Marriage records in Chelan County, Washington, can be accessed through several channels. ChelanCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Chelan County Auditor's Office, which issues marriage licenses and records marriage certificates under Washington law. The Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies as well. In-person visits and mail requests are additional options.
Chelan County Marriage Records Search
In Washington, the county auditor is the official authority for issuing marriage licenses and recording marriage certificates. The Chelan County Auditor's Office maintains marriage records for marriages licensed in the county. The collection includes marriage licenses issued, completed marriage certificates returned by officiants, and historical marriage returns. Earlier records — including copies of marriage returns from 1900 to 1910 and community property agreements from 1974 to 1988 — are preserved through the Washington State Digital Archives. You can also search recorded documents through the Chelan County Public Records portal, which indexes official records filed with the Auditor.
At the state level, the Washington Department of Health holds marriage records for events occurring from January 1968 to the present. For older records or genealogical research, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives collection is a valuable resource.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Chelan County
Fees for marriage record copies depend on whether you order from the Chelan County Auditor or from the Washington State Department of Health. The table below reflects standard fees under Washington law (RCW 70.58A and county fee schedules). Contact the issuing office to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | County Auditor Fee | State DOH Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy | $3.00 (first page); $1.00 each additional page | $25.00 |
| Additional certified copy (same order) | Same per-page rate | $25.00 each |
| Search fee (if no record found) | Contact office | Included in copy fee |
| Expedited processing (state only) | N/A | Additional fee applies; check DOH site |
The county auditor's per-page fee is set by RCW 36.18.010 for recorded documents. The Department of Health fee is established under WAC 246-491. Processing times at the county level are typically same-day for in-person requests. State DOH mail orders may take several weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Chelan County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Chelan County or Washington State:
Online
The Washington State Department of Health Vital Records office accepts online orders for certified copies of marriage certificates for events from 1968 forward. Orders are placed through the DOH website or its authorized vendor. You will need:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage
- County where the license was issued
- Your relationship to the individuals on the record
- Valid photo ID
- Payment by credit or debit card
In Person
Visit the Chelan County Auditor's Office during business hours to request copies of recorded marriage documents.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can search for and print copies while you wait. Payment is accepted at the counter.
By Mail
To request a marriage record copy by mail from the county, send the following to the Auditor's Office at the address above:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, approximate date of marriage, and your contact information
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order payable to "Chelan County Auditor" for the applicable fee
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For state-level certified copies, mail your request to the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709. Include the completed DOH application form, fee, and a copy of your ID.