Washington Marriage Laws – An overview of the laws for your Washington Elopement 

How to Legally Elope in Washington

Everything you need to know before saying “I do” in the Pacific Northwest

What You Need to Know to Get Married in Washington

If you’re planning to elope in Washington State—first off, great choice. Between misty coastlines, alpine meadows, and towering evergreens, it’s hard to imagine a more epic backdrop for your vows. 

But before you hike up to a mountain overlook or sneak off to a forested trail, let’s make sure you’ve got the legal side of things covered.

Luckily, getting married in Washington is relatively simple and straightforward—even for out-of-state couples. This post will walk you through all the legal logistics: how to get your marriage license, what’s required for your ceremony to count, and what your options are if you’d rather handle the paperwork separately from your elopement adventure.

Marriage License Basics in Washington State

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to legally tie the knot in Washington:

• Where to Apply: You can apply at any county auditor’s office in Washington, no matter where you plan to get married. For example, if you’re eloping in Mount Rainier National Park, you can still get your license from King County or Spokane County—whatever’s most convenient.
  
• Who Can Apply: Couples must be 18 or older (or 17 with a guardian’s consent). You don’t need to be a resident of Washington, and you won’t need a blood test.
  
• Cost: Varies by county but usually ranges from $50–$70. Some counties accept cards, while others are cash-only—so check ahead before showing up.
  
• Waiting Period: Washington has a mandatory 3-day waiting period after your license is issued. So no same-day elopements unless you’ve planned ahead!
  
• Expiration Date: Your license is good for 60 days after it’s issued. You’ll need to have your ceremony—and return the paperwork—within that window.
  
• No Residency Required: Whether you’re coming from Oregon, California, or halfway across the world, you can still get legally married in Washington with no problem.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Washington

Whether you’re a local or flying in from out of state, applying for your Washington marriage license is a simple process. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Choose a County

You can apply in any Washington county, but some offer more flexibility with online applications than others. A few popular options:

• King County (Seattle area) – offers a fully online process
  
• Pierce County (Tacoma/Rainier access) – also has online forms
  
• Clark County (close to Portland, OR) – great for Columbia River Gorge elopements
  

Check the specific county auditor’s website for their current application process and payment info.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Most counties allow you to:

• Apply in person or
  
• Submit an online application and then finalize via mail or email
  

You’ll typically need:

• Full legal names
  
• Birthplaces and dates
  
• Valid ID (usually a driver’s license or passport)
  

Step 3: Pay the Fee

Fees range from $50–$70 and vary by county. Be sure to check if your county requires cash, check, or card payment.

Step 4: Wait 3 Days

Once the county issues your license, there’s a mandatory 3-day waiting period before you can legally get married. No exceptions! Plan ahead to make sure this doesn’t overlap with your elopement date.

Who Can Officiate a Washington Elopement

One of the great things about Washington? It’s super flexible when it comes to officiants.

Your Officiant Can Be:

• A judge or court commissioner
  
• A licensed or ordained minister (from any religion or even Universal Life Church)
  
• A friend or family member who gets ordained online
  

Yep—that means your best friend, hiking buddy, or favorite cousin can legally marry you after a quick and free online ordination through sites like ULC. Just make sure they:

• Understand the ceremony requirements
  
• Sign the marriage license correctly
  
• Know where to return it (usually the issuing county)
  

Bonus Tip: Two-in-One

If you’re hiring an elopement photographer or guide, some of us (🙋‍♀️) are also ordained officiants! It can be a great option for a low-key, two-person ceremony or if you want something simple and intimate without extra vendors.

After the Ceremony: Returning & Recording Your Marriage License

You said your vows, exchanged rings, maybe wiped away a few happy tears—now what?

Once your ceremony is done, it’s time to make it officially official by returning your signed marriage license.

Here’s what to know:

• Who Returns the License?
  Your officiant is technically responsible for mailing or delivering the signed marriage license back to the county that issued it. But let’s be real—make sure someone takes charge so it doesn’t get lost under a bouquet or in someone’s backpack.
  
• When Is It Due?
  It must be returned within 30 days of your ceremony. So don’t let it sit too long!
  
• Where Does It Go?
  The completed license goes back to the same county office that issued it—not necessarily where your elopement took place.
  
• What About Certified Copies?
  Want to change your name, update insurance, or apply for a spouse visa? You’ll need certified copies of your marriage certificate. Most counties allow you to pre-order them (usually $3–5 each) when you apply for the license.
  

✨ Pro Tip: If you’re eloping out in the wilds of Mount Rainier, the Olympic coast, or the North Cascades, pack a hard surface and good pen for signing (and maybe a backup pen—just in case). Wind, dirt, or soggy paper can make for a tough signing situation!

Recap of the Washington Marriage laws:

• Do you need to be a Washington resident? No.
• Waiting Period? 3 days after the marriage license is obtained
• License is good for 60 days
• License must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony, to the same county where the license was obtained.
• Witnesses required? Yes, 2.
• Who can officiate? Any licensed or ordained minister, judge, clerk, priest, etc.
• Self-Solemnizing? Nope.
• Blood test required? No.

Getting Married in Washington’s National Parks

Washington’s national parks—Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades—are some of the most stunning places in the country to elope. Towering peaks, lush rainforests, alpine lakes, and wild coastlines? Yes, please. But before you say “I do” surrounded by all that beauty, there are a few things you’ll want to know.

You (probably) need a permit

Almost all ceremonies—no matter how small—require a Special Use Permit. Each park has its own application, fee, and rules, so you’ll want to check the specific website for the park you’re eyeing. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Mount Rainier National Park
  Requires a $175 permit. You’ll need to apply at least four weeks in advance (though sooner is always better), and group sizes are typically capped. Some areas may have seasonal or environmental restrictions.
  
