What you need to legally marry in Washington: a $136 to $172 fee, 3 days waiting period, 2 witnesses and a license that is valid 60 days. You apply at the County Auditor.
The eight things the County Auditor will ask about or check. County rules can add small extras, so confirm with your local office before you go.
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A marriage license in Washington costs $136 to $172, varies by county (includes a $100 statewide surcharge added by HB 1498, effective July 27, 2025; King County $169, Snohomish County $170, Spokane County $162, Clark County $172). You pay it at the County Auditor when you apply. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate, which you will want for a name change, a passport or insurance updates, often cost more.
That puts Washington above the roughly $30 to $100 range most states charge. Accepted payment methods differ from office to office, so check before the visit.
Both partners need a valid government photo ID. If either of you was married before, bring the final divorce decree or the former spouse's death certificate. Washington does not require proof of residency.
In most counties both of you go in person, and some offices ask you to fill in the form online or book an appointment first. Check which offices can issue your license before you drive anywhere.
Fill in the application and pay the $136 to $172, varies by county (includes a $100 statewide surcharge added by HB 1498, effective July 27, 2025; King County $169, Snohomish County $170, Spokane County $162, Clark County $172) fee. Have both Social Security numbers ready (non-citizens can usually give a passport or visa number), plus your parents' full names and your places of birth.
Washington's waiting period: 3 days. Apply at least a week before the ceremony so the wait never squeezes your date.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony has to happen and the license has to be signed inside this window. An authorized officiant leads the ceremony, see who qualifies below.
After the ceremony the officiant and any required witnesses sign the license. It goes back to the County Auditor, often filed by the officiant, within the time Washington law allows. The county then records it and issues your marriage certificate.
A short walkthrough of the documents and the clerk visit. Fees and offices differ by state, so match the details to the Washington facts above.
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At 18 or older you can marry without anyone's permission.
No one under 18 can marry in Washington, even with parental consent or court approval. The ban has been in place since 2024.
Bring the final divorce decree or the former spouse's death certificate to the first visit. Ask the County Auditor whether it needs a certified copy.
Washington has no residency requirement, so couples from other states can apply at the County Auditor with valid ID. The license only works for a ceremony inside Washington.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Washington, as in every state, since Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). The requirements are the same for every couple.
Foreign nationals can marry in Washington with a valid passport as photo ID. Marrying does not change immigration status by itself, and documents in another language may need certified translations.
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Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other clergy. Judges and commissioners of courts of limited jurisdiction (district and municipal courts), plus tribal court judges of federally recognized tribes. Any religious organization may authorize someone to officiate according to their customs.
Officiant rules in every stateA Washington marriage license may not be used until three days after the date of application (RCW 26.04.180), and King County says the wait cannot be waived. At least two attending witnesses must be present (RCW 26.04.070); state law sets no witness age, and King and Snohomish counties say a witness is usually considered competent at 18. Washington banned marriage under 18 with no exceptions via HB 1455, effective June 6, 2024, becoming the first West Coast state (11th nationally) to eliminate parental-consent marriage for minors. HB 1498 (2025 Laws) added a flat $100 statewide surcharge to marriage license fees effective July 27, 2025, funding a domestic violence co-responder grant program, which roughly doubled the prior county fee range.
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Fees, waiting period, validity, ID, witnesses and residency for Washington.
A Washington marriage license costs $136 to $172, varies by county (includes a $100 statewide surcharge added by HB 1498, effective July 27, 2025; King County $169, Snohomish County $170, Spokane County $162, Clark County $172). You pay it at the County Auditor. Certified copies of the marriage certificate, which you need for a name change, can cost extra. Payment methods differ by office, so call ahead to check whether it takes cash, card or check.
Yes. Washington's waiting period: 3 days. Plan to apply at least one to two weeks before your ceremony.
A Washington marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony has to happen inside this window, or you reapply and pay the fee again.
Each partner needs a valid government photo ID, such as a US passport, a driver's license or state ID card, a US military ID, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport. Bring it to the County Auditor, and check the office's own list before you go.
Yes. Washington's rule: 2 witnesses. Witnesses usually need to be adults who can sign the license. Most couples ask the maid of honor and the best man.
No. Washington does not require residency. Out-of-state couples can apply at the County Auditor with the required ID, and the license works for a ceremony anywhere in Washington.
