Who Can Officiate My Washington Elopement?
A list of approved Washington Officiants.
Once you've applied for and received your marriage license, your ceremony must take place within 60 days after the date your license was issued. The license is not valid until three days after it was issued. This waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, including court order. If your ceremony does not take place within this time period, the license becomes void and you will need to apply again.
Who Performs the Ceremony:
Licensed and ordained clergy members or similar officials of any religious organization
Washington State Supreme Court justices
Court of Appeals judges
Superior Court judges
Superior Court commissioners
Judges of courts of limited jurisdiction
Judges and judicial officers of federal courts
Judges of tribal courts from a federally recognized tribe
Clergy from any state may perform marriage ceremonies in Washington State, provided they are permitted by their religious organization to perform ceremonies outside of their state. However, the ceremony itself must be performed in the state of Washington. Neither person getting married may perform the ceremony.
(A judge performing your ceremony can be active or retired. Washington state law specifies who can perform a marriage ceremony. To have a judge perform your ceremony, contact them directly. A fee may apply.)
Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign the Certificate of Marriage. It is the officiant's responsibility to complete and return the certificate to King County within 30 days after the ceremony.
WITNESSES
Anyone can be your 2 witnesses. A park ranger, friends or even me- your elopement photographer.
How To Make Your Olympic National Park Elopement Legal
a guide on the process to obtaining the 3 permits required to make your Olympic National Park legal.
from your Marriage license to National Park fees. Your guide on the permits you needed for Olympic National Park elopement.
National Park Service information
PERMITS NEEDED
You’ll need these 3 Permits for your elopement in Olympic National Park:
ABOUT THE WA STATE MARRIAGE LICENSE
Application: Both parties must apply and provide valid photo IDs.
Cost: Clallam County, $62 | King County, $169
Waiting Period: There is a mandatory three-day waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. Plan to arrive in the state accordingly. (PA + Seattle offices closed on weekends)
Validity: The license is valid for 60 days.
Officiant & Witnesses: A legal officiant and two witnesses (age 14 or older) must be present to sign the license. A your elopement photographer I can act as a witness if needed.
Return: The completed and signed license must be returned to the same county office where it was issued within 30 days of the ceremony.
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You must obtain a marriage license from any Washington county auditor's office.
Clallam County is the closest to the park
Cost: $62
Address: 223 E 4th St # 1, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Hours: 9:30A - 4:30P | closed weekends
Phone: (360) 417-2568 -
King County offers a convenient online application process.
Cost: $169
Address: 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Hours: 8:30A - 4:30P | closed weekends
Phone: (206) 477-1033
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Officiants should send the completed marriage certificate to:King County Recorder's Office
RE: Marriage Certificate
201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 204
Seattle, WA 98104
ABOUT THE OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Application: Download and submit the application to the park's permit coordinator via email. It's recommended to apply at least 4 weeks in advance, but earlier is better, as processing can take 3-4 weeks.
Cost: The nonrefundable application fee is $50. | Wilderness or Backcountry Camping, ideal for multi-day elopements cost an additional $8 per person/per night + $6 flat permit fee.
Rules: The permit will outline rules to minimize impact on the park's natural resources and other visitors (e.g., no blocking trails, no elaborate setups, follow Leave No Trace principles). Not to worry since I am a Leave No Trace certified photographer.
Park Entrance Fee: The permit does not cover the park entrance fee. A 7-day vehicle pass is $30, or you can use an "America the Beautiful" annual pass for $80
Learn more about who can officiate your wedding + what to include in your ceremony.
Lake Angeles Trail
Spur of the moment hike up the Lake Angeles trail in Olympic National Park
Sometimes you head out with a specific intentions. Take today for example, I had plans to get 30 minutes of leisure walking on my typical hiking trail on Hurricane Ridge. It recently snowed on the mountain, the road to Hurricane Hill was closed. On a whim we decided to swing into the Lake Angeles trailhead since we had to flip around at the ranger station anyway. Quite the uphill incline, it will get your heart rate pumping for sure. Not undoable. Just 15 minutes to a pretty cool boulder to serve as a rest stop or photo op, although this is a semi narrow trail, the entire way up is picturesque enough for a snap or two at any point you want. Especially the first little stream crossing. Moss covered logs and babbling water shallow enough to tip toe through (depending on the time of year and rainfall.)
Pushing through those inclines are 10/10 worth it. The magic of these trees will envelope you in a soft mossy hug. A little chilly and damp after a rainfall makes the air crisp to breath at this altitude, but the air is so pure it only invigorates you.
10 WAYS TO APPROACH ELOPING
Theres no one right way to eloping. Rules are, there are no rules. Don’t take it from me, I’ve compiled quotes from real couples that have eloped. Everyone has their own approach.
Real feedback from actual human couples on elopement.
ELOPING + MAKING OTHER THINGS HAPPEN IN NONTRADITIONAL WAYS.You can hire a videographer to capture some traditional moments like your first look, the first kiss, and the “I do’s” to share with family as well as for you to rewatch time + time again during the marriage.
STEPPING AWAY FROM TRADITIONS CAN BE HARD AND THAT’S OKAY. It was everything and more I could have hoped for because I mourned what I couldn't have and instead built something that was truly what we wanted. Take the time to be sad you can't have what you always hoped, then think about how you can create your special moments with those that are important to you.
STILL SECRETLY WENT DRESS SHOPPING.
WE DECIDED TO HAVE A PARTY AFTERWARDS. We just hired a speakeasy and my Dad gave a quick speech before we went straight to cocktails and canapés (I got to wear my dress twice).
IT COST US EASILY HALF OF A TRADITIONAL WEDDING. We got a videographer, photographer, cake, flowers, dress and a helicopter in New Zealand.
NOT EVERYONE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE. Family kind of put us in a position that eloping might be the only stress free option. Also weddings nowadays are not cheap. Were going to do a courthouse wedding then do a small reception dinner for about 10 people, including our parents and closest friends. Then leave a few days later for epic honeymoon.
DOESN’T HAVE TO BE JUST 1 DAY. I'm still celebrating 3 months later.
YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. We had a honeymoon.
TIMING IS IN YOUR CONTROL. The first two weeks of being married only my husband and I knew..
then we told family...
Then we told friends.
Then we had our "cocktail reception" one month afterwards.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. Just elope somewhere beautiful and have a little cocktail hour after for close family and friends.