Columbia County Marriage Records

Columbia County marriage records are kept by the County Auditor's Recording Department in Dayton, Washington. The office handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and public record requests for the county. Whether you need to get a new license or track down an older record for family history, this guide covers how the process works, where to go, and what to bring. Columbia County has kept marriage records since 1876, and many of those older records are now available through the Washington State Digital Archives at no cost. The Recording Department is your main point of contact for both new licenses and certified copies of past marriages.

Columbia County Auditor Recording Department

The Columbia County Auditor's Recording Department handles all marriage records in the county. The office issues marriage licenses, records completed marriage certificates, and provides certified copies upon request. It has maintained records of real estate transactions, marriage records, and other documents since 1864. Staff can help with both new license applications and requests for copies of past records.

The Recording Department is the custodian of over 350 types of documents in Columbia County. Once a document is recorded, it becomes a permanent public record that cannot be removed. That applies to marriage licenses and certificates as well. The office does not interpret documents but does verify that filings meet formatting requirements under Washington law. You can visit in person, call, or submit a mail request for copies.

The Columbia County Auditor's office also handles elections, vehicle and vessel licensing, and county budget work. The Recording Department is a division within that office. For marriage record matters specifically, call (509) 382-4541 or visit Suite 3 at 115 E Main Street in Dayton.

Columbia County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear in person at the Columbia County Auditor's office to apply for a marriage license. You do not need to be a Washington State resident to get a license here. However, the ceremony must take place within Washington State. The license is valid for 60 days, beginning on the third day after your application date. The three-day waiting period starts the day after you apply and cannot be waived.

Bring a valid photo ID when you come in. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. No blood tests or physical exams are required. You also do not need to show proof of a prior divorce or a former spouse's death certificate. You are responsible for making sure any prior marriage was legally ended before applying. If you have been previously married, be prepared to state when and where that marriage ended.

The Columbia County marriage license page notes that forms can be downloaded and returned by mail if applicants cannot come in person. If you use the mail option, both forms must be fully completed and signatures on the application must be notarized. All fields on the Department of Health Certificate of Marriage must be filled in, including Social Security numbers for both Person A and Person B.

Fees are paid at the time of application. Cash, check, or card are accepted, though a service fee applies to card transactions. The license fee covers one certified copy of the marriage certificate once the documents are returned to the Auditor's office after the ceremony. Additional certified copies cost $3 each.

Note: You can get a Columbia County marriage license at any county auditor office in Washington State, as long as the ceremony is performed in Washington.

Certified Copies of Columbia County Marriage Records

After your ceremony, the officiant returns the completed marriage certificate to the Columbia County Auditor's Recording Department. Once the office records it, one certified copy is included with the license fee. You can request more copies for $3 each. To request by mail, include the name of the bride or Person B, the name of the groom or Person A, and the date of the marriage. Send the request with payment to the Recording Department at 115 E Main St Suite 3, Dayton, WA 99328.

Marriages are public record in Washington State unless the individuals are enrolled in the state's Address Confidentiality program. Once a marriage license is recorded, it stays on the public record permanently. The office does not remove or amend recorded documents.

For marriages from 1968 onward, you may also order certified copies through the Washington State Department of Health. The DOH fee is $25 per copy. Orders can be placed online through the DOH vital records page. Note that if the marriage occurred within the last five months, the record may not yet have reached the DOH. In that case, contact the Columbia County Auditor directly for a county-certified copy.

Note: Mail requests for certified copies should include the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage so the office can locate the record.

Historical Columbia County Marriage Records

Columbia County has one of the more complete historical marriage record collections in eastern Washington. The county was created in 1875 from part of Walla Walla County, and marriage records date back to 1876. Those older records are now part of a larger digitization effort through the Washington State Archives Eastern Region Branch. After digitizing and indexing, the originals were returned to the Auditor's office.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds 8,776 Columbia County marriage records covering the years 1876 to 2003. These include both marriage returns and marriage certificates. The Digital Archives collection is free to search and provides images of the original documents. You can search by the last and first name of either party and narrow results by year range. A Soundex search option helps account for spelling variations in older records.

For records not yet available online, or for certified copies of historical records, contact the Columbia County Auditor at (509) 382-4541. Staff can help you locate records and process copy requests. The Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives at (509) 235-7508 can also assist with older research.

Search Columbia County Marriage Records

You have a few ways to search for Columbia County marriage records. The fastest option for older records is the Washington State Digital Archives, which covers 1876 through 2003. That collection is free and open to anyone. For more recent records, or to get a certified copy, contact the Recording Department directly.

The county also maintains a public records portal. You can use it to create and submit records requests online. Visit the Columbia County Public Records page to access the portal. For marriage-specific records, the Recording Department at (509) 382-4541 remains the most direct contact. Records are available for inspection at county offices during regular business hours.

For genealogy research, the Digital Archives is generally the best starting point. It lets you search by name, view original document images, and export results. For certified copies with a raised seal, you need to go through the county auditor or the Washington State Department of Health, depending on the year of the marriage.

The screenshot below shows the Columbia County Recording Department page, where you can learn more about the types of documents recorded and how to contact the office.

Visit the Columbia County Recording Department for information on recorded documents and marriage license services.

The Recording Department maintains marriage licenses and records going back to 1864, making it the primary source for Columbia County marriage records.

The screenshot below shows the Columbia County Public Records portal, which allows online record requests.

Access the Columbia County Public Records portal to submit requests online or find contact information for specific records.

The public records portal connects you to the right office for marriage records, birth and death certificates, and other county documents.

Columbia County Marriage License and Auditor Pages

The official Columbia County marriage license page explains all current requirements, fees, and procedures for getting a license in the county. It is the best place to verify current fees before you apply.

Visit the Columbia County Marriage Licenses page for current requirements and application details.

This page covers fee amounts, acceptable ID, the three-day waiting period, and instructions for mail applications.

The County Auditor's main page gives an overview of all Auditor services, including recording and licensing.

See the Columbia County Auditor's official page for information about office responsibilities and services.

The Auditor's office handles recording, licensing, elections, and county financial services for Columbia County.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County's largest community is Dayton, the county seat. No cities in Columbia County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All marriage license applications and record requests are handled at the Columbia County Auditor in Dayton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Columbia County. Each has its own auditor's office that handles marriage records for residents in that area.