City guide · Seattle, Washington · All details last checked Oct 29, 2026

Seattle, Washington document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Seattle, Washington, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

The Seattle Public Library

• Free pages: 10 free black-and-white or 3 free color pages each week at all Library locations, from Library computers or your own device. The free balance reloads on Sunday before opening, and unused pages don't carry over ^[6].
• Extra pages: on 8.5x11 or 8.5x14 paper, 15 cents single-sided or 30 cents double-sided in black and white, and 50 cents or $1.00 in color. On 11x17 paper, 30 or 60 cents in black and white and $1.00 or $2.00 in color. Cash payments can be up to $20 a transaction and card payments up to $5 ^[6].
• Scan and fax: every Library location has self-service ScanEZ kiosks with free scanning. They send free faxes to numbers in the United States and Canada, but the Library can't receive faxes for patrons ^[7].

• The UPS Store: it lists 14 locations in Seattle: 1700 7th Ave, Ste. 116, (206) 624-1550; 505 Broadway E, (206) 860-0818; 3518 Fremont Ave N, (206) 547-4410; 2311 N 45th St, (206) 522-1971; 800 Fifth Ave, Ste. 101, (206) 382-9177; 1416 NW 46th St., Ste. 105, (206) 784-5514; 24 Roy St, (206) 282-2888; 508 Yale Ave N, (206) 588-0901; 1037 NE 65th St, (206) 528-7447; 3815 S Othello St., Ste. 100, (206) 721-1262; 1570 W Armory Way, Ste. 101, (206) 432-9198; 1425 Broadway, (206) 324-5600; 2600 Southwest Barton St., Suite A-8, (206) 900-7155; and 10002 Aurora Ave North, Ste. 36, (206) 527-5065. Its city page says they offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[10]. We didn't find prices on the store pages.

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Seattle

• Library: we didn't find notary service on The Seattle Public Library pages we checked.
• The UPS Store: its Seattle page lists notarizing ^[10]. We didn't find store notary prices; Washington's legal maximum is below.
• Fees (statewide): Washington caps a notary's fee at $15 for witnessing or attesting a signature, taking an acknowledgment or a verification on oath or affirmation, certifying or attesting a copy, administering an oath or affirmation, or certifying that an event occurred. A remote notarial act can cost up to $25 ^[9][11]. A notary need not charge at all ^[12].
• Extras (statewide): a notary may charge the actual cost of copies, and may charge a travel fee only if you agree to it in advance and are told it isn't required by law ^[9]. Washington's $15 cap matches Nevada's and is three times Idaho's $5.

Passports in Seattle

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 8 Seattle facilities ^[8]:

• City of Seattle Customer Service Centers: book an appointment online. The centers take only DS-11 applications (first-time applicants, minor renewals and certain adult renewals); the standard adult renewal, form DS-82, is mail-in only. Expect to wait 15–20 minutes past your appointment time. The Downtown Customer Service Center doesn't accept passport applications ^[13], and the centers don't process passport applications after 4 p.m. ^[14]
• City fees: the $35 acceptance fee is paid to the City of Seattle in cash or by a separate check or money order, and the State Department fee by check or money order only. The centers can't take credit or debit cards for passports. Apply for a book and a card together and you pay one acceptance fee ^[13]. The city page still lists $23.36 for 1–3 day delivery; the State Department's current fee, below, is $26.87 ^[13][15].
• Photos: the locator lists photos on site at all 8 facilities ^[8], but the city's page lists one color 2x2 photo with a white background among the things to bring ^[13]. Ask when you book.
• King County District Court: takes passport applications at seven locations, including Seattle (King County Courthouse) and Bellevue. Appointments are required, with no drop-ins, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m. Each 30-minute slot covers up to 4 people; arrive 10 or more minutes late and you'll need to reschedule. It takes new applications only, not renewals ^[16].
• Court fees: the $35 court fee can be paid by cash, card, check or money order to "King County District Court"; the State Department fee must be a check or money order. Bring a photocopy of your ID and a 2x2 photo, and don't wear glasses in it ^[16]. The locator lists photos on site at the court ^[8], but the court's own page says to bring one, so bring it.
• Post office: the locator says to schedule a passport appointment or see more acceptance times at usps.com/scheduler ^[8].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[17].
• Faster service (national): the State Department's 1–3 business day return delivery is $26.87, for passport books only ^[15].

