Jefferson County Marriage License
Jefferson County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office in Port Townsend. Both parties must appear in person to apply, and the license is valid for use anywhere in Washington State. Whether you plan to get married on the Olympic Peninsula or elsewhere in the state, this guide covers what you need to know about getting a marriage license in Jefferson County, searching historical records, and finding certified copies of past licenses.
Jefferson County Overview
Jefferson County Auditor's Office
The Jefferson County Auditor's Office handles marriage license applications and maintains official marriage records for the county. The office is located in downtown Port Townsend, which serves as the county seat. Staff can help you start an application, answer questions about what documents to bring, and provide certified copies of past records.
Jefferson County is a smaller county, so the office handles a more modest volume of applications compared to western Washington's larger counties. That can mean shorter wait times in person. Still, it is wise to call ahead or check the office hours before you make the drive from other parts of the peninsula.
| Office | Jefferson County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
1820 Jefferson St Port Townsend, WA 98368 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368 |
| Phone | (360) 385-9116 |
| Fax | (360) 385-7360 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| auditor@co.jefferson.wa.us | |
| Website | co.jefferson.wa.us |
Marriage License Requirements in Jefferson County
Washington State law governs who can apply for a marriage license and what documentation you need to bring. Jefferson County follows state requirements under RCW Chapter 26.04. The process is straightforward if you come prepared.
Both people getting married must show up at the Auditor's Office together. Each person must present a government-issued photo ID that includes a birth date. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You must be at least 18 years old. Washington does not require you to be a state resident to get a license here. No blood test is needed.
You will also need to provide Social Security numbers for both parties or sign an exemption if you do not have one. The application asks for your parents' full names, including your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Have this information ready before you go to save time at the counter. If you are missing any details, the process may take longer or need to be rescheduled.
The Jefferson County Public Health page provides additional guidance on the local marriage license process. The Jefferson County Public Health marriage license information page is a useful starting point before you visit the Auditor's Office.
The Public Health page covers what to bring and what to expect when applying for a Jefferson County marriage license in person.
Fees and Waiting Period
Jefferson County has a two-tier fee structure for marriage licenses. If both parties apply in person at the Auditor's Office, the fee is $42. If you choose to apply by mail, the fee jumps to $144. That is a significant difference, and most couples find it far more practical to apply in person.
Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after you apply before your ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, giving you a window of three to 63 days from the application date. Your ceremony can happen anywhere in Washington State. The fee is non-refundable once paid.
Certified copies of a marriage certificate cost $3 each. Keep that in mind if you will need multiple copies for name changes, insurance updates, or legal purposes after the wedding.
Note: Payment methods vary. Contact the Auditor's Office at (360) 385-9116 to confirm what forms of payment they accept before your visit.
Searching Jefferson County Marriage License Records
Jefferson County has kept marriage records going back to 1852. That makes the county's records among the older ones in Washington State. If you need a certified copy of a current or recent record, contact the Auditor's Office directly. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best resource.
The Washington State Digital Archives - Jefferson County collection covers marriage records from 1852 through 1947. These records are free to search online and can be accessed from anywhere. If you need to trace family history or verify an older marriage, this is where to start.
The Digital Archives holds Jefferson County marriage records from 1852 to 1947, searchable at no cost through the statewide archive platform.
For records after 1947, you can search through the Auditor's Office online document search or request copies by contacting the office directly. The Jefferson County website can point you to the right resource depending on the year you are researching. You can also check Washington State Department of Health vital records for state-level access to marriage documents.
The official Jefferson County website provides access to county services, including links to public record search tools and the Auditor's Office.
What Jefferson County Marriage Records Contain
A Jefferson County marriage license and the resulting marriage certificate include a set of standard details about both parties and the ceremony. The license application captures information before the wedding. The certificate is what gets recorded after the ceremony takes place.
Marriage records in Jefferson County typically include the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and current addresses at the time of application. The record also shows parents' names and birthplaces, along with any previous marital status. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it for recording. The recorded certificate shows the ceremony date and location, the name of the officiant, and witness signatures.
Social Security numbers are collected on the application but are not part of the public record. That information stays protected. Most other details on the license are available to anyone who requests a copy, though some older records may have limited information based on what was collected at the time. Certified copies cost $3 each from the Auditor's Office and serve as legal proof of the marriage for name changes, benefits, and other official purposes.
Note: If you need a certified copy for legal use, make sure to request the certified version rather than a plain photocopy, as uncertified copies may not be accepted by courts or government agencies.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County is largely rural, with Port Townsend as the main population center and county seat. All marriage license applications for the county are processed at the Auditor's Office in Port Townsend regardless of where in the county you live.
Other communities in Jefferson County include Quilcene, Brinnon, Chimacum, and Port Hadlock. None of these communities currently have individual city pages for marriage license information. All residents of Jefferson County apply through the same Auditor's Office in Port Townsend.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County sits on the Olympic Peninsula. If you live near a county border, check which county is the right one for your address before applying. You can apply for a marriage license in any county in Washington, but it is common to use the one closest to where you live or plan to marry.