Find a Marriage License in Bellingham

Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County, and the Whatcom County Auditor's Office in Bellingham is where you apply for a marriage license. Because the Auditor's office is located right in Bellingham, residents do not have to travel far. This page covers how to get a marriage license in Bellingham, what you need to bring, what the current fees are, and how to look up Bellingham marriage records once you are married.

Getting a Marriage License in Bellingham

Bellingham residents apply for marriage licenses at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office, which is located right in downtown Bellingham at 311 Grand Ave, Suite 103. This is a convenient setup for Bellingham residents since the office is in the same city. The Auditor's website at whatcomcounty.us has current information on the application process, including whether an online application start option is available.

The Whatcom County Auditor can be reached by phone at (360) 778-5020. Office hours are standard county business hours, Monday through Friday. The Bellingham City Clerk at 210 Lottie St handles city records and public records requests but does not issue marriage licenses. If you have questions about city services or records unrelated to marriage, you can reach the City Clerk at (360) 778-8100.

The Whatcom County Auditor's website mentions that an online application start is available. Mailed applications may also be accepted in some situations. Check with the Auditor's office directly for current options since procedures can change. Either way, both parties typically need to appear in person at some point in the process to sign the final application.

The City of Bellingham website provides general city information, department contacts, and public services for Bellingham residents.

While the city website covers a wide range of local services, marriage licenses in Bellingham are issued by the Whatcom County Auditor's Office, not the city.

Bellingham Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the requirements for marriage licenses across all counties. Bellingham residents applying through Whatcom County follow the same statewide rules. The process is manageable if you come prepared.

Both parties must appear in person to complete the application. If one person signed the application before a notary public in advance, the other may complete it alone. Each person needs to bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. This can be a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You must be at least 18 years old to marry without additional court approval. Washington does not require either party to be a state resident, so out-of-state couples can apply in Whatcom County as well.

The application asks for Social Security numbers for both parties. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign an exemption form. You will also need your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. This is information you should gather before going to the Auditor's office. No blood test is needed in Washington.

Whatcom County's Auditor website indicates that a mailed application option may be available. Check directly with the office at (360) 778-5020 for current procedures. Note: All documents are verified in person, so even if you start the process online or by mail, you may need to appear at the office at some point before the license is issued.

Fees and Waiting Period for Bellingham Marriage Licenses

The Whatcom County marriage license fee is approximately $59 to $65. This is significantly lower than the fee charged by larger counties like King County. Confirm the exact current amount with the Whatcom County Auditor before your visit, since fees can shift with state or county budget changes. Whatcom County typically accepts cash, check, and money orders. Ask about card payment when you call.

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a mandatory three-day waiting period between the date of application and the earliest date your ceremony can take place. This waiting period applies statewide and cannot be waived. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Your ceremony must happen within that 60-day window. If it does not, the license expires and you need to apply again.

Your ceremony can happen anywhere in Washington State. Bellingham has parks, event venues, and waterfront locations that are popular for outdoor ceremonies. If you prefer a civil ceremony, the Bellingham Municipal Court may be an option. The court is located at 625 Halleck St in Bellingham and can be reached at (360) 778-5900. Contact the court directly to ask about judge availability and any associated fees for performing a ceremony.

Certified copies of your Whatcom County marriage certificate are available from the Auditor's office. Contact the office for the current per-copy fee. Order at least two or three copies if you plan to use them for name changes, insurance, or other official documents.

Bellingham Marriage License Records

After your ceremony, the completed license is returned to the Whatcom County Auditor's Office and becomes an official public record. Whatcom County holds marriage records going back many years, with older documents also available through the Washington State Digital Archives.

For recent Bellingham marriage records, contact the Whatcom County Auditor's Office at (360) 778-5020 or visit the county website. Certified copies can be requested there. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also maintains marriage records and can issue certified copies. If you prefer to use a third-party service, VitalChek is an authorized provider that works with state and county offices across Washington to fulfill certified copy requests.

For older records and genealogy research, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Whatcom County marriage records and makes them free to search online. Records from the 1800s and early 1900s may be less detailed than modern ones, but many are indexed by name and searchable. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records on file with the county are public records that anyone can request. Social Security numbers are kept confidential and are not part of the publicly viewable document.

Whatcom County Marriage License

Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County, and the Whatcom County Auditor's Office handles all marriage license applications for the county. Because the office is in Bellingham, residents do not have to travel to another city to apply. The Auditor's office also holds the county's official marriage records and can issue certified copies.

For more information on the Whatcom County marriage license process, visit the Whatcom County Marriage License page.

Nearby Cities

Bellingham is in northwest Washington near the Canadian border. Other qualifying cities in the region have their own marriage license pages with local details.