Franklin County Marriage License

Franklin County marriage licenses are issued through the County Auditor's Office in Pasco. The process here has one key difference from most Washington counties: you must complete an online application before visiting the office in person. Both parties still need to appear together to finalize the license. Whether you are applying for a new marriage license or trying to search existing Franklin County marriage records, this page covers what you need to know about requirements, fees, waiting periods, and where to look up historical records going back to 1883.

Franklin County Auditor's Office

The Franklin County Auditor handles all marriage license applications and record-keeping in the county. The office is in Pasco, the county seat. Staff can help you apply for a new license, find an existing record, or get certified copies of a marriage certificate. The auditor maintains all marriage records from 1883 forward.

One thing that sets Franklin County apart: you must complete the online application on the county website before you visit the office. Print the confirmation page and bring it with you. Both parties must show up in person together. You cannot finish the process by yourself or in separate trips.

The Franklin County website has the online application portal, fee details, and office information. Start there before your visit so you arrive prepared.

The Franklin County Auditor's marriage license page shows what the county's online application and license information portal looks like.

This page is your first stop. Complete the online form here before heading to the office in Pasco.

Marriage License Requirements in Franklin County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the baseline rules for marriage license applications. Franklin County follows these requirements. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Neither person needs to be a Washington resident. No blood test is needed.

Both parties must appear at the Franklin County Auditor's Office together. Before that visit, you need to complete the online application on the county website. Print your confirmation and bring it. At the office, each person must show a government-issued photo ID that includes a birth date. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. You also need to provide your Social Security number or sign an exemption form if you do not have one.

The application asks for your parents' full names. This includes your mother's maiden name. You also need to know where each of your parents was born. Have this information ready before you fill out the online form. If you have been married before, you will need to provide details about how the prior marriage ended, whether by death or dissolution.

Note: Franklin County requires the online application to be completed before your in-person visit. This step is not optional and sets Franklin County apart from most other Washington counties.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Franklin County is $159. This fee is non-refundable once paid. The office accepts check, money order, or cash. Call ahead to confirm whether credit cards are accepted, as payment policies can change. Certified copies of a marriage record cost $3 each.

Washington State requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply. This comes from RCW 26.04.180. Your ceremony cannot take place until those three days have passed. Plan accordingly if you have a set wedding date. Once the license is issued, it stays valid for 60 days. Your ceremony must happen within that window. If it does not, you need to apply again and pay the fee a second time.

The license is good anywhere in Washington State. You do not need a separate license if your ceremony is in a different county than where you applied.

Searching Franklin County Marriage License Records

Franklin County keeps marriage records going back to 1883. The auditor's office maintains these records and can help you search them. For recent records, you can search online through the county's document search portal or contact the office directly to request a certified copy.

Older Franklin County marriage records from 1883 to 1947 are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives. This free resource is maintained by the Washington State Archives and lets you search historical marriage records by name. It is a good place to start for genealogy research or if you are trying to locate a record from the early 1900s.

The Digital Archives holds early marriage records from counties across Washington. The Franklin County collection covers the period before state-level vital records became centralized.

The Digital Archives is a free tool for searching older Franklin County marriage records. No account is needed to browse the index.

For certified copies of marriage certificates, Washington State Department of Health also maintains vital records. You can request copies through Washington State Department of Health vital records or through a third-party service like VitalChek. The DOH holds records from 1968 onward. For records before that, your best option is the Franklin County Auditor or the Digital Archives.

The main Franklin County website also has information about how to request documents and what the auditor's office provides.

Visit the Franklin County website for current office hours, forms, and contact details for the auditor's office.

What Franklin County Marriage Records Contain

A Franklin County marriage record includes the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, and their birthplaces. It also shows their current addresses at the time of application and the names and birthplaces of each person's parents. Previous marital status is noted as well. All of this information is part of the public record, with one exception: Social Security numbers are collected during the application but are not released in public copies.

The record also shows the date the application was submitted, when the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, and information about the officiant who performed it. Witness signatures are included too. The full marriage license under RCW Chapter 26.04 is the foundational legal document that proves the marriage took place. Certified copies are what most people need for legal name changes, insurance updates, or immigration purposes.

Non-certified copies are generally not accepted for legal purposes. If you need a copy that carries legal weight, ask for a certified copy when contacting the auditor or the state DOH.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County covers the Tri-Cities area in southeastern Washington. All marriage license applications in the county go through the auditor's office in Pasco.

Other communities in Franklin County include Connell and Mesa. All residents in Franklin County apply for their marriage license through the auditor's office at 1016 N 4th St in Pasco.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If you live near a county line, confirm your address before deciding where to apply.