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 CONGRATULATIONS!
The Cowlitz County Auditor’s office
would like to congratulate you
on your upcoming marriage!
You will receive your marriage packet when
you come into our office for your license. The packet should be given
to the officiant who performs your ceremony (Justices of the Supreme
Courts, Judges of the Court of Appeals, Judges of the Superior Courts,
Judges
of the District Courts, Supreme Court Commissioners, Court of
Appeals Commissioners, 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 as defined in
RCW 3.02.010). The first page in the packet is the
MARRIAGE LICENSE, which has already been filled out by one of our
licensing specialists. This is kept by the officiant for his/her
records. The second page is your CEREMONIAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.
This copy is for you to take home after the wedding. It may be used for
decoration purposes only. It cannot be used as an official document.
The last page in this packet is your official MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.
This document should be completed by the officiant, and signed by the
Groom, Bride and Witnesses. It is the officiant’s responsibility to
return the form to our office within thirty (30) days of your marriage.
NOTE TO THE BRIDE: Remember to
sign your current name (not your new husband’s name) on all the enclosed
marriage documents. Your name will not change until you have physically
made the changes at Social Security, Driver’s Licensing, etc.
The official MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE will be
recorded in our office upon receipt from the officiant. You may need
the certificate recorded immediately (i.e., for military purposes,
passports, etc.). If you do, please let your officiant know at the time
of your ceremony. A certified copy of your marriage certificate can be
obtained by written or in-person request to our office. (Please note:
You will not automatically receive a copy – it must be requested) The
charge for a certified copy is $3.00.
Please call our office
at (360) 577-3006 if you have any questions or concerns.
Best Wishes from the Cowlitz County
Auditor’s Office
Marriage and marriage licenses are regulated under Washington State
Law in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter
26.04. Below are some often asked questions about obtaining a
marriage license and whom may solemnize a marriage:
Age Requirements
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The bride and groom must be 18 years of
age or older in order to apply for a license without parental or
guardian consent.
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If the bride and/or groom are 17
years of age, they must have parental and/or legal guardian consent to
apply for a marriage license. Parents/Legal Guardians may come in with the couple and be
sworn in with them before signing the consent form on the back of
the marriage application or they may
sign a notarized statement of consent.
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All persons under the
age of 17 must have parent and/or
guardian consent and must present a court order obtained from Family
Court and signed by a District Court judge with a court seal on it.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. Emancipated juveniles are
still required to obtain a court order and/or parental
consent--whichever applies.
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All persons answering
"yes" to the question "Are you under the control of a
legal guardian?" MUST have their guardian's consent.
Licensing Limitations and Timelines
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There is a full three (3) day
waiting period between the time of application and validation date of
the marriage license although all the documents needed are issued at the
time of application. THIS WAITING PERIOD CANNOT BE WAIVED FOR ANY REASON.
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The marriage license must be used in the
State of Washington within sixty (60) days from the date of application
-- fifty-seven (57) days after the three (3) day waiting period.
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By State law, any minister or
priest of any church or religious denomination, and any Washington State
judges and justices can perform the marriage ceremony. Anyone requesting information about
being married by a judge must make all their arrangements through
Cowlitz County District Court at 360-577-3073. The Cowlitz County Chaplain also performs
marriages and can be reached by calling 360-425-7222. Read more in
State law who may solemnize a marriage:
RCW 26.04.050.
Obtaining a License & Fees
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A $64.00 CASH fee is collected at
the time of issuance of the marriage license. No checks or credit cards are accepted for
payment of the marriage license.
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If the bride and/or groom cannot
appear for the marriage license, he and/or she can go before a notary to
complete the paperwork. Once this has been done, the paperwork can be
returned to the Auditor's office for issuance of the marriage license
and payment of the $64.00 cash. Examples of the completed paperwork are
available. If the paperwork is not completed correctly, a marriage
license cannot be issued until it is properly completed.
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NOTE TO THE BRIDE: Remember to
sign your current name (not your new husband’s name) on all the enclosed
marriage documents. Your name will not change until you have physically
made the changes at Social Security, Driver’s Licensing, etc.
Download the
Cowlitz County
Marriage License Application
If you have any questions, please
call the Auditor's Office at 360-577-3003.
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