Thurston County, Washington
County clerk guides for Thurston County.
Thurston County marriage license at a glance
The essentials for getting a marriage license in Thurston County, taken from our verified county guide. Confirm details with the official office before you go.
| License fee | $172, payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card (card payments add a $2.00 or 2.3% surcharge, whichever is greater). This includes a $100 statewide surcharge added to every Washington marriage license fee effective July 27, 2025. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days after issuance (Washington statewide rule) — cannot be waived under any circumstances. |
| License validity | 60 days, beginning after the mandatory 3-day waiting period ends (Washington statewide rule). |
| Documents / ID required | One piece of valid photo ID per applicant showing birth date, signature, and photo (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID). No certified divorce decree or death certificate is required even if a prior marriage ended that way. |
| Where & how to apply | Pre-fill the application online (or use a lobby computer on-site), then appear together in person at the Auditor's Office, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, to finalize and pay — this starts the 3-day wait. If one applicant truly cannot appear, that person can sign the paper application before a notary public in advance, and the other party can bring or mail it in. |
Full Thurston County marriage license guide →
Washington rules that apply in Thurston County
These come from Washington state law, so they are the same in every county:
- Minimum age to marry: 18 without consent; 17-year-olds may marry with parental consent. Under 17 cannot marry.
- Waiting period: 3 days after the license is issued — this cannot be waived under any circumstances, including by court order.
- License validity: 60 days, beginning after the 3-day waiting period ends.
- Blood test required: No
How the fee compares
The standard fee we have verified for Thurston County is $172. Across the 81 counties and cities ClerkGuide has researched so far, standard fees run from $20 to $172, with a median of $76 — so this one is among the highest. See fees state by state →
Thurston County vs. other Washington counties
Fees are set locally, so they can differ noticeably even inside one state. Here is how the Washington counties we cover line up, cheapest first:
| Spokane County | $162 standard |
|---|---|
| King County | $169 standard |
| Snohomish County | $170 standard |
| Thurston County | $172 standard |
| Pierce County, Washington | $172 standard |
More: all Washington marriage license requirements · getting married in a different county.