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These documents are currently being revised to incorporate the changes made during the 2024 Legislative Session. Please consult the Sections Affected Table for changes made during the 2024 Legislative Session.

Beginning of Chapter  <<  9A.64.010 >>   9A.64.020

Bigamy.

(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.

NOTES:

Severability—1986 c 257: See note following RCW 9A.56.010.
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