Find a Marriage License in Camas

If you live in Camas and need a marriage license, you apply through the Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver. Camas is part of Clark County, so all marriage license applications for Camas residents go through that office. This page covers the office location, what you need to bring, the fee, how the waiting period works, and how to search for Camas marriage records.

Getting a Marriage License in Camas

Camas sits in Clark County, just east of Vancouver near the Columbia River. The Camas City Clerk, located at 616 NE 4th Ave, handles city records and municipal documents but does not issue marriage licenses. For a marriage license in Camas, you go to the Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver. That office issues all marriage licenses for residents throughout Clark County, including those who live in Camas.

The Clark County Auditor's Office is at 1200 Franklin St in Vancouver. Clark County offers an online pre-application that lets you fill in your information before your visit. This saves time at the counter. The pre-application does not replace the in-person appointment, but it does mean less paperwork when you arrive. Both parties still need to show up in person to sign the final application unless one party has already signed before a notary.

Clark County is one of the faster and more streamlined auditor offices for marriage licenses in southwestern Washington. The online pre-application option is a real plus, especially if you want to get in and out quickly. Call the office at (360) 397-2285 if you need to confirm hours before making the drive from Camas to Vancouver.

Camas Marriage License Requirements

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the baseline rules for all marriage licenses in the state. Clark County follows these rules. There are no extra local requirements that apply only to Camas residents.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the Clark County Auditor's Office. If one party already signed the application before a notary, the other person can go alone to complete it. Each person must show a valid, government-issued photo ID that includes a date of birth. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID all qualify. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require you to be a state resident to apply.

The application will ask for Social Security numbers for both parties. If you do not have one, you sign an exemption form instead. You will also need to provide parents' full legal names, mothers' maiden names, and parents' birthplaces for both people. Pull this information together before your visit to keep things moving. No blood test is required in Washington State. That rule was dropped long ago.

Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period

Clark County charges $72 for a marriage license. This is lower than many other Washington counties. The fee is paid at the time of application and is non-refundable. The Clark County Auditor's Office can tell you what forms of payment they accept when you call ahead.

Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington law requires a three-day waiting period between when you apply and when your ceremony can legally take place. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. Your ceremony window is between day three and day sixty from the application date. The ceremony does not have to happen in Clark County or even in the Vancouver area. You can hold it anywhere in Washington State.

If you need certified copies of your marriage certificate after the wedding, you can request them from the Clark County Auditor's Office. Certified copies serve as legal proof of the marriage for name changes, benefits updates, and other official purposes. The Washington State Department of Health also maintains marriage records at the state level through vital records.

The City of Camas maintains its own website at cityofcamas.us for local government information. Marriage license applications for Camas residents are handled by the Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver.

Note: Confirm the current fee and hours with the Clark County Auditor before making the trip from Camas to Vancouver.

Camas Marriage License Records

Marriage records for Camas residents are kept by the Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver. After a ceremony, the signed license goes back to the Auditor, where it is officially recorded. That recorded document is the legal marriage certificate on file for your county.

Clark County marriage records go back many decades. For older historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds marriage records from counties across the state. The archive is free to search online and is run by the Washington State Archives. It is a useful tool for genealogy research or for finding records from family members who were married in Clark County long ago. For recent marriages, the county's own records system is the better starting point.

Certified copies can be ordered from the Clark County Auditor's Office. They cost a set fee per copy and are needed for legal name changes and other official purposes. For state-level access to vital records, the Washington State Department of Health vital records office is an option. Third-party ordering services like VitalChek can also help you request certified copies from state and county offices.

Washington marriage records are generally public. The names, dates, ceremony location, and other details on the license are part of the public record. Social Security numbers collected during the application are kept confidential and do not appear on any copy issued to the public.

What Camas Marriage Records Contain

A Clark County marriage license and the recorded certificate include a detailed set of data about both parties. The application captures information before the ceremony. After the wedding, the signed license is returned to the Auditor's Office and recorded.

Clark County marriage records typically include the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and home addresses at the time of application. The record also shows each person's parents' full names, mothers' maiden names, and parents' birthplaces. Previous marital status is noted on the application. After recording, the certificate adds the ceremony date, ceremony location, officiant name, and witness signatures. Social Security numbers are collected during the process but are not part of the public record. They are kept private.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate are the standard form of legal proof for a marriage. Agencies including the Social Security Administration, the Washington Department of Licensing, and federal passport offices all require certified copies when you need to update your name or records. Informational or plain copies do not satisfy those requirements. Order certified copies from the Clark County Auditor's Office or through the state's vital records system at the Department of Health.

Clark County Marriage License

Camas marriage license applications are processed through Clark County. The Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver is the issuing office for all Clark County residents, including those in Camas. Once your ceremony is complete and the license is returned and recorded, your marriage certificate becomes part of the permanent Clark County records system.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in and near Clark County also use the Clark County Auditor's Office for marriage license applications.