Clark County Marriage License

Clark County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Vancouver. Both parties must apply in person and meet the state requirements before the license is valid. Clark County has kept marriage records going back to 1849, making it one of Washington's longest-standing record collections. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or search for an existing marriage record, the Auditor's Office and the Washington State Digital Archives both offer access to documents covering more than 170 years of recorded marriages in Clark County.

Clark County Auditor's Office

The Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Greg Kimsey has served in this role since 1999. The office is open Monday through Friday and processes both new applications and requests for copies of recorded marriage documents. You can also reach them by email or start a pre-application online before visiting in person.

Clark County's recording division stores all marriage documents once they are returned after the ceremony. The office maintains records going back to 1849. That makes Clark County one of the oldest continuous marriage record collections in Washington State. The Clark County Auditor's website provides access to recorded document searches and information about the marriage license process.

The Clark County Auditor's Office website displays current marriage license information, the pre-application portal, and links to recorded documents. The screenshot below shows the office's official site, which is the best place to start if you plan to apply.

The Clark County Auditor's Office manages marriage license applications, recorded documents, and certified copy requests for all marriages in Clark County.

Marriage License Requirements in Clark County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the baseline requirements for all marriage license applications. Both parties must appear in person at the Clark County Auditor's Office. You cannot send a representative or complete the process without both applicants present. There is no Washington residency requirement, meaning couples from out of state can apply in Clark County.

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all qualify. The office collects Social Security numbers for both parties, though you can sign an exemption if you do not have one. You also need to provide your parents' full legal names, your mother's maiden name, and the birthplaces of both parents. If either party was previously married, you must declare the previous marital status. No proof of divorce or death is required, but the declaration must be accurate. Both parties must be 18 or older. No blood test or medical exam is needed.

Clark County also offers a pre-application option through the county website. You can fill out most of the form before you arrive, which reduces time spent in the office. Both parties must still appear in person to finalize the application and pay the fee. Bring your confirmation number from the online pre-application if you use that option.

Mail applications are accepted in limited cases. Contact the Auditor's Office to request the forms. Both parties must sign the application before a notary public. Mail the notarized application with payment, your wedding date, and a return address. Processing time varies, so plan ahead if you use this method.

Note: Clark County does not have a residency requirement. Anyone can apply here regardless of where they live.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Clark County is $72. This fee is non-refundable once you apply. The office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 each. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. If the Auditor's staff must conduct an extensive search for older records, a research fee of $8 per hour may apply.

Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license becomes valid. This is set by RCW 26.04.180 and cannot be waived for any reason. The waiting period starts the day you submit the application. After three days, the license is active. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. The ceremony must take place between day three and day 63 from the application date. If you miss that window, the license expires and you must start over.

Same-day certified copy service is available. This means you can get a certified copy of a recorded marriage document on the same day you request it, as long as the record is on file at the office.

Searching Clark County Marriage License Records

Clark County has an online recorded document search available through the county website. You can search by name, document number, date, or book and page number. This tool covers records held at the Auditor's Office and includes marriage licenses returned after ceremonies. For recent marriages, this is the fastest way to confirm a record exists and find the document number.

Marriage records from 1849 to 1947 are indexed at the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives site lets you search by name and view index information at no cost. Some records have images available for free download. This is a key resource for genealogical research on older Clark County marriages. You can access the Clark County collection at the Washington State Digital Archives Clark County marriage records page.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Clark County marriage records from 1849 to 1947 and provides free online searching by name.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health also maintains statewide marriage records. Certified copies ordered through the DOH Vital Records office cost $25 each. You can order online via VitalChek, by mail, or by phone. Processing times vary. Online orders through VitalChek typically ship within 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders can take six to eight weeks.

Note: If the marriage occurred within the past five months, the DOH may not yet have the record. In that case, request the copy directly from the Clark County Auditor's Office.

What Marriage Records Contain

A Clark County marriage license contains the license number, the date it was issued, and the full legal names of both parties. It also shows ages, birthplaces, current residences, the date of application, a notation of the three-day waiting period, and the expiration date. This information is collected at the time of application and becomes part of the official record.

Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant completes the marriage certificate portion and returns it to the county. The marriage certificate includes all the license information plus the date and location of the ceremony, the officiant's name, title, and signature, the names and signatures of two witnesses, the date the certificate was returned to the county, and the recording information including book and page number. Social Security numbers are collected during the application but do not appear on public records. This protects applicants while still meeting state reporting requirements.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are the version most commonly needed for legal purposes. They carry the county's official seal and the recorder's signature. You may need a certified copy to update your name on a driver's license, passport, Social Security card, or other identification. The Clark County Auditor's Office can issue certified copies for $3 each.

Cities in Clark County

All cities in Clark County file marriage licenses through the Clark County Auditor's Office in Vancouver. The county includes several communities, including the city of Vancouver, which is the largest city in the county.

Other communities in Clark County include Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, and Ridgefield. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the single Auditor's Office location on Franklin Street in Vancouver.

Nearby Counties

Clark County borders several other Washington counties. If you live near a county line, confirm which county you reside in before applying for a marriage license. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 allows couples to apply in any Washington county regardless of residence.