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Marriage

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1. Can persons of the same gender marry?

Yes, persons of the same gender may apply for a marriage license.

2. Do applicants have to reside in Washington State?

No. There is no residency requirement to obtain a Washington State marriage license. However, the marriage ceremony must be performed in Washington State.

3. If the applicants are divorced, do they need to provide divorce papers?

No.

4. Under what circumstances can a person apply for a marriage license before they are divorced?

Under no circumstances. A divorce must be final and filed before applicants can apply for a license. If a divorce is granted, and the paperwork filed on a Tuesday, for example, the couple must wait until Wednesday to file an application.

5. Under what circumstances can the 3-day waiting period be waived?

There are no circumstances where the 3-day waiting period can be waived

6. What are the minimum ages for applicants?

Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older unless they have the consent of a guardian or court. See FAQs on marriage by 17 year olds and on marriage by 16 years olds for more requirements.

7. What if one of the applicants is 17? Can he/she get a license?

Yes, provided the custodial parent or legal guardian is present with the applicant and provides his or her written consent. Legal guardians must present guardianship papers. Apply for a Marriage License with this form. Please feel free to print a copy of the Marriage License Supplemental - Affidavit of Guardian and Translator if needed.

8. What if one of the applicants is under 17? Can they get a license?

Only when the age requirement is waived by a superior court judge of the county in which one of the parties resides. If both applicants reside in Snohomish County, for example, permission must be sought from Snohomish County Superior Court. In Snohomish County, applicants should call Snohomish County Superior Court, Family Court Section, 425-388-7370.

9. What ages are the witnesses required to be?

Although the State law does not specify the age of witnesses, the witnesses are witnessing a civil contract. As such, a witness is deemed "competent" for this purpose usually at the age of 18. We recommend two witnesses who are over 18 observe the exchange of vows (marriage) and sign the marriage certificate. Apply for a Marriage License with this form. Please feel free to print a copy of the Marriage License Supplemental - Affidavit of Guardian and Translator if needed.

10. What is the fee for a marriage license?

The fee for a marriage license is $68.00. Cash, money orders, cashier's check, or Master card / Visa credit cards are accepted.

11. Who established the marriage license fee?

The fee is authorized and established by the State legislature.

12. How is the fee distributed? Where does the money go?

Snohomish County fees: $ 8.00 General Fund $ 8.00 Family Court $ 6.00 Historical Records & Programs Preservation Fund $15.00 Family Services Program

State of Washington fees: $10.00 Displaced Homemaker Program $ 5.00 Child Abuse Program $ 4.00 Centennial Records Preservation Program $ 6.00 State Archives $ 6.00 State Heritage Fund

13. Are marriage records open for the public to see?

Yes, with one major exception. Program participants of the State’s Domestic Violence Protection program may have their marriage records excluded from the public filing. Only active participants are included. If the marriage license was obtained prior to becoming an active participant, the record cannot be "unrecorded".

14. What if the applicants do not want their names in the newspaper?

The Everett Herald prints a list of marriage applicants on a weekly basis. Both parties must contact the Everett Herald directly to have their name excluded from the printed list on the same day they apply for the marriage license.

15. What if someone wants a copy of their marriage license?

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record by mail, you will need to send a check (made payable to Snohomish County Auditor) along with both parties names (as provided at the time of the marriage application) and the date of the marriage to:

Snohomish County Auditor’s Office
3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 204
Everett WA 98201

The fees for copies are:

Certified copies of marriage records prior to 1976 $11.50
Certified copies of marriage records from 1976 to present $ 3.50
Additional certified copies of the same document $ 3.00

You may also obtain a certified copy of a marriage record in person at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office. The fee for this transaction is $3.00.

If you need a certified copy immediately following your ceremony, you must return in person to the Snohomish County Auditor's Office with the completed Certificate of Marriage.

16. Can a marriage be performed by proxy?

No. Proxy marriages (where someone stands in for the other party) are not recognized. The two parties must be present before the two witnesses and the officiant in order for the ceremony to be performed.

17. Can the marriage ceremony be on a boat as long as there is a qualified officiant?

Yes, but the marriage ceremony must take place in Washington State waters.

18. Can a marriage license obtained in Snohomish County be used in another county?

Yes. A marriage license obtained in Snohomish County can be used in any county in Washington State. It cannot, however, be used in another state or country.

19. Can the marriage license be used in another State? Another Country?

No. This is a Washington State marriage license. The ceremony must be performed in Washington State.

20. Is there a special form the marriage ceremony must take?

The only requirement during the marriage ceremony is that the parties each declare, in the presence of two witnesses and the officiant, that they take each other to be spouses.

21. Can a judge from another State perform weddings in Washington State?

No. Only Washington State judges.

22. Who is authorized to perform marriages?

State law prescribes who can marry. Under R.C.W. 26.04.050, active and retired justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals, judges of the superior courts, superior court commissioners, any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest of any church or religious denomination, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction may perform marriages.

23. Can a minister from a church from another State perform a wedding in Washington State?

Yes.

24. Can a pro-tem Washington State judge perform a wedding?

No.

25. Can a retired Washington State judge perform a wedding?

Yes.

26. Can a ship captain perform a marriage ceremony?

No.

27. Does an out-of-state minister need to register here in Washington State to perform the marriage ceremony?

No.

28. How does one check to see of their minister is "licensed" to perform marriages?

Washington State does not "license" persons who are authorized to perform marriages. In this sense, the word "license" is not an official governmental function of issuing a license or permission to perform marriages, but more a function of recognition by the religious affiliation. It is the person within the religious affiliation who is recognized or granted the power (consequently, "licensed" by the religious affiliation) to officiate over wedding ceremonies.

29. If the parties or witnesses themselves are authorized to perform marriages (because they are a minister, judge, etc.), can they perform the ceremony?

No. The parties and two witnesses cannot officiate over the marriage ceremony, even if they are capable.