Washington State Marriage License

A marriage license in Washington is issued by the County Auditor in the county where you apply. Each of the state's 39 counties has its own auditor's office that handles license applications and keeps marriage records. Couples can apply in any county regardless of where they live or where the ceremony will take place. After the license is issued, a mandatory 3-day waiting period begins. Washington marriage license records are public documents. Historical records are searchable free of charge through the Washington State Digital Archives, and certified copies of recent marriage certificates are available through the state Department of Health.

How Washington Marriage Licenses Work

Washington State does not issue marriage licenses at the state level. All licenses come from the County Auditor in one of the 39 counties. The county auditor's office handles the entire process from application to recording the completed certificate after the ceremony. You do not need to apply in the county where you live. Couples from out of state can apply here too. There is no residency requirement. You simply pick the county that is most convenient and show up in person during business hours.

Both parties must appear at the auditor's office together to apply. You cannot send one person to apply on behalf of the other. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Some counties offer a mail application option for couples who cannot appear in person, but both applicants must then sign the forms in front of a notary public before mailing everything in with payment. Check with the specific county office to confirm they offer this option and to get current processing times.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the county auditor within 30 days under RCW 26.04.140. The auditor records the document and keeps it on file. That recorded certificate becomes the permanent marriage record.

Washington Marriage License Requirements

Both people applying for a Washington marriage license must be at least 18 years old and must each show a valid government-issued photo ID that includes their birth date. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. You do not need to bring a birth certificate. The application asks for Social Security numbers for both parties, which is a federal requirement. If you do not have a Social Security number, you sign an exemption form instead. You also need to provide the full names of both of your parents, including your mother's maiden name, and the birthplaces of your parents by state or country. Under RCW 26.04.160, the application is a sworn statement signed under penalty of perjury, so all information must be accurate.

No blood test is required in Washington. You do not need to produce divorce papers if you were previously married, but your prior marriage must be legally dissolved before you can remarry. The application asks you to declare your current marital status, which means single, divorced, or widowed. Washington has no residency requirement. Anyone from any state or country may apply for a marriage license here. The ceremony itself must take place within Washington State.

The Washington State Courts website lists all judicial officers authorized to perform marriage ceremonies across the state.

Waiting Period and License Validity

Washington law requires a 3-day waiting period before any marriage ceremony can take place. This waiting period begins the day after you submit your application at the county auditor's office. Under RCW 26.04.180, this waiting period cannot be waived for any reason. There are no exceptions, no matter the circumstances. If you apply on a Monday, the earliest you can hold the ceremony is Thursday. Courts cannot grant waivers. No county auditor can override this requirement. It applies statewide without exception.

The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Your ceremony must take place between 3 and 63 days from the date of your application. If you do not use the license within that window, it expires and you would need to apply again and pay the fee again. The ceremony must be performed within Washington State. A license issued in Washington cannot be used for a ceremony in another state. Two witnesses are required at the ceremony and both must be at least 12 years old under Washington law. Washington does not allow self-solemnization, meaning the couple cannot perform their own ceremony without an officiant.

Marriage License Fees Across Washington

The fee for a marriage license varies by county. Washington State sets a base fee but allows counties to add local surcharges. Fees range from about $60 in some smaller counties to over $170 in others. Benton County charges around $59 to $61, which is among the lowest in the state. Cowlitz County charges $172, and Clallam County charges $162. Franklin County and Grant County each charge $159. Most counties fall somewhere in the $65 to $100 range. The fee is non-refundable once the application is processed, even if you decide not to get married or the ceremony does not happen before the license expires.

Payment methods vary by county. Most accept cash, check, and money order. Some accept credit and debit cards. A few counties specifically do not accept personal checks. Grant County, for example, accepts only checks, cash, and money orders. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment your chosen county accepts. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 per copy at most county auditor offices.

The Washington State Association of County Auditors maintains a directory of all 39 county auditor offices with contact information and fee schedules.

The Washington State Association of County Auditors links to all 39 county offices across the state, each of which issues marriage licenses and keeps records.

Washington State Marriage License Records

The Washington State Department of Health maintains a statewide index of marriage records from 1968 to the present. Anyone can request a certified marriage certificate from the DOH. You do not need to be one of the parties listed on the record or prove any relationship to them. The fee is $25 per certified copy. Marriage certificates from the DOH include the state registrar's signature and are accepted by federal agencies and other official purposes. County auditor copies, while also certified, are not always accepted by federal agencies for official purposes.

The Washington Department of Health vital records office processes certified marriage certificate requests by mail, phone, and online through their authorized vendor.

You can order a certified copy of a Washington marriage certificate in three ways. Online orders go through VitalChek, which is the only contracted third-party vendor authorized by Washington State for this purpose. Phone orders also go through VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. Mail orders go directly to the DOH Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks from the time payment and paperwork are received. Online and phone orders through VitalChek process faster, typically 3 to 7 business days depending on shipping.

The DOH ordering page walks through exactly what information you need to provide and what forms of payment are accepted for certified marriage certificate requests.

For marriages that happened within the past five months, the DOH may not yet have the record. In that case, go directly to the county auditor's office in the county where the license was issued. They will have the recorded certificate on file and can provide a certified county copy for $3.

