Wahkiakum County Marriage License

Wahkiakum County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Cathlamet, the county seat on the Columbia River in southwestern Washington. Wahkiakum is the smallest county by population in Washington State, and all marriage license applications are handled through the single Auditor's Office location on Main Street. Both applicants must appear in person to complete the process. Marriage records in Wahkiakum County go back to 1868, with historical records available through the Washington State Digital Archives.

Wahkiakum County Auditor's Office

The Wahkiakum County Auditor's Office in Cathlamet handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Nicci Bergseng has served in this role since 2017. The office is located at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (360) 795-3219 or by email at bergsengn@co.wahkiakum.wa.us.

Wahkiakum County is a small, rural county. The Auditor's Office is the only place to apply for a marriage license in the county. Because the office is smaller than those in more urban counties, it is a good idea to call ahead before visiting. Confirm current hours, the fee amount, and accepted payment methods. The Wahkiakum County website has general contact information for the Auditor's Office and other county departments.

The county's official website lists contact information and links to county departments. The screenshot below shows the Wahkiakum County website, which is the best place to confirm current hours and contact details for the Auditor's Office before your visit.

The Wahkiakum County official website provides contact information for the Auditor's Office and links to county resources including marriage license services.

Marriage License Requirements in Wahkiakum County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the baseline requirements for all marriage license applications in the state. In Wahkiakum County, both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's Office in Cathlamet. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no Washington State residency requirement, which means couples from out of state or from other countries can apply here just as easily as local residents.

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, a state ID card, a passport, or a military ID. Social Security numbers are required from both parties. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can sign an exemption form. 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 do not need to be present during the application. Prior marital status must be declared by both applicants. No documentation of a prior divorce or death of a former spouse is required, but the declaration you make must be truthful. All forms are completed at the Auditor's Office. Because Wahkiakum County is a small office, contacting them by phone or email before your visit is a smart first step to make sure you have everything you need.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Wahkiakum County is approximately $60 to $70. This range is an estimate and may have changed. Call the Auditor's Office at (360) 795-3219 or email bergsengn@co.wahkiakum.wa.us before your visit to confirm the exact current fee and what forms of payment the office accepts. The fee is non-refundable once you submit the application.

Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license is valid. This is set by RCW 26.04.180 and cannot be waived. The waiting period starts the day you submit the application. After three days, the license becomes active. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. The ceremony must take place between day three and day 63. If you do not use the license before it expires, you would need to apply and pay the fee again.

Certified copies of marriage records recorded in Wahkiakum County cost $3 each. Contact the Auditor's Office to request a copy in person or by phone. Include the full names of both parties as they appeared on the application and the date of the marriage. Mail requests may also be possible. Ask the office about their current process for copy requests when you call.

Note: Because Wahkiakum County is Washington's smallest county by population, the Auditor's Office is a small operation. Calling ahead before your visit is highly recommended.

Searching Wahkiakum County Marriage Records

Wahkiakum County maintains marriage records going back to 1868. For recent marriages, contact the Auditor's Office directly at (360) 795-3219 or by email at bergsengn@co.wahkiakum.wa.us to request a search or a certified copy. Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage when making a request. The office can search its records and issue certified copies for marriages licensed and recorded in Wahkiakum County.

For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds a collection of Wahkiakum County marriage records. The Digital Archives collection covers records from 1907 to 1947. The collection includes marriage affidavits from 1907 to 1939 and also includes parental consent statements from cases where they applied. You can search the index at no cost and view information about specific marriages from that period. This collection is particularly useful for anyone researching family history connected to Wahkiakum County in the early twentieth century.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds Wahkiakum County marriage records from 1907 to 1947, including affidavits and parental consent statements, searchable by name at no cost.

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. If the marriage happened within the past five months, the DOH may not yet have the record on file. In that case, get the copy directly from the Wahkiakum County Auditor's Office.

For marriages from 1868 up to the start of the Digital Archives collection, contact the Auditor's Office directly. Older records may be on file at the courthouse in Cathlamet. Call ahead to ask about availability and any search fees that may apply for extensive historical searches.

What Wahkiakum County Marriage Records Contain

A Wahkiakum 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, a notation of the three-day waiting period, and the expiration date. Parents' full legal names and birthplaces are collected at the time of application and become part of the official public record.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes and returns the marriage certificate to the county. Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.04 requires officiants to return the completed certificate within 30 days of the ceremony. Failure to do so can result in a misdemeanor and a fine. The marriage certificate adds the date and location of the ceremony, the officiant's name, title, and signature, and the names and signatures of at least two witnesses. Recording information including book and page number is added when the document is filed at the Auditor's Office.

Social Security numbers are collected at the time of application but do not appear on public copies of the record. Certified copies carry the county's official seal and are the version required for legal purposes such as name changes on a driver's license, passport, or Social Security card. Wahkiakum County charges $3 per certified copy. Historical records in the Digital Archives collection may also include parental consent statements for cases where one party was under the standard age at the time of the earlier marriage laws.

Note: Wahkiakum County records from 1868 represent some of the older county marriage records in southwestern Washington. If you are researching a specific family line and cannot find records in the Digital Archives, reach out to the Auditor's Office directly for assistance.

Cities in Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County is Washington's smallest county by population. The county seat is Cathlamet. There are no cities in Wahkiakum County that meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the Auditor's Office at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet.

Communities in Wahkiakum County include Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Grays River, Rosburg, and Elochoman. All residents apply for marriage licenses through the single Auditor's Office location in Cathlamet.

Nearby Counties

Wahkiakum County is bordered by Cowlitz County to the north and east, and sits along the Columbia River on the Oregon border. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 allows couples to apply for a marriage license in any county in Washington, regardless of where they live. If the Wahkiakum County office is not convenient for your schedule, you can apply at any neighboring county's Auditor's Office instead.