Find a Marriage License in Moses Lake
Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County, and marriage licenses for residents here are issued through the Grant County Auditor's Office in Ephrata. The Moses Lake City Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. If you are planning to get married in or around Moses Lake, this page covers where to apply, what you need to bring, how much it costs, and where to find existing marriage license records tied to Grant County.
Moses Lake Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Moses Lake
Marriage licenses in Moses Lake are not issued at city hall. The Grant County Auditor's Office in Ephrata is where you apply. Ephrata is about 20 miles west of Moses Lake on SR-28. The auditor's office is at 35 C St NW, Ephrata, WA 98823. Plan the trip in advance and go during business hours on a weekday.
Both applicants must appear in person at the Grant County Auditor's Office. Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both parties to apply together. There is no online pre-application option listed for Grant County, so expect to complete the paperwork at the counter. The full set of Washington marriage laws is found in RCW Chapter 26.04.
The Moses Lake City Clerk at 401 S Balsam St handles city records and municipal code but does not issue or process marriage licenses. Calling the city at (509) 764-3700 will not get you closer to a marriage license. For marriage license questions, call the Grant County Auditor directly at (509) 754-2011.
| Office | Grant County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 C St NW Ephrata, WA 98823 |
| Phone | (509) 754-2011 |
| Website | grantcountywa.gov/272/Recording |
| Payment | Cash, check, or money order only. No credit cards accepted. |
Note: Grant County does not accept credit or debit cards for marriage license fees. Bring cash, a personal check, or a money order made out to the Grant County Auditor. This is a firm policy and applies to all applicants.
Marriage License Requirements
Washington State requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. If either party is under 18, a court order is required, and that is a separate legal process. There is no residency requirement for a Washington marriage license. You do not need to live in Washington or in Grant County to apply here.
Each applicant must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all qualify. You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but you must know your Social Security number. The clerk will record it on the application. If you do not have a Social Security number, there is a form to sign confirming that. Have your parents' full legal names ready, including your mother's maiden name, as well as your parents' birthplaces. If either applicant was previously married, you will need to know the exact date that prior marriage ended and whether it ended by divorce, annulment, or death. Washington does not require a blood test or medical exam to get a marriage license.
Fees and Waiting Period
Grant County charges $159 for a marriage license. That is one of the higher fees among Washington counties. The fee is due at the time of application. It is not refunded if the marriage does not happen. As noted above, Grant County only accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Do not arrive expecting to pay by card.
Washington law requires a three-day waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. This comes from RCW 26.04.180. The waiting period cannot be waived. Your license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If your ceremony does not happen within that window, you must reapply and pay again. Factor both the three-day wait and the 60-day window into your planning.
After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage license and returns it to the Grant County Auditor's Office. The county records the marriage as part of its official vital records. You can then request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the auditor. Certified copies are used for name changes with the state Department of Licensing, the Social Security Administration, and for passport applications.
The Grant County Auditor's Recording division at grantcountywa.gov handles marriage license applications for all of Grant County, including Moses Lake residents.
Moses Lake Marriage License Records
Marriage records for Moses Lake residents are part of Grant County's official records, maintained by the Grant County Auditor's Office in Ephrata. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the auditor at (509) 754-2011 or visit the office at 35 C St NW, Ephrata. Certified copies are legally valid for name changes and other official uses.
For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to historical marriage records from Grant County. You can search by name without creating an account, and many results include scanned images of the original documents. This is a solid first step for genealogy research or locating a marriage record from decades past.
Washington State Department of Health maintains marriage records going back to 1968. You can order certified copies through the DOH vital records office. The authorized third-party service VitalChek also processes certified copy requests online for Washington state marriage records. Both routes are valid depending on how old the record is and what format you need.
Grant County Marriage License
Moses Lake marriage licenses are processed by the Grant County Auditor. Visit the Grant County page for full details on hours, the application process, and everything the office needs from you.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in or near the eastern Washington region. Each has its own county auditor that handles marriage license applications.