Cowlitz County Marriage License Records

Cowlitz County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Kelso. Both parties must show up in person to apply, and the county maintains marriage records going back to 1854. If you need to apply for a marriage license in Cowlitz County or search for a past marriage record, the Auditor's Office is your starting point. Older records before 1947 are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives. This page covers what to bring, how much to pay, and where to search for Cowlitz County marriage records.

Cowlitz County Auditor's Office

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office is located in Kelso and handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Kristen Nichols oversees the office, which manages marriage licenses, elections, recording, and vehicle licensing. The auditor's staff can help you apply for a marriage license, request copies of recorded documents, and search for existing marriage records.

Cowlitz County was created in 1854 from Lewis County. The Auditor's Office has kept marriage records since that time, making it one of the older continuous county record collections in Washington. The county website at co.cowlitz.wa.us/auditor has detailed information about marriage license requirements, the online pre-application tool, and recorded document search options.

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office in Kelso manages marriage license applications and recorded marriage documents for all of Cowlitz County.

Marriage License Requirements in Cowlitz County

To apply for a marriage license in Cowlitz County, both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's Office in Kelso. Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the application requirements that all counties must follow. You cannot send someone else in your place or apply remotely without coming in at some point. However, Cowlitz County does offer an online pre-application through the county website that can cut down the time you spend in the office.

Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. Acceptable options include a driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The office collects Social Security numbers for both applicants, but you can sign an exemption if you do not want to provide yours. You need to know your parents' full legal names, including your mother's maiden name, and the birthplaces of both parents by state or country. If either applicant was previously married, you must disclose that fact on the application. No proof of divorce or a prior spouse's death is required, but the information you give must be accurate. Both parties must be 18 or older. There is no blood test or medical exam requirement.

Cowlitz County also accepts mail applications in some cases. Download or request the forms from the Auditor's Office. Both parties must sign before a notary public. Mail the completed, notarized application with your payment, planned wedding date, and a return address. Allow enough time for processing before your planned ceremony date.

Note: There is no Washington residency requirement. You can apply in Cowlitz County even if you live in another state or another Washington county.

Fees and Waiting Period

Cowlitz County charges $172 for a marriage license. This is one of the highest fees in Washington State. The fee is non-refundable once you apply. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Additional fees may apply if you use the online application processing option. Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates cost $3 each. Non-certified or plain copies cost $1 per page. For extensive name-based record searches, a research fee of $8 per hour may apply.

After you apply, you must wait three days before the license is active. This waiting period is required statewide under RCW 26.04.180. It cannot be waived for any reason, including emergency situations. The three-day count starts on the day you submit the application. Once the waiting period ends, the license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. Your ceremony must take place between day three and day 63. If the license expires before you hold the ceremony, you will need to apply again.

The license is valid for use anywhere in Washington State. You get it in Cowlitz County but can have your ceremony in a different county if needed. The ceremony must still take place within Washington.

Searching Cowlitz County Marriage License Records

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office maintains an online recorded document search. You can search by name, document number, date, or legal description. This covers marriage licenses returned after ceremonies and other recorded documents. For recent marriages, this is the most direct way to confirm a record and find the document details.

Marriage records from 1854 to 1947 are indexed at the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives provides free online searching by name. Some records include scanned images you can view or download at no cost. This is the main resource for genealogical research on older Cowlitz County marriages. You can access the Cowlitz County collection at the Washington State Digital Archives Cowlitz County marriage records page.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Cowlitz County marriage records from 1854 to 1947, with free name-based searching available online.

For marriages from 1968 onward, the Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide marriage records. The DOH Vital Records office issues certified copies for $25 each. Ordering is available through VitalChek online, by phone at 1-866-687-1464, or by mail. Online orders ship in 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders can take six to eight weeks. There is no requirement to prove a relationship to the parties when requesting a marriage record from the DOH.

What Marriage Records Contain

A Cowlitz County marriage license document includes the license number, the date it was issued, and the full legal names of both parties. It also shows ages, birth dates, birthplaces, current residential addresses, the date of application, the three-day waiting period notation, and the expiration date. This information is captured at the time of application and becomes the official license record.

After the ceremony, the officiant fills out the marriage certificate section and returns the document to the county. The completed certificate adds 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 Auditor, and the recording book and page number. Social Security numbers collected during the application do not appear in the public record. They are collected for state reporting purposes only.

Certified copies of Cowlitz County marriage certificates serve as proof of marriage for legal purposes. You may need a certified copy to update your name on identification documents, to verify marital status for benefits, or for other legal or administrative needs. The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office can issue certified copies of any marriage document recorded with the county. The DOH can also issue certified copies for marriages recorded after 1968.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes several communities. All marriage licenses in the county are issued through the Auditor's Office in Kelso, regardless of which city or town the applicants reside in.

Other communities in Cowlitz County include Kelso, Castle Rock, Woodland, and Kalama. All marriage license applications for these areas go through the single Auditor's Office at 207 N 4th Ave in Kelso.

Nearby Counties

Cowlitz County borders several other Washington counties. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 allows you to apply in any Washington county. You do not have to apply in the county where you live.