Skagit County Marriage Records
Skagit County marriage records are held by the County Auditor in Mount Vernon, where you can apply for a marriage license, search existing records, and request certified copies. The Auditor's Recording Division maintains certificates going back to 1884, making Skagit one of the better-documented counties in western Washington. Whether you need proof of a current marriage or are tracing family history, this guide walks you through what is available and how to get it.
Skagit County Overview
Skagit County Auditor - Recording Division
The Skagit County Auditor handles all marriage records in the county. This includes issuing new marriage licenses, recording returned certificates after the ceremony, and providing copies of existing records. The office is in Mount Vernon at the county courthouse. You can reach the Recording Division or the Marriage License desk directly by phone.
Staff at the Auditor's office can help with both current records and older ones. Marriage certificates date back to 1884. The office also offers notary public services if you need documents notarized. Electronic recording is available for certain document types, but marriage license applications must be done in person.
| Office | Skagit County Auditor - Recording and Marriage Licensing |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 S Second St, Room 201 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1306, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 |
| Phone (Recording) | (360) 416-1703 |
| Phone (Marriage License) | (360) 416-1702 |
| auditor@co.skagit.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | skagitcounty.net/Departments/Auditor |
Getting a Marriage License in Skagit County
Both parties must appear in person at the Auditor's office to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. There is a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid, as required under RCW 26.04.180. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. The ceremony must occur within that window. The license is only valid in Washington State.
The current fee for a Skagit County marriage license is $72. Payment options vary, so contact the office ahead of time to confirm accepted forms of payment. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed certificate to the Auditor's office within 30 days. That filed certificate becomes the official record of the marriage.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect December 6, 2012. Since that date, any two people who meet the legal requirements can marry in Washington. Records before that date use the terms "Groom" and "Bride." Records after that date use "Person A" and "Person B."
Note: Both parties must appear in person. You cannot apply for a Skagit County marriage license by mail or online alone.
Certified Copies of Skagit County Marriage Certificates
You can get a certified copy of a Skagit County marriage certificate from the Auditor's office in person or by mail. The fee is $3 per copy. To request by mail, send a written request to the Recording Division at PO Box 1306, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Include the names of both parties and the date of the marriage, along with a check or money order for the correct amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage. Unofficial copies cost less but are not accepted for most legal purposes. If you need a record for immigration, a name change, or a benefits claim, always request the certified version. The Auditor can also help you search for a record if you are not sure of the exact date.
For records predating the Auditor's holdings or for long-range genealogical searches, the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia holds statewide marriage records from 1968 forward. Certified copies from DOH cost $25 each. You can order through the Washington State Department of Health vital records page.
Search Skagit County Marriage Records Online
The Auditor's office has an online recording search tool at skagitcounty.net Recording Search. This lets you search by name, document type, or date range. Keep in mind that images pulled from the online system have not been certified as true copies. They are useful for finding records and verifying details, but you will need to order a certified copy from the office for any official use.
The county also participates in electronic recording (eRecording) for qualifying document types. This speeds up the process for real estate and other recorded documents. Marriage certificates are filed by the officiant after the ceremony, not electronically submitted in advance.
The Skagit County Auditor's main page at skagitcounty.net/Departments/Auditor lists all available services and provides direct links to the recording search and marriage license information.
Historical Skagit County Marriage Records
Skagit County was organized in 1883 from Whatcom County. Marriage records at the county go back to 1884. The Washington State Digital Archives holds a large collection of Skagit County marriage records spanning more than a century. The collection includes marriage certificates from 1884 to 2000 and marriage returns from 1891 to 1948. As of the most recent count, the Digital Archives holds 120,629 Skagit County marriage records.
The Digital Archives collection is available free of charge at digitalarchives.wa.gov. You can search by last name, first name, or marriage year range. The system also offers a Soundex option to help find records where names were misspelled or recorded phonetically. Images are available for many records. This is one of the best free sources for Skagit County genealogy research.
According to FamilySearch, the County Auditor holds marriage records from 1884 and the County Clerk holds divorce and probate records from 1870. The courthouse address for both offices is 700 South 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. If you are researching older records that may not be digitized, contact the Auditor directly to ask what is available and in what format.
The Washington State Library also maintains guides for Skagit County genealogy research. These guides point to additional resources beyond what the Auditor or Digital Archives hold, including church records, newspaper indexes, and historical society collections that can supplement official marriage records.
Skagit County Marriage Records Resources
The Skagit County Auditor's office in Mount Vernon provides recording services, marriage license applications, and document search options. Contact the Recording Division at (360) 416-1703 or the Marriage License desk at (360) 416-1702.
The Skagit County Auditor Recording Search allows public access to indexed recorded documents including marriage certificates.
Search the online index by name or date range to find Skagit County marriage record entries.
The Washington State Digital Archives Skagit County collection holds 120,629 marriage records ranging from 1884 to 2000 and is available free to the public.
Researchers can search by name, year range, or use Soundex matching for older records with variant spellings.
The Skagit County Auditor main page serves as the starting point for all auditor services, from recording to licensing and elections.
Use this page to find current hours, phone numbers, and direct links to recording search and marriage license services.
Cities in Skagit County
Skagit County includes several communities. All marriage licenses are issued and recorded through the County Auditor in Mount Vernon.
Other communities in Skagit County include Burlington, Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, La Conner, and Concrete. All residents file marriage records through the Auditor's office in Mount Vernon.