Search Mason County Marriage Records
Mason County marriage licenses are issued through the Auditor's Office in Shelton. The Recording Division handles license applications and maintains all marriage records for the county. Records go back to 1854, making Mason County one of the older record collections in Washington State. Whether you are planning to get married soon or need to look up a past marriage record, this page covers the application process, current fees, waiting period rules, and how to find or request copies of Mason County marriage records.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Auditor's Office
The Mason County Auditor in Shelton oversees marriage license issuance through the Recording Division. Auditor Paddy McGuire leads the office. Marriage license applications go through the Recording Department specifically, and you should call that line at (360) 427-9670 ext. 467 if you have questions about your application before you visit.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Both parties must appear in person to apply. There is no mail option listed for Mason County, so plan to visit the Shelton office together. The auditor also provides eRecording for documents and accepts email requests for certain certified copy orders, which can be helpful once your marriage is recorded.
| Office | Mason County Auditor's Office - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address |
411 N 5th St Shelton, WA 98584 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 400, Shelton, WA 98584 |
| Phone | (360) 427-9670 |
| Recording Division | (360) 427-9670 ext. 467 |
| auditor@masoncountywa.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Auditor | Paddy McGuire |
| Website | masoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor |
Marriage License Requirements in Mason County
Both parties must appear in person at the Mason County Auditor's Office to apply for a marriage license. Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing their date of birth. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. You do not need to bring a birth certificate.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Washington State does not require either person to be a resident of the county or the state. You can live outside Washington and still apply for a marriage license at the Mason County office. Once issued, the license is valid anywhere in Washington State.
Social Security numbers are required, or you may sign an exemption if you choose not to provide them. The office also asks for both parents' full names including the mother's maiden name, and the birthplaces of each parent. If either party was previously married, that marriage must be completely finalized before you apply. No divorce papers are required, but the prior marriage must be legally ended.
No blood test is needed. Washington State statutes under RCW Chapter 26.04 govern the statewide requirements for marriage licenses, and Mason County follows all of them.
Mason County Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period
The marriage license fee in Mason County is approximately $65 to $70. Contact the office at (360) 427-9670 ext. 467 to confirm the exact current fee before you go in. Payment methods vary, and you should ask what forms of payment the office accepts when you call. The fee is non-refundable once paid.
Certified copies of your marriage record cost $3 each. It is a good idea to request several certified copies when you pick up or receive your completed license, as you may need them for a name change, updating government documents, or other legal uses down the road.
Washington law under RCW 26.04.160 requires a three-day waiting period before the ceremony can take place. The waiting period begins the day you apply. The license stays valid for 60 days. So your wedding must occur at least three days after the application date but no more than 60 days after the license is issued. If the window passes without a ceremony, you would need to apply again.
Note: Fees in Mason County should be verified directly with the auditor's office before your visit, as amounts are subject to change.
Searching Mason County Marriage Records
Mason County has kept marriage records since 1854. That is over 170 years of records. The county provides an online document search where you can look up recorded documents. The Mason County Recording page explains how to access these records and submit requests for copies.
The Mason County Recording Division handles all document searches and copy requests for marriage records, including both recent and historical filings.
For records from 1854 through 1947, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best resource. The Mason County collection at the Digital Archives is free to search online. You can view scanned images of the original documents. This is particularly useful for family history research or finding records that predate the county's current electronic system.
The Washington State Department of Health maintains vital records through its vital records office. For online ordering of certified copies, VitalChek is an authorized state vendor. Mason County also accepts email requests for certain certified copy orders through the auditor's office.
Recording Services and Special Programs
Mason County offers a few services that stand out compared to other counties. One is the Fraud Notify program. This free service sends you an email alert any time a document is recorded under your name. It is a useful way to monitor for fraudulent activity involving your property or identity. You can sign up through the auditor's office.
The Mason County Auditor's Office provides marriage license issuance, recording services, and the free Fraud Notify program for document monitoring.
Mason County also offers free recording of DD214 military discharge documents for veterans, as well as free certified copies of DD214s. This is not directly related to marriage licenses, but it is a helpful service for veterans in the county who need those records.
The county accepts documents for recording in both Mylar and paper formats. eRecording is available for those submitting documents electronically. Surveys, plat maps, short plats, and large lot subdivisions are among the documents the office records in addition to marriage records. The Washington State Association of County Auditors provides resources and standards that Mason County follows for recording procedures.
Mason County Marriage Records in the Digital Archives
If you are researching a marriage from before 1947, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best free source. The Mason County collection covers 1854 through 1947. These scanned records are available at no cost and include both the license applications and the completed certificates where they were recorded together.
The Washington State Digital Archives makes Mason County marriage records from 1854 to 1947 freely accessible online, covering some of the earliest marriages recorded in the county.
For marriages after 1947, you need to contact the Mason County Auditor's Office directly or use the county's online document search. The main Digital Archives site at digitalarchives.wa.gov covers many counties across Washington and is a reliable starting point for historical research.
Cities in Mason County
Mason County includes Shelton and surrounding communities. All marriage license applications for residents of Mason County are handled at the Auditor's Office in Shelton.
Shelton is the largest city in the county. It does not currently have a dedicated city page on this site. All couples in Mason County apply at the same office regardless of where in the county they live.
Nearby Counties
Mason County is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in western Washington. It borders several other counties. Check your address to confirm which county you are in before applying.