As you’re making your wedding to-do list, getting a marriage license is likely held in the back of your mind but it’s extremely important and time sensitive. Each state has slightly different requirements— this is a guide to walk you through how, when, and where to get a marriage license in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
To be legally married in Washington, there are three things that need to be completed;
Apply for and receive a marriage license
Participate in a civil or religious ceremony
Complete and return the Department of Health Certificate of Marriage.
You can obtain your marriage license between 3 and 60 days prior to your wedding ceremony– we recommend applying approximately three weeks before. Due to COVID, in person applications are currently unavailable so mail in is the only option right now and because of this we suggest giving yourself a little bit extra time! You will need to fill out the application online then print and sign the application in front of a notary then mail it in. The fee for an application is $70.
If/when the in person application option becomes available again, you can go to the Snohomish County Clerk’s office and apply there. You may also apply and obtain a marriage license in a different county in which you are getting married in but it must be in the same state.
In order to be issued a marriage license in Multnomah County (where Portland is located) you must meet the following requirements:
Be 17 years of age with signed consent from legal guardian or 18 years of age
Hold a ceremony in the state of Oregon (it does not need to be held in the same county you obtain your marriage license from)
Get married within 60 days of applying for a marriage license
Not be currently married
Not be first cousins or nearer of kin
You may obtain your marriage license between 3 and 60 days prior to your ceremony. Beginning March of 2020, all applications are completed online and returned by mail or dropped off at the 24 hour drop box (addresses listed below). The fee for the application is $60. Along with the completed application you must also include:
A copy of the confirmation page with submission ID listed
A copy of photo identification for each party (name on application must directly match name on identification)
A cashiers or money check made out of Multnomah County Marriage Licenses for $60
If you are requesting to waive the 3 day waiting period, the check should be made out for $65
Mailing
Multnomah County Marriage License Office
Attn: Marriage Licenses
PO Box 2716
Portland OR 97208-2716
24 hour drop box
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
The marriage application must be completed by both parties and returned in person to be sworn in by a licensing officer or notary at the Juneau or Anchorage vital records office. If located outside of these locations, you must go to an Alaska courthouse. The license fee is $60. In order to obtain a marriage license:
You must be 18 years or older (for persons under the age of 18, visit the website to see what is required of you as it varies by age)
Both parties must be present with government issued ID
If divorced within the last 60 days, a divorce decree is required
You may pick up your application after 3 days of dropping it off. The application is good for up to one year but is only valid for 90 days once it is picked up!
After your ceremony, you must return the original signed license to the vital records by mail or in person. Once this process is completed, you can request a formal certificate of marriage (this is needed for legal name change purposes) and there is a fee of $30.
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