Washington statute
RCW 9A.64.010 — Bigamy
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.64: Family Offenses, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.64.010
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) A person is guilty of bigamy if he or she intentionally marries or purports to marry another person when either person has a living spouse.
(2) In any prosecution under this section, it is a defense that at the time of the subsequent marriage or purported marriage:
(a) The actor reasonably believed that the prior spouse was dead; or
(b) A court had entered a judgment purporting to terminate or annul any prior disqualifying marriage and the actor did not know that such judgment was invalid; or
(c) The actor reasonably believed that he or she was legally eligible to marry.
(3) The limitation imposed by RCW 9A.04.080 on commencing a prosecution for bigamy does not begin to run until the death of the prior or subsequent spouse of the actor or until a court enters a judgment terminating or annulling the prior or subsequent marriage.
(4) Bigamy is a class C felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is bigamy a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Bigamy is a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.64.010.
Which Washington statute covers bigamy?
Bigamy is governed by RCW 9A.64.010 (Bigamy).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.