

71 marriage licenses issued on Friday, special hours wrap up on Saturday

Story

Demand for marriage licenses remains high, as King County ends the second and embraces the third day of a new marriage equality law. The number of applications for marriage licenses on Friday – 71 – was double the normal demand for a Friday in December. However, today's count pales in comparison to the 1,200% spike in demand on Thursday, the first day that same-sex couples could apply for marriage licenses. In total, King County has issued 560 licenses in the past two days.

"71 licenses is a significant increase in our marriage licensing business for a Friday at this time of year," said Jon Scherer, recording manager for King County. "Our staff and volunteers are ready for large numbers again on Saturday."

To keep up with the demand, the Recorder’s Office in the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle will be open on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Couples should enter from the North Plaza, on the James Street side of the building. Applicants with mobility issues can enter the Administration Building at the accessible entrance off Fourth Avenue. Due to popular demand, King County will continue to have a photo station set up in the fourth floor (Fifth Avenue) lobby for couples to take pictures with their newly-minted marriage licenses as they exit the Administration Building.

Marriage equality events on King County social media

King County has posted more than 150 photos from Dec. 6 to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KingCountyWA. Couples, volunteers, and community members are encouraged to tag themselves and share this historic day with family and friends.

King County is also using other social media channels to share the marriage equality story. Updates are posted to @kcnews on Twitter, www.twitter.com/kcnews with the hashtag #MEDayWA. A timeline of the first days of marriage equality is on Storify at www.storify.com/KingCountyWA, and photos are on Instagram at www.instagram.com/KingCountyWA.

King County judges ready to perform first same-sex weddings Sunday

The King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle will be open for weddings this Sunday, Dec. 9 at 12:01 a.m. Because of security arrangements at the Courthouse, couples must schedule a time for their wedding with one of the judicial officers listed below. Couples will also need to bring a valid marriage license issued on Dec. 6 and two adult witnesses. To schedule with one of the Superior Court judges, please call their bailiff at the number below.

Judicial officers that will be available on Dec. 9:

• Judge Mary Yu: 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. (296-9275)
• Judge Kimberley Prochnau: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (296-9260)
• Judge Carol Schapira: 10:30 a.m. to noon (296-9150)
• Judge Richard McDermott: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (296-9115)
• Judge Bruce Heller: noon to 4 p.m. (296-9085)
• Commissioner Meg Sassaman: noon to 4 p.m. (205-3908)
• Judge Judith Ramseyer: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (296-9213)
• Judge Tim Bradshaw: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (296-9135)

To schedule weddings on a later date, refer to the complete list of judicial officers available to perform weddings at www.kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt/civil/weddings.aspx.

King County District Court judges will also be available to perform weddings on Sunday, Dec. 9 at District Court facilities located throughout King County. Visit their website, www.kingcounty.gov/courts/DistrictCourt/Marriages.aspx, for more detailed contact information. Couples can also call 206-205-9200, then as soon as the message begins, press "5" and then "4" to hear information about weddings.

For more information about marriage licensing in King County, visit www.kingcounty.gov/marriage.