Find Marriage License Records in Lincoln County
Lincoln County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office in Davenport. Both parties must appear in person to apply, and the office has a limited window each day for processing marriage license applications. Lincoln County keeps marriage records going back to 1883, and older records from 1883 through 1947 are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. This page covers what you need to apply, the current fee, how the waiting period works, and where to find or request copies of past marriage license records.
Lincoln County Overview
Lincoln County Auditor's Office
The Lincoln County Auditor in Davenport handles marriage license applications and maintains the county's marriage records. Auditor Chandra Schumacher oversees the office. The office is open Monday through Friday, but the hours for marriage license processing end at 3:00 PM, and you should arrive by 2:30 PM to allow enough time for processing. Do not plan to show up at 3:00 PM expecting to apply.
Lincoln County is one of the smaller counties in eastern Washington. The office handles a range of services including recording, elections, and vehicle licensing. For marriage license questions, you can call (509) 725-4971 or email cschumacher@co.lincoln.wa.us.
| Office | Lincoln County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
450 Logan St Davenport, WA 99122 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 28, Davenport, WA 99122 |
| Phone | (509) 725-4971 |
| cschumacher@co.lincoln.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (arrive by 2:30 PM for marriage licenses) |
| Auditor | Chandra Schumacher |
| Website | lincolncountywa.com/317/Marriage-License |
Lincoln County Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must appear in person at the Lincoln County Auditor's Office to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send just one person. Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that includes their date of birth. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. No birth certificate is needed.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Washington State does not require you to be a resident of the state or of Lincoln County to apply here. You can live anywhere and still get your marriage license in Lincoln County. The license will be valid anywhere in Washington State once it is issued.
You will need to provide Social Security numbers for both people, or sign an exemption if you do not wish to provide them. The office also asks for each person's parents' full names, including the mother's maiden name, and the birthplace of each parent. If either party was previously married, that prior marriage must be fully dissolved before you apply. You do not need to bring divorce papers, but you should know when the divorce was finalized.
Under RCW Chapter 26.04, Washington sets the requirements for marriage licenses. Lincoln County follows all state requirements. No blood test is needed.
Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period
As of July 27, 2025, the marriage license fee in Lincoln County is $139. This fee went up due to changes under House Bill 1498. The previous fee was lower. Payment can be made with cash or a credit or debit card. There is a $2 surcharge if you pay by card. Personal checks are not accepted. The fee is not refundable after you pay it.
Certified copies of your marriage record cost $3 each. You may want to order more than one copy at the time of recording, since it is usually easier to get them all at once than to request additional copies later.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after you apply. The ceremony cannot take place until at least three full days have passed from the date of application. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. Your wedding must occur within that 60-day window, at or after the three-day mark.
Note: Confirm fee amounts with the Lincoln County Auditor before you apply, as fees can change with new legislation.
Searching Lincoln County Marriage Records
Lincoln County has maintained marriage records since 1883. The county auditor's office can help you find records and get certified copies. Records from 1883 through 1947 are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives, which is free to search online.
The Washington State Digital Archives Lincoln County collection is one of the best free resources for older marriage records in the county. You can search by name and view scanned images of original documents. This is especially useful for genealogy research or when you need to confirm a marriage that took place many decades ago.
The Lincoln County Auditor's Office in Davenport handles all marriage license applications and maintains the county's official marriage records.
For recent records, contact the auditor's office directly at (509) 725-4971. Staff can search by name and help you request certified copies. The Washington State Department of Health also maintains vital records through its vital records office, and VitalChek is an authorized vendor for ordering certified copies online.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds scanned marriage records for Lincoln County from 1883 to 1947, available at no cost for researchers and the public.
Lincoln County Marriage License Information
The Lincoln County marriage license page on the county's website outlines the full application process, lists acceptable forms of ID, and explains what happens if one party cannot appear in person at the same time. The county website also provides downloadable forms for the application and the Certificate of Marriage.
The Lincoln County website provides up-to-date marriage license information including forms, fees, and application instructions for couples planning to marry in Washington State.
If one party cannot appear at the same time as the other, Lincoln County allows a workaround. One party completes the application and has their signature notarized. The other party then brings that notarized application to the office to finalize it. This starts the three-day waiting period. The Washington State Association of County Auditors provides guidance on statewide marriage license procedures that counties follow.
What Lincoln County Marriage Records Show
A Lincoln County marriage record contains the full legal names of both parties, their ages and birth dates, and their birthplaces. The record also shows each person's current address at the time of application, their previous marital status, and their parents' full names and birthplaces. This information helps identify both parties and ties the record to the right family lines for genealogical research.
After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate and returns it to the auditor's office for recording. The completed record includes the ceremony date and location, the name of the officiant, and the signatures of witnesses. The date of recording is also noted. Social Security numbers are collected but are not part of the public record. Everything else on the license is a public record in Washington State.
Cities in Lincoln County
Lincoln County includes Davenport, Wilbur, Creston, and several small communities. All marriage license applications for residents of Lincoln County are processed through the Auditor's Office in Davenport.
None of the cities in Lincoln County currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All couples in the county apply at the same office in Davenport regardless of which city or town they live in.
Nearby Counties
Lincoln County is located in eastern Washington. It borders several other counties in the region. If you are unsure which county you reside in, check your address before applying.