Stevens County Marriage License

Stevens County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Colville, the county seat in northeastern Washington. Both applicants must appear in person to complete the application. The Auditor's Office handles all marriage license issuance for the county and maintains marriage records going back to 1859. If you need to apply for a marriage license or look up an older marriage record from Stevens County, the Auditor's Office and the Washington State Digital Archives are both places to start.

Stevens County Auditor's Office

The Stevens County Auditor's Office in Colville handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Carrie R. McGowan oversees the office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is located at 215 South Oak Street in Colville. You can reach the office by phone at (509) 684-7514 or by email at auditor@stevenscountywa.gov.

Stevens County is a rural county in northeastern Washington. The Auditor's Office is the only location where marriage licenses are issued in the county. If you plan to visit, call ahead to confirm current hours and any changes to accepted payment methods. The Stevens County website has contact information and general details about the Auditor's Office and its services.

The Stevens County website is the best place to confirm current requirements and contact information before visiting the office. The screenshot below shows the county's official website, which links to auditor services including marriage license information.

The Stevens County official website provides access to auditor services including marriage license applications and recorded document information.

Marriage License Requirements in Stevens County

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

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

No blood test is required. Witnesses are not needed during the application. Prior marital status must be declared by both applicants, though no documentation of a prior divorce or a prior spouse's death is required. The declaration must be accurate. All forms are completed at the office. Call ahead at (509) 684-7514 to ask about the current process or any materials you may want to prepare before your visit.

Note: Contact the Auditor's Office directly to confirm the current marriage license fee and accepted payment methods before visiting.

Fees and Waiting Period

Stevens County charges a fee for marriage license applications. The exact fee is subject to change, so contact the Auditor's Office at (509) 684-7514 to confirm the current amount before you visit. The fee is non-refundable once you apply. Call the office to ask about accepted payment methods, as rural counties may have more limited options than larger urban offices.

Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license becomes valid. This requirement is set by RCW 26.04.180 and cannot be waived for any reason. The waiting period begins the day you submit the application. Once three days have passed, the license is active and the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. The ceremony must occur between day three and day 63. If the license expires before the ceremony, you need to reapply and pay the fee again.

Certified copies of marriage certificates recorded in Stevens County cost $3 each. Contact the Auditor's Office to request copies in person or by phone. Include the names of both parties and the date of marriage in any request. Records dating back to 1859 may be available through the office or through the Washington State Digital Archives for older documents.

Searching Stevens County Marriage Records

Stevens County maintains marriage records going back to 1859. For recent marriages, contact the Auditor's Office at (509) 684-7514 or email auditor@stevenscountywa.gov to request a search or a certified copy. The office can provide copies for marriages licensed and recorded in Stevens County. Bring or provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage when making a request.

Marriage records from 1859 to 2008 have been indexed at the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives collection for Stevens County includes marriage affidavits, applications, certificates, and licenses. Some of the records were indexed with the help of Eastern Washington Genealogy Society volunteers. You can search the collection by name or date at no cost. The collection is a key resource for genealogical research on older Stevens County marriages.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Stevens County marriage records from 1859 to 2008, including affidavits, applications, certificates, and licenses.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health also keeps statewide marriage records. Certified copies from the DOH Vital Records office cost $25 each. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail, or by phone. Online orders typically process within three to seven business days. If the marriage occurred within the past five months, the DOH may not yet have the record. In that case, request the copy directly from the Stevens County Auditor's Office.

What Stevens County Marriage Records Contain

A Stevens County marriage license contains the license number, the date it was issued, and the full legal names of both parties. It includes ages, birthplaces, and current residences for both applicants. The license shows the date of application and includes information about prior marital status. Parents' full names and birthplaces are collected at the time of application and become part of the record. This information is used for vital records reporting to the state.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the county. Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 requires the officiant to return the certificate within 30 days of the ceremony. The certificate adds the date and location of the ceremony, the officiant's name and title, and the names and signatures of at least two witnesses. The county adds recording information when the document is processed.

Social Security numbers are collected during the application process but do not appear on public copies of the record. Certified copies carry the county's official seal and recorder's signature. They are the version most often needed for legal name changes on a driver's license, passport, Social Security card, or financial accounts. Stevens County charges $3 per certified copy.

Note: Stevens County marriage records from 1859 onward are among the oldest in the state. The Digital Archives collection covers the 1859 to 2008 period and is searchable by name.

Cities in Stevens County

All communities in Stevens County apply for marriage licenses through the Stevens County Auditor's Office in Colville. Stevens County is a rural county in northeastern Washington with no cities that exceed the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city page. Communities include Colville, Chewelah, Kettle Falls, Marcus, Northport, and Republic-area communities near the county border.

If you live in or near Stevens County, the Auditor's Office at 215 South Oak Street in Colville is the only location where you can obtain a marriage license for this county. Call (509) 684-7514 to confirm hours and current requirements.

Nearby Counties

Stevens County borders several other Washington counties in the northeastern part of the state, as well as Idaho and Canada. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 allows couples to apply for a marriage license in any Washington county, regardless of where they live. If you are near a county line, you may find it more convenient to apply in a neighboring county with more office hours or different fees.