Find Marriage License Records in Spokane County

Spokane County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office on West Broadway Avenue in Spokane. Both applicants must visit the office together to complete the application. The Auditor's Office handles all marriage license issuance for the county, and the county seat of Spokane is the largest city in eastern Washington. Whether you need to apply for a marriage license or search for a recorded marriage certificate, the Auditor's Office and the Washington State Digital Archives both offer access to marriage records for Spokane County.

Spokane County Auditor's Office

The Spokane County Auditor's Office on West Broadway Avenue handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Vicky Dalton oversees the office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office processes new applications, provides certified copies of recorded marriage documents, and maintains records for marriages that took place in Spokane County.

The Auditor's Office also accepts mailed requests for certified copies of marriage certificates. To request by mail, send a check payable to the Spokane County Auditor along with the full names of both parties at the time of application and the date of the marriage. Include a return mailing address. The Spokane County Marriage Information page has detailed instructions for both in-person and mail requests.

The Spokane County website provides information on marriage licenses, the application process, and how to request certified copies. The screenshot below shows the Spokane County Marriage Information page, which is the best starting point for any marriage license or records question in the county.

The Spokane County Marriage Information page covers the full application process, waiting period rules, and how to get certified copies of marriage certificates.

Marriage License Requirements in Spokane County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the requirements for all marriage license applications in the state. In Spokane County, both applicants must appear in person at the Auditor's Office. Both must be 18 years old or older. There is no Washington residency requirement, which means couples from out of state can apply here.

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, a state identification card, a passport, or a military ID. The ID must be current and contain a photo. Social Security numbers are required from both parties. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign an exemption. You also need to provide your parents' full legal names, including your mother's maiden name, and the birthplaces of both parents.

Neither blood tests nor witnesses are required to obtain a marriage license in Washington. Applicants also cannot have a current living spouse or registered domestic partner, unless that partner is the other applicant in the same marriage application. Prior marital status must be declared. The office does not require documentation of a prior divorce or a prior spouse's death, but the declaration must be truthful.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Spokane County is $76. This fee is non-refundable once you apply. Contact the Auditor's Office at (509) 477-2270 to confirm accepted payment methods. The fee covers issuance of the license and processing once the certificate is returned after the ceremony.

Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license is valid. This rule comes from RCW 26.04.180 and cannot be waived. The waiting period starts the day you submit your application. After three days, the license becomes active. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of application. The ceremony must take place between day three and day 63. If you miss that window, the license is no longer valid and you would need to apply again.

Certified copies of marriage certificates in Spokane County cost $3 each. To order by mail, include a check or money order payable to the Spokane County Auditor, the names of both parties as they appeared on the application, the date of the marriage, and your return mailing address.

Note: The $76 license fee is non-refundable. Plan your application date with the 3-day waiting period and 60-day expiration in mind.

Searching Spokane County Marriage Records

If you need to find an existing marriage record in Spokane County, start with the Auditor's Office. The office can search records by name and provide certified copies for marriages recorded in the county. Call (509) 477-2270 or visit the office in person to request a search. Marriage records can also be accessed in-person at the office on West Broadway Avenue.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds a collection of Spokane County marriage records. You can search the index by name and browse records online at no cost. For older marriages, this is one of the most reliable sources. The Spokane County collection at the Digital Archives includes historical records spanning many decades.

The Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to historical Spokane County marriage records, searchable by name.

For marriages from 1968 onward, the Washington State Department of Health keeps statewide marriage records at the DOH Vital Records office. Certified copies cost $25 each. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail, or by phone. Online orders typically process within three to seven business days. Mail orders can take six to eight weeks.

The Spokane County official website provides access to marriage license information and links to recording office resources for the county.

What Spokane County Marriage Records Contain

A Spokane County marriage license contains the license number and the date it was issued. It shows the full legal names of both parties, their ages, birthplaces, and current residences. The license also includes the date of application, information about prior marital status, and notations about the three-day waiting period. Parents' names and birthplaces are collected at the time of application and become part of the official record.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and must return it to the appropriate county office within 30 days. Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 holds officiants responsible for this step. Failure to return the certificate can result in a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $300. The marriage certificate adds the date and location of the ceremony, the officiant's name and title, and the names and signatures of two witnesses. The recording information, including book and page number, is added when the document is processed at the county.

Social Security numbers are collected during the application but do not appear on public records. Certified copies of marriage certificates carry the county's seal and are the version needed for name changes on identification documents like a driver's license, passport, or Social Security card. Certified copies in Spokane County cost $3 each.

Washington State law requires that the person officiating a marriage be a judge, retired judge, court commissioner, or a licensed or ordained official of a religious organization. A ship captain is not authorized to perform marriages in Washington unless they meet the above qualifications. The couple and the witnesses may not officiate the ceremony. These rules come from RCW 26.04.160.

Cities in Spokane County

All cities and communities in Spokane County apply for marriage licenses through the Spokane County Auditor's Office on West Broadway Avenue in Spokane. The county includes the city of Spokane, which is the largest city in eastern Washington, along with the city of Spokane Valley.

Other communities in Spokane County include Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, Liberty Lake, and Millwood. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the single Auditor's Office location on West Broadway Avenue.

Nearby Counties

Spokane County borders several other Washington counties to the west and south, and shares a border with Idaho to the east. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 allows couples to apply for a marriage license in any county in the state, regardless of where they reside.