Wahkiakum County Marriage Records
Wahkiakum County marriage records are maintained by the County Auditor in Cathlamet, with records going back to 1891 and county-level records from 1868, making this small southwestern Washington county one of the older continuously operating county record-keeping offices in the state. As Washington's least populous county, the Auditor's office in Cathlamet is the only place to apply for a marriage license or request a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Wahkiakum County.
Wahkiakum County Overview
Wahkiakum County Auditor's Office
The Wahkiakum County Auditor is the official custodian of marriage records for the county. Nicci Bergseng has served as County Auditor since 2017. The office is located at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet, with a mailing address of PO Box 543, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The recording system used by Wahkiakum County is Eagle Recorder by Tyler Technologies. This is the same system used by several other Washington counties. County marriage records date from 1891, and broader county records go back to 1868. Divorce, probate, and civil court records are held separately by the County Clerk, which can be reached at (360) 795-3558.
| Auditor | Nicci Bergseng |
|---|---|
| Address | 64 Main Street Cathlamet, WA 98612 |
| Mailing | PO Box 543, Cathlamet, WA 98612 |
| Phone | (360) 795-3219 |
| Fax | (360) 795-0824 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| County Clerk | (360) 795-3558 (divorce and court records) |
| Website | wahkiakumcountywa.gov |
Wahkiakum County was created from Cowlitz County on April 24, 1854. It was named after the Wahkiakum band of Chinook people. It is Washington's smallest county by population. Given the small size of the office, calling ahead before visiting is always a good idea.
Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must appear at the Wahkiakum County Auditor's office to apply for a marriage license. Both must be at least 18 years old and must bring valid government-issued photo ID. No blood test is required. Washington State law at RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. This waiting period cannot be waived.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The ceremony must take place within Washington State. Under RCW 26.04.140, a valid license must be in place before any marriage ceremony can legally occur. If the license expires before the ceremony, you must apply again.
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. No witnesses are required at the license application stage. Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and ordained ministers or religious officials. Contact the county courthouse for information on local judges who perform civil ceremonies in Cathlamet.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Wahkiakum County Auditor within 30 days. Failure to return the certificate is a misdemeanor under Washington law and can result in a fine up to $300. Once recorded, the certificate becomes the official county marriage record.
All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170 and may be published in a local newspaper. If you participate in Washington's Address Confidentiality Program, notify the office at the time of application so your residential address is protected.
Washington State Marriage Records
The Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide marriage records from 1968 to the present. For Wahkiakum County marriages in that period, DOH can provide certified copies through the VitalChek system. This is useful if you cannot reach the county office or if you need a record quickly.
The Washington State Department of Health orders marriage records from 1968 to present through VitalChek. Certified copies cost $25 each and cover marriages statewide, including Wahkiakum County.
For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds marriage affidavits from 1907 to 1939 and a Marriage Index from 1940 to 1947 in a collection shared among several eastern Washington counties. This is a free resource at digitalarchives.wa.gov. Wahkiakum County records may also appear in this index depending on what materials were transferred to the state archives.
The Washington State Digital Archives provides free access to historical marriage records from counties across Washington. Search by name and date to find records for Wahkiakum and neighboring counties.
For records before 1968 that are not in the Digital Archives, contact the Wahkiakum County Auditor directly at (360) 795-3219. The office can tell you what records are available at the county level and whether older materials have been transferred to the Washington State Archives Southwest Region. That regional branch handles archival records from counties in southwestern Washington.
Washington Marriage Law Overview
Washington marriage law is codified in RCW Chapter 26.04. This chapter covers who can marry, license requirements, officiants, and waiting periods. The main provisions that affect couples applying in Wahkiakum County are the three-day waiting period, the 60-day validity window, the requirement for a valid license before the ceremony, and the two-witness requirement at the ceremony.
RCW Chapter 26.04 is the full text of Washington's marriage law. It covers everything from who may marry to officiant qualifications and certificate return requirements.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act became effective December 6, 2012. Before that date, Wahkiakum County marriage records list a Groom and a Bride. Records from December 6, 2012 onward use Person A and Person B instead. This matters when searching digital indexes or requesting copies for records that span that date.
Wahkiakum County divorce records and court records are maintained separately by the County Clerk at (360) 795-3558. The Clerk has civil, probate, and court records from 1868. If you need both a marriage record and a divorce record for the same individuals, you must contact both the Auditor (for marriage) and the Clerk (for divorce).
Cities in Wahkiakum County
Wahkiakum County is Washington's smallest county by population. All marriage licenses and records for the county are handled through the Auditor's office in Cathlamet.
Communities in Wahkiakum County include Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Rosburg, and Grays River. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the Wahkiakum County Auditor at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet.