Graham Marriage Records Lookup
Graham marriage records run through Pierce County, not through any local city government. Graham is an unincorporated community, so there is no Graham city hall. All marriage licenses, certificate filings, and copy requests go through the Pierce County Auditor in Tacoma. This guide covers how the process works for Graham residents, where to find historical records, and how to request certified copies from both the county and the state.
Graham Overview
Pierce County Auditor - Marriage Licenses for Graham Residents
Graham residents apply for marriage licenses at the Pierce County Auditor's office. The office is at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Both applicants must appear in person to finalize the application. You can start online at piercecountywa.gov before your visit to save time at the window.
Washington State requires a three-day waiting period before the ceremony can be held, as set by RCW 26.04.180. No official can waive this. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. After 60 days, it expires. The license is only good for ceremonies held in Washington State.
Both applicants must bring valid government-issued photo ID. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement; anyone can apply in Pierce County and marry in Washington, regardless of where they live.
| Office | Pierce County Auditor |
|---|---|
| Address | 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Phone | (253) 798-3649 |
| Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Marriage Licensing Page | piercecountywa.gov/356/Marriage-Licensing |
| Certified Copies | $3 each; non-certified: $1 |
| Processing Time | 7 working days for mailed requests |
The Pierce County marriage licensing page has current information about online applications and what to bring when you visit in person. Check that page before your trip to confirm the office has not changed its hours or procedures.
Pierce County Records Available Online
Pierce County provides online access to some recorded documents, including marriage records. The records available online page at piercecountywa.gov/5554/Records-Available-Online lists what you can search and access without visiting the office. 
Online tools allow you to search for recorded documents and see what is available for the time period you need. For older records not yet digitized, you will need to contact the auditor's office directly. The online portal can help you confirm a record exists before you pay for a copy.
Records requests can also be submitted to the auditor by mail. Send requests to: Pierce County Auditor, Attn: Marriage License, 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409. Include both parties' names, the approximate marriage date, your return address, and a check or money order for the appropriate fee.
Certified Copies and Fees
Certified copies of Pierce County marriage certificates cost $3 each. Non-certified photocopies are $1. For older records or cases that require a 5-year index search, an additional $8 applies. Mail requests take about 7 working days to process.
For statewide records from 1968 to present, the Washington State Department of Health is another option. Order through doh.wa.gov via VitalChek for $25 per certified copy. VitalChek processes orders in 3-7 business days. Mailing directly to DOH takes 6-8 weeks. DOH does not hold records from before 1968. Pre-1968 requests go to Pierce County directly.
For very recent marriages (within about five months of the ceremony), go to Pierce County first. DOH may not yet have the newly filed record in its system.
Historical Pierce County Marriage Records
Pierce County historical marriage records are searchable for free through the Washington State Digital Archives. The collection holds 491,002 records spanning 1876 to 1947 and 1984 to present. Search at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
The Pierce County marriage guide at piercecountycourts.org provides a helpful overview for finding both current and historical records in Pierce County. 
That guide covers what courts and county offices hold, and how records are organized across different time periods.
The archive is free to search and no account is needed. Soundex searching helps with variant spellings of surnames. Graham is an unincorporated area, so all historical records are filed under Pierce County rather than any city-level collection. Any marriage from the Graham area will appear in the Pierce County records regardless of the year.
For marriages in years not yet digitized, contact the auditor's office at Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov or call (253) 798-3649. Staff can often help locate records not yet in the online archive.
Ceremony and Legal Requirements
Two witnesses must attend the ceremony. Both must sign the Certificate of Marriage. The officiant must return the completed certificate to Pierce County within 30 days of the ceremony. That return creates the legal record.
Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, justices of the peace, ordained ministers, and religious leaders. Washington generally recognizes online ordinations, but confirm with Pierce County if you have any specific concerns about your officiant's credentials.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect December 6, 2012. Before that date, certificates list groom and bride. After that date, they use Person A and Person B. All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170. No identity or relationship requirement applies to access them.
Plan your application date based on your ceremony date. The three-day wait starts the day the license is issued. Apply Thursday and the earliest ceremony date is Sunday. Apply Friday and the earliest is Monday.
Pierce County Marriage Records
Graham is in Pierce County. All marriage licenses for Graham residents come from the Pierce County Auditor. Visit the county page for full office details, fee schedules, and historical record resources.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Graham. Each uses its own county auditor for marriage records.