Eloping in Washington sounds simple: find a gorgeous landscape and say “I do,” right? But somewhere between the questions of "where should we go" and "who's marrying us”, there is “how do we make this legal?” So here's the real rundown, in the order you'll actually need it.
The License Comes First
Before you can legally marry anywhere in Washington, both of you need a marriage license from a county auditor's office. The good news is, you can apply in literally any county in the state. A license from King County works exactly the same as one from Chelan or Whatcom. The only difference is the fancy paper design on the keepsake certificate, and that has zero legal weight. You can pick whichever county is easiest for you to get to.
Most counties let you start the application online and finish in person, while some want both of you there to sign, so check your specific county first. A current photo ID, driver's license, passport, or military ID all work. You can just show up, show ID, and sign your name.
The fee is somewhere between $162 and $172 depending on the county.
The Three-Day Wait Is Not Negotiable
Here's the part that some don’t expect. Washington makes you wait three days between the day your license is issued and the day you can actually use it. That clock starts the second the auditor's office hands you the license, not the day you turn in your paperwork.
There's no fast pass. No rush fee, no calling a judge, nothing gets you around it. If you're flying in for a quick weekend elopement, this is the one thing that can wreck your plans if nobody catches it early. Apply for your license at least four or five days before your ceremony so you've got some breathing room.
Once the three days pass, you've got 60 days to actually get married before the license expires. So if your ceremony date shifts because a mountain trail floods or the weather turns (very normal for a PNW elopement), you've got some wiggle room without starting over.
Residency Question
You don't have to live in Washington to get married here, which is honestly a big reason this state has become such a popular elopement spot. Couples fly in from all over the country to say their vows at Mount Rainier or out in the North Cascades without ever having lived anywhere near here, and the license process treats them exactly like a local couple.
Okay, So Who Actually Marries Us?
Washington recognizes judges, court commissioners, and religious officials as people who can legally officiate. It also recognizes officiants ordained through places like the Universal Life Church, which is how a huge chunk of elopement officiants get their authority. Whoever it is just needs to be 18 or older.
One thing you can't do here: marry yourselves. Some states let couples self-solemnize, meaning no officiant needed at all, but Washington isn't one of them. You need an actual third person standing there running the ceremony.
You'll also need two witnesses at least 14 years old, who understand what they're watching. For a small elopement this is usually your photographer and one friend, or just two people who tagged along for the day.
What the Ceremony Actually Has to Include
The legal bar here is lower than most people expect. You both need to say, out loud, that you take each other as spouses, in front of your officiant and your two witnesses. That's genuinely it. The vows, the location, the attire, and the adventure you choose are all completely up to you.
We've captured couples getting married in a dense forest at the base of Mount Rainier and also in a downtown Seattle Courthouse. The legal requirement is identical either way. What actually makes the day feel special versus running an errand is everything you choose to build around the “I do” moment.
As photographers who spend our time with elopement couples between Mount Rainier, the Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula, we've noticed that the couples who feel the most relaxed are those who let everything go once they're standing in the mountains.
Let's Plan Your Washington Elopement
If you're sorting through the logistics and still figuring out where you actually want to say "I do," we'd love to help. Send us your ideal date and whatever part of the state you're drawn to, mountains, coast, or somewhere in between, and let's figure out what your day could look like.
FAQ
Do we need to live in Washington to get married here? Nope. Out-of-state and international couples marry here all the time.
Can our photographer officiate? Yes, as long as they're ordained (which is true for us!). We actually offer this in your package, which can make the day a lot simpler if you don't already have someone in mind.
What if we blow past the 60-day window? The license expires and you'd have to apply for a new one, which means the three-day wait starts all over again. Keep an eye on that window.
Do we have to go back to pick up the certificate before the ceremony? Nope, you already have the license in hand once you apply. You just can't use it until the three days are up.