The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Marriage License in These Top 5 States
Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Okay, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous (but totally necessary!) part of elopement planning: how to get a marriage license. We know, we know – you’d rather be dreaming about epic mountain backdrops and celebratory meals under string lights at your Airbnb and we don’t blame you. But, knowing these important legal requirements before you travel can save you from major panic emails days before your elopement.
Whether you’re planning to say “I do” on a mountaintop in Washington, beside a waterfall in Hawaii, or among the towering redwoods in Oregon and California, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about getting legally married in our favorite adventure elopement destinations!
Table of Contents
- The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Marriage License in These Top 5 States
- General U.S. Marriage License Tips: The Basics You Need to Know
- Quick Tips for Getting a Marriage License From Out of State (AKA – the Questions We Get Asked A LOT)
- How to Get a Marriage License in These Top 5 States
- Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Marriage License in the U.S.
- Have More Questions About How to Get a Marriage License in the U.S.?
General U.S. Marriage License Tips: The Basics You Need to Know
Before we dive into the state-specific details of how to get a marriage license, let’s cover some of the general logistics about marriage licenses in the U.S.
Common Requirements Across All States:
- Both partners must be 18+ years old (or have parental consent if younger)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Social Security numbers
- Payment for the license fee (varies by state – don’t worry, we’ll break this down below!)
- Most states require witnesses (usually 1-2 people) and a registered officiant to perform the ceremony
Important Timing Considerations:
- Waiting periods: Some states have a waiting period, which means you will need to wait a few days between getting your license and having your ceremony (we’re looking at you, Washington!). Note that the waiting period starts once your license is issued – not from the date you apply. Depending on the state, there are some ways around waiting periods, which we’ll cover below.
- Expiration dates: After you submit your application and receive your marriage license, you’ll need to hold your ceremony before the expiration date, typically 30-90 days, depending on the state.
- Processing time: Be sure to factor in time for your officiant to file the paperwork after your ceremony – don’t cut it too close to the expiration date.
Quick Tips for Getting a Marriage License From Out of State (AKA – the Questions We Get Asked A LOT)
Reading all the online information and getting a marriage license can feel overwhelming, and we totally get it! Here are a few of the most common questions we hear when it comes to how to get a marriage license in the U.S.:
Do we need to obtain a marriage license in our home state and bring it with us?
No, you do not need to obtain a marriage license within your home state. Your marriage license needs to be from the state where your ceremony is taking place. So if you’re flying in from Texas to elope in Washington, you’ll get your Washington marriage license – and it will be recognized nationally when you get home!
Where should we apply for our marriage license?
As mentioned above, you’ll want to apply for your marriage license in the state where you’re having your ceremony. It doesn’t matter which county within that state you apply to. You can simply choose the county that is easiest for you, whether it’s one closest to your home or closest to the airport if you’re traveling from out of state.
We’re not getting legally married (or already are legally married). What do we do?
We’ve worked with a lot of couples who have chosen to have a symbolic ceremony during their elopement and handle the legal paperwork at home (or at a different time). If that’s your plan, you can absolutely still say your vows and have the most epic celebration ever – you just skip the marriage license part! We’ll still be there capturing every magical moment.
How to Get a Marriage License in These Top 5 States
Ready to dive into the logistics of how to get a marriage license? Feel free to jump around to whatever state applies best to you.
How to Get a Marriage License in Washington State
Cost: $144-172 (varies by county)
Waiting Period: 3 days
License Valid For: 60 days
Witnesses Required: 2 witnesses + officiant
Where to Apply: Here or at any county auditor’s office in the state (we recommend the King County location).
How to Apply for Your Washington Marriage License
With three different ways to apply (online, in person, by mail), Washington makes it pretty easy for anyone to obtain a marriage license, even if you’re traveling from out of town.
Online:
This is the easiest way to obtain your Washington State marriage license if you live here:
- Submit your online marriage license application
- Take note of your transaction number because you’ll need it to complete your application
- Visit the King County office (or any county recorder’s office in the state)
- Only one applicant is required to appear in person to complete the process
- Bring payment for the application fee
- Your license will be issued, and the 3-day waiting period begins
In Person:
The in-person process is almost identical to the online process, but it requires both partners to appear in person. Here’s the rundown:
- Visit the King County office (or any county recorder’s office in the state)
- You can save time by downloading and completing a marriage license application before coming to the office, but DO NOT SIGN it! This will need to be done in person at your appointment, and remember, both partners need to be present to sign.
- Bring payment for the application fee
- Your license will be issued, and the 3-day waiting period begins
By Mail:
The “apply by mail” option is one that most couples don’t know about (and it’s one of our favorite options for out-of-state couples)! You can complete your application, get it notarized, mail it in, and they’ll send your marriage license directly to your address. This means you don’t need to arrive in Washington three days early just to pick up your license in person (yes, please!).
If you are applying for your Washington marriage license by mail, we recommend going through King County because their process is super streamlined and fast. Here’s how it works:
- Download and complete the online application
- Print and get it notarized (wait to sign until you are in front of a notary)
- Submit the application along with a check, money order, or cashier’s check to the recorder’s office
- Your application will be processed, and your license and a Certificate of Marriage (to be completed by your officiant and witnesses) will be mailed directly to your address
- Don’t forget to bring it with you to Washington for your elopement!
Insider Tip: Start this process at least 2-3 weeks before your elopement to account for mailing time and processing.
How to Get a Marriage License in Oregon
Cost: $50-75 (varies by county)
Waiting Period: 3 days
License Valid For: 60 days
Witnesses Required: 2 witnesses + officiant
Where to Apply: Here or at any county clerk’s office in the state
Generally speaking, you will need to go in person to apply for your Oregon marriage license, but you can apply in any county within the state, and your license will be valid statewide. Similar to getting a marriage license in Washington, Oregon also requires a 3-day waiting period, but this can be waived for a small fee (check your specific county for details).
