Yakima Marriage License

Yakima residents who need a marriage license apply at the Yakima County Auditor's Office, which is located in downtown Yakima since the city serves as the county seat. The city clerk does not issue marriage licenses. This page covers how to get a marriage license in Yakima, what to bring, what the fee is, how the mandatory three-day waiting period works, where to get a certified copy of a marriage record, and how Yakima County handles civil ceremony services for couples who want to marry at the courthouse. If you are planning a wedding in Yakima or searching for an existing marriage record, this page has the key details.

Getting a Marriage License in Yakima

Marriage licenses in Yakima are issued by the Yakima County Auditor's Office at 128 N 2nd St, Room 117. That address puts it right in the center of downtown Yakima, easy to reach from most parts of the city. The Yakima City Clerk at 129 N 2nd St maintains city records and municipal code but has no role in the marriage license process. Both offices are on the same street, so make sure you go to the county, not the city.

Both applicants must appear at the county auditor's office in person to complete the application. Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington requires both parties to be present when the application is signed. You cannot complete this step for a partner who is not there. Staff will check your IDs, collect your information, take payment, and issue the license on the same visit once everything is confirmed. Yakima County also offers an online application option, so check the county's website before your visit to see if you can start the process in advance.

The Yakima County Auditor marriage license page has current details on the process, fees, and what to bring. You can reach the office by phone at (509) 574-1340. The Yakima city website at yakimawa.gov covers city services in general but directs marriage license questions to the county auditor.

The official Yakima city website at yakimawa.gov provides general city service information and points marriage license applicants to the Yakima County Auditor's Office.

Marriage License Requirements

Yakima County follows Washington State marriage license requirements set under RCW Chapter 26.04. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Anyone under 18 must have a court order before the county can issue a license. There is no state residency requirement. Out-of-state couples can apply in Yakima County as long as the ceremony will take place somewhere in Washington.

Bring a valid, current government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. The ID cannot be expired. Each applicant also needs to provide their Social Security number. The physical card is not required, but you must know the number. If either party was previously married, you need the exact date that marriage ended, whether through divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. The clerk enters this information into the official record, so guessing at the date is not an option. Look it up before you go.

The application also asks for both parents' full legal names, the mother's maiden name, and both parents' birthplaces for each applicant. This data becomes part of the permanent marriage record. No medical exam or blood test is required anywhere in Washington. The process is not complicated as long as you arrive with the right documents and information ready.

Note: Yakima County accepts online applications, which may allow you to start the process before your in-person visit. Check the county's website to see if this option is available and what steps can be completed in advance.

Fees and Waiting Period

The Yakima County marriage license fee is $176. This is the base fee. If you pay with a credit or debit card, a convenience fee applies on top of the base amount. To avoid the extra charge, pay with cash, a personal check, a signed money order, or a cashier's check. The office at (509) 574-1340 can confirm current accepted payment methods. The fee is not refunded under any circumstances once you have paid and received the license.

Yakima County also offers a mail-in option for applicants who cannot complete the process in person together. You can request a certified copy by mail as well. There is an additional $4 fee if you want a certified copy automatically mailed to you after the marriage is recorded. Confirm the details of these options directly with the auditor's office before relying on them for your situation.

Washington law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period between the day the license is issued and the earliest date the ceremony can take place. This waiting period cannot be shortened or waived. Apply on a Monday, and the first day you can hold the ceremony is Thursday. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If no ceremony takes place within 60 days, the license expires and you must apply again, paying the full fee a second time.

Marriage Ceremonies in Yakima County

Yakima County offers civil marriage ceremony services through the county. This is a separate step from getting the license. Judges in Yakima County Superior Court may perform civil ceremonies for couples who want to marry at the courthouse. The Yakima County Auditor's website has details on how to request a ceremony and which officials are authorized to perform one.

If you want a ceremony at the Yakima courthouse, you still need to obtain your marriage license from the auditor first. The license must be in hand before any ceremony can take place. After the ceremony, the official who performed it signs the license and returns it to the county for recording. The Yakima County marriage ceremonies page explains how this option works and who to contact to schedule one.

This is a useful option for couples who want a simple, low-cost ceremony without arranging a separate officiant. Availability depends on the court's schedule, so contact the county well ahead of your planned date. Civil ceremonies at the courthouse are a legal marriage in every sense, with the same rights and records as any other ceremony performed in the state.

The Yakima County marriage ceremonies page at yakimacounty.us/438 covers how to arrange a civil ceremony at the courthouse, including scheduling and what to bring.

Marriage License Records in Yakima

Yakima County holds official marriage records for the city and all surrounding communities in the county. After the completed license is returned and recorded, the record stays with the county auditor. You can request a certified copy directly from the auditor's office. Yakima County provides a copy request form through their website at yakimacounty.us/2195/Copy-Request. Certified copies are the accepted form of proof for name changes, passport applications, Social Security updates, and other legal purposes.

For records that predate the county's current digital systems, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical Yakima County marriage records. The archive is free to search online and is a strong resource for family history work or for locating records from many decades ago. Washington State maintains this archive and covers records from counties across the state.

The Washington State Department of Health vital records office holds statewide marriage records going back to 1968 and can issue certified copies for marriages recorded anywhere in Washington. If you cannot visit the county auditor in person, VitalChek is a third-party service that processes certified copy requests online and delivers by mail. For records tied to Yakima specifically, start with the county auditor for the quickest result.

The Yakima County marriage license page at yakimacounty.us/253 covers the full application process, fees, waiting period details, and links to copy request forms.

Yakima County Marriage License

Yakima city is the county seat of Yakima County. All marriage license applications for city residents go through the Yakima County Auditor at 128 N 2nd St, Room 117. The county also handles all recording, certified copy requests, and civil ceremony scheduling for the broader county area. Residents from surrounding communities in Yakima County apply at the same office.

For a full breakdown of Yakima County marriage license details, updated fees, office hours, and additional county resources, visit the county page.

View Yakima County Marriage License Info

Nearby Cities

These Washington cities are near Yakima. Marriage license applications in each go through that city's county auditor office.