Deborah Chan
Washington has no residency restrictions, so whether you're a resident of the state, elsewhere in the country, or an international visitor, you can get married in Washington. The state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period, and you'll need to obtain a marriage license and the appropriate permits for your wedding location. You'll also need to have two witnesses and an officiant present at your wedding.
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What You'll Learn
Marriage licenses and permits
To get married in Washington state, you must obtain a marriage license and have at least two witnesses over the age of 18 (some sources say 12) in attendance. The couple must also be physically present at the ceremony, and the state does not allow proxy marriages. The ceremony must include two traditional affirmations: the couple must express their consent to marry, and the officiating minister must pronounce the couple legally wed before ending the ceremony.
Washington state has no residency restrictions, so you do not need to be a resident of Washington or the county in which you are applying for your license. There are also no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender. However, the minimum age requirement to marry in Washington is 18 years old, and the same minimum age applies to officiants. If either party is under 18, they must have parental consent to marry, and if they are under 17, they must petition the court and demonstrate "special circumstances".
The fee for a marriage license varies by county, and you can find a list of County Auditors' office websites where you can obtain your license. The license is not valid until three days after it is issued, and it expires 60 days after that waiting period. The ceremony must take place within those 60 days, and you cannot get married during the initial three-day waiting period.
If you are eloping in a national or state park in Washington, you will need to obtain a park-specific Special Use Permit in addition to your marriage license. This is to protect the area and minimise damage and impact on the park. An ONP Special Use Permit costs between $50 and $100, and you must also pay regular park entrance fees (except for North Cascades NP, which is free). You must apply for this permit at least three to four weeks in advance.
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Witnesses and officiants
Witnesses:
At least two witnesses over the age of 12 must be present at the wedding ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. They are also required to cheer for the couple when they are pronounced married. The state requires the physical presence of all wedding participants, including witnesses, and does not allow for marriage by proxy.
Officiants:
Washington State requires the presence of an officiant to solemnize the wedding. Any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, judge, or similar official from any religious organization can officiate a wedding in Washington. There are no residency, faith, or gender requirements for officiants in Washington. However, only individuals who are 18 years of age or older can legally officiate a wedding ceremony in the state.
While there are no officiant registration requirements in Washington, officiants must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries (AMM) or Universal Life Church (ULC). County clerks may request proof of ordination, so it is recommended to keep official Ministry Credentials and ordination certificates on hand.
To ensure compliance with county regulations, officiants should contact the office from which the marriage license was issued. Documentation requirements vary across Washington State, so it is essential to be prepared with the necessary paperwork. After the ceremony, it is recommended to submit the signed marriage license and any requested documents to the appropriate office.
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Consent and vows
To get married in Washington state, you must obtain a marriage license from a county clerk's office. This requires providing valid government IDs and paying a fee, which varies by county. Once the license is issued, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period before the wedding ceremony can take place. The license is then valid for 60 days, within which the wedding must occur.
Washington state requires that all weddings be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age. The couple must be physically present and cannot marry by proxy. The couple has the freedom to determine the length, style, and content of their ceremony. However, Washington marriage law mandates the inclusion of two traditional affirmations.
Firstly, the couple must express their consent to marry. This can be done with the familiar "I do" or an alternative phrase that conveys the same sentiment. This requirement ensures that both parties are willingly and consciously entering the marriage.
Secondly, the officiating minister or official must pronounce the couple as legally wed before ending the ceremony. This proclamation legally binds the couple as spouses and marks the conclusion of the wedding ceremony.
While the specific vows and consent declarations are not prescribed by law, these two essential components ensure that the marriage is entered into voluntarily and is legally recognized. The couple can personalize their vows and choose words that reflect their unique relationship and commitment to each other.
In addition to the above requirements, if you plan to elope in a Washington state or national park, you must obtain the appropriate permits. These permits help protect the area and minimize any impact on the environment and other visitors. The specific requirements and fees may vary depending on the park, so it's important to research and plan accordingly.
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Residency and age requirements
Washington has no residency restrictions. Whether you are a permanent resident of Washington, another state, or even another country, you can get married in the state.
The minimum age requirement for marrying in Washington is 18 years old. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you are 17 years old and have received parental consent, you can legally marry in the state. Additionally, minors under the age of 17 can marry under extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, couples must petition the court and demonstrate "special circumstances" to gain approval.
The state requires that all weddings be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age. Washington does not allow for marriage by proxy, so all wedding participants must be physically present at the ceremony. The couple can determine the length, style, and content of their ceremony, but Washington marriage law requires the inclusion of two traditional affirmations. Firstly, the couple must express their consent to marry with "I do" or a similar sentiment. Secondly, the officiating minister must pronounce the couple legally wed before ending the ceremony.
Only individuals who are 18 or older can officiate a wedding in Washington. The officiant's faith or gender is not restricted by Washington law.
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Name changes
Washington is a fairly easy state to get married in, with no special rules or tricky processes. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Washington since 2012, and there are no residency restrictions. The minimum age requirement for marrying in Washington is 18 years old, but 17-year-olds with parental consent can also marry.
Now, if you're looking to change your name after getting married in Washington State, here's what you need to do:
Step 1: Apply for a Marriage License
Firstly, you need to apply for a marriage license. Contact your county auditor's office to find out the specific requirements, as they differ across locations. Some parts of Washington State allow you to marry online, and many offer the form to fill out online or by mail. After processing, your marriage certificate will be mailed to you.
Step 2: Obtain Your Marriage Certificate
After the wedding, have your officiant and two witnesses (aged 18 or above) sign your marriage certificate form. Then, return it to your county's auditor office so they can have a legal record and create a marriage certificate for you.
Step 3: Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA)
A legal name change in Washington State requires notifying the SSA. You'll need to fill out and follow the instructions on Form SS-5. Then, find an SSA office near you and mail or drop off the required documents, including your legal name change document (marriage certificate), proof of identity, and proof of citizenship (if not already established with the SSA).
Step 4: Update Other Documents
Once you have your new Social Security card, you can update other documents, such as your passport and driver's license.
If your desired name change is not a straightforward switch, such as creating a new last name or changing your first name, you may need a court order. In such cases, contact the district court in your county of residence to obtain the proper forms.
Additionally, you can use a service like HitchSwitch to make the name change process easier. They will provide personalized paperwork and instructions for a small fee.
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Frequently asked questions
To get married in Washington State, you must be over 18 and legally free to marry. If you are 17, you will need parental consent. There is a mandatory 3-day waiting period after purchasing your license, and you must have an officiant.
The officiant can be any ordained minister, priest, or religious leader of any belief. Active or retired judges and superior court commissioners can also perform the ceremony. The officiant cannot be either of the people getting married.
You can get married anywhere in Washington State, from national parks to state parks, ballrooms, or even outdoors. However, you must obtain the appropriate permits for your chosen location.
You can apply for a marriage license online, in person, or by mail. You will need to submit an application form and a fee of $72. You can also do this by mail with the assistance of a notary.
