The Clark County County Auditor
Clark County splits its record-keeping between two elected offices. The County Clerk is the clerk of Superior Court. That office keeps felony criminal, civil, divorce, probate, and guardianship case files. The County Auditor handles a different set of records entirely. The Auditor's Recording Division is the office where marriage licenses originate and where recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments are filed with the county. The Auditor is not part of the court system.
For marriage records, the Auditor serves as both the issuing office and the keeper of the official record after the ceremony. When a couple completes the ceremony and returns the Certificate of Marriage, the Auditor holds that completed record. Certified copies of marriage certificates are requested from the same office. Non-court searches for Clark County marriage records go to the Auditor, not to the Clerk or to Superior Court.
If you need a divorce record or any court case file, those are Superior Court records. The County Clerk at 1200 Franklin Street keeps those files and handles copy requests. See the Clark County County Clerk page for court case records, or see the marriage and divorce records page for a side-by-side look at which office handles which record type.
Clark County Auditor, Marriage License Department
Public Service Center
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
564-397-2208
AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Clark County
Washington law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license becomes effective. Clark County's Auditor page states the waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, including a court order. Both parties must apply together unless the Joint Lobby is closed for remodel, in which case a notary process applies for one or both parties. The license is valid for 60 days after the three-day period expires. The ceremony must take place in Washington State.
The official Clark County Auditor marriage license page provides the current application and contact details, shown in the screenshot below.
That page confirms the current fee and waiting period rules as well as contact details for the Marriage License Department during the Joint Lobby closure period.
- Complete the online marriage license application through the Clark County Auditor website before visiting the office. During Joint Lobby closure, both parties must also complete a Marriage Application Notary Packet.
- Gather required documents. Each party needs a government-issued photo ID such as a passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID. Both parties are asked for their Social Security numbers, though no card is required.
- If only one party can come to the office, download and print the Marriage License Application, fill in the required fields, sign before a notary, and attach the notary seal. Then submit the completed application with the $172 payment to the drop box in the first-floor lobby of the Public Service Center, or mail it to the Marriage License Department at PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000.
- Pay the $172 non-refundable fee at the time the application is processed. Accepted forms of payment are cash, debit or credit card with a convenience fee, cashier's check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted.
- Wait the required three-day period. The license is not valid before those three days pass, and no exemption exists under Washington law.
- Hold your ceremony in Washington State with a qualified officiant and at least two witnesses.
- Complete and return the Certificate of Marriage to the Auditor after the ceremony. This step finalizes the public record.
For any questions during the application process, contact the Marriage License Department at 564-397-2208 or email AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov.
Marriage License Requirements in Clark County
Washington sets the base rules and Clark County follows them. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. There is no residency requirement; applicants do not need to live in Washington or in Clark County to apply here. The ceremony must happen in Washington State, and the license must come from a Washington county.
The three-day waiting period is the rule most people ask about. Some states allow a judge to waive a waiting period. Washington does not. Clark County's Auditor page says plainly that the waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, including a court order. Plan accordingly. If the ceremony is on a Saturday, the license must be processed no later than Wednesday of that week.
Both parties are asked for their Social Security numbers during the application. The Auditor does not require a Social Security card, just the number. Government-issued photo ID is required from both parties to confirm age, name, and other identification details. A passport, driver's license, state-issued ID, or military ID all satisfy the requirement.
Licenses are valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period ends. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and a new one is needed.
Key Rule: Washington law requires a three-day waiting period before the license takes effect. The Clark County Auditor confirms this period cannot be waived by a court order or any other means. Apply at least three days before the planned ceremony date.
Marriage License Fee and Payment
The marriage license fee changed on July 27, 2025. The current fee is $172.00. The Auditor's page notes this change reflects a state law update, so older amounts listed anywhere else are out of date. The fee is non-refundable and is due at the time the application is processed, not at the time of the ceremony.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license | $172.00 | Non-refundable; effective July 27, 2025 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $3.00 | One-page document |
| Non-certified copy of marriage certificate | $1.00 | One-page document |
Payment methods accepted at the Auditor are cash, debit or credit card (a convenience fee applies for card payments), cashier's check, and money order. Personal checks are not accepted under any circumstances. If submitting by mail, use a cashier's check or money order made out to the Clark County Auditor.
Marriage Application Form Fields
The Clark County Auditor processes both an online form and a notary packet. The table below shows the fields collected during the application and copy-request process, based on the Auditor's current instructions.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Options / Format Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online application | Web form | Yes | Completed before processing at the Auditor's office. |
| Party A and B legal names | Text | Yes | Full legal names as they appear on the photo ID. |
| Government-issued photo ID | Document | Yes | Passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID for each party. |
| Social Security numbers | Text | Asked | Card not required; number only. |
| Notary signatures and seal | Notary | Conditional | Required when one or both parties cannot appear in person during Joint Lobby closure. |
| Payment | Fee | Yes | $172; cash, card, cashier's check, or money order only; no personal checks. |
| Certified copy request name and date | Text / Date | Yes for copy requests | Required on the Request for Certified Copy Form. |
| Self-addressed stamped envelope | Mailing | Yes for mail requests | Required when requesting copies by mail. |
During the Joint Lobby closure for remodel, both parties complete the online application and a Marriage Application Notary Packet before visiting. Contact 564-397-2208 or AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov to confirm current lobby status and procedures before you go.