Washington State Digital Archives

The Washington State Digital Archives is a free online database that provides access to historical marriage records from all 39 counties. The archives are maintained by the Washington Secretary of State's Office. Records include marriage applications, licenses, certificates, and returns going back to the 1800s for many counties. The database is searchable by name, date range, and county. You do not need to create an account or pay any fee to search and view records. Digital copies of original documents can be viewed and downloaded directly from the site.

The Digital Archives search interface allows you to search by groom or bride name, or by Person A and Person B for marriages recorded after the 2012 Marriage Equality Act.

The search function includes Soundex capability for name variations and allows partial match searching. Results display the full record details and link to available document images. Prior to December 6, 2012, records use "Groom and Bride" terminology. After that date, records use "Person A and Person B" following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act. The size of each county's collection varies. Some counties have over 100,000 indexed marriage records. The archives continue to add records as volunteers and staff process additional batches of historical documents. If you are doing genealogical research, the Digital Archives is the recommended starting point for any Washington marriage record older than 1968.

Marriage Laws in Washington State

Washington marriage law is governed by RCW Chapter 26.04, which covers the full spectrum of marriage requirements and procedures. Under RCW 26.04.010, marriage is a civil contract between two persons who have each reached the age of 18. Washington prohibits bigamous marriages and marriages between persons more closely related than second cousins under RCW 26.04.020. The state does not require couples to complete any counseling or waiting period beyond the standard 3-day window before the ceremony.

The full text of RCW Chapter 26.04, which governs all marriage license requirements and procedures in Washington, is available on the state legislature's website at no cost.

Washington became one of the first states to pass marriage equality through a voter referendum. The state's Marriage Equality Act took effect on December 6, 2012. Since then, any two persons who meet the age and other legal requirements may apply for a marriage license. The state registrar updated all vital records terminology to reflect the change. Applications filed after December 6, 2012 use "Person A" and "Person B" instead of "Groom" and "Bride." Under RCW 70.58A.300, the state registrar provides registration forms to county auditors who then manage the license and certificate process at the local level.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Washington

Under RCW 26.04.050, the following people may legally solemnize a marriage in Washington: Justices of the Washington Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Appeals, Superior Court Judges, District Court Judges, Municipal Court Judges, court commissioners, and any licensed or ordained minister or official of a religious organization. Retired judges may also perform ceremonies. Court commissioners carry the same authority as judges for marriage ceremonies. Municipal court judges can perform ceremonies anywhere in Washington State, not just within their jurisdiction.

The Washington State Courts website maintains a directory of all judicial officers who are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies across the state.

Many courts offer civil ceremony services at the courthouse for a fee. Ceremony fees at courts generally range from $50 to $150 depending on the court and whether you want the ceremony held on a weekday or weekend. Some courts require both parties to appear in person to schedule. Others allow you to arrange by phone. If you need two witnesses and do not have anyone to bring, many courts will provide witness services. Washington does not allow self-solemnization, so you must have a qualified officiant present at your ceremony.

Special Programs and Resources

Washington's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), administered by the Attorney General's Office, provides substitute addresses for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and stalking. ACP participants who are applying for a marriage license must contact the county auditor's office directly to schedule a private appointment. Marriage records for ACP participants have restricted public access to protect their confidentiality. If you or your partner are enrolled in ACP, call the auditor's office before visiting to explain your situation.

The Department of Health also offers Single Status Letters for people who need to prove they are not currently married, which is often required for marriage in other countries. The fee is $25 per 10-year search period. The letter is signed by the State Registrar and can be apostilled for international use. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. To request one, contact the DOH at doh.wa.gov.

For genealogical research, the Washington State Library in Tumwater provides research assistance including newspaper archives, city directories, and historical marriage indexes that predate statewide registration in 1968. Phone reference is available at (360) 704-5221.

The Washington State Library in Tumwater holds historical indexes, newspaper collections, and research guides useful for tracing marriage records that predate the 1968 statewide registration system.

Washington State Archives Regional Branches

The Washington State Archives operates five regional branches that hold original county marriage records transferred from county auditors. The Northwest Regional Branch in Bellingham serves Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan counties. The Southwest Regional Branch in Olympia serves Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, and Pacific counties. The Central Regional Branch in Ellensburg serves Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, and Yakima counties. The Eastern Regional Branch in Cheney serves Adams, Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties. The Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue serves King County.

Each regional branch of the Washington State Archives holds physical marriage records from its service area counties and can assist with in-person research requests for historical documents.

Regional branch contact details: Northwest Regional at (360) 650-3125, Southwest Regional at (360) 753-1684, Central Regional at (509) 963-2136, Eastern Regional at (509) 235-7508, and Puget Sound Regional at (425) 564-3940. You can also reach each branch by email through the State Archives research page. If you need physical access to original marriage records that have been transferred out of the county auditor's custody, these branches are where to look.

Browse Washington Marriage License Records by Location

Washington marriage licenses are issued at the county level. Select a county or city below to find local auditor contact information, fees, procedures, and resources specific to that area.

Counties

Every Washington county has its own auditor's office that issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. The most populous counties are listed below.

View All 39 Washington Counties

Cities

The cities below are among the largest in Washington. Each one files marriage licenses at the county auditor in its county.

View Major Washington Cities