Whitman County Marriage Records
Whitman County marriage records go back to 1872 and are maintained by the County Auditor in Colfax, with two separate Digital Archives collections covering nearly 31,000 records from 1872 to the present and an online document search system accessible without an account. The county seat of Colfax serves as the central point for all marriage licensing, while the city of Pullman, home to Washington State University, generates a significant portion of the county's marriage activity.
Whitman County Overview
Whitman County Auditor's Office
Sandy D. Jamison serves as the Whitman County Auditor. The Recording Department is located at 400 N Main Street in Colfax, with office hours from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $3 per copy.
The Recording Department handles marriage licensing and maintains the official marriage record index for Whitman County. For copy requests or questions, contact the office at (509) 397-6270 or by email at recording@co.whitman.wa.us. The office can direct you to the right records whether you need a modern certified copy or information about older historical records.
| Auditor | Sandy D. Jamison |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 N Main St Colfax, WA 99111 |
| Phone | (509) 397-6270 |
| recording@co.whitman.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Certified Copy | $3 per copy |
| Website | whitmancounty.org |
The Whitman County Courthouse in Colfax houses the Auditor's Recording Department, where marriage licenses are issued and certificates are maintained.
Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must appear at the Whitman County Auditor's office to apply. Both must present valid government-issued photo ID and must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required. Washington State law at RCW 26.04.180 requires a three-day waiting period after the license is issued. The waiting period cannot be waived or shortened for any reason.
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, the license must be obtained before the ceremony takes place. No witnesses are required at the application, but two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the completed certificate.
Authorized officiants under RCW 26.04.050 include judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and ordained ministers or religious officials. For civil ceremonies in Whitman County, contact the county courthouse for information on judge availability. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Auditor's office within 30 days. Failure to return the certificate is a misdemeanor and can result in a fine up to $300.
All marriage license applications are public records under RCW 26.04.170. Applications may be published in a local newspaper. Participants in Washington's Address Confidentiality Program should notify the Auditor at the time of application.
Online Document Search
Whitman County provides an online document search system that allows guest access without requiring an account. You can search for recorded documents, including marriage records, through the Tyler Technologies system.
The Whitman County online document search system allows free guest access to search the recorded document index, including marriage records, by name and date range. Contact the Recording Department at (509) 397-6270 for access details.
For images of actual certificates or for certified copies, you will need to contact the Auditor's office at (509) 397-6270 or visit in person during business hours. The online system provides index data that can confirm whether a record exists and identify the recording date before you make a formal copy request.
Digital Archives: 1872 to 2002
The Washington State Digital Archives holds two Whitman County collections. The first contains 29,626 records including marriage returns, applications, certificates, and licenses from 1872 to 2002. This collection was indexed by Eastern Region Branch staff and Eastern Washington University interns. It is free to search at digitalarchives.wa.gov.
This Digital Archives collection covers 29,626 Whitman County marriage records from 1872 to 2002, indexed with help from EWU interns and Eastern Region Branch archivists.
Ancestry.com also holds indexed Whitman County marriage records for the periods 1876 to 1887 and 1880 to 2002. These may provide an alternative or supplemental search tool, though a subscription is required to view Ancestry.com records. The Digital Archives collection is always free.
Digital Archives: 1987 to Present
The second Whitman County collection at the Digital Archives covers records from 1987 to the present. This collection is a separate index and is updated regularly as new records are transferred from the county to the state archives system.
This second Digital Archives collection for Whitman County covers marriages from 1987 to the present and is updated as the county transfers new records to the state archive system.
Together, the two collections provide nearly continuous coverage from 1872 onward. For records in the overlap period between 1987 and 2002, checking both collections may return additional results. Land records in Whitman County date from 1882, and divorce and probate records from 1872 are held by the County Clerk rather than the Auditor.
Washington's Marriage Equality Act took effect on December 6, 2012. Whitman County records before that date list a Groom and a Bride. Records from that date onward use Person A and Person B. When searching either Digital Archives collection, check both name field types for records spanning the 2012 boundary.
Cities in Whitman County
Whitman County is in southeastern Washington. The city of Pullman, home to Washington State University, is the largest city in the county.
Other communities in Whitman County include Colfax, Palouse, Rosalia, Tekoa, and Oakesdale. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the Whitman County Auditor at 400 N Main Street in Colfax.