Grant County Marriage License Records

Grant County marriage licenses are handled by the County Auditor's Office in Ephrata. If you need to apply for a marriage license or search existing records in Grant County, this page walks you through the process. There is one important detail to know upfront: Grant County only accepts checks, cash, and money orders. No credit cards. That alone catches some people off guard. The county holds marriage records going back to 1909, and older records are accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives for research purposes.

Grant County Auditor's Office

The Grant County Auditor issues marriage licenses and keeps the county's marriage records. The office is in Ephrata, the county seat. Staff there handle recording services, licensing, and elections in addition to marriage licenses. For marriage license questions, call the main office line or send an email to confirm what you need before you make the trip.

Grant County also offers eRecording for some document types and provides online document search through the county website. For marriage licenses specifically, both parties must appear in person at the Ephrata office. Bring your payment in cash, check, or money order. The office does not accept credit cards, so plan ahead.

The recording and licensing section of the Grant County website covers marriage licenses along with other recording services the auditor handles.

The Grant County recording page shows the department's services and contact information for the auditor's recording division.

This page covers Grant County's recording services, including marriage licenses. Bookmark it for current fees and contact information.

Marriage License Requirements in Grant County

Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires both applicants to appear together at the auditor's office. You do not need to live in Washington State. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is needed.

Each applicant must bring a government-issued photo ID that includes their birth date. A driver's license, passport, state-issued ID, or military ID all work. You will also need your Social Security number. If you do not have one, you can sign an exemption form. The application asks for the full names of both parents, including the mother's maiden name, and the birthplace of each parent. Have that information ready.

If you have been married before, you need to note how that prior marriage ended, whether through death or dissolution. Both parties provide this information during the application. The process is straightforward but bring everything listed above to avoid a second trip. The office is open weekdays until 4:30 PM, so plan to arrive with enough time to complete the paperwork before closing.

Mail applications are also available. Both parties must sign the application in front of a notary, then mail it with a check or money order. Contact the office to request the form and confirm current procedures before sending anything.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Grant County is $159. This fee does not get refunded. One important note that applies only to Grant County: the office accepts checks, cash, and money orders only. Credit cards are not accepted. If you are driving to Ephrata to apply, stop at an ATM or bring a check ahead of time.

After you apply, Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a 3-day waiting period. The ceremony cannot take place until that period ends. The license is then valid for 60 days. You must hold the ceremony within that window. If the license expires before the ceremony happens, you need to apply again and pay the full fee a second time.

Certified copies of a Grant County marriage record cost $3 per document. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. The Grant County marriage license is valid anywhere in Washington State, not just in Grant County.

Searching Grant County Marriage License Records

Grant County holds marriage records from 1909 to the present. The county offers online document search through its website for more recent records. For historical records from 1909 to 1947, the Washington State Digital Archives has indexed copies that you can search at no charge.

The Digital Archives is a good resource if you are doing genealogy research or need to confirm a marriage that happened many decades ago. You search by name and the results show the county, date, and document details. Not every record is digitized, but the Grant County collection covers a solid portion of the early years.

The Washington State Digital Archives Grant County collection is where you will find indexed records from the early twentieth century.

Search the Digital Archives for free to find Grant County marriage records from 1909 through the mid-1900s.

For certified copies of current records, contact the Grant County Auditor's Office directly. You can also request certified marriage certificates through the Washington State Department of Health for records from 1968 onward. The DOH also works with VitalChek for online certified copy orders. For records before 1968, the county auditor or the Digital Archives is the right place to look.

The main Grant County website has additional information about the auditor's office and its services.

Visit the Grant County website for office hours, department contacts, and links to the online document search tool.

What Grant County Marriage Records Contain

A Grant County marriage record contains the full legal names of both parties, their ages, and their birth dates and birthplaces. It includes current addresses at the time of application and the full names and birthplaces of each person's parents. The mother's maiden name is part of the record as well. Previous marital status is noted for each applicant.

The record also documents the date the application was made, when the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, and who performed it. Witness signatures are included. Social Security numbers are collected during the application but do not appear in public copies of the record. Under RCW Chapter 26.04, the completed and returned license is what creates the official marriage record in the county.

Certified copies carry a raised seal and the county clerk's signature. These are the versions accepted by courts, government agencies, and most legal and financial institutions. Keep in mind that plain copies work for personal reference but not for legal purposes.

Cities in Grant County

Grant County covers a large area in central Washington. All marriage license applications in the county are processed at the auditor's office in Ephrata.

Other communities in Grant County include Ephrata, Quincy, Royal City, Mattawa, and George. All residents apply for their marriage license through the Grant County Auditor's Office at 35 C St NW in Ephrata.

Nearby Counties

Grant County borders several other central Washington counties. Check your home address to confirm which county has jurisdiction before applying.