Adams County Marriage License

Adams County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office in Ritzville. Both parties must appear in person to apply, and a mandatory 3-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. The office also maintains marriage records going back to 1891, and historical records through 1949 are searchable online at the Washington State Digital Archives. Whether you need to apply for a marriage license or look up an existing record in Adams County, this page covers the key steps, fees, and resources you need.

Adams County Auditor's Office

The Adams County Auditor's Office in Ritzville handles all marriage license applications for the county. It is a small rural office where staff can assist you directly. The office issues licenses, records the returned certificates after ceremonies, and responds to records requests. You can call or email ahead of your visit to confirm hours and any changes to the process.

The auditor's office also handles elections, vehicle licensing, and the recording of property documents. Marriage license services are part of the licensing division. If you have questions about a specific requirement or need to confirm the current fee, calling ahead saves time. The staff in Ritzville are accustomed to helping couples from both inside and outside Adams County.

The Washington State Digital Archives maintains a collection of historical Adams County marriage records. The Digital Archives site at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides free online access to indexed records from 1891 through 1949. The collection includes marriage applications, licenses, certificates, and returns from that period.

The Washington State Digital Archives, available at digitalarchives.wa.gov, provides free public access to historical Adams County marriage records indexed from 1891 onward.

Marriage License Requirements in Adams County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the standard requirements for marriage license applications. Adams County follows these state rules. Both people must apply together at the auditor's office. There is no residency requirement, so couples from out of state or out of country may apply here.

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. You do not need a birth certificate, and no blood test is required. If you were married before, your prior marriage must be legally ended before you apply, but you do not need to bring divorce papers. You will need to declare your prior marital status on the application.

The application asks for Social Security numbers from both parties. If you prefer not to provide one, you can sign an exemption form. You will also need the full names of both parents, including the mother's maiden name, and their birthplaces by state or country. Have this information ready before you go. Gathering it ahead of time keeps the visit short.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 does not allow marriage below that age without a court order. The ceremony must take place in Washington State. If you plan to marry out of state, you need a license from a county in that state, not from Adams County.

Note: Contact the Adams County Auditor at (509) 659-3250 ext. 302 to confirm all current requirements before your visit, as policies may be updated.

Adams County Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Adams County is approximately $70 to $75. Pay with cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit card acceptance may vary, so call ahead at (509) 659-3250 to confirm what payment methods are currently accepted. The fee is not refundable once the application is processed, even if you do not use the license.

Under RCW 26.04.180, a mandatory 3-day waiting period applies to every marriage license in Washington. The waiting period starts the day after you submit your application. You cannot hold your ceremony until that period has passed. There are no exceptions, regardless of the circumstances. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. Your ceremony must happen within that window. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must reapply and pay again.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 per document. Non-certified copies cost $1 per page. If you need a certified copy for a name change or legal purpose, request it from the Adams County Auditor's Office. For marriages that occurred after 1968, you can also order certified copies through the Washington State Department of Health for $25 each. The DOH also accepts orders through VitalChek online.

Searching Adams County Marriage License Records

Adams County has kept marriage records since 1891. You can search records in a few ways depending on the time period you need. For recent records, contact the Adams County Auditor's Office directly. The office can search by name, date, or document number. Certified copies cost $3, and the recording division can be reached at (509) 659-3250 ext. 300.

For historical records from 1891 through 1949, the Washington State Digital Archives offers free online search access. You can search by the names of either party, the marriage year, or use Soundex search for name variations. The database includes original document images for many records. Visit digitalarchives.wa.gov and select the Adams County marriage collection to begin your search. No account is needed and there is no charge to view records online.

For marriages that took place from 1968 onward, the Washington State Department of Health also maintains records. You can order certified copies through the DOH at doh.wa.gov or by calling VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464. Mail orders take six to eight weeks. Online orders through VitalChek typically ship within three to seven business days depending on the shipping option you choose.

Note: The Adams County Auditor's office can search their records in person. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of the parties or the approximate date of the marriage.

What Adams County Marriage Records Contain

Adams County marriage records contain detailed information collected at the time of application and after the ceremony. The license documents the intent to marry. The certificate, returned after the ceremony, confirms that the marriage took place. Both documents become part of the permanent county record and are available to the public except for Social Security numbers, which are collected but not shown on public records.

A typical Adams County marriage record includes the full legal names of both parties before and after the marriage, their ages, birthplaces by state or country, and their current home addresses at the time of application. The record also shows the full names of both parents, including the mother's maiden name, and where each parent was born. The date the license was applied for, the date it was issued, and the expiration date are all noted. After the ceremony, the officiant's name, the date and location of the ceremony, and the names and signatures of two witnesses are added. The marriage license number and recording information complete the document.

These records are public. You do not have to be a party to the marriage to request a copy. Most records are available from the auditor's office or through the Digital Archives for older documents.

Cities in Adams County

Adams County includes Ritzville and several smaller communities. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the Auditor's Office in Ritzville. No cities in Adams County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Smaller communities in Adams County include Othello, Lind, Washtucna, and Hatton. Residents of any of these areas apply for a marriage license at the same Auditor's Office in Ritzville.

Nearby Counties

Adams County borders several other counties in eastern Washington. If you are unsure which county to apply in, you may apply in any county in Washington State regardless of where you live.