Pullman Marriage License Lookup
Pullman residents who need a marriage license apply through the Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax, the county seat about 20 miles north of Pullman. Whitman County has some specific rules worth knowing before you go, including cash-only payment and limited office hours for marriage licensing. This page covers the full process for getting a marriage license in Pullman, what documents to bring, what it costs, and how to access marriage license records for Whitman County.
Pullman Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Pullman
Marriage licenses in Pullman are handled by the Whitman County Auditor's Office, located in Colfax at 400 N Main St. Colfax is about a 20-mile drive north of Pullman on US-195. The Pullman City Clerk does not issue marriage licenses and cannot assist with the application. All marriage licensing inquiries for Pullman residents go to the Whitman County Auditor at (509) 397-6246.
Both applicants must be present at the auditor's office when the license is issued. Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both people to appear in person. You cannot send one person or authorize someone else to complete the application on your behalf. Whitman County does not take walk-ins late in the day. Marriage licenses cannot be issued after 3:30 PM, so plan to arrive well before that cutoff. The office is open from 9 AM to 12 PM and then again from 1 PM to 3:30 PM, with a break over the lunch hour.
One more thing to know before going: Whitman County accepts cash, check, or money order only. Credit cards and debit cards are not accepted for marriage license fees. Come prepared with the right payment method or you will not be able to complete the process on that visit. Call (509) 397-6246 before making the drive to Colfax to confirm current hours and any recent changes to the process.
| Office | Whitman County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 N Main St Colfax, WA 99111 |
| Phone | (509) 397-6246 |
| Hours | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (no licenses issued after 3:30 PM) |
| Website | whitmancounty.gov/195/Marriage-Licenses |
The Whitman County District Court in Pullman may also perform civil ceremonies. Contact the court directly to ask about scheduling and availability if you need an officiant for your ceremony.
Marriage License Requirements for Pullman Residents
Washington State sets the same baseline requirements across all counties. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A person under 18 can marry only with a court order, which is a separate process. Washington does not require either party to be a state resident. Couples from out of state can apply for a license here as long as the ceremony takes place in Washington.
Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID that shows a birth date. A driver's license, state ID card, or current passport all work. You need your Social Security number, but the physical card is not required. If either person was previously married, you must know the exact date that marriage ended, by divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. Have that date written down before you go. The application requires it, and you will not want to try to recall it from memory while at the counter in Colfax.
The application also asks for parents' full legal names, including the mother's maiden name, and parents' birthplaces for both parties. These fields are standard on Washington's marriage license form. Gather this information ahead of your visit. It is a small thing, but people often forget to look it up beforehand and it slows things down. A few minutes of prep work at home saves time on the day of your appointment.
Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 governs marriage licensing statewide. The statute covers who can marry, what must appear on the license, and what obligations officiants have after the ceremony. It is a good reference if you have questions about eligibility or what happens to the paperwork after the wedding.
Note: No blood test or medical exam is required to get a marriage license in Washington State.Fees and Waiting Period in Whitman County
The Whitman County marriage license fee is $144. Bring cash, a check, or a money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. This is one rule where there is no workaround. If you show up without the right payment, you will need to come back on another day, which adds another trip to Colfax. Plan accordingly.
Washington requires a three-day waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can be held. This rule is set out in RCW 26.04.180. The waiting period applies statewide and cannot be waived. If you pick up the license on a Tuesday, the earliest the ceremony can take place is Friday. The license remains valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If your ceremony does not happen within that window, you have to start over and pay the full fee again.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Whitman County Auditor within the time required by law. The auditor records the marriage and creates the official marriage certificate. Certified copies of the certificate are separate documents and carry their own fee. If you need copies for a name change or other legal purpose, ask the auditor's office about the process during your visit.
Pullman and Whitman County Marriage License Records
Marriage license records for Pullman residents are maintained by the Whitman County Auditor. Once a marriage is recorded, it becomes part of the county's official document set. Copies can be requested from the auditor's office in Colfax in person or by mail. The Washington State Department of Health also maintains statewide vital records, including marriage records going back to 1968. Certified copies are available through the Washington Department of Health vital records office.
For older marriage records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a good free resource. The archive holds records from counties across Washington, including Whitman County, and lets you search them at no cost online. It is particularly useful for genealogy work or looking up records from the early 1900s when Whitman County was first established as a formal jurisdiction.
Whitman County records are public. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are needed for legal purposes. A plain copy is fine for most informal uses. Third-party services like VitalChek offer online ordering of official certified copies if you do not want to make the trip to Colfax for copies.
The City of Pullman's website at pullman-wa.gov provides general city services for this university community. For marriage licenses, Pullman residents go to the Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax, about 20 miles to the north.
Whitman County Marriage License Resources
Pullman is Whitman County's largest city, but the county auditor's office is located in Colfax, the county seat. The auditor handles all marriage license applications for the county, maintains records, and answers questions about the process. For a full breakdown of Whitman County details, hours, and the cash-only payment policy, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Pullman is in southeastern Washington near the Idaho border. These cities are within reasonable driving distance in the region.