Find a Marriage License in Pierce County
Pierce County marriage license applications are handled by the County Auditor's Office at the Pierce County Annex in Tacoma. Both parties must appear in person or apply by mail with notarized documents. Pierce County is one of the largest counties in Washington and serves major communities including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and many more. The auditor's office issues licenses, records returned certificates, and provides certified copies. You can also search marriage records through the county's online system or access older historical records through the Washington State Digital Archives.
Pierce County Overview
Pierce County Auditor's Office
The Pierce County Auditor handles marriage licenses for the entire county. The office is located at the Pierce County Annex in Tacoma. Appointments are highly recommended for marriage licensing. Walk-in service may be available but can mean a longer wait. The auditor's main line for general questions is (253) 798-7427. For marriage licensing specifically, call (253) 798-7435.
Auditor Linda Farmer oversees the office. Staff process marriage license applications, record signed certificates after ceremonies, and issue certified copies. You can reach the office by email at Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov. The office is open Monday through Friday with a midday closure from noon to 1:00 PM.
| Office | Pierce County Auditor - Marriage Licensing |
|---|---|
| Address |
Pierce County Annex 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200 Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Phone (General) | (253) 798-7427 |
| Phone (Marriage) | (253) 798-7435 |
| Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Auditor | Linda Farmer |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/Auditor |
| Marriage License Page | piercecountywa.gov/Marriage-Licensing |
The screenshot below is from the Pierce County Auditor's Office website, which is the official resource for marriage licensing services in the county.
The auditor's office manages marriage license applications, records certified copies of returned certificates, and stores marriage records for Pierce County.
Pierce County Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must appear together at the Pierce County Auditor's Office to apply for a marriage license in person. Each person must bring a government-issued photo ID that includes their date of birth. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID. Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Washington State does not require either party to live in Washington or in Pierce County to apply here.
You will need to provide your Social Security number on the application, or sign an exemption form if you do not have one. The application also asks for each parent's full legal name, including the mother's maiden name, and the birthplace of each parent. No blood test or medical exam is required. You do not need to prove that a prior marriage ended, but any previous marriage must be legally dissolved before you can legally apply for a new license.
Washington's marriage license laws are found under RCW Chapter 26.04. The statute at RCW 26.04.160 covers the application requirements in detail. Pierce County follows these statewide rules without additional county-level restrictions.
The image below shows the Pierce County Marriage Licensing page, where you can access the online application and full instructions.
The Pierce County marriage licensing page includes the online application link, appointment scheduling, and step-by-step guidance for both in-person and mail applications.
Note: Pierce County highly recommends scheduling an appointment before visiting. Walk-in service is available but wait times may be longer.Marriage License Fees and Waiting Period in Pierce County
The marriage license fee in Pierce County is $72. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit and debit card. The fee is non-refundable once paid. Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate cost $3 each. You can order certified copies in person, by mail using a request form, or online and have them mailed to you.
Washington law requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply for a marriage license. The ceremony cannot take place until those three days have passed. There are no exceptions or waivers to this requirement. If you apply on Monday, the earliest your ceremony can be performed is Thursday. Apply Tuesday and the earliest is Friday. The pattern continues through the week. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the original license. You must return the signed original to the Pierce County Auditor's Office either in person at the annex or by mail. Certified copies can be requested after the original is returned and recorded.
Applying by Mail for a Pierce County Marriage License
If you cannot appear in person, Pierce County allows mail applications for marriage licenses. Start by completing the online application on the county website. Then print the application, and both parties must sign it in front of a notary public. Mail the notarized application along with payment by check or money order. The completed marriage packet will be sent to the residential address listed on your application.
Send mail applications to:
- Pierce County Auditor
- Attn: Marriage License
- 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200
- Tacoma, WA 98409
After the ceremony, the signed original marriage certificate must be returned to the Pierce County Auditor's Office by mail or in person. Do not send the original without making sure you have the correct address and a way to track the delivery. Once the office receives and records the certificate, you can order certified copies.
Searching Pierce County Marriage License Records
Pierce County marriage records are public records under Washington law. Anyone can request access to marriage license applications and certificates. The county maintains recorded documents through the auditor's office. If you need a certified copy of a recorded marriage certificate, contact the office at (253) 798-7435 or visit in person at the Pierce County Annex.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical Pierce County marriage records going back well over a century. This free online resource is useful for genealogy research or finding older records that predate the county's current electronic system. You can search by name and browse digitized images of original documents.
Under RCW 26.04.180, Washington marriage records are public. The law allows marriage applications to be published in local newspapers. All marriage applications filed in Pierce County are accessible to the public unless the applicant is enrolled in Washington State's Address Confidentiality Program.
The image below shows the Washington State Digital Archives collection page for Pierce County marriage records.
The Digital Archives provides free access to historical marriage records for Pierce County, including older indexes and scanned original documents useful for genealogy and background research.
What Pierce County Marriage Records Contain
A Pierce County marriage license application captures the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of both applicants. It also records each parent's full name and birthplace. The intended date and location of the ceremony are included. Once the ceremony occurs, the signed license becomes a marriage certificate. The recorded certificate lists both spouses' names, the ceremony date and place, and the officiant's name and qualifications.
Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates are what most people need for legal purposes. They serve as proof of marriage for name changes, updating Social Security records, modifying passports, opening joint accounts, and many other legal and financial matters. The Pierce County Auditor's Office issues certified copies for $3 each. Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted by government agencies and courts.
Marriage applications in Pierce County are public record per RCW 26.04.160 and may be published in a local newspaper. The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov also maintains statewide vital records. For records not held locally, you may also contact VitalChek for online ordering of certified vital records.
Cities in Pierce County
Pierce County is home to many large cities and communities. All marriage license applications go through the Pierce County Auditor's Office at the Pierce County Annex in Tacoma, regardless of which city or community you live in.
Other communities in Pierce County include Bonney Lake, Sumner, Buckley, Eatonville, Orting, and many more unincorporated areas. All use the Pierce County Auditor for marriage licensing.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pierce County. If you are unsure which county you should file in, check your residential address. Washington allows you to apply for a marriage license in any county.