Find a Marriage License in Kittitas County
Kittitas County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office in Ellensburg. Located in central Washington east of the Cascades, Kittitas County processes marriage license applications for residents and out-of-state couples alike. Both parties must appear in person to apply. This guide covers what you need to bring, what you will pay, how the three-day waiting period works, and how to find marriage records going back to 1884.
Kittitas County Overview
Kittitas County Auditor's Office
The Kittitas County Auditor's Office is located in Ellensburg, the county seat and home to Central Washington University. The Auditor's Office handles marriage license applications, maintains recorded county documents, and provides certified copies of marriage records. Auditor Lacy J. Lesteadt leads the office.
Ellensburg sits along Interstate 90 in the Kittitas Valley. If you are coming from the Seattle area, you cross Snoqualmie Pass to reach it. The drive takes about 90 minutes from Seattle depending on conditions. The office is on the second floor of the county building at 205 W 5th Ave. Call ahead to confirm hours or ask any questions about what to bring before you make the trip.
| Office | Kittitas County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
205 W 5th Ave, Suite 102 Ellensburg, WA 98926 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 879, Ellensburg, WA 98926 |
| Phone | (509) 962-7504 |
| Fax | (509) 962-7510 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| auditor@co.kittitas.wa.us | |
| Website | co.kittitas.wa.us |
The Kittitas County official website provides information on county services, including the Auditor's Office where marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained.
Kittitas County Marriage License Requirements
Washington State governs marriage license requirements through RCW Chapter 26.04. Kittitas County applies these rules at the local level. The process is simple if you come with the right documents.
Both parties must go to the Auditor's Office together. Each person needs a photo ID issued by a government agency that includes a birth date. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. Both must be 18 or older. Washington does not require state residency, so couples from out of state can apply in Kittitas County without issue. No blood test is needed before applying.
Social Security numbers are required for both applicants, or you can sign an exemption if you do not have one. The form also asks for your parents' full names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Getting this information together before you go will make the visit go more smoothly. If you have questions before arriving, call (509) 962-7504 or email auditor@co.kittitas.wa.us.
Note: Washington does not require couples to marry in the county where they obtained the license. A Kittitas County marriage license is valid for use anywhere in Washington State.
Fees and Waiting Period
The Kittitas County marriage license fee is approximately $60 to $70 based on available research. However, fees can change, and you should verify the current amount directly with the Auditor's Office before your visit. Payment types accepted may vary, so call ahead to confirm what forms of payment the office takes. The fee is non-refundable once paid.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a three-day waiting period between the date of application and the earliest date your ceremony can occur. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. That means you have a window from three to 63 days after applying to hold the ceremony. If the license expires before you marry, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.
Certified copies of a Kittitas County marriage certificate cost $3 each. Order several if you expect to use the certificate for multiple purposes such as a name change, updating insurance records, or applying for spousal benefits.
Searching Kittitas County Marriage Records
Kittitas County has maintained marriage records since 1884. The county implemented a new search engine in 2022, making it easier to find recorded documents online. For current and recent records, the Auditor's Office is the main resource. For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best tool available.
The Washington State Digital Archives - Kittitas County collection includes marriage records from 1884 through 1947. These records are free to search online through the statewide archive system. The Digital Archives is a practical tool for genealogy research and for anyone trying to locate marriage records that predate the county's online systems.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds Kittitas County marriage records from 1884 to 1947, searchable online at no cost through the state's archive platform.
For records from 1948 onward, contact the Kittitas County Auditor's Office in Ellensburg or check their online document search tools. The Washington State Department of Health vital records office also provides access to certain marriage records at the state level. If you need to order certified copies remotely, VitalChek is an option for ordering official copies through state and county channels.
What Kittitas County Marriage Records Contain
A Kittitas County marriage record includes information from both the application and the ceremony. The license application gathers details before the wedding. Once the ceremony takes place and the officiant signs and returns the license, it is recorded and becomes the official marriage certificate on file with the county.
The recorded marriage certificate includes both parties' full legal names, ages, birth dates, and birthplaces. It also shows home addresses at the time of the application, parents' names and birthplaces, and any prior marital status. After the ceremony, the certificate records the date and location of the event, the officiant's name, and witness signatures. The date it was recorded with the Auditor's Office also appears on the document.
Social Security numbers are collected during the application process but are not public. They are kept private and do not appear on copies of the record. Most other details are part of the public record and are available to anyone who requests them. Older records from the late 1800s and early 1900s may contain less detail based on what was captured at the time.
Certified copies from the Kittitas County Auditor's Office cost $3 each and are accepted for official purposes including name changes, benefits applications, and legal matters. Make sure to request the certified version rather than a plain copy when you need it for legal use.
Cities in Kittitas County
Kittitas County's main population center is Ellensburg. All marriage license applications for the county are processed at the Auditor's Office there, regardless of where in the county you live.
Other communities in Kittitas County include Cle Elum, Roslyn, South Cle Elum, Kittitas, and Thorp. None of these communities have separate city pages for marriage license information. All residents apply through the Auditor's Office in Ellensburg.
Nearby Counties
Kittitas County is bordered by several other Washington counties on both sides of the Cascades. If you are close to a county line, verify your address before choosing where to apply.