Marriage License in Lacey
Lacey residents who need a marriage license apply through the Thurston County Auditor's Office, not the city. The auditor handles all marriage license applications for people who live in Thurston County, and Lacey is one of the larger cities in that county. The city clerk's office does not issue licenses. This page walks through where the auditor's office is, what you need to bring, what the fee is, how the waiting period works, and how to get a certified copy of your marriage record after the ceremony.
Lacey Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Lacey
Since Lacey is in Thurston County, all marriage license applications go to the Thurston County Auditor's Office. The office is located in Olympia at 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Building 1. That puts it just a few miles from downtown Lacey. Both applicants must appear in person when submitting the application. The office does offer an online application option that allows you to complete some of the paperwork before you arrive, which can cut down on the time you spend at the counter.
The auditor's office handles marriage licenses along with a range of other county licensing and recording services. Phone number is (360) 786-5408. Their dedicated marriage license page at thurstoncountywa.gov has current fee information, office hours, and details about the online pre-application process. It is worth checking before your visit to make sure nothing has changed.
| Office | Thurston County Auditor - Licensing Services |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Building 1 Olympia, WA 98502 |
| Phone | (360) 786-5408 |
| Website | thurstoncountywa.gov |
The Lacey City Clerk's office maintains city records and the municipal code, but it has no role in issuing marriage licenses. Do not head to city hall expecting to get a license there. The auditor's office in Olympia is the only place for Thurston County applicants.
Lacey Marriage License Requirements
Washington law sets the requirements for all marriage licenses through RCW Chapter 26.04. Thurston County follows these statewide rules. Both applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old may apply only if a court order authorizes the marriage. No one under 17 may legally marry in Washington.
Each applicant must show a valid government-issued photo ID with a birth date. A driver's license, state identification card, U.S. passport, or military ID all count. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name you want on the license. If there is a discrepancy because of a prior legal name change, address that before your appointment. You also need to know your Social Security number. The physical card is not required, just the number itself. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign an exemption form in its place.
The application collects both applicants' full legal names, dates and places of birth, and parents' names including the mother's maiden name and parents' birthplaces. If either person has been married before, you will need to provide the date and reason the prior marriage ended, whether that was divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. You do not need to bring documentation, just know the information. Washington does not require a blood test or any medical screening before issuing a marriage license.
No residency requirement applies. People who live in Lacey, newcomers to the area, and out-of-state visitors may all apply at Thurston County as long as the wedding ceremony will take place somewhere in Washington State.
Note: Neither party is required to be a Washington resident to apply for a marriage license in Thurston County.
Fees and Waiting Period for Lacey Marriage Licenses
The Thurston County marriage license fee is $172. This is one of the higher county fees in Washington and reflects state surcharges added in recent years. The fee covers the license and all associated processing. It is non-refundable. The auditor's office accepts several forms of payment. Check the county website before your visit to confirm which types are currently accepted, since policies can change.
Washington requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license becomes valid. This comes from state law under RCW 26.04.180. The waiting period starts the day after your application is submitted and approved. If you apply on a Monday, the earliest you can hold the ceremony is Thursday. The waiting period runs straight through weekends and holidays, so there are no delays for those. Once valid, the license is good for 60 days. If your ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and you would need to apply again and pay again. Most couples apply at least a week before their planned ceremony to give themselves a comfortable buffer.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost a small fee per copy. The county auditor can provide them in person or by mail. Order more than one at once if you know you will need copies for multiple agencies like the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, or your bank.
Lacey Marriage License Records
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Thurston County Auditor within 30 days. Under RCW 26.04.160, this is a legal obligation on the officiant. Once the county records the document, the data goes to the Washington State Department of Health for inclusion in the statewide vital records registry. If the license is not returned and recorded, the marriage will not show up in official records, which can create complications if you later need a certified copy to show as proof.
For recent Thurston County marriage records, contact the auditor's office directly. They can provide certified copies in person. For older historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds marriage records going back many decades and is free to search online. That resource works well for genealogy research or tracking down older records that the county's active database may not include.
The City of Lacey provides general city services online, but marriage licenses for Lacey residents are issued through the Thurston County Auditor's Office in Olympia.
The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also handles certified copy requests by mail if visiting the county office is not easy for you. For an online ordering option, VitalChek processes requests for certified copies from state and county offices, though they add a service fee beyond the base cost of the copy.
Thurston County Marriage License Resources
Lacey is in Thurston County. All marriage license applications for Lacey residents go through the Thurston County Auditor's Office. The county page covers the auditor's office in more detail, including hours, the online application option, and how to search Thurston County marriage records. Visit the county page for a fuller picture.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Lacey and also have marriage license pages. Olympia and Tumwater are also in Thurston County and use the same auditor's office.