Walla Walla County Marriage License

Walla Walla County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in the city of Walla Walla. Both parties can apply in person or by mail, and the office keeps marriage records going back to 1865. Whether you need a new marriage license or want to search for an older record, the Auditor's Office and the Washington State Digital Archives both provide access to more than 71,000 indexed marriage records from Walla Walla County.

Walla Walla County Auditor's Office

The Walla Walla County Auditor's Office handles all marriage license applications for the county. Auditor Angela R. Potts oversees the office, which is located on Main Street in downtown Walla Walla. The office is open Monday through Friday and closes for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM most days. Plan your visit around those hours and arrive at least 30 minutes before the 4:00 PM closing time to make sure your application can be processed.

The recording division at the Auditor's Office stores all returned marriage documents once the ceremony is complete. Marriage records here go back to 1865, and the office continues to add new records as they come in. The Walla Walla County Auditor website provides basic information about the marriage license process and contact details for the recording department.

The screenshot below shows the Walla Walla County Auditor's official website, which lists current contact information and the recording department's services.

The Walla Walla County Auditor's Office processes marriage license applications and stores returned marriage certificates for all marriages recorded in the county.

Marriage License Requirements in Walla Walla County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the requirements for all marriage license applications across the state. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required. No Washington residency requirement exists, so couples from out of state can apply here just as they would in their home county. Both applicants must be free of any current marriage or registered domestic partnership, unless the other party in that partnership is the same person applying now.

Walla Walla County offers two ways to apply. In person, both parties can come into the office at 315 W Main Street. For mail applications, each spouse fills out a separate application form, signs it in front of a notary public, and both forms are mailed together with a single payment. Notary services are available at many banks and credit unions if you need help finding one. The office cannot accept payment by phone or electronic transfer for mail applications.

The application form asks for basic personal information including full legal names, Social Security numbers, current residential addresses, locations of birth, and parents' full names. Your mother's maiden name is also needed. You must know two witnesses who will sign documents at the ceremony. The title of your officiant and the planned ceremony date are also required at the time of application, so have that information ready before you start the form.

Note: Arrive at the office at least 30 minutes before the 4:00 PM closing time. The staff cannot process an application if you arrive too close to closing.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Walla Walla County is $159. For mail applications, payment must be made by money order or cashier's check only, made payable to the Walla Walla County Auditor. In-person payment options may vary, so call the office at (509) 524-2549 to confirm. The office cannot accept payment over the phone or by electronic transfer.

Washington State requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license is valid. This rule comes from RCW 26.04.180. The waiting period begins the day you apply. It cannot be waived for any reason. Once the three days have passed, the ceremony must take place within 63 days of the application date. The license expires after 60 days of the waiting period ending. If your wedding falls outside that window, you will need to apply again.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3 each. You can request copies by mail. Include a check payable to the Walla Walla County Auditor, the names of both parties at the time of application, the date of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office can process that request and mail the certified copy back to you.

Searching Walla Walla County Marriage Records

The Washington State Digital Archives holds a large collection of Walla Walla County marriage records. More than 71,943 records have been indexed there by volunteers from the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society. The collection covers marriages from 1865 onward and is searchable by name at no cost. Some records include document images you can view and download. This is the best place to start for older marriage records or genealogical research.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds more than 71,943 indexed Walla Walla County marriage records dating back to 1865, all searchable by name at no charge.

For more recent marriages, records may be requested directly from the Auditor's Office in person or by mail. To search in person, visit the office at 315 W Main Street in Walla Walla. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. The office can look up the record and issue certified or plain copies. Mail requests follow the same process described in the fees section above.

For marriages from 1968 onward, the Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide vital records. Certified copies ordered through DOH Vital Records cost $25 each. You can also order through VitalChek online or by phone. Online orders typically arrive within a few business days. Mail orders can take several weeks. If the marriage happened within the last five months, go directly to the Walla Walla County Auditor's Office instead, since the state may not yet have the record on file.

Note: If you are unsure which county the couple applied in, the Digital Archives site can help narrow it down by searching across multiple county collections at once.

What Walla Walla Marriage Records Contain

A Walla Walla County marriage license contains the names of both applicants, their ages and dates of birth, current residences, birthplaces, parents' names and birthplaces, the date the license was issued, and the expiration date. The three-day waiting period notation is also included. Social Security numbers are collected during the application but do not appear on public-facing documents.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the county. The returned certificate adds the ceremony date and location, the officiant's name and title, the names and signatures of both witnesses, and the recording information assigned by the Auditor's Office. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate on file. This is the document you request when you need a certified copy for name changes, passport applications, or other legal purposes.

Certified copies carry the county's official seal and the recorder's signature. They are accepted by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, and the U.S. State Department for passport purposes. Each certified copy from the Walla Walla County Auditor's Office costs $3.

Marriage ceremonies in Walla Walla County can be performed by judges, retired judges, or ordained ministers and similar officials of religious organizations. If you want a judge to perform the ceremony, you can contact Superior Court Judge Brandon L Johnson at (509) 524-2791 or District Court Judge Kris Hedine at (509) 524-2761. Both are authorized to solemnize marriages in the county.

Cities in Walla Walla County

All cities in Walla Walla County apply for marriage licenses through the county Auditor's Office on Main Street. The county seat shares its name with the county.

Other communities in the county include College Place, Waitsburg, and Prescott. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the single Auditor's Office location in downtown Walla Walla.

Nearby Counties

Walla Walla County borders several other counties in southeastern Washington. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 lets couples apply for a marriage license in any county in the state, regardless of where they live.