This month I am highlighting web-based resources for information on the topic of love. This includes basic information on marriage, how to get a marriage license, where to find a marriage record or certificate, information on domestic partnerships and non-marital relationships, bringing a fiancé into the United States, and adoption in Washington.

Let’s start with the Washington State Bar Association, which has brochures on many legal topics and includes one on “Marriage in Washington.” The web address for this is http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/pamphlets/marriage.htm. This pamphlet explains the requirements and obligations of marriage, including prenuptial agreements, estate-planning issues, name changes, the extent of community property, and more.

You apply for marriage licenses at the county-level, usually at the county auditors office. Access Washington has links or telephone numbers for these offices at http://access.wa.gov/government/awmarriage.aspx. King County has its link at http://www.metrokc.gov/lars/marriage/ and includes information on the legal age for marriage, applying for a license in person or by mail, and even has the marriage license application to download.

When a couple applies at the county auditor's office to get married, they receive two documents. The first is the marriage license. The license lets the marriage official know that the couple meets the legal requirements to get married. Once the couple is married, then the other document, the marriage certificate, is completed.

The certificate shows that the couple did actually get married. This document is filed with the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at the Department of Health. If you need to you can contact this office to order a copy of the certificate. This office has marriage records from January 1, 1968. For records before this date contact the county auditor where the license was originally obtained. The web site address is: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/chs/cert.htm

The Washington State Archives has some very early marriage records, including marriage licenses issued. They have records for King County which include a Marriage License Register, 1866-1917, Record of Marriages, 1888-1926, Recorded Marriage Certificates, 1913-1923, plus an index from 1889-1946. The web site address for information on the Puget Sound Regional Branch of the Archives is http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/archives_puget.aspx#genealogical

The Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington State has information about domestic partnerships, including benefits information for Washington, information on legal marriage, and case law affecting legal marriage in Washington. Their web site is http://www.lmaw.org.

The NWJustice Project has a pamphlet titled “Nonmarital Relationships and Property Division” available on their web site at the following address: http://www.washingtonlawhelp.com. Click on Family Law which will bring up various topics. Clicking on "Unmarried couples" will retrieve the pamphlet. This pamphlet includes information on the many things to consider before a couple decides to live together. The Washington Family Law Reporter web site also has an article titled: “Living Together.” Go to http://www.wflr.com/ and click in the left-hand frame to see this article.

If you have married overseas, or plan to marry an immigrant, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has a number of brochures available on its web site that may help. The web site is http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm. Once you get to the site search using words such as “fiancé” or “marriage.” This search will bring up a number of good resources including “How Do I Change My Fiancé(e)’s Status to Lawful Permanent Resident?,” “How Do I Bring My Fiancé(e) to the United States?,” and
“Application Procedures: Removing the Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage.”

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has information on adopting children at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adopt/index.asp. This includes both private and public adoption, issues dealing with adoption, some forms in multiple languages, and more. If you are considering adoption, this is a great place to start.

No matter what aspect of love you need to research, usually a web site can help. Call us at 206-296-0940 if you need help with your search.