San Juan County Marriage License

San Juan County marriage licenses are issued by the County Auditor's Office in Friday Harbor, the county seat located on San Juan Island. The county is made up of islands accessible primarily by ferry, which is something to plan for if you intend to apply in person. Both parties must appear together or apply by mail with notarized documents. The auditor's office issues licenses, records returned certificates, and maintains access to marriage records. This page covers what you need to know about getting a marriage license in San Juan County, including fees, waiting periods, and how to search older marriage records.

San Juan County Auditor's Office

The San Juan County Auditor's Office is the office that issues marriage licenses for the county. It is located at 350 Court Street in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The office also handles voter registration, vehicle licensing, recording of legal documents, and other services. For marriage licenses specifically, the auditor's website has a dedicated page at sanjuancountywa.gov/176/Marriage-Licenses.

Auditor Milene Henley oversees the office. You can reach staff by phone at (360) 378-2161 or by email at auditor@sanjuanco.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Because the county is an island chain, plan your trip in advance. Ferry schedules affect travel to Friday Harbor, so give yourself enough time to arrive and complete the application within business hours.

The auditor's office also manages the Recording Division, which keeps land records, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents. If you need to search for a recorded document, the division has an online search tool. You can look up records by document number, name, or legal description.

The image below shows the San Juan County Auditor's Office page, the central resource for marriage license services in the county.

The auditor's office handles marriage license applications, recording of returned certificates, and requests for certified copies of marriage records.

San Juan County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Each person must provide a picture ID that shows their date of birth. Accepted forms of identification include a driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID. Washington does not require either applicant to be a state resident. The license is valid anywhere in Washington State, and the ceremony must occur within 60 days of the license being issued.

There is no blood test or medical exam required to get a marriage license in San Juan County. You do not need to show proof that a prior marriage ended, but any previous marriage must be legally dissolved before you can apply. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Washington since December 6, 2012. The same application process and requirements apply to all couples.

Washington marriage license laws are governed by RCW Chapter 26.04. The application requirements outlined in RCW 26.04.160 apply statewide, and San Juan County follows those rules without additional local requirements.

The image below shows the San Juan County Marriage Licenses page, where you can start an online application and review current instructions.

The county's marriage licenses page includes the online application form, contact information, and guidance on the waiting period and license validity.

Fees and Waiting Period in San Juan County

The marriage license fee in San Juan County is $162. This fee includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate. That is worth noting because many other counties charge separately for certified copies. Additional certified copies cost $3 each. Uncertified copies are available for $1 each. Payment can be made by credit card, cash, or check. All fees are non-refundable once paid.

Washington law requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply for a marriage license. You cannot hold the ceremony until three full days have passed. There are no waivers or exceptions to this rule. The license remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If the ceremony does not occur within that 60-day window, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the original marriage license. You then must return the signed original to the San Juan County Auditor's Office. Once it is returned and recorded, you can order additional certified copies. A certified copy carries an official seal and is what courts, government agencies, and financial institutions accept as proof of marriage.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in San Juan County

San Juan County offers several ways to start the application process. You can apply online through the county's website, call the office at (360) 378-2161, email the customer service team, or apply by mail. Both parties still need to appear in person or have documents notarized for a mail application. The online option lets you get the paperwork started before your trip to Friday Harbor, which can save time once you arrive.

For mail applications, complete the application and have both parties sign the notarized affidavit. Mail it along with payment to:

• San Juan County Auditor
• P.O. Box 638
• Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Once your application is processed and the fee is paid, the license is issued. The 3-day waiting period begins at that point. The license can be used anywhere in Washington. It is not valid for ceremonies held outside the state.

Note that once a marriage is recorded, it cannot be unrecorded. Make sure all the information on your application is correct before you submit it and pay the fee.

Searching San Juan County Marriage Records

The San Juan County Auditor's Recording Division maintains marriage license records. You can search the online document search tool by document number, name, or legal description. This covers records that have been digitized and entered into the system. For in-person searches or certified copies, visit the office during business hours or contact the office by phone or email.

All marriage records in San Juan County are public record. The exception covers people enrolled in Washington State's Address Confidentiality Program. Anyone can request access to marriage applications and certificates. Under RCW 26.04.180, marriage records are open to the public.

Historical marriage records for San Juan County dating from 1864 to 1939 are held at the Washington State Archives. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides free online access to indexed marriage certificates from 1874 to 1914 and marriage returns from 1923 to 1939. These are valuable resources for genealogy research or finding records from the early years of the county.

The image below shows the Washington State Digital Archives collection page for San Juan County marriage records.

The Digital Archives is a free resource for accessing historical marriage records from San Juan County, including indexes and scanned images of original documents.

What San Juan County Marriage Records Include

A marriage license application in San Juan County includes the names and dates of birth of both applicants, Social Security numbers or exemptions, and information about each parent including full name and birthplace. Once the ceremony is performed and the signed license is returned, it becomes a recorded marriage certificate. That certificate shows the names of both spouses, the date and location of the ceremony, and the officiant's name and credentials.

Certified copies of the recorded marriage certificate are what you need for legal and administrative purposes. They work for name changes with the Social Security Administration, updating a U.S. passport, changing a driver's license, opening joint accounts, and proving marital status in court or for insurance. The fee for each certified copy is $3, and the first certified copy is included with your application fee of $162.

For statewide vital records, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov maintains records of marriages statewide. You can also order records through VitalChek if you prefer an online ordering service for certified vital records.

Cities in San Juan County

San Juan County is a small island county. Friday Harbor is the only incorporated town in the county and serves as the county seat. All marriage licenses for the county are handled by the auditor's office there.

There are no cities in San Juan County that meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents across the islands use the San Juan County Auditor's Office in Friday Harbor for marriage licensing services.

Nearby Counties

San Juan County is an island county in northwestern Washington. The counties closest to it by mainland proximity are listed below. Remember that you can apply for a Washington marriage license in any county, regardless of where you live.