Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Are we legally married?

My husband and I were married last July in Mexico, when we returned we never filed the certificate with the court. we are in the process of splitting up... are we leagally married and do we need to file for a divirce in the state of Washington?


Asked on 4/05/07, 1:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: Are we legally married?

Washington recognizes marriages validly contracted elsewhere and there is nothing you need to file with any court here for your marriage to be recognized.

You are legally married here, so if you want to divorce, you alert the State Department of Health that your marriage occurred in Mexico on the date it happened.

Then you file a summons and petition for dissolution in King COunty.

The forms are available on line at courts dot wa dot gov.

There are additional county-specific forms you can get at the clerk's website at metrokc dot gov.

If you and your spouse agree you can file a joinder, which will keep the costs down.

Hope this helps - Powell

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Answered on 4/05/07, 4:57 pm


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