SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1600
As of March 14, 2025
Title: An act relating to modifying the fee to support family services.
Brief Description: Modifying the fee to support family services.
Sponsors: Representatives Eslick, Parshley, Ryu, Simmons, Macri and Fosse.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/11/25, 72-23.
Committee Activity: Local Government: 3/17/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the limit, from $15 to $30, of the local option marriage license fee that county legislative authorities may impose to fund family services.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: John Kim (786-7453)
Background:

Mandatory Marriage License Fees. County auditors or recording officers must collect certain fees for issuing a marriage license.  Fees include the following:

  • an $8 fee, which includes taking necessary affidavits, filing returns, indexing, and transmittal of a record of the marriage to the state registrar of vital statistics;
  • an additional $5 fee for use and support of the prevention of child abuse and neglect activities to be transmitted monthly to the state treasurer and deposited in the state general fund; and
  • an additional $10 fee to be transmitted monthly to the state treasurer and deposited in the state general fund.

 

In addition to the above, a number of other state and local archival fees and certified copy fees, associated with certifying copies and recording instruments, must be imposed.

 

Local Option Marriage License Fees. County legislative authorities are authorized to establish an additional fee for a marriage license, not exceeding $15, to fund family services, such as family support centers.

 

Another local option marriage license fee that county legislative authorities may charge is a family court services fee, not to exceed $8.
Summary of Bill:

The maximum local option marriage license fee that a county legislative authority may impose to fund family services is increased from $15 to $30.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.