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates: Washington Department of Health (statewide)

• State price: state law sets $25 for each certified or informational copy, whether it comes from the Department of Health (DOH) or a local registrar, and allows an extra fee for electronic payment ^[18].
• Online or phone (VitalChek): from $40.50 a copy ($25 certificate, $8.50 VitalChek fee and $7 DOH processing fee), plus $3 if you choose online identity verification. DOH says these orders ship 3–7 business days after it receives them ^[19].
• Mail: from $25 a copy, by check or money order to DOH, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507 ^[19][20]. The DOH page gives two timelines: shipped within 6–8 weeks in one place, received within 8–10 weeks in another ^[19].
• In person: DOH partners with local health departments, which may charge an extra fee; most of those orders are filled the same day ^[19]. The local office for this city is below.
• Extras: the state order form lists heirloom birth certificates at $50 and an apostille at $15 ^[20].

Birth and death certificates in person: Public Health – Seattle & King County

• Where: 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 220, Seattle, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (opens at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month). Phone 206-837-0719 ^[3].
• In person: orders are placed at a VitalChek kiosk in the 2nd floor East Lobby; the page says the kiosk fee is $28.50, and certificates are usually issued while you wait, in about 10–15 minutes ^[3].
• Online or phone (VitalChek): $25 plus a $6 agency fee and $11.50 handling, processed in 4–5 business days; UPS rush shipping is $18.50 ^[3].
• Mail: $25 plus $4; birth certificates arrive in about 3–4 weeks ^[3] and death certificates in about 2–3 weeks ^[21].

Marriage licenses: King County Recorder's Office

• Where: the King County Customer Service Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 204 (2nd floor), Seattle, WA 98104, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Apply online first, then finish in person; you can also apply by mail ^[1].
• Fee: $169, paid by cash, check, money order or card (in person) or by check or money order to King County Recorder (mail) ^[1]. Card payments carry a 2.35% fee, $2 minimum ^[22].
• Timing: there's a 3-day waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days. Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate are $3 each ^[1].

Recorded documents: King County Recorder's Office

• Where: 201 S. Jackson St., 2nd floor, Seattle. Documents can also be recorded by mail or e-recording ^[2][23].
• County fees: $303.50 for the first page of a standard document and $1 for each additional page, and $304.50 for the first page of a deed of trust ^[23].
• Copies: certified recorded documents (legal size or smaller) are $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page; uncertified recorded documents are $1 a page; non-recorded, uncertified documents are 15 cents a page; searching records is $8 an hour. The page notes that copy requests by phone end November 2 ^[24]. Cards carry a 2.35% convenience fee, $2 minimum ^[22].

• Statewide law: RCW 36.18.010 sets the county auditor's base fees: $5 for the first page of a recorded document and $1 for each additional page, $3 for the first page of a certified copy and $1 for each additional page, $1 a page for noncertified copies and $8 an hour for record searches. Surcharges from other state laws are added on top ^[25], which is why the county fee above is much higher.

Court records: King County Superior Court Clerk

• Fees: the Department of Judicial Administration's fee schedule lists certified copies at $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, and non-certified copies at 50 cents a page ^[4].
• Fees (statewide law): the superior court clerk charges $5 for the first page of a certified copy and $1 for each additional page, $2 for each additional seal when a copy is authenticated or exemplified, and 50 cents a page for a copy without a seal. A certificate is $2, and mailed copies cost postage plus a $2 handling fee ^[26].

