Walla Walla County Marriage Records
Walla Walla County marriage records stretch back to 1865 and are maintained by the County Auditor in downtown Walla Walla, with a Digital Archives collection of over 72,000 records that is updated regularly and now extends through 2026, making this southeastern Washington county one of the most comprehensively documented in the state's online archive system.
Walla Walla County Overview
Walla Walla County Auditor's Office
The Walla Walla County Auditor handles marriage licensing and record-keeping for the county. The office is located at 315 West Main Street in downtown Walla Walla. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $3 each. Hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
To request a certified copy by mail, include the names of both parties at the time of the marriage application, the date of the ceremony, a check payable to "Walla Walla County Auditor," and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail your request to: PO Box 1856, Walla Walla, WA 99362-0356.
| Office | Walla Walla County Auditor |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 West Main Street Walla Walla, WA 99362 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1856, Walla Walla, WA 99362-0356 |
| Phone | (509) 524-2530 |
| Fax | (509) 524-2552 |
| Hours | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday |
| Website | wwcowa.gov |
The Walla Walla County Auditor website provides contact information, office hours, and access to county services including marriage licensing and certified copy requests.
Applying for a Marriage License
Both parties must appear at the Walla Walla County Auditor's office to apply for a marriage license. Both must present valid government-issued photo ID and must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is needed. Washington State law at RCW 26.04.180 mandates a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. This cannot be waived.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The ceremony must take place in Washington State. Under RCW 26.04.140, the license must be in hand before the ceremony takes place. If the license expires before the wedding, a new application and fee are required.
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. They must sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony. Witnesses must be 18 or older. No witnesses are needed at the license application stage.
Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and ordained ministers or religious officials. The Walla Walla County Courthouse has judges who may perform civil ceremonies. Contact the courthouse for scheduling information.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Walla Walla County Auditor within 30 days. Failure to return the certificate is a misdemeanor. Once received, the county records and indexes the certificate as the official marriage record. Certified copies cost $3 each and can be obtained by mail or in person.
All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170. Application information may be published in a local newspaper. Washington's Address Confidentiality Program can protect your address if you are enrolled. Notify the Auditor at the time of application.
Searching Walla Walla County Marriage Records
The Washington State Digital Archives holds 72,009 Walla Walla County marriage records. The collection includes marriage returns, applications, certificates, and licenses from 1865 to the present. As of the most recent update, the collection extends through 2026. Soundex phonetic searching is available. The collection was indexed by the Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives and is free to search at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
The Walla Walla County Digital Archives collection runs from 1865 to 2026 and includes returns, applications, certificates, and licenses, with Soundex searching for phonetic name matching.
The county also has marriage records accessible through the Auditor's office online. Contact the office at (509) 524-2530 to find out what is available for specific date ranges. Birth and death records from 1890 to 1907 are also available through Walla Walla County, along with marriage records going back to 1862 according to genealogical research sources.
For marriages from 1968 to present, the Washington State Department of Health provides certified copies through DOH VitalChek for $25 per copy. The Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives at (509) 235-7508 can also assist researchers looking for records in this area.
Public Records Access
Walla Walla County provides a public records portal for accessing county documents and requesting information under the Washington Public Records Act.
The Walla Walla County public records page outlines how to request public records, including marriage certificates and other official county documents, under Washington State law.
Marriage certificates, once recorded, are generally available to any member of the public. You do not need to be a party to the marriage or a family member to request a copy. Certified copies are $3 each and can be requested in person, by mail, or possibly by phone depending on what the office accepts at the time of your request.
Historical and Genealogical Research
Walla Walla County has an unusually long marriage record history. Records go back to 1862 according to genealogical sources, with the county's formation predating Washington statehood. Marriage Affidavits from 1891 to 1899 and from 1917 to 1939 are available, along with Marriage Certificates from 1922 to 1926 and Marriage Statistics from 1891 to 1913. The WAGenWeb Walla Walla County page at wagenweb.org/walla/vitrec.htm provides a summary of available records and contact information.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect December 6, 2012. Before that date, Walla Walla County marriage records identify a Groom and a Bride. Records from that date onward use Person A and Person B. If you are searching across that date boundary, be sure to check both name-field types in any digital index.
The Washington State Archives Eastern Region Branch in Cheney is the contact point for many historical Walla Walla County records. Researchers can call (509) 235-7508 for help locating specific collections. Staff can tell you what has been transferred to the state level versus what remains with the county Auditor in Walla Walla.
For court and probate research related to Walla Walla County marriages, the County Clerk maintains civil records, divorce decrees, and probate files separately from the Auditor. If you need documents from both the marriage record and the divorce record side, plan to contact both offices.
Cities in Walla Walla County
Walla Walla County is located in southeastern Washington. The county seat, Walla Walla, is the largest city and has a dedicated marriage records page.
Other communities in Walla Walla County include College Place, Prescott, Waitsburg, and Burbank. All residents of the county apply for marriage licenses at the Walla Walla County Auditor at 315 West Main Street.