Access Spokane Marriage License Records
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County and the second largest city in Washington. Marriage license applications for Spokane residents go through the Spokane County Auditor's Office, not the Spokane City Clerk or Spokane Municipal Court. This page covers where to apply, what documents you need, how much the fee is, the waiting period rules, and how to search for Spokane and Spokane County marriage records.
Spokane Overview
Getting a Marriage License in Spokane
The office that issues marriage licenses in Spokane is the Spokane County Auditor's Office. The address is 1116 W Broadway Ave, Spokane, WA 99260. Call (509) 477-2270 for more information. The Spokane County Auditor handles marriage licensing for all of Spokane County, including the city of Spokane. More details are available at spokanecounty.gov/323/Marriage-Information. The city of Spokane's own website at my.spokanecity.org covers city services but does not handle marriage licenses. Neither does the Spokane City Clerk at 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd. The correct office is always the county auditor.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both people getting married to appear at the auditor's office in person. You cannot apply by mail or online only. One limited exception allows one party to sign the application in front of a notary beforehand, after which the other person can complete the process alone. For most couples, go together. Check the Spokane County Auditor's website for current office hours before you make the trip, as hours may vary.
Spokane is large enough that the auditor's office is used to handling a steady volume of applications. Even so, coming with all your documents ready will make the process faster. The county does not currently offer an online pre-application tool, but call the office to confirm current procedures.
| Office | Spokane County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 1116 W Broadway Ave Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Phone | (509) 477-2270 |
| Website | spokanecounty.gov/323/Marriage-Information |
The City of Spokane's website at my.spokanecity.org covers city services. Marriage license applications go to the Spokane County Auditor, not city hall.
Spokane Marriage License Requirements
Spokane County follows Washington State requirements set in RCW Chapter 26.04. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require either person to be a state resident. Couples from out of state or from other countries can apply for a Spokane County marriage license as long as their ceremony takes place somewhere in Washington.
Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing their birth date. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You will need to provide Social Security numbers for both applicants. The physical card is not required, but you need to know the number. If either person was previously married, the county needs to know the date that marriage ended and whether it ended by divorce, annulment, or death. The application also asks for each person's parents' full names, the mother's maiden name, and both parents' birthplaces. Gathering this information before your visit saves time.
No blood test is needed. Washington eliminated that requirement long ago. No witness is required at the time of application. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to Spokane County, where it is recorded and becomes the official marriage certificate on file with the county.
Note: Both applicants must be present unless one has pre-signed the application before a notary. There is no way to complete the process entirely by mail or phone.
Fees and Waiting Period for Spokane Marriage Licenses
Spokane County charges $76 for a marriage license. This fee is paid at the time of application at the Spokane County Auditor's Office. Call (509) 477-2270 to confirm current accepted payment methods. The fee is not refunded if circumstances change after the license is issued.
Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period between the date you apply and the earliest date your ceremony can take place. This is statewide and not something Spokane County can waive. If you apply on a Wednesday, your earliest ceremony date is Saturday. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If that window closes without a ceremony, the license expires and you must start the process over and pay the fee again.
The ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington. It does not have to happen in Spokane or Spokane County. Any legally authorized officiant can perform it, including judges, ministers, and others listed under state law. After the ceremony is done, the signed license goes back to the county to be recorded.
Spokane Municipal Court Marriage Ceremonies
The Spokane Municipal Court at 1100 W Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99260 performs civil marriage ceremonies on weekdays. Call (509) 625-4400 for the court's main line. Judges at Spokane Municipal Court can officiate weddings under Washington law. Ceremonies are held Monday through Friday with a check-in time of 4:45 PM. The court does not issue marriage licenses. You must have a valid Spokane County license in hand before your ceremony date at the court.
To schedule a ceremony at Spokane Municipal Court, submit a Marriage Ceremony Request online through the court's website. Requests should be submitted no earlier than eight weeks before your planned date. You will receive an email confirmation within one to two business days. The court asks couples to check in by 4:45 PM on ceremony day. Photos are allowed inside the courthouse 30 minutes before check-in time and during the ceremony, but not after it ends. The court does not handle name changes. Contact the Spokane County Auditor at (509) 477-2270 for questions about name changes after marriage.
Spokane Municipal Court judicial officers perform civil marriage ceremonies on weekday evenings. Couples must hold a valid Spokane County marriage license before their scheduled court ceremony.
Spokane Marriage License Records
After a ceremony is complete and the license is returned to the county, it becomes part of Spokane County's permanent marriage records. To get a certified copy, contact the Spokane County Auditor at (509) 477-2270 or visit 1116 W Broadway Ave, Spokane, WA 99260. Certified copies are needed for legal name changes with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, passport offices, and other agencies. Ask about current copy fees and processing times when you call.
For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Spokane County marriage records going back many decades. The archive is free to search online and is maintained by the Washington State Archives. It is a useful resource for genealogy research or for finding records that predate the county's current electronic systems. The Spokane area has long records going back to the county's early years, and many of those older documents are indexed in the digital archives.
The Washington State Department of Health also holds statewide marriage records from around 1968 onward. Certified copies can be ordered directly from DOH. Third-party ordering through VitalChek is another option for online requests. The Washington State Association of County Auditors can help direct you to the right county office if you are uncertain where a particular record is held.
Spokane County marriage records typically show full legal names for both parties, birth dates, birthplaces, home addresses at the time of application, parents' names and birthplaces, the ceremony date and location, the officiant's name, and witness signatures. Social Security numbers collected during the application are kept confidential and are not part of the public record.
Spokane County Marriage License Resources
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County. All marriage license applications for Spokane city residents go through the Spokane County Auditor's office. Visit the Spokane County page for the full list of resources and county-level information.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Spokane are also in Spokane County and use the same Spokane County Auditor's office for marriage license applications.