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Planning a wedding in Washington State involves several steps, from choosing a date to applying for a marriage license. The Evergreen State, an early advocate of marriage equality, has been welcoming couples to marry since 2012, with no residency restrictions. However, Washington State law imposes a mandatory 3-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license, and the ceremony must take place within 60 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prime wedding season | May to October |
| Weather with a very small chance of rain | July or August |
| Months to avoid due to wildfire season | August and September |
| Minimum age of officiant | 18 years |
| Waiting period after receiving a marriage license | 3 days |
| Validity of marriage license | 60 days after the date of issuance |
| Minimum number of witnesses | 2 |
| Residency restrictions | None |
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What You'll Learn
- Washington state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period for marriage licenses
- There are no residency restrictions in Washington state
- Same-sex marriage has been legal in Washington since 2012
- The couple must verbally declare that they take each other to be spouses
- The prime wedding season in Washington is from May to October
Washington state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period for marriage licenses
Washington is an early advocate of marriage equality and has been welcoming same-sex couples to marry there since 2012. There are also no residency restrictions. Whether you permanently reside in Washington, another state, or even another country, you can get married in Washington.
However, Washington state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period for marriage licenses. This means that once you've applied for and received your marriage license, there is a 3-day waiting period before you can legally wed. The waiting period begins when the license is issued, not when the marriage application is submitted. Because Washington law is firm on this issue, waivers are never granted. Consequently, couples should plan ahead and register early to avoid potential issues.
The marriage license is issued by the county auditor and must be procured before the wedding ceremony. The license is valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period. Within that timeframe of approximately two months, the ceremony must take place, and the license must be returned and filed with the issuing office.
The officiating minister must pronounce the couple legally wed before officially ending the ceremony. In the solemnization of marriage, no particular form is required, except that the couple shall assent or declare in the presence of the minister, priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization, or judicial officer solemnizing the marriage, and in the presence of at least two attending witnesses, that they take each other to be spouses.
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There are no residency restrictions in Washington state
To get married in Washington, you must first apply for a marriage license from a county auditor. The marriage license must be obtained at least three days before the wedding, as Washington state law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license can be used. This waiting period begins when the license is issued, not when the application is submitted. The license is valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period.
The ceremony must take place within 60 days of the date the license was issued. The license must be returned and filed with the issuing office within this timeframe. The couple must also verbally declare that they "take each other to be spouses" in front of the person performing the ceremony and two witnesses.
There are no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender. However, only individuals who are 18 years of age or older can officiate a wedding ceremony in Washington.
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Same-sex marriage has been legal in Washington since 2012
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Washington State since 2012. This was the result of a long campaign for marriage equality in the state.
In 1997, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill defining marriage as the "union of a man and a woman". This was in response to the possibility that same-sex marriage might be legalised in Hawaii. However, Governor Gary Locke vetoed the legislation, calling it "divisive and unnecessary".
In 1998, the state enacted the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between one man and one woman. This was a setback for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2004, six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. A lower court ruled in their favour, but this decision was reversed by the Washington State Supreme Court, citing DOMA legislation.
In 2007, the Domestic Partnership Expansion Act granted domestic partners the same legal rights and benefits as married couples. In 2009, Governor Christine Gregoire signed the “Everything but Marriage” bill, which expanded domestic partnership laws even further.
Finally, on February 13, 2012, Governor Gregoire signed the Marriage Equality Act, legalising same-sex marriage in Washington State. The act received the popular vote in the November 2012 elections. The first same-sex marriages took place on December 9, 2012. Within a few days, over 600 marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples in King County alone.
To get married in Washington State, couples must procure a marriage license from a county auditor. There is then a 3-day waiting period before the couple can legally wed. The marriage ceremony must take place within 60 days of the license being issued.
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The couple must verbally declare that they take each other to be spouses
Washington state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period, which cannot be waived. This means couples must apply for their marriage license at least 3 days before they are allowed to wed, and no more than 60 days before their wedding day. The ceremony must take place within 60 days of the license being issued, and the license must be returned and filed with the issuing office within this timeframe.
There are no residency restrictions in Washington, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2012. The state also has no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender, although they must be 18 years of age or older.
The only legal requirement for the wedding ceremony is that the couple verbally declare that they take each other to be spouses. This must be done in front of the person performing the ceremony and two witnesses. The witnesses are also required to cheer for the couple when they are pronounced married and to sign the marriage certificate.
The couple must verbally declare that they take each other as spouses. This is a legal requirement and an important part of the wedding ceremony. It is a public affirmation of their commitment to each other and their intention to enter into a legally binding marriage. The declaration is typically made in front of the officiant, who may be a minister, priest, imam, rabbi, or other religious or civil authority, as recognised by the state of Washington.
The exact wording of the declaration may vary depending on the couple's preferences and the type of ceremony they are having. For example, a religious ceremony may include references to God or other religious figures, while a secular ceremony may not. However, the essence of the declaration remains the same: the couple is publicly and formally agreeing to become spouses.
This mutual declaration is a significant moment in the wedding ceremony as it marks the couple's transition into a legally recognised union. It is a public affirmation of their commitment to love, honour, and support each other as spouses for the duration of their lives together. The verbal declaration is also a way for the couple to express their consent to the marriage, which is an essential component of a valid and binding marriage contract.
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The prime wedding season in Washington is from May to October
Weather is a major consideration when planning a wedding in Washington. Couples who want warm weather and a very small chance of rain are advised to get married in July or August. However, weddings in August and September need to keep an eye on wildfire season, as smoke can affect the air quality.
If you're looking to get married in Washington's off-season, between November and April, you'll need to plan for an indoor wedding, with a maximum of 50 guests.
When it comes to planning a wedding in Washington, it's important to secure your venue as soon as possible, especially if you're planning to get married during peak season. The Washington wedding vendor community is close-knit, so it's worth asking for referrals to put together your dream team of vendors.
To get legally married in Washington, couples need to obtain a marriage license from their county of choice and complete an application fee. There is then a three-day waiting period before the wedding can take place, and the ceremony must be held within 60 days of obtaining the license.
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Frequently asked questions
Washington state has a mandatory 3-day waiting period for a marriage license, which cannot be waived. The marriage license is valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period. The couple must verbally declare that they take each other to be spouses in front of the person performing the ceremony and two witnesses.
No, there are no residency restrictions in Washington state.
The prime wedding season in Washington is usually from May to October. For warm weather and a small chance of rain, July and August are ideal.
