Puyallup Marriage License
Puyallup residents who need a marriage license apply through the Pierce County Auditor's Office in Tacoma. The city itself does not issue marriage licenses, but Puyallup does offer something many cities don't: the Puyallup Municipal Court performs wedding ceremonies. This page covers how to get a marriage license in Puyallup, what to bring to the Pierce County Auditor, the full costs and waiting period, and how the Puyallup Municipal Court wedding service works.
Puyallup Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Puyallup
Marriage licenses in Puyallup are issued by the Pierce County Auditor's Office, located in Tacoma at 2401 S 35th St, Room 200. Puyallup has its own city hall and a city clerk, but neither issues marriage licenses. The Pierce County Auditor is the only office in Pierce County authorized to issue marriage licenses, and it handles applications for all Pierce County residents regardless of which city or community they live in.
Both applicants must appear at the auditor's office at the same time. Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both people to be present when the license is issued. You cannot send one person alone or ask someone else to handle it for you. Pierce County strongly recommends scheduling an appointment before visiting. Appointments reduce wait times and ensure that staff is available to assist you. Walk-in applicants may face longer waits, particularly on busy days.
For questions about the marriage license process, contact the Pierce County Auditor at (253) 798-3801. The Pierce County marriage licensing page has current details about hours, scheduling, and any changes to the application process. The Puyallup city website at puyallupwa.gov covers general city services, but it will redirect you to Pierce County for marriage licensing.
| Office | Pierce County Auditor's Office - Marriage Licensing |
|---|---|
| Address | 2401 S 35th St, Room 200 Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Phone | (253) 798-3801 |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/356/Marriage-Licensing |
Call ahead or check the website for current hours. Appointments are strongly recommended to avoid long wait times at the Pierce County Auditor's Office in Tacoma.
Puyallup Marriage License Requirements
Washington State sets the same requirements across all counties. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. A person under 18 can only marry with court approval, which is a different and more involved process. Washington does not require state residency. Couples from other states can apply here as long as they plan to hold the ceremony in Washington.
Each applicant must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID that shows a birth date. A driver's license, state ID card, or current passport all work. You must provide your Social Security number, though you do not need to bring the physical card. If either person was previously married, you must know the exact date that prior marriage ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. Have that date ready before you go. It is required on the application form, and looking it up at the counter wastes time.
The application also asks for parents' full legal names, including the mother's maiden name, and parents' birthplaces for both applicants. These are standard fields on the Washington State form. Write this information down before your appointment so you are not caught off guard. It is easy to overlook, and the process goes faster when you have everything in hand when you sit down with the auditor's staff.
Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 covers marriage licensing across the state. It sets out who can marry, what must appear on the license, and the obligations of the officiant after the ceremony. Reading the statute is a good way to understand what is required at each step of the process.
Note: No blood test or medical exam is needed to receive a marriage license anywhere in Washington State.Fees and Waiting Period for Puyallup Marriage Licenses
The Pierce County marriage license fee is $72. You pay when you apply at the auditor's office. The fee is not returned if the ceremony does not happen. Call (253) 798-3801 or check the auditor's website to confirm what payment types are accepted. Knowing this before you go avoids any issues at the counter.
Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period between the date the license is issued and the earliest date your ceremony can take place. This rule cannot be waived. If you pick up your license on a Wednesday, the earliest your ceremony can happen is Saturday. The license stays valid for 60 days after the date of issue. A license that expires unused means starting over and paying the fee again, so plan your application date carefully around the ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Pierce County Auditor within the time required by law. The auditor records the marriage and creates the official certificate on file. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are separate documents with their own fee. If you plan to use the certificate for a name change, benefits update, or other legal purpose, ask the auditor about ordering certified copies when you pick up the license.
Puyallup Municipal Court Wedding Ceremonies
Puyallup is one of the few cities in Washington where you can also arrange your ceremony locally. The Puyallup Municipal Court offers wedding ceremony services performed by Judge Andrea Beall. This is a civil ceremony option for couples who want to get married in Puyallup without arranging a separate officiant or venue. You still need to get your marriage license from the Pierce County Auditor before the ceremony takes place.
To request a wedding ceremony at the Puyallup Municipal Court, submit your request through the Puyallup Municipal Court weddings page. Judge Beall will contact you to confirm a date and time. You must bring two adult witnesses to the ceremony. Any person who is 18 or older qualifies as a witness. There is no restriction on who the witnesses can be, so family members or friends work fine.
Contact the Puyallup Municipal Court at (253) 841-5400 for questions about ceremony scheduling and availability. This is a separate process from the marriage license itself, so reach out to both offices: the Pierce County Auditor for the license and the Municipal Court for the ceremony if you plan to use that option.
The City of Puyallup's website at puyallupwa.gov provides city services information, including the link to request a wedding ceremony at Puyallup Municipal Court. For the marriage license itself, residents go to the Pierce County Auditor in Tacoma.
The Puyallup Municipal Court wedding ceremony page at puyallupwa.gov/2363/Weddings lets couples request a civil ceremony with Judge Andrea Beall. Two adult witnesses are required to attend.
Puyallup Marriage License Records
Marriage license records for Puyallup residents are maintained by Pierce County. Once a marriage is recorded after the ceremony, it becomes part of the county's official documents. You can request copies from the Pierce County Auditor's Office in Tacoma 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 records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a free resource that covers many decades of Pierce County marriage records. You can search and view records online at no cost. This is a good tool for genealogy or finding records from earlier generations. Third-party services like VitalChek offer online ordering of certified copies if you prefer not to go to the county office in person.
Pierce County marriage records are public. Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like name changes, passport applications, and insurance updates. A plain copy is usually fine for informal reference. Confirm fees and ordering options with the Pierce County Auditor when you pick up your license or contact the office separately after the marriage is recorded.
Pierce County Marriage License Resources
Puyallup is located in Pierce County, and the Pierce County Auditor handles all marriage license applications for the area. The auditor maintains records, processes applications, and can answer questions about local requirements. For a full breakdown of Pierce County marriage license details, fees, and office hours, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also use the Pierce County Auditor's Office in Tacoma for marriage license applications.