Chaplain Dale Weddings
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About the License

In Washington, a license is required for the wedding.  The license is purchased from any county's marriage license desk. A license purchased in any Washington county is valid anywhere within the state.  A Washington license is not, however, valid for a wedding that would take place outside of Washington.

You will want to both apply in person and bring cash.  In King County, the fee is $64.00.  No blood test is required in Washington.  See the article below if you will be applying from out of the area.

The license becomes valid on the third day following its issuance.  In other words, a license which is purchased on a Wednesday would be valid beginning any time on the following Saturday.  The license then remains valid for 60 days after its issuance.

Signing & Filing 

Please bring the license on the day of the wedding.  We will need your signatures and two witnesses, prefereably before the ceremony.  Chaplain Dale will place his signature after the wedding, giving you the ceremonial copy and mailing the government copy in to the issuing county on the first postal day following.

You can request a certified copy of the marriage certificate by visiting or writing the issuing county with the required $3.00 fee (in most cases).

What if we're from out of town?

A number of Washington counties allow couples to apply via mail.  If you will be arriving into the Seattle area for the wedding and would like the license valid upon your arrival, you can download the application from King County.  You will then complete the application, have your signatures notarized in your locale, and you can mail the application in with the required fee.  The license will need to be picked up in person upon your arrival, ready for your ceremony.

What are the minimum age requirements?

In Washington, the minimum age to enter into marriage is 18.  Seventeen year olds may marry with the notarized consent of a parent or a declaration of emancipation by a court.

Who can solemnize a marriage?

Any regularly licensed or ordained minister or priest of any church or religious organization; or any judge, justice or superior court commissioner of a court in Washington state.  There is no such office as justice of the peace in Washington.

Please know that I have held valid ministerial credentials since 1976.  If you are considering using a celebrant with "Internet ordination," please read this article first.

Where is this license valid?
Anywhere in Washington state, including Seattle (and scenic places throughout King County like Snoqualmie Falls and Golden Gardens Park) and surrounding cities like Auburn, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline, Snoqualmie and Woodinville; Everett and nearby communities like Arlington, Darrington, Edmonds, Gold Bar, Granite Falls, Index, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Monroe, Snohomish, Stanwood and Startup: the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula; Island, Jefferson, Skagit and Whatcom counties in the northwest part of the state; Tacoma, Anderson Island, Buckley, Eatonville, Enumclaw, Gig Harbor, Graham, Mount Rainier, Hood Canal, Olympia, Puyallup, Shelton, Sumner and Vancouver in the southwest; the North Cascades; and all of Eastern Washington!  Washington state is a beautiful place to get married or to elope!

How can I contact Chaplain Dale?

Call me at 206-724-2037
E-mail me
Use my "Contact Us" form
Visit or subscribe to the Chaplain Dale Weddings Blog
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