- ULC Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: No
- State Residency: Irrelevant
- Minimum Age to Officiate: None
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 3 Days
- Marriage License Validity Period: 60 Days
- Marriage License Return Period: 30 Days
- Documents Recommended: Classic Wedding Kit
How to Become an Ordained Minister in Washington
If you haven't yet become ordained with the Universal Life Church, that is the first step. Anyone willing can become a legal minister of the ULC, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Online ordination is fast, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license, you'll be eligible to officiate a wedding. To become a minister, start by clicking the button below!
How to Officiate a Wedding in Washington
Contact the office of the County Auditor in the county where the wedding will take place. Introduce yourself as a minister and ask them what documents they will need from you. They may ask to see a number of things, and be aware that these requirements vary from county to county. Any materials or documents you might need are available in the Church Supplies section of our website.
Select your county to view contact information for each office:
Adams County
210 West Broadway
Ritzville, WA 99169
(509) 659-3247
(509) 659-3254
Adams County website »
Clallam County
223 E. 4th St. Suite 1
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 417-2220
Clallam County website »
Clark County
1300 Franklin St, 2nd Floor
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 397-2243
(360) 397-2137
Clark County website »
Douglas County
213 S. Rainier Street
Waterville, WA 98858
(509) 745-8527
(509) 745-8812
Douglas County website »
Franklin County
1016 N. 4th Ave.
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 545-3502
(509) 543-2995
Franklin County website »
Grays Harbor County
100 W Broadway, Suite 2
Montesano, WA
(360) 964-1557
Grays Harbor County website »
Island County
1 NE 7th Street, Suite 105
Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 240-5549
(360) 240-5553
Island County website »
Jefferson County
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA
(360) 385-9116
(360) 385-9228
Jefferson County website »
Kitsap County
619 Division St, Room 202
Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 337-7164
(360) 337-4645
Kitsap County website »
Kittitas County
205 W 5th, Suite 105
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7504
(509) 962-7687
Kittitas County website »
Klickitat County
205 S Columbus, Room 203
Goldendale, WA 98260
(509) 773-4001
(509) 773-4244
Klickitat County website »
Lincoln County
450 Logan, 1st Floor
Davenport, WA 99122
(509) 725-4971
(509) 725-0820
Lincoln County website »
Mason County
411 N 5th St
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-9670 ext 467
(360) 427-1753
Mason County website »
Pacific County
300 Memorial Drive
South Bend, WA 98586
(360) 875-9318
(360) 875-9333
Pacific County website »
Pend Oreille County
625 W 4th Street, 2nd Floor Auditors Office
Newport, WA 99156
(509) 447-3185
Pend Oreille County website »
San Juan County
350 Court Street 1st Floor
Friday Harbor, WA
(360) 378-2161
(360) 378-6256
San Juan County website »
Skagit County
700 S. Second Street
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1704
(360) 416-1698
Skagit County website »
Skamania County
240 NW Vancouver Ave, Room 27
Stevenson, WA 98648
(509) 427-3730
(509) 427-3740
Skamania County website »
Snohomish County
3000 Rockefeller Ave. M/S 204
Everett, WA
(425) 388-3483
(425) 259-2777
Snohomish County website »
Stevens County
215 South Oak Street, Room 106
Colville, WA 99114
(509) 684-7514
(509) 684-7568
Stevens County website »
Thurston County
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Building 1, Rm. 106
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5406
(360) 786-5223
Thurston County website »
Wahkiakum County
64 Main St
Cathlamet, WA 98612
(360) 795-3219
(360) 795-0824
Wahkiakum County website »
Whatcom County
311 Grand Avenue Suite 103
Bellingham, WA
(360) 778-5100
(360) 778-5101
Whatcom County website »
Whitman County
400 N. Main Street
Colfax, WA 99111
(509) 397-6270
(509) 397-6351
Whitman County website »

What Do You Need to Perform a Wedding in Washington
Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. One of our more popular items in Washington is the Classic Wedding Kit. Although ministers are generally not required to register in the state of Washington, it's possible the County Auditor will ask you to present proof of your ordination. It is also common for the couple to want to see your credentials. As requested by the county, please try to place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get a Washington Marriage License
Licenses are issued by the County Auditor's office, and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, it's your responsibility to understand how marriage licenses work in Washington and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Clark County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Clark County.
In the state of Washington, the license is valid for 60 days. There is a mandatory 3-day waiting period between the day of application, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Lastly, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony. In Washington state ministers are also required to complete a marriage certificate, which will be returned with the license.
How to Perform a Wedding
Congratulations, you're ready to officiate the wedding! If you need any assistance in this important task, we encourage you to utilize the tools below. Together these exclusive resources include everything you'll need to craft the perfect wedding ceremony for any couple. Created with our ministers in mind, they offer tips and helpful information for all aspects of performing a ceremony. Fun fact: many ULC ministers have become professional officiants using these tools as a guide!
Finalizing the Marriage
After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple and their witnesses. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will not be required to provide a license number. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Last thing: make sure the signed license gets resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!
Washington Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in Washington are primarily directed by Chapter 26.04 of Title 26 of the state code. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Washington, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
The following named officers and persons, active or retired, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages, to wit: Justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals, judges of the superior courts, supreme court commissioners, court of appeals commissioners, superior court commissioners, any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction as defined in RCW 3.02.010.
[2012 c 3 § 4 (Referendum Measure No. 74, approved November 6, 2012); 2007 c 29 § 1; 1987 c 291 § 1; 1984 c 258 § 95; 1983 c 186 § 1; 1971 c 81 § 69; 1913 c 35 § 1; 1890 p 98 § 1; 1883 p 43 § 1; Code 1881 § 2382; 1866 p 82 § 4; 1854 p 404 § 4; RRS § 8441.]