Title Info: Kitsap County Auditor, Marriage License Application Affidavits, 1905-1986

These records include affidavits submitted in support of applications for marriage licenses at the Kitsap County Auditor’s office from 1905-1986. The indexing of the images from 81 bound volumes is an ongoing project and will be added to the collection as they are completed. In this series, the earliest volume, volume 2, contains only witness affidavit forms in which the witness attests to knowing the applicants, their ages, places of residence and suitability for marriage. Forms in later volumes contain additional sections. Starting with volume 3, forms in most volumes include a parental consent section for under-aged applicants. Forms in volume 3 also include "Physician's Certificates" by which a doctor confirms the absence of specified mental and physical maladies for each applicant. Beginning in September 1909, the physician's certificates were completed by the applicants. In volume 4, the certificates are replaced by male and female applicant affidavits. In volume 79, from July 29, 1985, (affidavit #64333 on), the witness affidavits are no longer signed. After volume 81 they are no longer included in this record. Most volumes contain a few inserted materials, including handwritten affidavits and supporting documents such as letters of parental consent, requests for license denial, name corrections, canceled licenses, unused marriage certificates, court orders waiving minimum age requirements or the license issuance waiting period, and correspondence about lost licenses. A few affidavits are accompanied by marriage returns, which list age, color, place of residence, birthplace, occupation, father's name, mother's maiden name, and number of marriages for the bride and groom.

Learn about the documentation of marriage in Washington and what information is found in the various record types by selecting the tab that says "About this Collection" here.