Search Chelan County Marriage License Records

Chelan County marriage licenses are issued at the County Auditor's Office in Wenatchee, the county seat situated along the Columbia River in north-central Washington. Both parties must be present to apply in person, and a mandatory 3-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. The auditor's office has maintained marriage records since 1891, and historical records through 1947 are freely searchable at the Washington State Digital Archives. If you need to apply for a marriage license or find an existing marriage record in Chelan County, this page has the details you need.

Chelan County Auditor's Office

The Chelan County Auditor's Office is located on Orondo Avenue in downtown Wenatchee. It is the sole office for marriage license issuance in the county. The auditor's office handles recording, elections, vehicle and vessel licensing, and marriage licensing. Couples who want to apply for a Chelan County marriage license must visit this office in person during business hours.

The auditor provides a dedicated page on the county website with marriage license information, including downloadable forms for those who want to begin the application process by mail. The office offers eRecording services through approved vendors for property documents and can assist with DD214 military discharge recording as well. For marriage licensing specifically, the main office number connects you to the licensing division.

The Chelan County Auditor's website has a dedicated marriage licenses page with current fee information, application instructions, and downloadable forms. It is a good first stop before heading to the office.

The Chelan County Auditor's Office in Wenatchee issues all marriage licenses and maintains the county's official marriage records from 1891 to the present day.

For historical Chelan County marriages, the Washington State Digital Archives holds indexed records and document images from 1891 through 1947. Access is free and no account is required.

The Washington State Digital Archives Chelan County marriage collection covers records from 1891 onward and includes original document images for many entries.

The county's marriage licenses page provides detailed guidance on what to bring, how to apply by mail, and what to expect during the waiting period.

The Chelan County marriage licenses page outlines step-by-step application instructions, acceptable identification, fee details, and the mail-in option for couples who cannot both appear in person on the same day.

Marriage License Requirements in Chelan County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 governs who can apply and what information is required. Chelan County follows these rules for every marriage license it issues. Both parties must appear in person at the Wenatchee office. There is no residency requirement under Washington law, so people from out of state may apply here without issue.

Each applicant must present a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. No birth certificate is required and no blood test is needed. If either party was previously married, that marriage must be fully dissolved before applying. You do not need to bring divorce documents, but you will declare your marital history on the application form.

Social Security numbers are required for both parties by federal law. If you do not wish to provide yours, you can sign an exemption form at the office. The application also asks for the full names of each person's parents, including the mother's maiden name, and the state or country where each parent was born. Both parties must be at least 18 years old as required under RCW Chapter 26.04. The ceremony must take place within Washington State. A Chelan County marriage license is not valid in another state.

The county also offers a mail-in option. Download the application from the county website, complete all fields, have both parties sign before a notary public, then mail the notarized form with payment to the auditor's office. Include your wedding date and contact phone number. Specify whether you want the packet mailed to an address or held for pickup. Contact the office first to ask about current processing times before mailing.

Chelan County Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Chelan County is approximately $65 to $70. Call the office at (509) 667-6808 before your visit to confirm the current exact amount. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit card acceptance should be confirmed by phone before you go. Once processed, the license fee is not refundable even if the license is never used.

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period for every marriage license. The clock starts the day after your application is submitted. No ceremony can take place during those three days. There are no exceptions to this rule. After the waiting period ends, the license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. Your ceremony must happen within that window. An expired license cannot be extended. You would need to reapply and pay the fee again.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Uncertified copies are $1 per page. If you need a certified copy for a legal name change or for updating your records, contact the auditor's recording division at (509) 667-6808 ext. 200. The Washington State Department of Health also maintains statewide marriage records from 1968 onward and charges $25 per certified copy. Orders can be placed through VitalChek online or by calling 1-866-687-1464.

Note: Research requests that take significant time may be subject to a search fee of $8 per hour. Contact the recording division to ask before submitting a complex request.

Searching Chelan County Marriage Records

Chelan County has kept marriage records since 1891. The auditor's office offers an online document search through the county website where you can search by name, document number, date range, or legal description. This tool is most useful for records that have been digitized and indexed at the county level. For any record, you can also contact the recording division directly at (509) 667-6808 ext. 200.

For records from 1891 through 1947, the Washington State Digital Archives provides free public access. The Chelan County collection at digitalarchives.wa.gov includes marriage applications, licenses, certificates, and returns from that era. You can search by the name of either party, by year, or use Soundex to find records with name spelling variations. Original document images are viewable online at no cost. No login or account is required.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health maintains a statewide database. The DOH charges $25 per certified copy. Online orders through VitalChek are the fastest method, typically shipping in three to seven business days. Mail orders take six to eight weeks. If a marriage occurred within the past five months, the record may not yet appear in the DOH database. In that case, contact the Chelan County Auditor directly.

What Chelan County Marriage Records Contain

Chelan County marriage records consist of two parts. The marriage license is issued before the ceremony and documents the application. The marriage certificate is the document returned after the ceremony has been performed. Together they make up the complete official marriage record kept by the county.

The license shows the license number, the date it was issued, the full legal names of both parties, their ages, birthplaces, and current home addresses. The three-day waiting period notation and the expiration date appear on the license as well. After the ceremony, the certificate adds the date and city or county where the ceremony was held, the name and title of the person who officiated, their signature, and the names and signatures of two witnesses. The date the certificate was returned to the county and the recording information complete the document.

For marriages after December 2012, the record uses Person A and Person B terminology rather than groom and bride, reflecting Washington's Marriage Equality Act. Social Security numbers are collected at the time of application but do not appear on public copies of the record. Chelan County marriage records are public documents. You do not need to be a party to the marriage to request or view them.

Cities in Chelan County

Chelan County includes Wenatchee and several other cities and towns across north-central Washington. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the Auditor's Office in Wenatchee.

Other communities in Chelan County include Leavenworth, Chelan, Cashmere, Entiat, and Peshastin. Residents of all these areas apply for a marriage license at the Auditor's Office in Wenatchee.

Nearby Counties

Chelan County is in north-central Washington. It borders several counties that serve communities east and west of the Cascades.