Visitors Since 11/28/01

Marriage Licenses

Please note: It is not necessary to obtain your license in the same county the ceremony will be performed in. A license obtained in any Washington county is valid anywhere in the state.

Application Procedure – 2 Steps:

1. Submit your marriage data online. There are workstations available in our lobby if you haven’t performed this step prior to arrival. Don’t worry if you should happen to forget the confirmation number - we can still retrieve your data.
2. Take your place in line. Upon your arrival we will retrieve your data and proceed to create your marriage license paperwork. Applicants applying via mail will need to email us once their data has been submitted.
Please note – fee is payable by cash or check only

Requirements

• Fee: $47.00 is payable at the time of application by cash or check, and is non refundable. If prepaying for a certified copy of the marriage certificate, add $3.00 for a total of $50.00;
• Age Requirements : Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older;
  1. If 17 years of age the applicant must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will sign a consent form. This parent must present photo ID;
  2. If 16 or younger permission must be obtained from the Juvenile Court prior to licensing.
• Waiting Period: There is a mandatory 3-day (calendar day) waiting period before the license becomes valid. No exceptions can be made.
• Period Valid: Your ceremony must be performed in any Washington county within 60 days of application.
• Hours: Licenses are issued by the Recording Department Monday - Friday from 9-5 pm on the street level of the Chelan County Courthouse. The application process takes about 20 minutes.
• Identification: Government-issued photo ID containing birth date must be presented at the time of application. A driver's license or corresponding ID card works fine.

Additional Marriage License Information

Finding Someone Qualified to Perform the Ceremony

Fees

The $47.00 marriage license fee is payable at the time of application by cash or check. The fee includes the application, processing, and recording of the completed documents. Copies of the recorded Marriage Certificate are not included in the application fee.

Photocopies of Marriage Certificates or Applications are $1.00 per page.
Certified copies of the recorded Marriage Certificate are $3.00 and serve as legal proof of marriage. You may elect to prepay for this at the time of application. A certified copy of your recorded Marriage Certificate will then be mailed to you once the completed marriage documents are received by the recording department.

Obtaining Copies: You can obtain copies per the fee schedule above at the Recording Department or by submitting a written request, mail to:
Chelan County Auditor
Recording Department
350 Orondo Avenue
PO Box 400
Wentachee, WA 98807

Marriage Laws

Public Disclosure

Name Change

Name changes do not happen automatically upon marriage!!

• Driver Licensing
  Wenatchee Office: (509) 662-5141
  325 N Chelan, Suite B  
  Wenatchee, WA, 98801
  Other driver licensing office locations
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
  Wenatchee Office:
  301 Yakima St, Suite 212
  (The Federal Building also houses the Post Office)
  Phone (800) 772-1213
  Web Site: SSA.gov
  Note: The SSA notifies the IRS of name changes
  Important Change!! SSA will no longer accept a certified copy of your marriage certificate alone to process your name change request.  We recommend that you put off requesting an SSA name change until you have gone through Driver Licensing and have received your laminated license with your new name. Please contact SSA for details and alternatives.
• Banks or other institutions that you have financial accounts with
• Credit cards & other credit accounts
• Stock certificates & other investments
• Insurance of all kinds: medical, life, auto, home
• Vehicle Titles : Department of Licensing: Chelan County Auditor;
  Other vehicle licensing offices
• Voter Registration :
  Chelan County Auditor (509) 667-6808
  - or -
  download, complete & mail a form from Washington Secretary of State-Elections: Register to Vote

Auditor's Home Page

Accounting

Elections

Licensing

Recording

Absentee Marriage Application

If you are unable to come to the courthouse to get your marriage license, please view these instructions.  Please let us know if your marriage date is less than one month away.

Chelan County Marriage Certificate

Special commemorative Chelan County Centennial marriage certificates are included with each marriage application. They can be purchased separately for $5.00 each and make great anniversary gifts.