The Affidavit of Loss (Marriage License) is a sworn statement issued by the King County Recorder's Office, part of the Records and Licensing Services Division of the Department of Executive Services. A marriage applicant uses it when a marriage license, a commemorative marriage certificate or a State Department of Health marriage certificate issued by the office has been lost, stolen or destroyed. It covers marriage documents only, so it is not a form for a King County birth certificate. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by King County.
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What is Affidavit of Loss – King County, WA?
The Affidavit of Loss (Marriage License) is a one-page sworn statement, issued through the King County Recorder's Office, in which a marriage applicant states that marriage documents issued to them by that office have been lost, stolen, and/or destroyed.
The form lists three documents, and you mark each one that applies:
- Marriage License, the document kept by the Officiant for their records.
- Commemorative Marriage Certificate, the decorative gold/red copy.
- State Department of Health Marriage Certificate, described on the form as the actual proof of marriage.
You also enter the marriage license number. By signing, you swear that, to the best of your knowledge, the documents have not been used for fraudulent purposes. The form says the King County Recorder's Office will rely on the statement as a material fact when it issues duplicate or replacement marriage documents. It also contains a promise: if the original documents are found, you will destroy the duplicates immediately.
The top of the form has a block headed "Send Document(s) to:", where you write the name and shipping address for the replacement documents. The Recorder's Office address and phone number are printed beside it.
This affidavit deals with marriage documents only. It is not an application for a birth certificate or for any other record.
Who needs to file Affidavit of Loss – King County, WA?
The main user is the marriage applicant, identified on the form as Person A or B, whose marriage license, commemorative marriage certificate or State Department of Health marriage certificate was issued by the King County Recorder's Office and has since been lost, stolen, and/or destroyed. The line that begins "I," is marked "Marriage Applicant only; Person A or B", so the person who signs the affidavit is the applicant.
The form also lets the applicant designate the Officiant to file the affidavit. The Officiant then signs and prints their name in the lines at the bottom of the form.
Do not use this form for:
- documents that were not issued by the King County Recorder's Office, because the sworn statement refers to documents issued to you by that office;
- records other than marriage documents. The form is titled Affidavit of Loss (Marriage License) and lists only the three marriage documents above.
The form names no other person who may sign for the applicant.
When to file Affidavit of Loss – King County, WA
Use the Affidavit of Loss when you need duplicate or replacement marriage documents because the marriage license, commemorative marriage certificate or State Department of Health marriage certificate has been lost, stolen, and/or destroyed. The form prints no filing deadline and no expiration date, so there is no fixed window; the loss itself is the trigger.
The form carries one timing promise. If the original documents are found after you have signed, you agree to destroy the duplicate documents immediately. For anything about how long replacements take, call the King County Recorder's Office at 206-477-6620, the number printed on the form.
How to fill out Affidavit of Loss – King County, WA
Enter your shipping address
Under "Send Document(s) to:", write the Name/Company, Street Address, Apt/Unit, the continuation line if your address needs it, and City, State and Zip Code. Add your phone number in the format (_____) ______ -__________.
Write the applicant's name
On the line after "I," enter the name of the person swearing the statement. The line is marked "Marriage Applicant only; Person A or B".
Mark the lost documents
Check each document that was lost, stolen, and/or destroyed: Marriage License, Commemorative Marriage Certificate, or State Department of Health Marriage Certificate. Mark every one that applies.
Enter the marriage license number
In the blank after "bearing Marriage License number", write the license number issued by the King County Recorder's Office.
Read the sworn statement
The text says the documents were not used for fraudulent purposes, that the Recorder's Office will rely on the statement, and that you will destroy the duplicates immediately if the originals are found.
Sign the affidavit
Sign on the line labeled Signature. Do not sign for another person.
Complete the officiant lines if needed
If you designate your Officiant to file the affidavit, the Officiant signs on the Officiant Signature line and prints their name on the Officiant Name (print) line.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the shipping address, phone number, marked documents and license number. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Affidavit of Loss – King County, WA
The form prints the King County Recorder's Office contact details and names no online portal or other filing channel, so confirm with the office how it accepts the completed affidavit.
- Office address on the form: Records and Licensing Services Division, Department of Executive Services, King County Recorder's Office, 201 S Jackson St, STE 204, Seattle, WA 98104.
- Phone: 206-477-6620.
- Shipping block: under "Send Document(s) to:", write your own name or company, street address, apartment or unit, the continuation line if needed, city, state, ZIP code and a phone number. The form uses this block as your shipping address.
- Officiant option: if you designate your Officiant to file the affidavit, the Officiant signs and prints their name on the form.
Sign the affidavit before you send it. A fee, a notary requirement or other attachments are not stated on the form, so ask the office whether any apply. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the King County Recorder's Office channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the affidavit for a record other than marriage documents. The form covers only the marriage license, commemorative marriage certificate and State Department of Health marriage certificate.
- Having someone other than the marriage applicant (Person A or B) fill in the "I," line. The form marks it "Marriage Applicant only".
- Not marking which of the three marriage documents were lost, stolen, and/or destroyed.
- Leaving out the marriage license number that the sworn statement refers to.
- Filling in only part of the "Send Document(s) to:" block, such as skipping the apartment or unit, the city, state and ZIP code, or the phone number.
- Designating the Officiant to file without the Officiant's signature and printed name at the bottom of the form.
- Sending the form unsigned. The statement is sworn, and the applicant's signature line must be completed.
- Using the duplicate documents after finding the originals. The affidavit promises to destroy the duplicates immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King County Affidavit of Loss used for?
It is a sworn statement that marriage documents issued by the King County Recorder's Office were lost, stolen, and/or destroyed. The form says the office relies on it when issuing duplicate or replacement marriage documents. It lists the marriage license, the commemorative certificate and the State Department of Health certificate.
Is this the form for a King County birth certificate?
No. This Affidavit of Loss is titled (Marriage License) and covers only marriage documents. It is not a request for a King County birth certificate, and the form lists no birth records. Contact the issuing office for other records.
Who can sign the Affidavit of Loss?
The marriage applicant, Person A or B, signs. The line that begins "I," is marked "Marriage Applicant only". The form also lets the applicant designate the Officiant to file the affidavit, in which case the Officiant signs and prints their name.
Which marriage documents does the affidavit cover?
Three: the Marriage License, which is the document the Officiant keeps for their records; the Commemorative Marriage Certificate, the decorative gold/red copy; and the State Department of Health Marriage Certificate, the actual proof of marriage. Check each one that was lost, stolen, and/or destroyed.
What if I find the original marriage documents after signing?
The affidavit states that if the originals are found, you will destroy the duplicate documents immediately. You make this promise when you sign, so keep it in mind before using or storing both sets.
Where do I send the King County Affidavit of Loss?
The form prints the King County Recorder's Office address, 201 S Jackson St, STE 204, Seattle, WA 98104, and the phone number 206-477-6620. It names no other filing channel, so call the office to confirm how it accepts the completed affidavit.
Can I fill out the King County Affidavit of Loss online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the affidavit with King County; you deliver it through the Recorder's Office channels.
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