To get married in Spokane County, Washington, you apply for a marriage license through the Spokane County Auditor, pay a $162 fee, wait a mandatory 3 days, and hold your ceremony within the following 60 days with an officiant and 2 witnesses present. Grothen Notary in Spokane can notarize your license application, officiate the ceremony, and file the completed certificate. Here is exactly how the process works.
At a glance
| Where to apply | Spokane County Auditor, 1116 W. Broadway Ave., Spokane, WA |
|---|---|
| License fee | $162 (paid to Spokane County; $159 for active-duty military) |
| Waiting period | 3 full days after you apply, and it cannot be waived |
| Validity | Once the waiting period passes, the license is valid for 60 days |
| Witnesses | 2, both 18 or older |
| Who can apply | Anyone 18 or older. You do not need to live in Spokane County or Washington. |
| After the ceremony | Your officiant must return the signed certificate to the county within 30 days |
Step 1: Complete the marriage license application
Both partners apply together. You can apply in person at the Auditor’s office or by mail. Spokane County accepts mailed applications when both partners sign the application in front of a notary. The mail-in option is built for couples who can’t easily get to the courthouse together during office hours.
Have this information ready for both partners:
- Full legal name and any prior names
- Social Security number
- Current address and birthplace
- Both parents’ full names, their states or countries of birth, and each mother’s maiden name
- Government-issued photo ID
Grothen Notary notarizes marriage license applications in Spokane County for $30 at your home, workplace, or any convenient location, including for mail-in applications.
Step 2: Pay the county fee and start the clock
The Spokane County marriage license fee is $162, payable to the Spokane County Auditor. If you mail your application, include a check or money order. The day you apply starts a 3-day waiting period, and the 60-day validity window begins once that wait is over.
Step 3: Wait the mandatory 3-day period
Washington law requires a 3-day waiting period after your application is submitted, and Spokane County will not waive it under any circumstances. Plan backward from your ceremony date and apply at least a week before your wedding so the waiting period never becomes a problem.
Step 4: Hold your ceremony within the validity window
After the 3-day wait, you have 60 days to get married. Your ceremony must include an officiant authorized under Washington law and 2 witnesses who are 18 or older. Both partners must declare, in front of the officiant and witnesses, that they take each other as spouses.
A Washington license is valid for ceremonies anywhere within Washington State. A venue across the border in Coeur d’Alene or elsewhere in Idaho requires an Idaho license instead. Spokane couples run into this more often than you would expect.
Grothen Notary officiates elopements and small weddings in Spokane County. The Elopement Ceremony package is $250 and the Custom Ceremony package is $400. Your officiant is also a Washington notary and trained paralegal who handles the paperwork correctly the first time.
Step 5: File the certificate and order certified copies
Immediately after the ceremony, the couple, the officiant, and both witnesses sign the marriage certificate. Your officiant must return it to the Spokane County Auditor within 30 days. Once it is recorded, order certified copies. You will need them for name changes, insurance, banking, and benefits. If Grothen Notary officiates your ceremony, filing the certificate is handled for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage license cost in Spokane County?
A marriage license in Spokane County costs $162, paid to the Spokane County Auditor ($159 for active-duty military). Some websites list lower fees for Spokane County, but those figures are out of date. $162 is the amount on the county’s current application form.
How long is the waiting period for a marriage license in Washington?
The waiting period is 3 full days after you submit your application, and it cannot be waived. After the waiting period, your license is valid for 60 days.
Can we apply for a Spokane County marriage license by mail?
Yes. Spokane County accepts marriage license applications by mail when both partners sign the application in front of a notary. Grothen Notary notarizes marriage license applications anywhere in Spokane County for $30, so couples can complete the application without a trip to the courthouse.
Do we both have to appear in person?
For an in-person application, yes. Both partners apply together at the Auditor’s office. For a mail-in application, both partners sign in front of a notary instead.
How many witnesses does a Washington wedding need?
A Washington wedding ceremony requires 2 witnesses, and both must be 18 or older. Your officiant cannot serve as a witness, so plan for 2 additional adults.
Do we need to live in Spokane County to get a license there?
No. There is no residency requirement, and a license issued in Spokane County can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Washington State.
Who can officiate a wedding in Washington?
Washington authorizes judges, licensed or ordained ministers and religious leaders, and certain other officials to officiate. Serenity Grothen of Grothen Notary is an ordained officiant, a Washington notary public, and an NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent with an AAS in Paralegal Studies.
One person for the paperwork, ceremony, and filing
Most couples hire an officiant and separately figure out the license paperwork. At Grothen Notary, one notary and paralegal handles your application notarization, your ceremony, and the filing, so nothing gets missed between the courthouse and the wedding day. See packages and pricing on the wedding officiant and marriage license notarization in Spokane page, or get an instant quote for your date.
Grothen Notary is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Marriage license requirements can change. Confirm current details with the Spokane County Auditor before applying.