How to Get Married in Washington (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Washington · Last updated 2026-05-18
Getting married in Washington means working through Washington-specific rules on the marriage license, the timing around it, and the ceremony itself. On the timing side: 3 days. The license validity window is: 60 days. The state's common-law-marriage rule: Not recognized. This guide walks the Washington marriage-license steps, the documents required, and the officiant rules that apply.
Key Considerations
A Washington marriage starts with a license, and a license starts with two threshold questions: cost and age eligibility. The cost question runs to the issuing clerk: $169. The age question is set by the state marriage code: Every marriage entered into in which either person has not attained the age of 18 years is void. Both are settled before any application is signed.
Two clock-driven rules sit around every Washington marriage license. The first is the post-issuance waiting period: 3 days. The second is the license validity window: 60 days. Together they bracket the legal window during which the ceremony is enforceable.
Two formation rules complete the Washington marriage picture. Not recognized. RCW 26.04.050. The first tells you whether Washington will recognize a marriage that never went through a ceremony at all; the second tells you which ceremonies the state will recognize.
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Relevant Documents
Washington couples typically present this stack at the clerk's office: the completed marriage-license application, valid government photo identification, and (where applicable) the premarital-course completion certificate. No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance as applicable. Applicants in Washington pay the marriage-license fee directly to the issuing office (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office, as the state's structure provides) when the application is submitted.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Marriage License Requirements (RCW 26.04.140)
In Washington state, couples must obtain a marriage license before getting married. The license is valid for 60 days after a 3-day waiting period from the date of issuance. Both parties must appear in person at a county auditor's office to apply for the license, and must provide identification and pay the applicable fee.
Age Requirements (RCW 26.04.010)
Washington law requires both parties to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Individuals who are 17 may marry with parental consent. Marriage is not permitted for those under 17 years of age.
Marriage Ceremony Requirements (RCW 26.04.070)
Washington recognizes marriages performed by authorized officials including judges, court commissioners, and religious officials. The ceremony must include a declaration by both parties that they take each other as husband and wife/spouse, and must be witnessed by at least two people.
Community Property Laws (RCW 26.16.030)
Washington is a community property state, meaning that property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally considered to be owned equally by both spouses. Understanding these laws is important for financial planning before marriage.
Domestic Partnership Conversion (RCW 26.60.100)
For those in registered domestic partnerships in Washington, these partnerships were automatically converted to marriages on June 30, 2014, unless dissolved or one party was over 62. This is relevant for couples who previously registered as domestic partners.
Regional Variances
Western Washington
King County (including Seattle) has a slightly different marriage license application process. There's a 3-day waiting period after obtaining your license before you can marry, and licenses are valid for 60 days. The county offers online pre-application to expedite the in-person process. Marriage license fee is $69.
Pierce County requires both parties to appear in person to apply for a marriage license. The waiting period is 3 days, and licenses are valid for 60 days. Marriage license fee is $64.
Snohomish County follows the standard 3-day waiting period, but offers appointment scheduling for marriage license applications. Licenses are valid for 60 days, and the fee is $64.
Eastern Washington
Spokane County follows the state's 3-day waiting period, but has specific documentation requirements. Both parties must provide government-issued photo ID. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days, and the fee is $65.
Yakima County requires both applicants to appear in person with valid ID. The standard 3-day waiting period applies, and licenses are valid for 60 days. Marriage license fee is $72.
Coastal Washington
Clallam County has limited hours for marriage license applications (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm). The standard 3-day waiting period applies, and licenses are valid for 60 days. Marriage license fee is $72.
Grays Harbor County requires appointments for marriage license applications. The standard 3-day waiting period applies, and licenses are valid for 60 days. Marriage license fee is $66.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
File the marriage-license application with the Washington issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office.
Before the ceremony days after starting$169. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests.
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing.
Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date
Before applying days after starting60 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply.
Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony
Before the ceremony days after starting3 days. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day.
Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes
At the ceremony days after startingRCW 26.04.050. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively.
Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office
After the ceremony days after startingThe officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the marriage-license application with the Washington issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office. | $169. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying | No state-level statute. Governed by municipal ordinance as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date | 60 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply. | - | Before applying |
| Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony | 3 days. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes | RCW 26.04.050. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively. | - | At the ceremony |
| Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office | The officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
3 days. Plan the ceremony date in Washington against the earliest lawful day under this rule; a wedding that occurs before the period runs is voidable, and the couple would have to redo the ceremony after the period closes.
$169. Confirming the exact dollar amount with the specific Washington issuing office before the application appointment avoids surprises at the counter, especially in states where multiple clerks issue licenses at different fee levels.
Not recognized. Couples who established a common-law marriage in a recognizing state and then moved to Washington should be aware that Washington courts generally honor a marriage that was validly formed elsewhere under choice-of-law principles, even when the state itself would not let the couple form one inside its borders today.
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