Requirements:

• The fee for a marriage license is $64.00. (Cash only)
  • A keepsake license is available for $5.00 more.
  • If a certified copy is to be automatically mailed, an additional $4.00 is required.
• Besides the information on the Marriage Application, you will be required to supplying the following information:
  • Fathers name and birth state or country
  • Mother’s maiden name and birth state or country
  • Applicants social security number, if applicable
• Once a license has been issued, it cannot be "un-issued". The license fee is not refundable.
• Both applicants must be at least 18 year of age or older.
• One parent or legal guardian who can provide consent must accompany applicants 17 years of age.
• Applicants under the age of 17 must obtain permission from the Juvenile Court before a license can be issued.
• Blood tests and physical exams are not required to obtain a marriage license.
• Proof of divorce from a previous spouse or death of a spouse is not required to obtain a license for a new marriage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the final decree of divorce is final before the new marriage license is obtained.
• Same sex marriages are not recognized in the state of Washington.
• The marriage license may be used anywhere in the state of Washington.

Completing the Application:

Definitions:

• “Maiden Name” for the bride is the last name she was born with, if that is still her current last name put that name in both the last name field and the maiden name field.
• “Single” means never married.  Divorced applicants must mark “Divorced”.
• “Present Address" means residential address, not a post office box.
• If born outside the U.S., please provide city and country, rather than city and state.

We offer three ways of applying.

1) Apply On-Line:

• Both parties must be able to appear together in the Auditor's Office Recording Division.
• Picture identification is required.
• Please fill in all the fields. If you do not know some of the required information such as parent’s birth state, refer to your birth certificate and if it is not listed there you may fill in "unknown".
• Proceed to On-line Application

2) Print out the application, fill it out, bring it into the Recording Division of the Auditor's Office:

• If both parties cannot appear together at the Auditor's Office, then the application can be signed in front of a Notary Public.
• Please fill in all the fields. If you do not know some of the required information such as parent’s birth state, refer to your birth certificate and if it is not listed there you may fill in unknown.
• Bring the completed application into the Auditor's Office Recording Division along with the appropriate fees.
• Print out the Application

3) Come into the Auditor's Office Recording Division

• Both parties must be able to appear together in the Auditor's Office Recording Division.
• Picture identification is required.
• Cash only is required for fee.

Waiting Period:

There is a three (3) day waiting period beginning the first day after you apply for your license and ending the third day following the date of application. You may not get married during this waiting period. (We issued the license and post-date it three days so that you are able to take it with you at the time of purchase.)

The license is valid for 60 days from the date of application. If you do not use the license within this 60-day period, a new license will need to be purchased.

Witnesses:

Witnesses are not necessary to apply for a license, but state law requires that at least two witnesses be present at the ceremony. There is a no minimum or maximum age of witnesses, but it is recommended that witnesses be fully aware of their responsibilities in the marriage ceremony.

Performing the Ceremony:

State law prescribes who can perform a marriage ceremony: active and retired Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, Superior Court Judges, Superior Court Commissioners, and District Court Judges. In addition, regularly licensed or ordained ministers or priests of any church or religious denominations may perform marriage ceremonies.

Ministers from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, but the ceremony must be performed in the state of Washington. Neither the bride nor groom may perform the ceremony.

For information about scheduling a District Court Judge to perform the ceremony, please call the District Court Office at (509) 574-1779, during regular business hours.

Public Disclosure:

All marriage records are a matter of public record. The one exception to this is for those enrolled in the State's Address Confidentiality program.

Copies of Marriage Certificates:

A copy or certified copy of a marriage licensed may be obtained by writing to the Yakima County Auditor's Recording Division, 128 N. 2nd St, #117, Yakima, WA 98901. Include a check or money order for $1.00 for a copy, or $3.00 for a certified copy. Be sure to include the groom's name, bride's name (before she was married) and the date of marriage.

Marriage and Family Information:

For more information about Marriage and Families visit HealthFamiliesYakima.org