Apply for a Marriage License

Apply in Person

Applicants may apply in person at the Cowlitz County Auditor’s Office, during regular business hours.

Hours:
Monday through Friday (except legal holidays)
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location:
207 N. 4th Avenue
Kelso, WA 98626

Apply by Mail

Applicants who are unable to apply for a marriage license at the Auditor’s Office, may go before a notary to complete the paperwork. Once this has been done, the completed paperwork and payment of $72.00 cash, personal check, debit/credit cards, or money order, must be returned to the Auditor’s Office for issuance of the marriage license packet.

If the application is not completed correctly, a marriage license cannot be issued. Be sure to include current contact information and payment with the application.

Click here to open the Marriage Application by mail.

Be Prepared to Apply

Applicants will be asked:

To provide valid photo identification;
Legal Name (First/Middle/Last);
Gender;
Date of Birth;
Place of Birth;
Father’s Name (First/Last);
Father’s Birth State (or, country if not USA);
Mother’s Maiden Name (First/Last);
Mother’s Birth State (or, country if not USA);
Current Address;
Previous Address (if you haven’t resided at current address for more than six months); and
Telephone Number.

No physical or blood tests are required in the State of Washington. Cowlitz County’s application contains a signed affidavit attesting that if either applicant is afflicted with any contagious sexually transmitted disease, the condition is known to the co-applicant. The affidavit also includes an acknowledgement that applicants are not nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, and that they do not have a spouse or a registered domestic partner, other than the other applicant.

The ceremony must be performed in the State of Washington.

Keep in mind that marriage applications are public record. The local newspaper generally publishes applicants’ name and city of residence.