Step 1: Complete the On-line Application.

Step 2: Follow the steps listed in our In Person or By Mail sections of the Auditor's Marriage website.

Both parties need to bring a government issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, state issued ID card, military ID) to confirm age, name spelling, and other information. Both parties will be asked for their social security numbers, though no card is required.

Yes, there is a $72.00 fee that can be paid with cash, debit/credit cards (convenience fee applies), or cashier's check/money order. Personal checks are not accepted. This fee is non-refundable and is due at completion of application processing.

1. Download and print off a Marriage License Application and fill in the requested information.
2. Sign in front of a notary public and have them attach their seal in the space provided.
3. Visit our office with the completed application and $72.00 payment
   -OR-
   Mail application and payment to:
   Clark County Auditor
   Marriage License Department
   PO Box 5000
   Vancouver, WA 98666-5000

A minimum of five people must be involved in the ceremony: an officiant to perform the ceremony, the couple being married, and two witnesses.

State law (RCW 26.04.050) prescribes who can perform a marriage ceremony:

• Active and retired:
  • Supreme Court Justices
  • Court of Appeals Judges
  • Superior Court Judges
  • Superior Court Commissioners
  • Judges of courts of limited jurisdiction
  • Judges of tribal courts from a federally recognized tribe
• Any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization

Ministers from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, but the ceremony must be performed in Washington. Neither applicant may perform the ceremony.

Witnesses need to be 14 years old or older, and understand what they are witnessing.

The Clark County District Court manages and schedules all courthouse ceremonies. Appointments are required, at least one day in advance and you must have a valid marriage license. Ceremony appointments will only be scheduled during the valid date range on your marriage license.

To make an appointment, your options are:

• Complete the online form here - Wedding Ceremony Request Form
• Call their customer service line at (564) 397-2424
• In person at the District Court Administration office

If you wish to see if a same day appointment is available, please call or come in person to District Court Administration, located on the ground floor of the Courthouse, to make your appointment.

The cost for the marriage ceremony is $100.00, payable in cash only and due at the time of the ceremony.

Note: District Court does not perform wedding ceremonies for anyone that is currently in-custody

The certificate of marriage should be completed after the ceremony by the officiant. It must be signed by both parties getting married, the officiant, and two witnesses. Remember to sign with your current legal name.

Although anyone may return the completed certificate of marriage, it is the officiant's responsibility to ensure the certificate of marriage is completed correctly and returned to the Auditor's Marriage License Department within thirty days of the ceremony. The official certificate of marriage will be recorded in our office once received and then sent to the state for archiving.

Note: The Marriage License Department does not automatically send out certified copies to the couple once the certificate of marriage has been recorded. If you need certified copies, please follow the instructions on the Copy Request section of the Auditor's website.

There is no legal requirement for name change after getting married. It is a right a couple may choose to exercise. All marriage license documents are signed with one's current legal name, never the intended new name.

Washington State law does not impose a time limit after the wedding by which a name change must be accomplished. However, if you are making the change more than a year after your wedding, check with each agency to determine if a certified copy of your certificate of marriage will suffice to change your name with them. If an agency requires more than a certified copy of your certificate of marriage, check with Clark County District Court for details on a court-ordered name change.

To assume your new last name, you should first obtain certified copies of your certificate of marriage. Then work with each agency to change its record of your name. These may include:

• Social Security: www.ssa.gov or (800) 772-1213
• State Driver's License/Identification Card: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/ or Vancouver East: (360) 260-6288 / Vancouver North: (360) 576-6060
• Immigration Services: www.uscis.gov or (206) 553-5956
• Passport: www.travel.state.gov or (877) 487-2778
• Banks, Insurance, Employer, Military, Voter Registration

There are several ways to get copies of a Certificate of Marriage.

• In person:
  In person services are available Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at 
  Clark County Public Service Center
  1300 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Joint Lobby
  Vancouver, WA 98660
  You can pay by cash, check, and debit/credit card (convenience fee applies).
   
• By mail:
  Please mail your completed Request for Certified Copy Form with payment (check or money order) and self-addressed stamped envelope to:
  Clark County Auditor's Office
  Attn: Marriage License Department
  PO Box 5000
  Vancouver, WA 98666
   
• Online:
  Copies may be requested from the Recorded Documents website or from Washington State Digital Archives. Payment may be by debit or credit card and additional fees apply. Requests are processed during regular working hours and will be mailed through the postal service.

Note: When copies of documents are purchased from Washington State Digital Archives there is an additional fee for each certified copy. This charge is in addition to the statutory fees.

Fees

• Certified copies are $3.00 per copy (1-page document)
• Non-certified copies are $1.00 per copy (1-page document)

Before the ceremony:

It is up to the couple to determine the validity of their officiant. You do not need to file or register any documents with Clark County. However, you must be licensed or ordained to perform ceremonies in Washington State. 

After the ceremony:

1. Fill in the top three lines of the bottom section with your full printed name, signature, date of signature, full address (including city, state, and zip code), and daytime phone number.
2. Fill in the date and county where the ceremony was held.
3. Have the witnesses sign on the two witness signature lines.
4. Have Person A and Person B sign on the appropriate lines.
5. Keep and file the marriage license in your records as proof of the ceremony.
6. Return the certificate of marriage to Clark County.

Although anyone may return the completed certificate of marriage, it is the officiant's responsibility to ensure the certificate of marriage is completed correctly and returned to the Auditor's Marriage License Department within thirty days of the ceremony. The official certificate of marriage will be recorded in our office once received and then sent to the state for archiving.