Access Lynnwood Marriage License Records
If you live in Lynnwood and need a marriage license, you go to the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett, not to city hall. Lynnwood is part of Snohomish County, and the county auditor is the only office that issues marriage licenses here. The city handles local services but has no role in marriage licensing. Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the auditor's office. This page covers what to bring, what the fee is, how the waiting period works, and where to search Lynnwood marriage license records.
Lynnwood Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Lynnwood
Lynnwood sits in Snohomish County. That means the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett is where you get your marriage license. The auditor's office is at 3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 204 in Everett, about 10 to 15 miles north of Lynnwood. It is not a long drive, but you should plan around traffic since the I-5 corridor between Lynnwood and Everett can get busy during rush hours.
Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 assigns marriage licensing to county auditors. City clerks do not have this authority. The City of Lynnwood at 19100 44th Ave W handles local city functions. If you call the city at (425) 670-5000 about a marriage license, staff there will send you to Snohomish County. That is the right call. The county handles everything from the application through the final recorded certificate.
You can reach the Snohomish County Auditor at (425) 388-3483 to ask about current hours, the application process, or anything else before your visit. Their marriage license page at snohomishcountywa.gov has useful details about what to expect when you arrive.
| Office | Snohomish County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 204 Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3483 |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov/294/Marriage-Licenses |
Check office hours before you go. The auditor's office is typically open weekdays during business hours, but holidays or special circumstances can affect hours. Both applicants must arrive at the same time. You cannot have one person go ahead and the other follow later.
Lynnwood Marriage License Requirements
Snohomish County follows Washington State law on who can get a marriage license and what you need to bring. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with written parental consent. No one under 17 may receive a license in Washington. Washington does not require state residency, so you can live out of state and still apply for a Snohomish County license as long as your ceremony will take place in Washington.
Each applicant must show a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport works. Expired IDs are not accepted. The name on your ID should match the name you plan to use on the license. If you have had a legal name change that is not reflected on your current ID, bring the supporting documents, such as a prior marriage certificate or court order, that show the full name history.
You will need your Social Security number. You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but the number must be accurate when you fill out the application. If either person was previously married, you need to know how and when that marriage ended. A divorce date, annulment date, or the date a spouse passed away are all acceptable. The clerk will ask for that information. Have it ready before you go to avoid delays.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 covers the specifics of the application process, including what information must be captured and how the license must be handled. No blood test is required in Washington State. No medical certificate is needed either.
Fees and Waiting Period
The Snohomish County marriage license fee is $64. Compared to King County just to the south, that is a meaningful difference. Snohomish County is one of the more affordable places in the Puget Sound region to obtain a marriage license. The fee is due at the time of application. It is not refundable. Confirm with the auditor's office before your visit whether they accept credit cards, checks, or cash only.
A three-day waiting period applies after you receive your license. Under RCW 26.04.180, the ceremony cannot take place until three days after the license is issued. The waiting period cannot be waived. Keep the ceremony date in mind when choosing when to apply. If you apply on a Tuesday, the earliest your wedding can happen is Friday. The license is valid for 60 days. Use it within that window or it expires and you must apply again.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Snohomish County Auditor within the time required by state law. Once the auditor records the document, the marriage is official. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are separate and carry their own cost when ordered later.
Note: Snohomish County's fee may change based on new state legislation or county decisions. Verify the current amount before you go.
Lynnwood Marriage License Records
Marriage license records for Lynnwood residents are kept by the Snohomish County Auditor's Office after the license is returned and recorded. The recorded document is a public record in Washington. You can request a copy in person at the Everett office or by mail. The auditor can provide either a certified or an uncertified copy depending on what you need. Certified copies cost more but carry legal weight for purposes like name changes and passport applications.
The Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide vital records, including certified marriage records from across Washington going back to 1968. You can order certified copies through doh.wa.gov. That is useful if you prefer ordering from one central state office. For online ordering, VitalChek processes official certified copy requests from both state and county sources.
For older historical Snohomish County marriage records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds scanned records going back many decades. Searching the archive is free. It covers counties across the state and is widely used for genealogy and family history work. If you are looking for a record from the early 1900s or before, that is the place to start.
The City of Lynnwood's official website at lynnwoodwa.gov covers city services and local resources. Marriage license applications for Lynnwood residents go through the Snohomish County Auditor in Everett.
Snohomish County Marriage License Resources
Lynnwood is part of Snohomish County. The county auditor handles all marriage license applications, recording, and related records for everyone in the county. For a complete look at Snohomish County marriage license rules, office details, and local procedures, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Lynnwood and are served by nearby county auditors for marriage licensing.