Find a Marriage License in Asotin County

Asotin County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office located in the city of Asotin. Couples must appear in person to apply, and Washington State law requires a 3-day waiting period before the ceremony can take place. The office has maintained marriage records going back to 1884, and historical records through 1947 are searchable for free at the Washington State Digital Archives. This page covers what you need to apply, current fees, and how to search Asotin County marriage license records.

Asotin County Auditor's Office

The Asotin County Auditor's Office issues marriage licenses and maintains all marriage records for the county. The office is a compact operation in the small city of Asotin along the Snake River in southeastern Washington. Staff handle licensing, recording, elections, and direct service for marriage license applicants. You can walk in during business hours with your required documents and complete the application the same day.

The auditor also records real property documents, handles vehicle and vessel licensing, and accepts passport applications. For marriage licenses specifically, contact the licensing division. Call ahead to confirm hours around holidays or to ask about credit card acceptance before your visit.

Asotin County's historical marriage records are preserved at the Washington State Digital Archives. The collection covers marriage records from 1884 through 1947 and is freely searchable online.

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov hosts the Asotin County marriage records collection, which includes indexed records and original document images dating back to 1884.

Marriage License Requirements in Asotin County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the requirements that Asotin County applies to every marriage license application. Both people must come to the auditor's office in person. Neither party can complete the application for the other. There is no state residency requirement, so couples from outside Washington may apply here.

Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. No birth certificate is required. If either applicant was previously married, the prior marriage must be fully dissolved before applying, but no paperwork showing the divorce is required at the time of application. You will note your prior marital status on the form.

Social Security numbers are collected from both parties as required under federal law. If you do not want to provide yours, you can sign an exemption. You will also need to know the full names of both of your parents, including your mother's maiden name, and the state or country where each parent was born. Both parties must be 18 or older as required by RCW Chapter 26.04. Your marriage ceremony must take place within Washington State.

You may also apply by mail. Contact the office to request the application form. Both parties must sign the form in front of a notary public, then mail it with payment. Include your return mailing address and your planned wedding date. Allow enough time for processing before your ceremony, keeping in mind the 3-day waiting period still applies.

Asotin County Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Asotin County is approximately $65 to $70. Contact the office at (509) 243-2084 to confirm the exact current fee before your visit, as fees can be adjusted by state or county action. The fee is not refundable once the application has been processed. If your plans change after you apply, you will not get a refund on the license fee.

Under RCW 26.04.180, Washington requires a 3-day mandatory waiting period for every marriage license. The waiting period begins the day after you submit your application. The license cannot be used during those three days. There are no waivers for this requirement. Once the waiting period has passed, you may hold your ceremony. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. If that window passes without a ceremony, the license expires and you must start over.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $3 each. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. For marriages that occurred after 1968, you can also order certified copies through the Washington State Department of Health, which charges $25 per certified copy. Orders can be placed online through VitalChek, by mail, or by phone at 1-866-687-1464.

Note: Payment methods vary. Call the Asotin County Auditor at (509) 243-2084 to ask about accepted forms of payment before your visit.

Searching Asotin County Marriage Records

Asotin County marriage records go back to 1884. For recent records, contact the auditor's office directly. Staff can search by name, date, or document number. For extensive research requests, a search fee may apply. Bring or provide the names of the parties and the approximate date of the marriage when requesting a search.

For records from 1884 through 1947, the Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access. You can search by the first and last name of either party, the marriage year, or use a Soundex name search to account for spelling variations. The database includes original document images for many records, which you can view and download at no cost. Access the Asotin County marriage collection directly at digitalarchives.wa.gov.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide records. The DOH charges $25 per certified copy. Orders placed through VitalChek typically arrive within three to seven business days. Mail orders take six to eight weeks. Records filed within the past five months may not yet appear in the DOH database. For those, contact the Asotin County Auditor directly.

What Asotin County Marriage Records Contain

An Asotin County marriage record consists of two parts: the license, which documents the application before the ceremony, and the certificate, which is returned after the ceremony has taken place. Both are kept in the county's records and become part of the public record, with the exception of Social Security numbers, which are collected but not shown.

The full legal names of both parties appear on the record, along with their ages and dates of birth, their birthplaces by city and state or country, and their residential addresses at the time of application. Both parents' names are listed, including the mother's maiden name and each parent's birthplace. The record notes each party's prior marital status, whether single, divorced, or widowed. The date the license was applied for, the date it was issued, and the officiant's name, title, and signature are all part of the record. After the ceremony, the date and location of the ceremony and the names of two witnesses are added. A recording date and document number complete the file.

These records are open to the public. Anyone may request copies from the Asotin County Auditor's Office or search the Digital Archives online. No proof of relationship is required to view or request public marriage records.

Cities in Asotin County

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

Clarkston is the largest city in Asotin County and sits directly across the Snake River from Lewiston, Idaho. Residents of Clarkston and other communities in the county all apply at the same auditor's office in Asotin.

Nearby Counties

Asotin County is in the southeastern corner of Washington. It borders Garfield County to the north and shares borders with Idaho. Couples may apply for a marriage license in any Washington county regardless of where they live.