Apostilles (statewide)

• Who: Washington apostilles come from the Secretary of State, not the county ^[5]. Vital records must be apostilled by the state that issued them ^[5].
• Fee: $15 per document; a document can be more than one page. Pay by check or money order to "Secretary of State" ^[5][27].
• Timing: standard processing typically takes 7–10 business days. Expedited processing is $100 extra for each 10 documents and takes 2–3 business days ^[5].
• Same day in person: at the Tumwater office or the newer Cheney (Eastern Washington) location, for $150 extra for the first 10 documents and $100 for each additional 10. Cheney offers same-day service only, and visits there are recorded ^[5]. The expedited and same-day fees both appear on the current apostille page, so both are listed here ^[5].
• Cheney office: 960 Washington St., Cheney, WA 99004, open Monday–Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and closed Thursdays. It provides same-day service only and can't receive mail ^[28].
• Tumwater office: 243 Israel Rd. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501, open Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–3 p.m. The page says this address "can only receive overnight deliveries by a commercial carrier." The same-day cutoff is 30 minutes before closing. Phone 360-725-0377 ^[28].
• By mail: send the request form to PO Box 40228, Olympia, WA 98504-0234 ^[27]. Documents come back by first-class mail unless you include a prepaid, traceable label ^[5]. See the apostille guide.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[29]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• Free events: we didn't find an upcoming free document shred event on the official pages we checked for this guide.
• The UPS Store: its Seattle page lists shredding ^[10]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

All sources last checked Oct 29, 2026, except the locator data file.

1. King County Recorder's Office, "Marriage licensing": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/marriage-licensing (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
2. King County, "Recorder's Office": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
3. Public Health – Seattle & King County, "Order a birth certificate": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/certificates-permits-licenses/order-birth-certificate (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
4. King County Department of Judicial Administration, "Fees and payments": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dja/courts-jails-legal-system/courts-financial/fees-payments (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
5. Washington Secretary of State, "Apostilles Services Information Resource Page": sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/apostilles-services-information-resource-page (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
6. The Seattle Public Library, "Print and Copy": spl.org/using-the-library/reservations-and-requests/reserve-a-computer/computers-and-equipment/print-and-copy (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
7. The Seattle Public Library, "Scan, Fax and Translate": spl.org/using-the-library/reservations-and-requests/reserve-a-computer/computers-and-equipment/scan-fax-and-translate (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
8. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Washington): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
9. Washington Administrative Code, "WAC 308-30-220, Notary fees": app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=308-30-220 (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
10. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Seattle, Washington": locations.theupsstore.com/wa/seattle (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
11. Washington State Department of Licensing, "Laws and rules for notaries public": dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/notaries-public/laws-and-rules-notaries-public (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
12. Revised Code of Washington, "RCW 42.45.170, Fees": app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.45.170 (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
13. City of Seattle Customer Service Centers, "Passports": seattle.gov/customer-service-centers/passports (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
14. City of Seattle Customer Service Centers, "Hours and Payments": seattle.gov/customer-service-centers/hours-and-payments (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
15. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
16. King County District Court, "Passports": kingcounty.gov/en/court/district-court/courts-jails-legal-system/passports (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
17. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
18. Revised Code of Washington, "RCW 70.58A.560, Fees": app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.58A.560 (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
19. Washington State Department of Health, "Ordering a Vital Record": doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/ordering-vital-record (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
20. Washington State Department of Health, "Birth Certificate Order Form" (PDF): doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/422-182-BirthCertificateOrderForm.pdf (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
21. Public Health – Seattle & King County, "Order a death certificate": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/certificates-permits-licenses/order-death-certificate (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
22. King County Recorder's Office, "Payment information": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/payment-information (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
23. King County Recorder's Office, "Document recording": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/document-recording (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
24. King County Recorder's Office, "Copy requests": kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive-services/certificates-permits-licenses/records-licensing/recorders-office/copy-requests (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
25. Revised Code of Washington, "RCW 36.18.010, Auditor's fees": app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.18.010 (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
26. Revised Code of Washington, "RCW 36.18.016, Revenue collected under RCW 36.18.020 and other fees": app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.18.016 (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
27. Washington Secretary of State, "Apostilles request form" (PDF, 6.2025): sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/6.2025%20-%20Apostilles%20request%20form.pdf (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
28. Washington Secretary of State, "Corporations and Charities: Contact us": sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/contact-us (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
29. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 29, 2026)

Related guides

• Boise, Idaho document errands
• Missoula, Montana document errands
• Salt Lake City, Utah document errands
• Where to get something notarized, and what it costs: banks, credit unions, libraries, AAA, The UPS Store and online notary, plus state fee limits.
• US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
• How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
• Free notary options
• Map of our city guides
• All guides