Eloping in Washington is wonderfully simple, which is shocking for a state that makes you wait in line at the DMV behind someone paying for their tabs in pennies. Skip the big production, keep the magic. Here is exactly how.
If you have been dreaming about how to elope in Washington State, you are choosing one of the most beautiful places in the country to say I do, rainforests, alpine peaks, wild coastline, and quiet island shores. Eloping does not mean no planning, it means planning a day that is entirely about the two of you. This complete guide walks you through the legal steps, the permits, picking your spot, and building a relaxed timeline, so nothing important gets missed.
How to elope in Washington State, step by step
To elope in Washington State you get a marriage license from any county auditor, observe the required three day waiting period, choose an officiant and at least two witnesses, pick your location and secure any permits, and hold a short ceremony followed by portraits. It is far simpler than a full wedding, but a few legal details matter, so here is each step.
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Step 1: Get your Washington marriage license
Apply for a marriage license at any Washington county auditor’s office, both partners must be at least eighteen and bring current government issued photo ID. Washington has a mandatory three day waiting period that begins once your application and fee are in the auditor’s hands and cannot be waived for any reason, so plan ahead. After those three days, the license is valid for sixty days, and a license issued in Washington is only valid for a ceremony held in Washington. You do not need witnesses to apply, but state law requires at least two witnesses present at the ceremony, and they should be at least fourteen years old.
Step 2: Choose your officiant
Washington recognizes ceremonies performed by ordained or licensed clergy, judges, court commissioners, and others authorized by law. Many couples have a friend or family member get ordained online to make the day personal. Your officiant signs the marriage certificate along with your two witnesses, and that signed certificate gets returned to the auditor to make it official.
Step 3: Pick your location
This is the fun part, and Washington spoils you. The Olympic Peninsula alone offers rainforest, waterfalls, alpine ridges, and driftwood beaches within a few hours. Couples based near Kitsap also have quick access to quiet waterfront and forest spots. For a full breakdown of where to elope and the light and seasons at each, see my Olympic Peninsula elopement guide. Choose a spot that means something to you and matches your comfort with hiking and travel.
Step 4: Sort out permits and passes
Permits are the step couples most often forget. The rules depend on where you stand. In Olympic National Park, elopements with fewer than five people including vendors generally do not require a special use permit, while larger groups do, and your photographer needs a still photography permit. Washington State Parks require a Discover Pass to park, and some parks require a separate ceremony reservation. We cover all of this in detail in our guide to whether you need a permit to elope in Washington, and we handle the research for every session so you are never caught off guard.
Step 5: Build a simple timeline
A relaxed elopement day often looks like getting ready, traveling to your spot, a short and meaningful ceremony, and then portraits in the best evening light, with plenty of time to simply soak it in. Build in travel buffers, especially for ferry rides or longer drives to the peninsula, and aim your ceremony so portraits land near golden hour. There is no rush, which is the entire point.
Step 6: Decide on vendors
Even a tiny celebration deserves a great team. At minimum most couples want a photographer to document it, and many add flowers, a nice meal, and sometimes a small cake or a hair and makeup artist. Keep it to what genuinely matters to you. Wondering whether to keep it just the two of you or invite a few people? Our guide to eloping vs a small wedding in Washington walks through the trade offs and costs.
Why elope in Washington State?
Eloping lets you trade stress and a big guest list for a day that is fully yours, often at a fraction of the cost, in some of the most stunning scenery in the world. You can stand somewhere breathtaking, say your vows, and actually be present with each other. For adventurous couples, or anyone who finds a big wedding overwhelming, it is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get married in Washington?
Plan for at least three days. Washington’s three day waiting period after you apply for your license cannot be waived, and the license is then valid for sixty days, so you have a comfortable window to choose your date.
Do you need witnesses to elope in Washington?
Yes. State law requires at least two witnesses present at the ceremony, and they should be at least fourteen years old. Your photographer or a couple of friends can serve as witnesses.
How much does it cost to elope in Washington?
Far less than a full wedding. Beyond the license fee and any permits, your main investment is usually photography and a few personal touches. See our eloping vs small wedding guide for honest cost ranges.
Can you elope just the two of you in Washington?
You can have an intimate ceremony, but legally you still need an officiant and two witnesses present. Many couples have their photographer and officiant help meet that requirement.
Where is the best place to elope in Washington?
The Olympic Peninsula is a top choice for its variety of rainforest, mountains, and coast. See our Olympic Peninsula elopement guide for specific spots, light, and seasons.
Do we need a permit to elope?
It depends on the location. Many small national park elopements do not, but state parks need a Discover Pass and some require a ceremony reservation. Read our full Washington elopement permit guide.
Best seasons to elope in Washington
Timing shapes everything about a Washington elopement, from the scenery to the crowds. Late spring through early fall brings the most reliable weather and full access to the high country, alpine meadows, waterfalls, and long golden evenings, which is why summer is the most popular window. Fall adds rich color and thinner crowds. Winter and early spring can be quiet and moody on the coast and in the rainforest, where the lush green and misty light are genuinely beautiful, though mountain access may be limited by snow. We plan your date around the light, the tides, and the look you want, and we always build in a simple rain plan, because this is the Pacific Northwest and a passing shower often makes for the most dramatic photos.
What to wear for a Washington elopement
Dress for the adventure as much as the photos. