To obtain your marriage license in person follow the steps below.

Step One: Fill out the online marriage application

The application must be filled out online using the link below. 

Step Two: Complete application process and pay $72.00 fee

To complete the application process both parties must be present in our office. The Joint Lobby is open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

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.

The $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.  

Step Three: Have your ceremony

Washington state law requires a three-day waiting period before you can get married. Marriage licenses are valid for sixty (60) days after the three-day waiting period. The three-day waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, including a court order.

For more information visit our Performing the Ceremony section.

Step Four: Return the signed certificate

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.

Marriages are Public Record

All marriage records are a matter of public record. The one exception to this is for those enrolled in the State's Address Confidentiality program. Once a license has been recorded, it cannot be unrecorded.