Find Marriage Records in Bellingham
Bellingham marriage records are held by the Whatcom County Auditor, which is located right in Bellingham at 311 Grand Avenue Suite 103. If you live in Bellingham and need a marriage license, want to search for a past marriage, or need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, the Whatcom County Auditor is your starting point. Records in the county go back to 1890, giving Bellingham residents access to well over a century of marriage history. This guide explains where to go, what to bring, and how to get what you need.
Bellingham Overview
Whatcom County Auditor - Bellingham Marriage Office
The Whatcom County Auditor's office handles all marriage licensing for Bellingham and the rest of Whatcom County. The office is conveniently located in Bellingham itself, so residents do not have to travel far. The Licensing Division manages marriage licenses, searches, and copies. You can also contact the division by email at licensing@co.whatcom.wa.us.
The Auditor's office at whatcomcounty.us/199/Auditor handles more than marriage licensing. It also covers elections, voter registration, licensing for vehicles and businesses, and recording of real property documents. For marriage-related services, you want the Licensing Division specifically.
| Office | Whatcom County Auditor - Licensing Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 311 Grand Ave Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 398 Bellingham, WA 98227 |
| Phone | (360) 778-5100 |
| licensing@co.whatcom.wa.us | |
| Fee | $64 per marriage license |
The Auditor's website at whatcomcounty.us has links to online application forms, marriage official registration, domestic partnership information, and marriage record searches. You can start your license application online before visiting in person.
The Whatcom County Auditor's office at whatcomcounty.us/199/Auditor serves as the central hub for marriage licensing and records in Bellingham. The office is open Monday through Friday and can assist with new applications as well as copies of existing records.
For certified copies of marriage certificates, the Auditor's office processes requests in person, by mail, and by phone. Details on requesting a copy are at whatcomcounty.us/217/Copy-of-Marriage-License, including what information you need to provide and what the fees are depending on the year of the marriage.
Getting a Marriage License in Bellingham
Washington State law requires a three-day waiting period after your license is issued before you can hold your ceremony. This rule comes from RCW 26.04.180 and applies to everyone. It cannot be waived. Apply on Monday and the earliest you can marry is Thursday. The fee for a Whatcom County marriage license is $64. Both people must apply together in person and each person needs a valid photo ID.
Your license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. After 60 days it expires. If you miss the window, you apply again and pay again. There is no grace period. The Whatcom County Auditor also offers an online application option to get a head start before your in-person visit. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or by card with a VitalChek convenience fee applied for phone orders.
After the ceremony, the person who performed it must complete the Certificate of Marriage form and return it to the Whatcom County Auditor. This is what creates the official record. Without the returned certificate, the marriage may not appear in the county's records at all. Any ordained minister, judge, or other legally authorized officiant can perform the ceremony.
Note: Whatcom County Auditor also registers marriage officials. If your officiant is not yet registered in Washington, check whether they need to file paperwork before the ceremony.
Certified Copies of Bellingham Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of Bellingham marriage records can be ordered from the Whatcom County Auditor. The fee depends on when the marriage took place. For marriages after 1980, a certified copy costs $3 and a regular photocopy costs $1. For marriages before 1980, the fees are higher: $11 for a certified copy and $9 for a regular photocopy. These older records require more work to locate and reproduce from the archive.
You can order copies in person at the office, by mail, or by phone. For phone orders, a credit or debit card is required and a VitalChek convenience fee applies. Mail requests should be sent to: Whatcom County Auditor, Attention: Marriages, 311 Grand Avenue Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225. Include the names of both parties and an approximate marriage date along with your payment.
The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov also holds Bellingham marriage records from 1968 to present. DOH certified copies cost $25 each. Orders through VitalChek at 1-866-687-1464 take about 3-7 business days. Mail orders to DOH take 6-8 weeks. For marriages before 1968, DOH does not have records. Go to the Whatcom County Auditor for those.
Historical Bellingham Marriage Records
Whatcom County has kept marriage records since 1890. That makes Bellingham one of the better-documented cities in western Washington for historical marriage research. The county's records cover over 89,000 marriages in the Washington State Digital Archives collection alone.
The Auditor's Public Research area holds indexes and images going back to 1890. Records from 1980 to the present are indexed online at whatcomcounty.us/2202/Search-Marriage-Records. The online search provides index data such as names and dates. For images and full documents, you may need to visit in person.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds Whatcom County marriage returns from 1891 to 1947 and marriage certificates from 1899 to 1995. The collection includes 89,998 records and was digitized by Washington State Archives staff. Search is free and includes images of the original documents. For records after 1995, the Auditor's office is the right place to call or visit.
Online Search for Bellingham Marriage Records
Whatcom County offers an online marriage record search at whatcomcounty.us/2202/Search-Marriage-Records. The online index covers records from 1980 to the present. You can search by both parties' names and by date of marriage. This tool gives you index data. Actual copies require a separate request.
For records before 1980, the Washington State Digital Archives covers Whatcom County from 1890 to 1995. Their collection is searchable at digitalarchives.wa.gov and is free to use. Images are available for most records. If you need to search the physical files at the Auditor's office, staff can assist you in the Public Research area. An hourly research fee may apply for very old records.
The state DOH vital records portal at doh.wa.gov covers marriages statewide from 1968 forward. It is a useful starting point if you are not sure which county the marriage was recorded in. Bellingham City Hall does not hold marriage records and will refer you to the County Auditor for all such requests.
Whatcom County Marriage Records
Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County, and all marriage licenses and records for the city are handled by the County Auditor right in Bellingham. The county page has more detail on fees, search options, and office hours.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities handle marriage records through their own county offices.