Moses Lake Marriage Records
Moses Lake marriage records are maintained by the Grant County Auditor in Ephrata. Whether you need a marriage license to get married in Washington State or a certified copy of a past certificate, the Grant County Auditor handles both for all Moses Lake residents. The office keeps records going back more than a century, and historical records are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives. This page covers where to go, what to bring, what it costs, and how to search older records online.
Moses Lake Overview
Grant County Auditor - Moses Lake Marriages
Moses Lake is the largest city in Grant County, but the Auditor's Office that handles marriage licenses is located in the county seat of Ephrata. You must go there in person to apply. Both parties need to be present at the same time and bring valid, current photo ID. The office is open from 8 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. Cash and checks are the only accepted forms of payment. The county does not take credit or debit cards for marriage license applications.
The fee for a Grant County marriage license is $159. That puts Grant County among the higher-cost counties in Washington. Make sure you bring the exact amount or a check made out to Grant County Auditor. Once you pay and sign the application, the three-day waiting period begins. The license is good for 60 days after the wait ends.
| Office | Grant County Auditor - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 C Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 |
| Phone | (509) 754-2011 ext. 2705 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Payment | Cash or check only. No credit or debit cards. |
| Website | grantcountywa.gov/272/Recording |
Contact names on file for marriage license applications are Laurie Buchanan and Danielle Rice. If you have questions before you visit, call the number above and ask for the Recording Division. They can confirm current fees and what ID types are accepted.
The City of Moses Lake operates its own City Clerk office, but that office does not issue marriage licenses or hold marriage certificates. The City Clerk handles municipal records, meeting minutes, and public records requests for city government documents only. All marriage matters go through Grant County in Ephrata.
Getting a Marriage License in Moses Lake
To get a marriage license for a wedding in Washington State, both applicants must go together to the Grant County Auditor's Office in Ephrata. There is no way to do this by mail or online. Bring a current government-issued photo ID. Both parties must be 18 years of age or older.
Under RCW 26.04.180, a three-day waiting period is required between the day the license is issued and the day the ceremony can legally take place. This wait cannot be waived for any reason. The ceremony must happen after the three days are up and before the 60-day expiration date. If the ceremony does not occur within that window, the license expires and you must apply again and pay again.
The officiant performing the ceremony must be authorized under Washington law. That includes judges, justices of the peace, and ordained ministers. Under RCW 26.04.050, the officiant is responsible for completing the marriage license and returning it to the county auditor after the ceremony. The auditor then records it and the official marriage certificate is created.
Note: Grant County does not accept credit or debit cards for marriage license fees. Bring cash or a check for the $159 fee when you visit the Ephrata office.
Certified Copies of Moses Lake Marriage Records
If you need a certified copy of a marriage record from a Moses Lake ceremony, you have two main options depending on when the marriage took place.
For marriages that occurred in 1968 or later, the Washington State Department of Health holds certified copies. The base fee is $25 per copy. You can order online or by mail through the DOH vital records page. Anyone can request a copy regardless of their relationship to the couple. Expedited service is available through VitalChek.
For older records or records held directly by the county, contact the Grant County Auditor at (509) 754-2011 ext. 2705. Certified copies from the county cost $3 per page. You can request by phone, mail, or in person at the Ephrata office. Include the full names of both spouses and the year of the marriage in any written request.
Historical Moses Lake Marriage Records
Grant County has a long record history. The Washington State Digital Archives holds Grant County marriage certificates from 1909 through 2002, along with marriage returns from 1909 to 1910. You can search those records at no cost through the Digital Archives collection for Grant County. The collection covers marriages well before Moses Lake grew into a major population center in the mid-20th century.
Records not yet digitized may be available through the Washington State Archives Central Regional Branch. That office is located in Ellensburg and can be reached by phone at (509) 963-2136. The Central Regional Branch holds original and microfilmed records from Grant County going back to the county's founding. If you are doing genealogy research and cannot find a record online, that branch is the next step.
Marriage returns from 1909 to 1910 are also available in the Digital Archives. These earlier documents were filed separately from the formal certificates and may contain details not in the main certificate record, including names of witnesses and officiants.
Online Search for Grant County Marriage Records
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the main free tool for searching older Grant County marriage records. The database is searchable by name and includes both index entries and scanned images for many records. The collection runs from 1909 through 2002 for Grant County certificates.
For records from 1968 forward, the Washington State Department of Health maintains a statewide index. This is not a free search tool, but you can submit a request and receive a certified copy. The DOH online portal handles ordering directly.
The Grant County Auditor's website at grantcountywa.gov lists current fees and contact information for the Recording Division. In-person searches are available at the Ephrata office during regular business hours. Staff can look up records by name and date and provide copies on the spot.
Grant County Marriage Records
Moses Lake is in Grant County, and all marriage licenses and records are handled by the Grant County Auditor in Ephrata. The county page covers fees, office details, historical records, and everything else you need to know for Grant County marriages.
Nearby Cities
Wenatchee is the nearest major city to Moses Lake with its own marriage records page.