Access Tacoma Marriage Records
Marriage records for Tacoma are issued and maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Office. Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the third largest city in Washington State. All marriage licensing in the city runs through the county auditor, not through any city office. This page explains how to apply for a license, get certified copies of certificates, use local health department resources, and find older historical marriage records in state archives.
Tacoma Overview
Pierce County Auditor: Marriage Licensing in Tacoma
The Pierce County Auditor's Office is the only office that issues marriage licenses in Pierce County. The office is at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200 in Tacoma. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You can reach the licensing line at (253) 798-3649 or the general line at (253) 798-7440. Email is Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov.
Both applicants must appear together in person with valid government-issued photo IDs. Pierce County allows couples to start the application online and then complete the final steps in person. One party can also complete their portion by notarization if they truly cannot appear, but this adds complexity and requires coordination with the office in advance.
| Office | Pierce County Auditor - Marriage Licensing |
|---|---|
| Address | 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Phone | (253) 798-3649 or (253) 798-7440 |
| Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov | |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov - Marriage Licensing |
| Certified Copy | $3 |
| Wait Period | 3 days (RCW 26.04.180) |
| License Valid | 60 days from issue |
After the Ceremony: Certificates and Copies
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Pierce County Auditor at the same address: Attn: Marriage License, 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409. The officiant has 30 days from the date of the ceremony to return it. This is a legal obligation for the officiant under Washington law.
Once the Auditor records the certificate, you can order certified copies. The fee is $3 per certified copy. These copies carry the official seal and signature needed for legal and administrative purposes. You can request copies in person at the office or by mail. Mail requests take about 7 working days to process from the time the office receives your written request.
All marriage applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170. This means the public can request to view them, and they may be published in a local newspaper. The public record includes names, the date, and related identifying information. Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal data are removed before copies are released.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department maintains vital records for the local area. The office is at 3629 South D Street, Tacoma, WA 98418 and can be reached at (253) 798-6413. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm. The Health Department can provide guidance on accessing birth, death, and marriage records for Pierce County residents.
For marriage records, the Health Department typically directs residents to either the Pierce County Auditor for county-level certified copies or to the Washington State Department of Health for statewide certified copies. The Health Department itself does not issue marriage record copies but can help you determine which office has what you need.
If you are looking for a record of a marriage that took place many years ago, it is worth contacting both the Auditor and the Health Department to confirm where the original record is held. Older records may have been transferred or archived differently than more recent ones.
Pierce County Courts and Divorce Records
Marriage records come from the Auditor. Divorce records are different. In Pierce County, dissolution of marriage cases are filed and maintained by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk. The Clerk's office is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402, reachable at 253-798-7455.
If you need a certified copy of a Decree of Dissolution or access to a divorce case file, the Superior Court Clerk is the right office. The Pierce County courts guide at piercecountycourts.org explains this distinction and provides contact information for both offices in one place.
It is common for people to mix up which office handles which type of record. Marriage licensing and certificates go to the Auditor. Divorce filings and decrees go to the Superior Court Clerk. Tax and property records go to the Assessor. These are three separate county offices with three separate functions.
Washington State DOH Vital Records
The Washington State Department of Health holds statewide marriage records from 1968 to the present. You can order certified copies through VitalChek for $25. Online orders take 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders take 6 to 8 weeks. The DOH is a useful option if you cannot visit the Auditor's Office in person.
The Washington State Department of Health vital records page provides ordering instructions for marriage records statewide, including Tacoma area marriages from 1968 to the present. The DOH marriage records ordering page covers VitalChek ordering, accepted identification, and processing times for all Washington State marriage and divorce records.
The DOH does not hold records before 1968. For older marriages, the Pierce County Auditor or the Pierce County collection in the Washington State Digital Archives are better resources. The digital archive holds nearly half a million Pierce County records going back to 1889.
Pierce County Digital Archives: Historical Records
The Pierce County collection in the Washington State Digital Archives covers approximately 491,000 records. Marriage certificates span from 1889 through 1947 and from 1984 to the present. Applications from 1999 through 2014 are also included. Access is free through the state digital archives website.
Pierce County was organized in 1852 and named after President Franklin Pierce. The county has a long record-keeping history. Genealogists researching Tacoma family histories will find this archive covers most of the city's history. FamilySearch also holds some Pierce County records from the territorial period.
The Washington State Digital Archives Pierce County collection is one of the most comprehensive county collections in the state, covering nearly half a million records from 1889 to the present. The Washington State Digital Archives Pierce County collection is freely searchable online and covers marriages for Tacoma and all of Pierce County from 1889 forward.
Searching the archive by name returns the document type, date, and a document reference number you can use if you need to request a physical certified copy from the Auditor's Office. Images of some records are viewable directly in the archive.
Requirements and Legal Framework
Both parties must be at least 18 to apply for a standard marriage license. Those under 18 need parental consent and a court order. No blood tests are required. Two witnesses must attend the ceremony and sign the certificate. The ceremony can take place anywhere in Washington, not necessarily in Pierce County.
Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and ordained ministers. Washington does not require officiants to register with any state office. The couple's responsibility is to hold a valid license. The officiant's responsibility is to return the signed certificate to the Auditor within 30 days.
Since December 6, 2012, Washington licenses use Person A and Person B rather than bride and groom. This applies to all marriages in the state, including Tacoma. Older records use traditional terminology. Both formats are legally equal under Washington law.
Pierce County Marriage Records
Tacoma is in Pierce County. Marriage licenses for Tacoma residents come from the Pierce County Auditor. The county page has full office details and historical record resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities use county auditors for marriage records.