By Distant Vows | February 27, 2026
Get married online in Washington state, or do an in-person wedding? Washington has a 3-day waiting period and requires both partners to appear in person at a county auditor’s office. For couples in Seattle, Tacoma, or Spokane with a partner in another country, or for military families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord or Naval Base Kitsap, the Utah online marriage process eliminates both obstacles entirely.
Washington State Marriage License Requirements — And Why Couples Choose Utah Instead
Washington State has a 3-day waiting period, one of the main reasons couples choose to get married online in Washington State through Utah instead. The license is valid for 60 days. Both parties must appear in person at a county auditor’s office as there is no remote license application option in Washington. Washington does not recognize common-law marriage, so long-term couples without a formal ceremony have no legal marital status in the state.
Without a formal certificate, long-term Washington couples have no legal marital status, making it important to get married online in Washington State through Utah to secure an official document.
The in-person county auditor requirement adds another barrier – couples who want to get married online in Washington State choose Utah because the entire process is remote.
Is It Legal to Get Married Online in Washington State?
Yes. A Utah online marriage is fully recognized in Washington State. Your Utah certificate is valid for name changes through the Washington DOL, spousal benefits, and USCIS immigration applications. Washington recently introduced online driver’s license renewal — pairing well with the fully remote Utah marriage process.
Online Marriage for Military Couples in Washington State
Washington State is home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, one of the largest joint military installations in the country, as well as Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane. For military families navigating deployments, Washington’s 3-day wait and in-person auditor requirement are impossible to meet. Utah online marriage is the easiest way to get married online in Washington State. It is fully remote, both partners join from wherever they are, and no county auditor visit needed.
Online Marriage in Washington State for International Couples
Seattle has a large Asian-Pacific immigrant population, significant East African community, and growing Latin American population. For binational couples where one partner is in Asia, East Africa, or elsewhere, Utah online marriage provides a U.S. certificate recognized by USCIS, with apostille support for international recognition.
For all of these binational couples, the ability to get married online in Washington State through Utah, without either partner needing to visit a county auditor is the clear solution.
Online Wedding vs. Traditional Marriage in Washington State
| Feature | Traditional WA Marriage | Online Marriage with Distant Vows |
|---|---|---|
| In-person visit required | ✅ Yes — county auditor | ❌ Not required |
| Waiting period | ⏳ 3 days | ✅ None |
| Both partners must be local | ✅ Yes | ❌ Can be anywhere |
| Valid in WA | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes, and all 50 states |
| Internationally recognized | Yes, with apostille | Yes, with apostille |
4 Steps to Get Married Online in Washington State
- Confirm your eligibility to get married.
- Book a date and choose a wedding package.
- Complete the online application. Both partners need valid government-issued IDs.
- Join your officiant and witnesses on Zoom — you’re legally married! Certificate delivered right after.
Name Change After Marriage in Washington State
After you get married online in Washington State through Utah, name changes are processed through the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Social Security Administration. Your Utah certificate is accepted at both. Washington state now offers online services for many DOL transactions, making the post-marriage process smoother than ever.
FAQs About Getting Married Online in Washington State
Is online marriage legal in Washington State?
Yes. You can get married online in Washington State legally through Utah — recognized under the Full Faith and Credit Clause. Couples who get married online in Washington State this way receive a valid Utah County marriage certificate accepted across all 50 states.
Does Washington’s 3-day waiting period apply to Utah marriages?
No. The waiting period applies to Washington licenses. A Utah license has no waiting period.
Can military couples at Joint Base Lewis-McChord get married online?
Yes. Both partners join by video from wherever they are — no Washington presence required.
How fast can I get married online from Washington State?
Typically 3 days from sign-up. With our expedited service, you can get married online in Washington State in as fast as 24 hours.
Get Married Online in Washington State with Distant Vows
No 3-day wait, no county auditor visit, no travel — just a simple, legal way to get married online in Washington State. Distant Vows handles the entire process for couples who want to get married online in Washington State — officiant, witnesses, certificate, and apostille support for military and international couples.
Washington couples from Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane choose Distant Vows to get married online in Washington State every week.