Access Pacific County Marriage Records

Pacific County offers two office locations where you can apply for a marriage license: the main office in South Bend and a south county office in Long Beach. The Pacific County Auditor's Office handles marriage license applications, recording services, and access to marriage records that go back to 1868. The license fee in Pacific County is among the lowest in Washington State. This page explains what you need to apply, the fee and waiting period, and how to find or request copies of past Pacific County marriage records.

Pacific County Auditor's Office

The Pacific County Auditor has two locations to serve residents across this long coastal county. The main office is in South Bend at 300 Memorial Dr, and the south county office is in Long Beach at 7013 Sandridge Rd. Auditor Alexandria "Alex" Gerow has led the office since 2023. You can apply for a marriage license at either location.

The Long Beach location operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but it closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Plan around that midday closure. The South Bend main office handles the full range of auditor services. Both offices can issue marriage licenses and help with recorded document requests. Call the South Bend office at (360) 875-9318 or the Long Beach office at (360) 642-9312.

Marriage License Requirements in Pacific County

Both parties must appear in person at either Pacific County Auditor office to apply for a marriage license. You can choose whichever location is more convenient. Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all qualify.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply without special permission. If an applicant is 17, parental permission is required. If the applicant is under 17, a Superior Court judge must grant permission before the license can be issued. These are uncommon situations, but the law sets these thresholds clearly.

No Washington residency is required to apply. You do not need to bring a birth certificate or divorce papers. If you were previously married, that marriage must be fully dissolved before you apply. No witness is needed for the application itself, though two witnesses are required to be present at the ceremony. Social Security numbers are required for both parties, or you may sign an exemption. You also need to know each parent's full name, the mother's maiden name, and the birthplace of each parent.

Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 sets out these requirements statewide. No blood test is needed.

Pacific County Marriage License Fee and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Pacific County is $51. This is one of the lowest fees among Washington counties. Contact the office to confirm accepted payment methods before you go. The fee is non-refundable once paid. Certified copies of the marriage record cost $3 each.

The three-day waiting period under RCW 26.04.160 begins when you apply. The ceremony cannot happen until at least three days have passed from that date. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. So plan your ceremony to fall within that three-to-60-day window. If you need more time and the license expires, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.

Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. This is a requirement in Pacific County, and it differs from what some other counties require. Make sure you have two witnesses lined up before the ceremony takes place.

Note: Confirm exact fees and payment methods with the Pacific County Auditor before your visit, as details can change.

Searching Pacific County Marriage Records

Pacific County has maintained marriage records since 1868. The county was created in 1851 from Lewis County, making it one of the original counties in Washington Territory. The county auditor's office maintains records from 1868 forward, and the online document search portal at pacificwa.countygovernmentrecords.com covers documents recorded from 1996 to present. You can search by document number, name, or legal description. Marriage applications, certificates, and dissolutions are all included in the search portal.

The Pacific County Auditor's Office manages marriage license issuance and recorded document access for both the South Bend and Long Beach office locations.

For historical records, the Pacific County collection at the Washington State Digital Archives holds marriage records going back to the county's earliest years. The Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is free to search and includes scanned images of original documents. This is especially useful for family history research or confirming details of a marriage from many decades ago.

The Washington State Department of Health maintains vital records through their vital records office. VitalChek is an authorized online vendor for ordering certified copies of state-level vital records, including marriage certificates. Pacific County also names VitalChek as one of its third-party vendors for ordering certified copies.

Pacific County Historical Marriage Records

Pacific County has a long record-keeping history. Marriage records here go back to 1868. For records from that era through the mid-twentieth century, the Washington State Digital Archives is your best free resource.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Pacific County marriage records going back to 1868, making it possible to research marriages from the county's earliest years as a free public resource.

If you are looking for a marriage record from the last few decades, start with the county's online document search portal at pacificwa.countygovernmentrecords.com. For anything before 1996, contact the auditor's office directly. The office can search by name and provide certified copies of records on file. You can also email the auditor's office at auditor@co.pacific.wa.us with your request.

Marriage records in Washington are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be a party to the marriage to ask for a record. The Washington State Association of County Auditors sets guidelines that auditor offices across the state follow for public records access.

What Pacific County Marriage Records Contain

A Pacific County marriage record includes the full legal names of both parties, their ages and dates of birth, and their birthplaces. The record also shows both parties' current addresses at the time of application, their previous marital status, and the names and birthplaces of their parents, including the mother's maiden name.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate and returns it to the auditor's office. The completed record then shows the ceremony date and location, the name of the officiant who performed the ceremony, and the signatures of the two required witnesses. The date of recording is added when the document is filed. Social Security numbers are collected during the application but are not part of the public record. All other information on the license is public under Washington law.

Certified copies of the marriage record carry the auditor's official seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage. Plain copies do not have the seal and are not suitable for legal use. If you need a certified copy for a name change or other official purpose, request the certified version and confirm with the auditor that it will have the seal.

Cities in Pacific County

Pacific County includes South Bend, Raymond, Long Beach, and other smaller communities. All marriage license applications are handled at the auditor's office in either South Bend or Long Beach.

None of the cities in Pacific County currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents across the county can use either office location to apply for a marriage license.

Nearby Counties

Pacific County sits along the southwestern coast of Washington. It borders Lewis County and Wahkiakum County. If you are unsure which county you reside in, verify your address before applying.