Find a Marriage License in Whatcom County

Whatcom County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Bellingham. You can apply in person, by mail, or start the process online before your office visit. The Auditor's Office holds marriage records going back to 1890, and nearly 90,000 historical records are searchable through the Washington State Digital Archives. Whether you are applying for a new marriage license or looking up an existing record, Whatcom County provides several ways to access marriage license information.

Whatcom County Auditor's Office

The Whatcom County Auditor's Office is located on Grand Avenue in Bellingham. Auditor Stacy Henthorn has served in this role since 2020. The office handles marriage license applications along with vehicle and vessel licensing, voter registration, and document recording. A staff of 16 full-time employees manages these services, and the recording team handles marriage applications and certified copy requests.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Both the physical address and the mailing address for the recording division are the same. The Whatcom County marriage license page lists current requirements, fees, and contact details. You can also reach the office by email at dbradric@co.whatcom.wa.us for general questions about marriage records.

The screenshot below shows the Whatcom County page for requesting copies of a marriage license, which is the official source for copy request details and fees.

The Whatcom County Auditor's Office page for marriage license copies explains how to request certified copies by phone, mail, or in person.

Marriage License Requirements in Whatcom County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the requirements for marriage license applications. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and provide a valid government-issued photo ID at the time of application. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. No blood test is required, and there is no Washington residency requirement. Couples from out of state can apply in Whatcom County.

For in-person applications, both parties must appear together at the Auditor's Office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, in Bellingham. You can also start an online application before your visit through the county's recording portal at recording.whatcomcounty.us/Marriage. The online form lets you enter your information ahead of time so the in-office process goes faster. Both parties must still appear in person to complete the application.

Mail applications are accepted as well. The marriage application and payment can be mailed to the office at 311 Grand Ave, Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225. Contact the office at (360) 778-5100 for mail application instructions before you send anything. The office needs to confirm what documents to include and verify the correct fee amount, which can vary slightly.

Note: No witnesses or blood tests are required to obtain a marriage license in Washington State.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Whatcom County is approximately $59 to $65. Call the office at (360) 778-5100 to confirm the current fee before you apply, since the exact amount can shift slightly. The fee covers the cost of processing and recording your application.

Washington State requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license becomes valid. This comes from RCW 26.04.180 and applies to every couple regardless of circumstances. The waiting period starts on the day you submit the application. After three full days pass, the license is active. The license stays valid for 60 days total. Your ceremony must take place within that window, or the license expires and you must start over.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are $3 for records from 1980 onward. Non-certified photocopies cost $1. For records prior to 1980, the fee goes up: $11 for a certified copy and $9 for a regular photocopy. You can request copies in person at the office, by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or by phone. Phone requests require a credit or debit card and a VitalChek convenience fee applies.

Searching Whatcom County Marriage License Records

The Washington State Digital Archives holds a large set of historical Whatcom County marriage records. Nearly 89,997 records are indexed in the collection, covering marriage returns from 1891 to 1947 and marriage certificates from 1899 to 1995. Eastern Washington University student interns helped index these records. You can search by name at no cost. Some entries include scanned document images.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds nearly 90,000 Whatcom County marriage records from 1891 to 1995, all searchable by name at no charge.

For records not yet in the Digital Archives, or for recent marriages, go directly to the Whatcom County Auditor's Office. You can search in person at 311 Grand Avenue or request records by mail. Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for mail requests. The office mails the certified copy back once the request is processed.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health also maintains statewide marriage records. Certified copies from DOH Vital Records cost $25 each. You can order through VitalChek online, by phone, or by mail. Online orders arrive faster than mail requests, which can take six to eight weeks. If the marriage happened within the past five months, go directly to the county office since the state may not yet have the record.

A certified copy of a marriage certificate is often required for name changes with the Social Security Administration, passport applications, and other official identification updates. Keep this in mind when planning how many copies you need.

What Whatcom County Marriage Records Contain

A marriage license issued in Whatcom County shows the full legal names of both applicants, their ages, dates of birth, current residential addresses, birthplaces, and parents' information. The date the license was issued and the expiration date are also shown. The record reflects the three-day waiting period requirement and any other standard fields required by state law.

Once the ceremony is performed, the officiant fills out the marriage certificate portion of the document and returns it to the county. The completed certificate adds the location and date of the ceremony, the officiant's name and title, and the signatures of two witnesses who were present. That document is then recorded by the Auditor's Office and becomes the permanent marriage certificate on file. Social Security numbers collected during the application are not visible on public documents.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are the version you will need for most legal purposes. They carry the county's official seal and confirm the record is accurate. Use them for name changes, passport applications, Social Security updates, or any time a government agency needs proof of marriage. Whatcom County issues certified copies for $3 each for records from 1980 onward, and $11 for older records.

Cities in Whatcom County

All cities in Whatcom County apply for marriage licenses through the Auditor's Office in Bellingham. The county seat is the largest city in the county.

Other communities in Whatcom County include Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Birch Bay, and Sumas. All marriage license applications for the county go through the Auditor's Office on Grand Avenue in Bellingham.

Nearby Counties

Whatcom County sits in the northwest corner of Washington State and borders both other counties and the Canadian border. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 lets couples apply in any Washington county, so your residence location does not limit your options.