How to Apply for Your Oregon Marriage License
- Fill out your marriage application at www.multcomarriage.org (or look up the application for your chosen county office)
- Bring your printed application, payment, and government-issued photo IDs for both parties (the name on the application should match the identification provided, and both parties must appear together, in person)
- Appointments are not generally needed to apply for an Oregon Marriage License
- Your license will be issued, and the 3-day waiting period begins (unless you opted to have it waived)
For our Redwoods couples: If you’re staying in Oregon but having your ceremony in California (which happens more often than you’d think!), remember that your marriage license needs to be from California – the state where your ceremony is taking place.
How to Get a Marriage License in California
Cost: ~$60-$110 (varies by county)
Waiting Period: None
License Valid For: 90 days
Witnesses Required: 1 witness + officiant (some counties require 2)
Where to Apply: Here or at any county recorder’s office in the state
California is pretty couple-friendly with no waiting period and a longer validity period. The application cost varies by county, so check with your specific location.
How to Apply for Your California Marriage License
In this section, we’re sharing the steps on how to apply for a marriage license in Humboldt County, as that’s one of the closest offices for redwood elopements. If your elopement is taking place in another part of California, be sure to check out the requirements for whichever county office you choose.
- Fill out your marriage license application on the Self-Service Web
- Select your preferred form of payment (note, checks are not accepted)
- Complete your information and choose how you would like to receive your marriage license
- Both applicants will need to head to the Recorder’s Office to complete the application
- Bring your payment and government-issued IDs
- Receive your California marriage license and elope as soon as you want (yay!)
Another note for Redwoods couples: Since the redwood forests span the Oregon-California border, double-check exactly where your ceremony location is! If you’re having your ceremony on the California side, you’ll need a California license.
How to Get a Marriage License in Hawaii
Cost: $65
Waiting Period: None! (You can get married the same day)
License Valid For: 30 days
Witnesses Required: 2 witnesses + officiant
Where to Apply: Here or with any private agent throughout the state
Hawaii keeps things pretty simple (aloha spirit, right?). You can apply online or in person, and the amazing news is that there’s no waiting period. The license is only valid for 30 days, though, so don’t apply too far in advance of your big day!
How to Apply for Your Hawaii Marriage License
- Complete the online application and pay the application fee
- Be sure to take note of your authorization code or locator ID after completing your application
- Meet with an agent (in person) who will review your application, IDs, and issue your license
- Note that there is only one main office, and it is on Oahu. If your elopement is taking place on another island, don’t worry – there are private agents on all the islands who can assist you with your application. Click here for a list of private agents by area.
- Receive your marriage license and hold your ceremony within 30 days (no waiting needed!)
Important to Know: Hawaii is a little bit different from the other states in that it requires your officiant to be licensed in the State of Hawaii. So, your best friend who got ordained online won’t be able to legally marry you unless they are registered in Hawaii.
How to Get a Marriage License in Alaska
Cost: $60 ($70 for mailed-out licenses)
Waiting Period: 3 days
License Valid For: 3 months from the date of issuance
Witnesses Required: 2 witnesses + officiant
Where to Apply: Start Here
Alaska requires a 3-day waiting period, and you can apply in any district within the state. Given the remote nature of many Alaska elopement locations, we highly recommend getting your license sorted well in advance!
How to Apply for Your Alaska Marriage License
- Complete the online marriage license application
- Submit the application and fee to the nearest Alaska Vital Records Office or an Alaska Court Office
- If applying in person, your license will be issued to you at your appointment, and the waiting period will begin.
- If applying by mail, be sure to include an extra $10 to have your application sent with priority mail tracking
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Marriage License in the U.S.
Will my (fill in the blank) state marriage license be recognized nationwide?
Absolutely! This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is a resounding yes. Whether you get married in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska, or any other U.S. state, your marriage license will be legally recognized in all 50 states.
Can we apply online for all states?
Most states offer online applications, but the process varies. Washington and Hawaii have pretty user-friendly online systems, but some states still require you to appear in person to pick up your license. Others (like Washington or Alaska’s apply-by-mail option) can send it directly to you.
Can you get married the same day in Washington?
The short answer – no. Unlike some of the other states that waive the waiting period for a fee, Washington has a mandatory 3-day waiting period that cannot be waived even with a court order. This is why we recommend choosing the apply-by-mail option for couples who are traveling to Washington from out of town.
Can we get married in the U.S. if we are noncitizens?
Yes, international couples can absolutely get married in the U.S.! You’ll typically need valid passports and travel visas for both partners as well as a marriage license from your chosen state. Just be sure to check that your marriage in the U.S. will be recognized as valid in your home country.
Do we need an officiant?
Yes! All of these 5 states require an officiant to perform your ceremony. You can hire a professional officiant (we have some pretty amazing officiant recommendations for all our favorite elopement locations!) or have a friend or family member get ordained online (the Universal Life Church is a popular free option).
What happens after our ceremony?
After you say “I do,” you, your officiant, and your witnesses will sign the marriage license. Your officiant then has 30 days (varies by state) to file the paperwork with the county. A few weeks later, you’ll receive your official marriage certificate in the mail.
Have More Questions About How to Get a Marriage License in the U.S.?
We get it – all these requirements can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to plan your best day ever! The good news is that as your elopement photographers, we’ll help guide you through every step of the process, including marriage license logistics.
Ready to start planning your epic elopement adventure? Check out our planning guides for each of our favorite destinations!
Or, reach out to start planning your adventure elopement – we can’t wait to help you plan your greatest adventure yet!
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