Everything you need to know to get your
Marriage License
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining a marriage license in Washington State, from where to apply to the required documents and fees. Let's dive in!
Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Washington State
The first step in getting a marriage license in Washington State is knowing where to apply. Luckily, the process is quite straightforward. You can apply for a marriage license at any county auditor's office in Washington State. It's important to note that both you and your partner must be present to apply. You can choose any county auditor's office in the state, regardless of where you plan to have your wedding ceremony. This flexibility makes it convenient for couples who may have different hometowns or wedding destinations.
When to Apply for Your Marriage License in Washington State
While the idea of running away to get married is very romantic, the truth is we can only be a little bit spontaneous here in Washington. Washington State has a mandatory 3-day waiting period which can not be waived. This means you and your co-eloper need to apply for your marriage license at least 3 days before you are allowed to wed. And no more than 60 days before your wedding day.
Pro Tip: The King County in Seattle, Washington has a great calculator on their website. Simply put in the date you want to get married and this cool widget will tell you the exact window you need to acquire your marriage license. You can find the calculator here.
Requirements for Getting a Marriage License in Washington State
While the process of obtaining your marriage license might be a little different from county to county, the rules of getting married in Washington remain the same across the board. Here are some of the highlights:
Washington State has a mandatory 3-day waiting period - and this waiting period can not be waived.
Marriage Licenses are valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period - This waiting period begins when the auditor’s offices issues the license.
You can apply in-person or via mail for most counties. The in-person application is usually easier since if you are applying via mail, both parties must sign the printed application in front of a Notary Public before mailing it into the Auditor’s office.
Both applicants must be currently unmarried and at least 18 years old
Both applicants must not be nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, whole or half blood.
Both applicants must have current photo ID: U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. military ID, permanent resident card, driver's license or state photo ID card issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL), or foreign government issued passport.
Application fee applies - The fee varies from county to county ranging from $33 to $72.
You do not need to be a resident of Washington State to get married here but you do need to get your license from a Washington State County.
A marriage license from ANY Washington State county can be used to get married anywhere in Washington.
These are just the highlights… please check out the Auditor’s websites listed below for more details.
Getting a Marriage License in Pierce County
Elope 253 is located in Tacoma, Washington in Pierce County so it just makes sense that the majority of marriage licenses we see are from the Pierce County Auditor. Their website is one we often refer to when for marriage license questions. They have put together an instructional video about how to get your marriage license and it has been so helpful. Please take a moment to review the video below or you can find more details here.
How to Obtain Your Marriage License - Pierce County, Washington
Links to each Washington State
Auditor’s Office
Whether you are getting married at the Courthouse, having an intimate ceremony in your backyard, having a formal wedding at a big venue, or eloping with us at Elope 253… Our goal is to help couples get married with the least amount of stress possible. With that in mind, here is a complete list of all 39 Washington State Counties with links to each County’s Auditor’s office. These links will provide details for obtaining your marriage license from each county. It’s important to note that every Washington county has a little bit of a different process so please check out your county’s website for details and instructions specific to you.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
If you are interested in learning more about eloping with Elope 253, please please click the button below to fill out a contact form. We’d love to hear from you!