You need a license to drive, a license to hunt or fish, if you’re James Bond, you need a license to kill, and yes, to make your marriage official, you need to license to wed. So, what are the rules, where do you get one, and how do you ensure everything is on the up & up with the state processing the license? I hope to help you with this mini-guide on some of the most frequently asked questions.
In no way is this an exhaustive encyclopedia of all things wedding license related, but this should help you sift through some of the misinformation that is out there. Yes, not everything you may find on social media is correct, and yes, not every rule or regulation you may read about online pertains to your state or county.
Before we get to the fun stuff, I must say that this blog pertains to mostly Oregon & Washington. For further information, I invite you to check out your local county’s and/or state’s website to see all they require where you live or where you’re getting married.
Where art thou license?
First things first, most states require you to get your license in the state in which you intend to get married. For the PNW, this is 100% true. If you live in Washington, but plan on getting married in Oregon, Idaho, or Montana, then you better plan on traveling over to the state for your license. I have seen far too many brides ask this question in a wedding group on Facebook, and receive the wrong answer. DO NOT get your license in the state where you live, get it in the state where you’ll be getting married.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, you may be asking “Great! Where do I get my license?” The answer is simple: You get it at the county clerks office. Now, where people get confused is when they’re trying to figure out what county to contact.
In OR & WA, you can get it in any county within that state. Remember, if you’re getting married in Oregon, then it needs to be an Oregon License… but the state doesn’t care which county in Oregon you’re getting married. They only care about which state you’re getting married in. So, in OR & WA, go to the easiest, most convenient county for you to get your license. Isn’t that great!
Added bonus: Make sure to hop on to that county’s website to make sure you’re bringing everything required in order to purchase your wedding license. Each county governs themselves, and sometimes they may vary slightly on what’s required.
What’s the date?
The next thing I want to discuss is the statemandated 3 day waiting period. I know, it sounds ridiculous, and quite honestly I don’t know why we have it, but both OR & WA have this. Here’s what you need to know. Once you purchase your wedding license, you must wait 3 days in order for said license to become valid in the eyes of the state. So, just because you picked up your license today, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can rush off somewhere and get married. I know, I know.. it sounds weird, but it’s a matter of fact.
Now, here’s where OR & WA split - In OR, if you need the license to become valid sooner than the 3 day waiting period, you can let the County Clerk know, and for the most part, we’ll charge you a small fee and make the wedding license valid that day. But you need to ask, as county clerks won’t offer up this solution for you,
Unfortunately in WA, this is not the case. WA will not waive the 3 day waiting period for any reason. Now, because of the pandemic, I know they’ve loosened the grip a little on certain things. but for the most part, they will not allow the license to become valid the same day. In fact, in the past, I’ve had couples who have needed to change their wedding location to OR just so the 3 day waiting period could be waived for their circumstance.
Expiring soon
You have expiration dates on groceries, on license plates, and even on wedding licenses. You need to be aware that wedding licenses are only valid for 60 days. So, if you’re planning a late summer wedding, and it’s only Spring, then there’s no reason to rush out and get your wedding license any time soon. Sit back, relax, and have an iced tea,
What I tell every couple is to figure out when 60 days from your wedding is, and that gives you your wedding license window. Once you’re within that 60 day window, proceed with acquiring the license. Otherwise, if you go to soon, the license will no longer be valid come your wedding date.
Who knew you were going to need to use math in order to get your wedding license?
The aftermath
Finally, I’d like to discuss a little bit about the process after you’ve tied the knot. What happens next? Let me start by saying, if you’ve hired a professional officiant, most of us end up taking the license with us when we leave your wedding. After all the signatures are done, and we’ve filled out our portion, we take it.
I usually handle it for the couple for 2 reasons:
1.) It eliminates the possibility of the license getting misplaced while you’re partying. Things do sometimes get lost after the reception is over, and we don’t want the license to go missing.
2.) Some counties require they get the license back within a few days of me performing the ceremony. So, by me taking it with me, it ensures for me and the couple, that it’s been sent off in a timely manner. (In fact, there are some states that its required by law for the person performing the ceremony to be the one to send it back in.)
If you want to be responsible for the task of turning it back in to the county, or you didn’t hire a professional, that’s ok. Make sure to mail it to the proper address, or walk it back in to the county clerks office.
The end is near
I know i’ve thrown a lot of information at you today, and that’s why I’m not going to cover certified copies (proof of marriage) and how to change your name. Those are other subjects for a different time. I will say this: you can find most of that information online through the county clerks office. You can also call them direct and they can help you out. Or, if you’ve hired me as your officiant, you can always get ahold of me at any time after I’ve married you, and I can give you the low down on how to get all of that taken care of.
Either way, I hope this has helped you, that’s it given you some clear information, and that you don’t get overwhelmed with the process. And, if you need additional help with your ceremony, contact me today for a ceremony as unique as you!