How do I get a marriage license?

County Auditor or County Recorder (county level - each of Washington's 39 counties; King County uses the County Recorder's Office)

Step by Step

How to do it

Complete the online marriage license application at the county website BEFORE arriving (most WA counties require or strongly recommend this); do NOT sign the application until you are in the Auditor's office
Both applicants must appear together in person at the County Auditor's (or Recorder's) office; bring valid government-issued photo ID; some counties require appointments - check your specific county's website
Both applicants sign the application in the presence of the Auditor's staff; pay the fee
License is issued at time of application; MANDATORY 3-DAY WAITING PERIOD begins immediately: the marriage CANNOT take place until at least 3 full calendar days have passed after the date of application; in Washington, the 3-day waiting period CANNOT BE WAIVED for any reason - not by a court order, not for military couples, not for any circumstance; therefore the couple must apply a minimum of 3 days before their ceremony (and no more than 63 days before, since validity begins after the 3-day wait)
License valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period expires
After the ceremony: the officiant, both parties, and 2 witnesses sign the completed certificate of marriage; the completed certificate must be returned to the issuing County Auditor or Recorder within 30 DAYS of the ceremony; it is the officiant's responsibility to ensure return, though anyone may return it
Certified copies of the marriage certificate: $3.00 per copy from the issuing county Auditor or Recorder; many counties include one free certified copy pre-paid with the license fee or available at time of application; Washington State Digital Archives may also have records (additional fee)

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants (driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID); both applicants must be at least 18 years old (ID required to confirm age)
Social Security numbers for both applicants; parents' names and birthplaces for both applicants (required on application)
No blood test, birth certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate of former spouse required by state law; however, applicants must affirm that any prior marriage has been legally dissolved before applying - applicants bear responsibility to confirm final divorce decree is filed

Fee

Varies by county; effective July 27, 2025: most counties in the $145-$172 range; King County: $169; Clark County: $172; Stevens County: $162; Pend Oreille County: $154; Columbia County: $145; Clallam County: $162; Thurston County: around $162; Pierce County: around $162; verify with specific county; most counties include one certified copy; additional copies: $3 each; no refunds

Waiting Period

3 CALENDAR DAYS - MANDATORY; CANNOT BE WAIVED under any circumstances; plan accordingly LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 DAYS after the 3-day waiting period (so apply 3-63 days before your ceremony) WITNESSES: 2 required at ceremony and must sign the certificate OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 30 DAYS after the ceremony to the issuing county Auditor/Recorder ONLINE APPLICATION: Required or strongly recommended at most WA counties before visiting office WHERE TO GO: County Auditor (or County Recorder in King County) in any of Washington's 39 counties

Where to Go

County Auditor (or County Recorder in King County) in any of Washington's 39 counties

County-specific variations apply

Washington's 39 county Auditors/Recorders each administer their own marriage license offices. King County (Seattle - kingcounty.gov/recorder): 201 S. Jackson St, 2nd Floor, Seattle; (206) 296-1570. Pierce County (Tacoma). Snohomish County (Everett). Spokane County. Clark County (Vancouver). Thurston County (Olympia). Whatcom County (Bellingham). Kitsap County (Port Orchard). Most accept appointments and many have online applications. Very rural Washington counties (Ferry, Skamania, Garfield, Lincoln, etc.) may have very limited hours.

Washington Notes

Important state-specific details

3-DAY WAITING PERIOD CANNOT BE WAIVED - this is stricter than most states; plan accordingly.
FEE INCREASE effective July 27, 2025 - fees roughly tripled in most WA counties; verify before visiting.
Marriage must take place in Washington.
No no-fault exception, military exception, or judge waiver available for the 3-day period.
Ministers from any state may perform marriages in Washington; no advance Washington authorization required (unlike Virginia).
Common law marriage: Washington does NOT recognize common law marriage; however, Washington recognizes COMMITTED INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS (CIRs) for unmarried couples who have cohabited - this provides some property rights but is not marriage.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Washington State Department of Health, Vital Records (marriage records after filing) - doh.wa.gov/vital-records | (360) 236-4300; County Auditor/Recorder (varies by county)