Table of Contents:

• Washington Marriage Laws
  • A Recap of the Basic Marriage Laws
  • Counties to get Your License in for National Parks
• How to Get Your Washington Marriage License
• How to Get Your Washington Elopement + Wedding Permits
• Helpful Links for Washington Marriage Licensing Info
• More PNW Elopement + Wedding Resources

Hey friends! If you’re eloping in Washington state, then you’ve come to the right place – this is a complete guide to Washington marriage laws, where I’m walking you through everything you need to know about tying the knot in Washington. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to get your Washington marriage license, what laws you’ll need to follow, and how to get permits for your Washington elopement! Ready to tackle all the legal stuff so that you can move onto the more, well, fun parts of elopement planning? Let’s do it!

Looking for info about Oregon marriage laws instead? Head over to my Complete Guide to Oregon Marriage Laws + Licenses!

Washington Marriage Laws

Washington Marriage FAQ’s

Do you need a witness to get married in Washington?

Yes, you’ll need at least two witnesses over the age of 12 for your Washington marriage ceremony!

Is there a waiting period for Washington marriage licenses?

Yes, there is a 3-day waiting period once your Washington marriage license is issued! This means you’ll have to wait 3 days until you can use it for your ceremony, so make sure you plan in advance if you’re coming from out of state and will need to extend your trip to wait for 3 days. The 3-day waiting period begins the day you sign your application and pay the license fee, and can’t be waived for any reason.

How long is a marriage license valid in Washington?

Your Washington marriage license will be valid for 60 days following the 3-day waiting period.

Can you get married in Washington without a ceremony?

You need to have some sort of legal ceremony with an officiant and two witnesses, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a huge, long, “traditional” ceremony! It could just be you, your partner, your officiant, and your two witnesses (two friends, or one friend & then your photographer as your second witness), in the mountains for a super casual ceremony that only lasts a couple minutes. No need to make it fancy – all that matters is that it’s legal and reflects you & your partner’s love!

You can also opt for a private vow exchange, if you’d like to say your vows in a more intimate setting, and then have a simple ceremony with your witnesses to get the legal part out of the way. This is something that many couples choose to do if they’re eloping and they’d rather keep their vows private, then knock out the legal ceremony with a few close friends afterward!

Can you get married online in Washington?

You can’t get married in Washington without a physical ceremony, but you can apply for your license online to expedite the process of getting your license.

How do I change my last name after marriage in Washington?

To legally change your name after you get married in Washington state, you’ll need to go through the process of filling out various legal documents, get a certified copy of your marriage certificate reflecting your new legal name, updating your name on travel documents/your passport/etc, getting a new driver’s license, & more. I’m not the expert on this, so you can find instructions on how to change your last name through the Washington State Records website!

How old do you have to be to get married in Washington?

You need to be at least 18 years old to get married in Washington, or have parental consent if you’re 17.

Will we need to do a blood test to get our Washington marriage license?

Nope, no blood test is required to get a marriage license in Washington.

Do you have to be a resident to get married in Washington?

No! You do not need to be a Washington resident in order to get married in Washington.

Who can legally marry a couple in Washington?

Any regularly licensed or ordained minister/priest/judge can officiate a wedding in Washington.

Can my friend marry us in Washington?

Totally! As long as your friend goes through the appropriate process to become a licensed officiant/minister, they can legally marry you.

Can you officiate your own wedding in Washington?

No, you can’t self-solemnize your wedding in Washington state – you have to have an officiant.

How much does it cost to get a Washington marriage license?

The fee for a Washington marriage license varies by county – you can find a list of County Auditors’ office websites that you can get your license through here.

A Recap of the Basic Washington Marriage Laws

Witnesses required: 2

License is valid for: 60 days

Waiting period: 3 days

Minimum age requirement: 18

Who can officiate: Any regularly licensed or ordained minister/priest/judge

Self-solemnization allowed? No

Washington residency required? No

Blood test required? No

Cost: Varies by county

Counties to Get Your Marriage License for a Washington National Park Elopement

If you’re eloping at one of Washington’s three national parks, here are the counties you’ll need to go through to get your marriage license, with links to marriage licensing info for each one! Note that North Cascades NP & Olympic NP encompass multiple counties, so you’ll have to do your research and figure out which county your ceremony will take place in once you narrow down your elopement location.

Mount Rainier National Park: Pierce County

North Cascades National Park: Whatcom County, Skagit County, and Chelan County

Olympic National Park: Jefferson County, Clallam County, Mason County, and Grays Harbor County

How to Get Your Washington Marriage License

Now that you have a good grasp on the state marriage laws & requirements, here are the steps to follow to actually get your Washington marriage license.

1. Research the county you’ll be applying through

Once you know where your elopement ceremony will be taking place, figure out which county you’ll be getting married in & look up that county’s specific rules, restrictions, fees, & processes. You can find a list of County Auditor’s offices and their websites here!

2. Fill out your Washington marriage application either online or in person

You will then complete your application either online to expedite the process or in-person at the local County Auditor’s office. If you fill it out online, one or both of you will then need to go to the office in-person to finalize the license and pay the necessary fees – make sure to bring a valid photo ID showing your birth date (e.g. your driver’s license, passport, etc.).

3. Wait the 3-day waiting period

Once you’re issued your marriage license, you’ll need to wait the 3-day waiting period until you can have your ceremony! Remember that the 3 days begins on the day you’re issued your license, and the license will be valid for 60 days following the waiting period.

4. Submit your license after your wedding

After you tie the knot, make sure that either you or your officiant submits your license back to the County Auditor’s office to finalize it!

How to Get Your Washington Elopement + Wedding Permits

In addition to getting your Washington marriage license, you’ll also need to get the appropriate elopement + wedding permits for the location you’re holding your ceremony at. If you’re getting married at a Washington National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit – here are links to further info about Washington National Park Special Use Permits:

• Mount Rainier National Park Wedding Permit
• North Cascades National Park Wedding Permit
• Olympic National Park Wedding Permit

To get married in a Washington state park, you’ll need to get a Special Activity Permit. Here are the materials you’ll need to include in your application for this Special Activity Permit:

1. A completed Special Activity Permit Application
2. A copy of a park map indicating the desired location of your ceremony
3. Payment of the $45 application fee

Send your application materials to the park contact where you’ll be having your elopement, at least 60 days in advance – you can find contact info here!

Helpful Links for Washington Marriage Licensing Info

Here are two links that will be helpful in the process of getting your Washington state marriage license!

List of all Washington County Auditor Offices

Detailed Washington Marriage Laws

More PNW Elopement + Wedding Resources

Now that you’re familiar with all the most important Washington marriage laws, and know how to get your Washington marriage license, let’s move onto some of the more fun stuff! Check out a few of my favorite elopement resources & guides below that I KNOW you’ll love, and that will be sooo helpful when it comes to planning your PNW elopement.

Ultimate List of the 25 Best Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

How to Choose the Best Time to Elope in the Pacific Northwest

25 Best Airbnbs in Washington & Oregon for an Airbnb Elopement