Officiants, Witnesses, and Ceremonies
Washington law sets who may perform a marriage ceremony. The controlling statute is RCW 26.04, which lists authorized officiants. Active and retired Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals judges, Superior Court judges, Superior Court commissioners, judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, and judges of federally recognized tribal courts may all perform ceremonies. Regularly licensed or ordained religious officials, including ministers, priests, imams, rabbis, and similar officials, are also authorized.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State Legislature's RCW 26.04 page, which sets out the marriage laws that govern Clark County ceremonies.
That statute also specifies that neither applicant may serve as the officiant at their own ceremony. A minimum of five people must be present: the officiant, both parties to the marriage, and two witnesses. Witnesses must be at least 14 years old and must understand what they are witnessing.
The ceremony must take place in Washington State. A license issued by Clark County is valid for use anywhere in the state during the 60-day valid period. After the ceremony, the officiant and witnesses sign the Certificate of Marriage, and the couple must return it to the Clark County Auditor to complete the official record.
Courthouse ceremonies are a separate matter. The Clark County District Court, not the Auditor, schedules and performs courthouse ceremonies. To book a courthouse ceremony, contact District Court at 564-397-2424, use the online Wedding Ceremony Request Form, or visit District Court Administration in person. An appointment must be made at least one day before the ceremony. Same-day appointments require a phone call or in-person visit to confirm availability. The ceremony fee is $100 cash only, due at the time of the ceremony. District Court does not perform wedding ceremonies for anyone currently in custody.
Note: The $100 courthouse ceremony fee is paid to District Court, not to the Auditor, and is separate from the $172 marriage license fee paid to the Auditor.Certified and Non-Certified Marriage Copies
After the Certificate of Marriage is returned and processed, the Clark County Auditor holds the official record. Certified copies are official copies that carry the Auditor's certification, making them suitable for legal and government purposes. Non-certified copies are plain copies without the official seal.
| Copy Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy | $3.00 | One-page document with official certification |
| Non-certified copy | $1.00 | One-page document without official seal |
During the Joint Lobby closure, in-person copy services at the Auditor are not available. The mail option works as follows. Download and complete the Request for Certified Copy Form from the Auditor's website. Include your payment as a cashier's check or money order for the correct amount. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the packet to Clark County Auditor's Office, Attn: Marriage License Department, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666.
Copies may also be requested online through the Recorded Documents website or through the Washington State Digital Archives. Those online options accept debit or credit card payments, and additional fees may apply beyond the base copy cost. The Auditor's page links to both options for those who prefer online access.
Certified copies are typically required for name changes, updating Social Security records, obtaining a passport, and similar legal processes. Non-certified copies may be adequate for personal records. If you are not sure which type you need, check with the agency or office requiring the document before you place your request.
Recorded Documents and the Clark County Auditor
Marriage licenses are only part of what the Clark County Auditor's Recording Division handles. The Auditor is also the county office where real estate and other legal instruments are recorded. Deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and similar documents are filed with the Auditor when parties need them placed in the official public record.
Recorded documents in Clark County are searchable online through the Auditor's Recorded Documents portal. Property owners, title companies, lenders, and the public use this system to find recorded instruments by name, document type, or recording date. The recording of a deed, for example, gives public notice that a real estate transfer has taken place. This system is entirely separate from Superior Court case records held by the County Clerk.
The Auditor's recording function covers a broad range of document types beyond property records. Notary public commissions, plats, surveys, and other instruments required by state law to be publicly recorded also go through this office. Anyone looking for a property-related document or a recorded legal instrument in Clark County should use the Auditor's recording system rather than the court case search tools.
For recorded document searches and the latest portal access information, visit clark.wa.gov/auditor and navigate to the Recording section. The Auditor's recording staff can also assist with questions about fees and document submission requirements. Contact the office at 564-397-2208 or AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov for recording matters.
Where Divorce Records Live in Clark County
Divorce records are not held by the Auditor. Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and related domestic cases are filed in Clark County Superior Court. The County Clerk, not the Auditor, is the records custodian for those files. The Clerk keeps dissolution cases alongside other Superior Court records including felony criminal, civil, probate, and guardianship cases.
To search for a Clark County divorce record, use the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal and search by party name or case number. Divorce files are domestic-relations cases in Superior Court. Certified copies of a dissolution decree or related court orders come from the County Clerk, not from the Auditor. The Clerk charges $5.00 for the first certified page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Some materials in dissolution cases are restricted under General Rule 22, which limits access to certain family court records including financial declarations and sensitive child-related documents. The public docket and basic case information remain accessible, but those specific filings may not be viewable online without court permission.
The Clark County Family Court Facilitator assists self-represented parties with dissolution, legal separation, custody, child support modifications, parenting plan modifications, and related matters. Self-help form packets are available for purchase at the Clerk's Office on the first floor, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m. and on holidays). Forms can also be downloaded from Washington Courts. For full details on divorce records in Clark County, see the County Clerk page and the marriage and divorce records page. For probate and estate records also held by the Clerk, see the probate records page. Broader public records access questions are covered on the Clark County public records page.