Whitman County Marriage License

Whitman County issues marriage licenses through the County Auditor's Office in Colfax. Both parties must be present in person to apply, and the office keeps a strict schedule with limited hours for license issuance. Whitman County has maintained marriage records since 1872, and more than 29,000 records are indexed through the Washington State Digital Archives. Whether you need a new marriage license or are searching for an existing record, the Auditor's Office in Colfax is the place to start.

Whitman County Auditor's Office

The Whitman County Auditor's Office is located on North Main Street in Colfax. Auditor Sandy Jamison has served in this role since 2019. The office handles marriage license applications along with document recording, vehicle licensing, and elections. Hours are limited, and the office closes from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. Marriage licenses cannot be issued after 3:30 PM, so plan your visit with that cutoff in mind.

Both parties must be present at the time of application. The office does not process applications if only one party shows up. The Whitman County Auditor's page lists current office information and links to related county services. You can also email the office at auditor@co.whitman.wa.us with questions before you visit. Call ahead at (509) 397-6270 to confirm hours and that the office is open on the day you plan to come.

The screenshot below shows the official Whitman County Auditor page, which provides current information about the office and its recording services.

The Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax manages marriage license applications, document recording, and certified copy requests for marriages in the county.

Marriage License Requirements in Whitman County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.160 sets the baseline rules for all marriage license applications. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. No blood test or medical exam is required. No Washington residency is needed. You and your partner can apply in Whitman County even if you live in another state or county.

Both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's Office in Colfax. The office will not accept a single applicant without the other present. Each person must bring an unexpired government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You also need to provide your Social Security number, or you can sign an exemption form if you do not have one. The office will ask for your current residential address, your state or country of birth, and your parents' full legal names including your mother's maiden name and their states or countries of birth.

You must know the county where the ceremony will take place and have your ceremony date set before you apply. Bring the names of two witnesses who will be present at the ceremony and be ready to provide the title of your officiant, whether that is a judge, pastor, priest, or another authorized official. All of this information is collected at the time of application and becomes part of the marriage record. The office does not issue partial applications.

The office does not accept credit or debit cards of any kind. Come prepared with cash, a personal check, or a money order. This is a firm policy, and the fee is non-refundable once you apply.

Fees and Waiting Period

The marriage license fee in Whitman County is $144. The office does not take cards of any kind. Bring cash, a check, or a money order. The fee is non-refundable, so make sure you are ready to apply before you pay. Call (509) 397-6270 to confirm the current fee before your visit.

Washington State requires a three-day waiting period after the application date before the marriage license is valid. This is required by RCW 26.04.180 and there are no exceptions. Plan your ceremony at least three days out from your application date. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it was issued, after which it expires and you must reapply. The license is only valid for ceremonies performed within Washington State.

Certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Whitman County cost $3 each. You can request them in person at the office or online through the State Archives at the Washington State Digital Archives website. The in-office option is straightforward. Bring the names of both parties and the date of the marriage. The office can pull the record and issue a certified copy while you wait, subject to staff availability.

If you want a judge to perform the ceremony, contact the Whitman County District Court to set up an appointment. District Court judges are authorized to solemnize marriages under RCW Chapter 26.04.

Searching Whitman County Marriage Records

Whitman County marriage records date back to 1872. The county has 29,626 records indexed at the Washington State Digital Archives, covering marriages from 1872 to 2002. Eastern Washington Genealogy Society volunteers helped build and maintain this index. The collection is searchable by name at no cost, and many entries include scanned images of the original documents. This is the go-to source for genealogical research involving Whitman County marriages.

The Whitman County marriage license page on the county website outlines current requirements, fees, and office hours for applying and requesting copies.

For marriages after 2002 or records not found in the Digital Archives, contact the Auditor's Office directly at (509) 397-6270. In-person searches are handled at 400 N Main Street in Colfax during office hours. You can also request certified copies online through the State Archives. Provide both party names and the marriage date when making any type of request.

For marriages from 1968 forward, the Washington State Department of Health also maintains a statewide marriage record database. Certified copies ordered through DOH Vital Records cost $25 each. You can order online through VitalChek, by phone, or by mail. Mail orders can take several weeks. If the marriage happened within the last few months, the state may not have it yet. In that case, go directly to the Whitman County Auditor's Office.

Note: The license is only good for 60 days from the date of application. If your ceremony date changes, verify the license has not expired before the wedding.

What Whitman County Marriage Records Contain

A Whitman County marriage license includes the full legal names of both applicants, their ages, current addresses, locations of birth, and parents' names. The county where the ceremony will take place, the planned ceremony date, and the title of the officiant are also documented. Two witnesses are named on the license before the ceremony and sign the completed marriage certificate afterward.

Once the ceremony occurs, the officiant completes the marriage certificate section and returns it to the Auditor's Office. The returned certificate adds the ceremony date and location, the officiant's signature and title, and the witness signatures. The county then records the document and assigns a book and page number. Social Security numbers collected at application are not displayed on any public records. The recorded certificate becomes the permanent public marriage record for Whitman County.

Certified copies carry the county seal and the recorder's signature. They are the legally recognized version needed for Social Security name changes, passport applications, and updates to driver's licenses or other government-issued identification. The Whitman County Auditor's Office issues certified copies for $3 each, either in person or through the State Archives online portal.

Per RCW 26.04.160, authorized officiants include judges of all levels, justices, court commissioners, ordained ministers, priests, imams, rabbis, and similar officials of religious organizations. Retired judges and active judges are both eligible. Court of Appeals commissioners and Superior Court commissioners are also authorized to perform ceremonies in Washington State.

Cities in Whitman County

All cities in Whitman County apply for marriage licenses through the Auditor's Office in Colfax. Whitman County is home to Washington State University, located in Pullman.

Other communities in Whitman County include Colfax, Palouse, Tekoa, and Uniontown. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the single Auditor's Office location in Colfax.

Nearby Counties

Whitman County is in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington. Washington law under RCW Chapter 26.04 lets you apply for a marriage license in any Washington county, so residency does not restrict your choice.