JOSEPHINE TOWNSEND - ORDAINED MINISTER FOR WEDDINGS - FUNERALS - BAPTISMS - VANCOUVER WASHINGTON

More and more, Friends are looking outside the formal church to have weddings performed. The cost and expense of weddings has risen above what many couples can afford. In our state, lay persons, who have been ordained as ministers can perform weddings.

I am an ordained Minister and available to perform Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms or other services by appointment. Donations are accepted for services.

From the County Auditor: Remember regularly licensed or ordained ministers or any priest of any church or religious denomination anywhere within the state may perform marriages.--- Ministers must send two certificates of marriage to the county auditor within 30 days after the marriage.

Clark County Information:

Applying for a Marriage License: Both the potential bride and groom must be present to apply for a marriage license. No appointment is necessary.

Recording/Marriage License Department :

Public Service Center

1300 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor

Vancouver, WA 98666-5000

Phone: (360) 397-2208 or (360) 397-2243

Requirements
Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older and must have a current photo ID as proof of your age. Applicants who are 17 years of age must be accompanied by one parent or legal guardian who can provide consent. Applicants under the age of 17 must obtain permission from the Family Court. Blood tests and physical exams are not required to obtain a marriage license. Applicants do not have to be residents of the State of Washington to obtain a marriage license. The license is only valid for weddings that are performed within the state of Washington. Proof of divorce from a previous spouse, or death of a spouse, is not required to obtain a marriage license. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the final decree of divorce is filed before applying for a new marriage license. Same sex marriages are not recognized in the State of Washington.

Waiting Period
There is a three (3) day waiting period beginning the first day after you apply for your license and ending the third day following the date of application. You may not get married during this waiting period. The License is valid for 60 days beginning on the 3rd day after application.

Witnesses
Witnesses are not necessary to apply for a license, but state law requires that at least two witnesses be present at the ceremony. Witnesses should be at least 12 years of age.

Fee
There is a $62 fee, payable at the time of application, payable in cash. Checks and credit cards are not accepted at this time. The fee is non-refundable.

Performing the Ceremony
State law prescribes who can perform a marriage ceremony: active and retired Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, Superior Court judges, Superior Court commissioners, and judges of courts of limited jurisdiction, as well as any regularly licensed or ordained minister or priest of any church or religious denomination. See RCW 26.04.050 for a complete list. Ministers from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, but the ceremony must be performed in the State of Washington. Neither the bride nor the groom may perform the ceremony.