Pullman Marriage Records Search

Pullman marriage records are held by the Whitman County Auditor in Colfax. Washington's marriage licensing system is county-based, and Pullman residents must contact the Whitman County Auditor at 400 N Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111, for all marriage-related record needs. Whitman County has kept marriage records since 1872, making it one of the older record collections in eastern Washington. Home to Washington State University, Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, but the Auditor's office remains in the county seat of Colfax. This guide covers everything Pullman residents need to know about marriage licenses, certified copies, and historical records.

Whitman County Auditor - Marriage Records

The Whitman County Auditor at 400 N Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111, handles marriage licensing and records for all of Whitman County, including Pullman. The phone number is (509) 397-6270 and the email is recording@co.whitman.wa.us. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The current Auditor is Sandy D. Jamison.

Pullman residents making the trip to the Auditor's office in Colfax should call ahead to confirm hours, especially around state holidays. The drive from Pullman to Colfax is short, but confirming the office is open before leaving saves time. For questions that can be answered by phone, call (509) 397-6270 first before making the trip.

The Whitman County Courthouse at whitmancounty.org can be reached at (509) 397-5240 for general county inquiries. For marriage records specifically, always start with the Auditor's line at (509) 397-6270.

Getting a Marriage License in Whitman County

Washington State law under RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period after a marriage license is issued before the ceremony can take place. This is a statewide requirement that applies to all couples, including Pullman residents. The waiting period cannot be waived or shortened. Apply at the Colfax office at least three days before your ceremony date.

Both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's office in Colfax with valid photo ID. The license is valid for 60 days from the issuance date. If the ceremony does not happen within that 60-day window, the license expires and the couple must apply again. After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days under state law to return the signed Certificate of Marriage to the Whitman County Auditor. That returned certificate creates the legal record of the marriage.

Under RCW 26.04.050, authorized officiants include judges, licensed ministers, and ordained clergy. Washington's Marriage Equality Act, in effect since December 6, 2012, means all licenses use Person A and Person B terminology. All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170.

Certified Copies of Pullman Marriage Records

Certified copies of Whitman County marriage certificates cost $3 each. Requests can be made in person at the Colfax office or by mail. Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the marriage, a return address, and a check or money order payable to Whitman County Auditor. Mail to: Whitman County Auditor, 400 N Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111.

For marriages from 1968 to the present, the Washington State Department of Health holds statewide certified records. DOH charges $25 per copy and processes orders through VitalChek online, by phone, or by mail. Online orders take 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders to DOH take 6 to 8 weeks. DOH is accessible at doh.wa.gov.

For marriages before 1968, DOH has no records. Go to the Whitman County Auditor or the Washington State Digital Archives for older records. The Auditor's office can search physical files and issue certified copies. The Digital Archives has free digital images of many older Whitman County records.

Online Records Search for Pullman Marriage Records

The Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov also has statewide records from 1968 forward. The image below links to the DOH vital records ordering page.

DOH certified copies cost $25 and can be ordered by anyone, not just the parties to the marriage. Online and phone orders through VitalChek are the fastest option, taking 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders take about 6 to 8 weeks. For records before 1968, the Digital Archives or the Whitman County Auditor are the right sources.

Historical Whitman County Marriage Records

Whitman County has kept marriage records since 1872, making it one of the older record systems in eastern Washington. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov has Whitman County marriage records from 1872 to 2002, including returns, applications, certificates, and licenses depending on the time period. Records from 1987 to the present are also available through the county's own systems. This means researchers have good coverage from both early and recent periods.

The Washington State Library has marriage records from Ancestry.com for Whitman County, covering 1876 to 1887 and 1880 to 2002. If you have access to a participating library or a personal Ancestry subscription, that is another useful source for the older records. FamilySearch is free and also has some Washington collections that include Whitman County data.

Before 1968, state records are not available from DOH. For those years, the county auditor and the Washington State Archives are the primary sources. The Central Regional Branch of Washington State Archives at (509) 963-2136 or cebrancharchives@sos.wa.gov holds older eastern Washington records including Whitman County. Contact that branch if your research hits a dead end with the online tools.

The Whitman County Clerk holds divorce and probate records dating back to 1872. Marriage licenses and certificates go through the Auditor. For a complete picture of family history including marriages, divorces, and estate records, you may need to contact both offices.

Other Resources for Pullman Area Research

Washington State University is in Pullman and its library system may have genealogy resources and historical collections relevant to Whitman County. The WSU library is not an official records repository, but may have local historical newspapers, city directories, and other research tools that can help fill in context around marriage records.

For court records such as dissolution decrees or name changes made through a court, contact the Whitman County Superior Court at the courthouse in Colfax. The Clerk's office handles court records. The Auditor handles property and vital records. Knowing which office handles which type of record saves time when making requests.

If you need to verify marital status for legal or immigration purposes, both the county auditor and DOH can help with different types of search requests. Call the Whitman County Auditor at (509) 397-6270 for county-level searches and DOH at 1-800-525-0127 for statewide coverage.

Whitman County Marriage Records

Pullman is in Whitman County. Marriage licenses for Pullman residents come from the Whitman County Auditor. The county page has full office details, fee schedules, and historical record resources.

View Whitman County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also use county auditors for marriage records.