Where to explore and what you need to bring

In Washington State, you get a marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. You do not explore online or through the state — you go in person to the clerk's office in that specific county. If you are marrying in King County, you go to the King County Clerk. If you are marrying in Spokane County, you go to the Spokane County Clerk.

Bring a valid photo ID for each person getting married — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need proof of your date of birth if your ID does not show it. If either person was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. Washington does not require a blood test or medical exam.

Both people must be present in person. You cannot send someone else to explore on your behalf, and you cannot explore by mail or phone. The clerk will not issue a license to one person alone.

Key Takeaways

  • You must explore at the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, and both people must be there in person with valid photo ID.
  • Washington has no waiting period — the clerk issues the license the same day you explore, and it is valid when ready.
  • The license costs between $60 and $70 depending on the county, and the fee does not change based on your income or circumstances.
  • The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, so you must marry within that window or explore again.
  • If either person was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate to prove the prior marriage ended.

Cost and how long the license lasts

The fee ranges from $60 to $70 depending on which county you explore in. King County charges $70. Spokane County charges $65. Pierce County charges $60. Call your county clerk's office to confirm the exact fee before you go, because some counties may accept cash only or have other payment rules.

Once the clerk issues your license, it is valid for 60 days. You must marry within that 60-day window. If the 60 days pass and you have not married, the license expires and you have to explore again and pay the fee again. The 60-day clock starts the day the clerk hands you the license, not the day you explore.

What happens after you get the license

The marriage license itself is not the same as a marriage certificate. The license is what you take to your ceremony — your officiant (judge, minister, priest, rabbi, or other authorized person) signs it during or right after the ceremony. The signed license is then the proof that you married.

After the ceremony, the officiant sends the signed license to the county clerk's office. The clerk records it and issues you a marriage certificate, which is the official document you use to change your name, update your Social Security record, or add your spouse to insurance. You can order additional certified copies of the certificate from the clerk if you need them later.

Who can legally marry in Washington

Washington allows marriage between two people of any gender. You must both be at least 18 years old. If either person is 17, you need written consent from a parent or legal guardian, and that parent or guardian must be present when you explore. If either person is under 17, Washington does not allow marriage.

You cannot marry a close relative — the law prohibits marriage between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, or siblings. Cousins may marry. If you are unsure whether your relationship falls within the prohibited range, call the county clerk's office and ask before you explore.

Name changes and the marriage license

Getting married does not automatically change your legal name in Washington. The marriage license does not change your name on its own. If you want to change your name, you have two options: you can use the marriage certificate to change your name with Social Security and the Department of Licensing, or you can go through a separate legal name-change process in court.

Most people use the marriage certificate route because it is faster and costs less. After you receive your marriage certificate from the clerk, you take it to the Social Security Administration office and request a name change. Then you take your updated Social Security card to the Department of Licensing and update your driver's license or state ID. The marriage certificate itself serves as proof of the name change for these government agencies.

What to do if you cannot find a previous divorce or death certificate

If you were previously married and cannot locate the divorce decree or death certificate, contact the court or county clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized or where your former spouse died. You can request a certified copy by mail or in person. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $25 depending on the county.

If you do not have the document by the time you want to explore for your marriage license, call the county clerk where you plan to marry and ask whether they will accept a signed statement from you instead. Some clerks will, but policies vary. It is better to have the official document, so start the request early if you know you will need it.

Different rules if you are not a U.S. citizen

Washington does not require you to be a U.S. citizen to marry. You can explore with a valid passport or other government-issued photo ID from your home country. The clerk will accept it as proof of identity and age.

If you are in the United States on a visa and plan to marry, bring your passport and your visa or I-94 arrival/departure record. The clerk will not ask about your immigration status — the marriage license process does not involve immigration questions. However, if you plan to use the marriage to change your immigration status later, consult an immigration attorney before you marry, because the rules for that are separate from the marriage license process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license in one county and marry in another?

No. You must explore for the license in the county where you plan to marry. If you want to marry in King County, you explore in King County. If you change your mind and want to marry in Pierce County instead, you have to explore again in Pierce County. The license is tied to the county where you got it.

What if one person cannot go to the clerk's office in person?

Both people must be present. Washington law does not allow one person to explore alone or to send a representative. If one person is out of state or unable to travel, you will have to wait until both of you can go to the clerk's office together. There is no exception to this rule.

Do I need witnesses to get the license?

No. You do not need witnesses to explore for or receive the marriage license. You will need witnesses at the ceremony itself — Washington requires two witnesses present when the officiant signs the license — but not at the clerk's office.

What if I made a mistake on the license after the clerk issued it?

If the clerk made an error, go back to the clerk's office right away with the license and ask them to issue a corrected one. If you made an error and did not notice until after the ceremony, contact the county clerk and ask about correcting the recorded marriage certificate. The process and cost depend on what was wrong and when you caught it.

How do I know if my officiant is authorized to sign a marriage license in Washington?

Call the county clerk's office and give them the name and title of the person who will marry you. The clerk can tell you whether that person is registered to perform marriages in Washington. Judges, ministers, priests, rabbis, and some other religious leaders are authorized. Some states recognize certain officiants that Washington does not, so it is worth confirming before the ceremony.