Lake Stevens Marriage License
If you need a marriage license and live in Lake Stevens, you will apply through Snohomish County, not the city. The Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett handles all marriage license applications for people in the county. Lake Stevens does not have its own licensing office. This page covers where to go, what documents to bring, how much the fee is, what the waiting period looks like, and where to find or request copies of marriage records once the ceremony has taken place.
Lake Stevens Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Lake Stevens
Lake Stevens is in Snohomish County, so marriage license applications go to the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett. The office is at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 204, Everett, WA 98201. The drive from Lake Stevens to Everett takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Both applicants must appear in person. You cannot apply by mail or send a representative to apply on your behalf.
The auditor's office handles marriage licenses along with other licensing and recording services. The phone number is (425) 388-3483. Their marriage license page at snohomishcountywa.gov has current hours, fee details, and information about the application process. It is worth reviewing before your visit. The auditor's office works on a walk-in basis during business hours, so no appointment is generally needed.
| Office | Snohomish County Auditor - Marriage Licenses |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 204 Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3483 |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov/294/Marriage-Licenses |
The Lake Stevens city clerk handles city records and municipal matters, but does not issue marriage licenses. If someone told you to go to city hall for a license, that information is incorrect. Everett is the only place to apply for a Snohomish County marriage license.
Lake Stevens Marriage License Requirements
Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets the rules for who can get a marriage license and what they must bring. Snohomish County follows these state requirements. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. A 17-year-old may apply only with a court order. No one younger than 17 may legally marry in Washington.
Each applicant must present a valid government-issued photo ID that shows a date of birth. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, a state-issued identification card, a U.S. passport, or a military identification card. The name shown on your ID is the name that goes on the license. If you have changed your name through a prior marriage or court order and there is a discrepancy, clear that up before your visit so the process goes smoothly. You will also need your Social Security number. Bringing the card is not required, just knowing the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, there is an exemption form you can complete.
The application form asks for both applicants' full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and parents' names including the mother's maiden name. If either person has been divorced or widowed, you will need to state when that prior marriage ended. The staff will ask whether it ended by divorce, annulment, or death, and what the date was. No documentation is needed for this, but you should know the information. Washington State does not require a blood test or any other medical exam prior to issuing a marriage license. That requirement was dropped decades ago.
There is no residency requirement. Whether you live in Lake Stevens, have recently moved to the area, or are visiting from out of state, you may apply at Snohomish County as long as the ceremony will take place somewhere in Washington.
Fees and Waiting Period for Lake Stevens Marriage Licenses
Snohomish County charges $64 for a marriage license. That is one of the lower county fees in Washington. The fee is non-refundable once paid. The office accepts various payment types. Check the auditor's website before your visit to confirm which forms of payment are currently accepted, since policies occasionally change.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.180 mandates a three-day waiting period between the day after you apply and the first day the license is valid. If you submit your application on a Wednesday, the earliest ceremony date is Saturday. The waiting period continues through weekends and holidays. Once valid, the license stays active for 60 days. Your ceremony must happen in that window. If the license expires before the ceremony takes place, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.
For most couples, applying at least a week before the planned ceremony is a good idea. That gives a buffer in case anything needs to be adjusted without running out of time on the license.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from the auditor's office after the record is filed. If you need copies for a name change with the Social Security Administration, your employer, or a financial institution, ordering them at the same time makes sense rather than making a second trip.
Note: License fees are set by state law and can change. Confirm the current amount with the Snohomish County Auditor before your visit.
Lake Stevens Marriage License Records
After the ceremony, the person who officiated must sign the license and return it to the Snohomish County Auditor within 30 days. RCW 26.04.160 makes this a legal duty. Once the county records the document, the data is sent to the Washington State Department of Health, where it joins the statewide vital records registry. If the officiant fails to return the signed license, the marriage may not be officially recorded, which can cause real problems when you try to use it as proof of marriage for legal or government purposes.
For recent Snohomish County marriage records, contact the auditor's office directly. They can provide certified copies in person or by mail. Certified copies serve as legal proof of marriage and are accepted by agencies like the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, and passport offices.
The City of Lake Stevens provides city services information online, though marriage licenses for Lake Stevens residents are issued through the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett.
For older historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Snohomish County marriage records going back many decades. The archive is searchable online at no cost. It is useful for genealogical research or tracking down records that predate the county's active digital system. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also processes certified copy requests by mail. If you prefer to order online, VitalChek can process requests through their platform, though a service fee applies on top of the base cost of the copy.
Snohomish County Marriage License Resources
All Lake Stevens marriage license applications go through Snohomish County. The county page has more detail on the auditor's office, including hours, accepted payments, and how to search for Snohomish County marriage records. Visit the county page if you need additional information beyond what is covered here.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Lake Stevens and also have marriage license pages. Marysville and Everett are also in Snohomish County and use the same auditor's office.