• Olympic National Park
  Also requires a Special Use Permit and encourages at least four weeks of lead time. The permit costs around $50–$100 depending on your event. Certain beaches, like Ruby or Rialto, might have additional limitations.
  
• North Cascades National Park
  One of the least developed parks in the U.S., so the process here can vary. You’ll need to contact the park office directly to confirm what’s required for elopements or weddings.
  

Leave No Trace is the law of the land

National parks are incredibly protected spaces, so your ceremony has to be low-impact. That means no amplified music, no confetti (not even the biodegradable stuff), and definitely no staking signs or decorations into the ground. Good news: you really don’t need much when the backdrop is this gorgeous.

Limited accessibility + wild conditions

Some ceremony spots require hiking or driving long mountain roads—so it’s important to think through guest needs, mobility, and time of year. Snow, road closures, or wildfire smoke can affect your plans quickly, which is why backup options (or a flexible attitude!) are essential.

Getting Married in Washington State Parks

Dreaming of saying “I do” under towering evergreens, beside alpine lakes, or with the ocean crashing in the background? Washington’s state parks offer some stunning elopement backdrops—but you’ll need to know the rules.

Do You Need a Permit?

Short answer: often, yes—but it depends on the size and setup of your ceremony.

• Small, simple elopements (think: just the couple and a photographer, no setup) usually don’t require a special event permit. Still, it’s always a good idea to call the park ahead of time to check.
  
• Larger ceremonies, or any setup that includes chairs, arches, amplified music, or a group of 20+ guests, will likely require a Special Activity Permit. Some parks have limits on group size even with a permit.
  
• Photography permits may also be required in certain parks, even for smaller sessions. (This can vary by location.)
  

General Rules to Keep in Mind:

• Leave No Trace: Decorations must be removable and not damage the natural environment. No confetti, rice, or petals—unless they’re biodegradable and pre-approved.
  
• No Exclusive Use: Most Washington State Parks don’t allow exclusive access during events, so expect to share the space with other visitors.
  
• Park Hours Matter: Most parks close at dusk unless you’ve reserved a facility (like a shelter or group camp area).
  
• Alcohol Restrictions: Many state parks do not allow alcohol outside of designated facilities, so skip the champagne unless you’re in a rental space where it’s allowed.
  
• Drones & Fire Restrictions: Drones are prohibited in most state parks. Also, no open flames during burn bans—which are common in summer.
  

📍 Popular State Parks for Elopements:

• Cape Disappointment – dramatic cliffs and coastal vibes
• Deception Pass – iconic bridge views and beach access
• Lake Wenatchee – mountain lake perfection
• Fort Worden – cool historic buildings + beach
• Saltwater State Park – great for Puget Sound views near Seattle
• Beacon Rock – dramatic views of the Columbia River Gorge
  

✨ Pro Tip: Washington State Parks are separate from National Parks and National Forests—so don’t assume the same rules apply across the board. When in doubt, call the park ranger station or check the park’s official website.

Alternative Options for Getting Married in Washington

If a courthouse wedding or signing papers in a government office doesn’t feel quite like your love story, don’t worry—Washington is a flexible and elopement-friendly state. There are a few alternative ways to legally tie the knot or symbolically celebrate your marriage.

1. Self-Solemnizing (Sort of…)

Unlike states like Colorado, Washington does not allow full self-solemnization, meaning you do need an officiant to legally marry you. But that officiant doesn’t have to be a judge or clergy member—they can be a friend, family member, or even you, if you get ordained.

• You (or someone close to you) can easily become ordained online through organizations like Universal Life Church (ULC).
  
• This makes it super personal and private—ideal for elopements in nature.
  

2. Legal Ceremony + Adventure Elopement

Some couples choose to handle the paperwork separately—either before or after their adventure elopement.

• This means doing a quick courthouse ceremony (or even just signing the license at home), then heading into the mountains or out to the coast for your real celebration.
  
• This takes the pressure off timing, locations, and permits—especially if you want to elope somewhere with ceremony restrictions (like in National Parks).
  

3. Symbolic Ceremonies

Want to celebrate in a location that doesn’t allow official ceremonies (or requires complicated permitting)? Have a symbolic ceremony instead.

• No paperwork, just you two, your vows, and maybe a photographer to document it all.
  
• This is common when couples are traveling from out of state or planning a destination elopement and want to avoid red tape.
  

You can always file your paperwork at home or earlier in your trip—nobody but you two has to know when the “official” part happened.

4. Signing the Marriage License in Nature

As long as you’ve already gotten your license and you’re within your three-day waiting period and 60-day window, you can sign your marriage license anywhere in Washington—even on a mountaintop or at the trailhead.

You’ll still need:

• A legally ordained officiant
  
• Two witnesses (anyone over age 12)
  
• A pen and somewhere flat-ish to sign!

PNW Elopement Photographer

I’m not just here to take photos (though I’ll make sure you look amazing doing whatever wild, windswept thing your heart is set on). My background is in outdoor education and guiding, which means I bring a deep understanding of the land, weather patterns, logistics, and—yes—how to turn a trailhead into the start of something magical.

Whether you’re exchanging vows under a waterfall, scrambling over driftwood at the coast, or sipping coffee on the tailgate as the sun rises, I’m here to help you craft a day that feels real. I’ll guide you through every step: finding the perfect locations, mapping out a timeline that flows naturally, handling permits, and making sure you’re both present and relaxed on the big day.

My style is organic, documentary, and rooted in storytelling. I’m all about capturing the unposed, in-between moments—because that’s where the magic really lives.

Have questions? Ready to start planning your dream PNW Elopement? Get in touch here 🙂