Marriage License Records in Klickitat County

Klickitat County marriage licenses are handled by the County Auditor's Office in Goldendale, in south-central Washington along the Columbia River Gorge region. The office issues marriage licenses and maintains county marriage records going back to 1889. One thing that sets Klickitat County apart is its cash-only payment policy for marriage licenses, so plan accordingly before your visit. This page covers what you need to apply, what the license costs, how the waiting period works, and how to search older records.

Klickitat County Auditor's Office

The Klickitat County Auditor's Office in Goldendale is where you apply for a marriage license and where county marriage records are kept. Auditor Carol A. Sevier oversees the office, which also handles property recording and other county auditor functions. The office is located at 205 S Columbus Ave in downtown Goldendale.

Goldendale is a small county seat in the Columbia River Gorge region of Washington. It sits about 25 miles north of the Columbia River and the Oregon border. The Auditor's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you are coming from White Salmon, Bingen, or other parts of the county, plan to arrive with enough time before closing. Bring cash for the marriage license fee, as Klickitat County does not accept checks or credit cards for this transaction.

The Klickitat County official website provides access to county services, including the Auditor's Office which handles marriage license applications and recorded documents.

Klickitat County Marriage License Requirements

Klickitat County follows Washington State marriage license law under RCW Chapter 26.04. The requirements are consistent with those in other Washington counties, with the notable addition of the cash-only payment rule that is unique to Klickitat County.

Both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's Office to apply. Each person must show a government-issued photo ID that includes a birth date. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Washington State does not require either party to be a resident of the state, so couples from Oregon or other states can apply here. No blood test is required.

Social Security numbers are needed for both applicants, or you must sign an exemption. The application also asks for your parents' full names, your mother's maiden name, and your parents' birthplaces. Gather this information before you go. If you are unsure about any details, call the office at (509) 773-4001 before making the drive to Goldendale. The Klickitat County Recording page provides additional details on the types of documents the office handles.

The Klickitat County Recording page covers recording services, marriage licenses, and document access available through the Auditor's Office in Goldendale.

Fees and Waiting Period

The Klickitat County marriage license fee is $139. This is notably higher than some smaller Washington counties, and there is an important distinction: Klickitat County accepts cash only for marriage license payments. No checks, no credit cards, no debit cards. Bring cash when you go. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

One benefit of the Klickitat County fee structure is that a certified copy of your marriage certificate is included in the $139 fee. If you need additional certified copies beyond the first, each one costs $3. This is a practical perk compared to counties where you have to pay separately for the initial certified copy.

Under RCW 26.04.160, Washington requires a mandatory three-day waiting period between the application date and the earliest possible ceremony date. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance, which gives you a ceremony window between three and 63 days from when you applied. The license is valid anywhere in Washington State, so you can apply in Klickitat County and hold your ceremony anywhere in the state.

Note: Confirm the exact fee and payment policy with the Auditor's Office before your visit. Call (509) 773-4001 or email auditor@klickitatcounty.org to verify current requirements.

Searching Klickitat County Marriage Records

Klickitat County has kept marriage records since 1889. For recent records, the Auditor's Office is the right contact. The county has an online document search tool that lets you look up recorded documents. For records before 1948, the Washington State Digital Archives has you covered.

The Washington State Digital Archives - Klickitat County collection includes marriage records from 1889 through 1947. These records are free to search online through the state's archive system. The Digital Archives is the main tool for genealogy research involving older Klickitat County records. It is maintained by the Washington State Archives and searchable from anywhere with internet access.

The Washington State Digital Archives includes Klickitat County marriage records from 1889 to 1947, free to search online through the statewide archive platform.

For records from 1948 to the present, use the Klickitat County Auditor's online document search or contact the office directly. State-level access is available through the Washington State Department of Health vital records office. For remote certified copy ordering, VitalChek offers ordering services through state and county record systems.

What Klickitat County Marriage Records Contain

A Klickitat County marriage record captures information from both the application and the recorded certificate. The application is completed in person before the wedding. After the ceremony, the signed license is returned to the Auditor's Office and recorded as the official marriage certificate for the county.

Klickitat County marriage records include the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, birthplaces, and home addresses at the time of application. The application also records parents' full names, the mother's maiden name, and parents' birthplaces. Previous marital status is noted. Once the ceremony takes place and the license is returned, the recorded certificate adds the ceremony date and location, the officiant's name, witness signatures, and the date the document was recorded by the Auditor's Office.

Social Security numbers are collected on the application but are kept private and do not appear on public copies of the record. Most other details on the certificate are part of the public record. Older records from the late 1800s and early 1900s may have less detail, depending on what was captured at that time. The certified copy included in the $139 fee is accepted for legal purposes such as name changes and benefits applications. Additional certified copies cost $3 each from the Auditor's Office.

Under RCW 26.04.180, Washington requires that marriage licenses be returned to the county auditor after the ceremony so the record can be properly filed. This step is what creates the official marriage certificate on file with Klickitat County.

Cities in Klickitat County

Klickitat County is a rural county in south-central Washington. Goldendale serves as the county seat and the location of the Auditor's Office. All marriage license applications for the county are processed there.

Other communities in Klickitat County include White Salmon, Bingen, Lyle, Trout Lake, and Wishram. These communities do not have individual city pages for marriage license information. All Klickitat County residents apply through the Auditor's Office in Goldendale.

Nearby Counties

Klickitat County borders Oregon to the south and several Washington counties to the north. If you live near a county border, verify your address before making the drive to Goldendale.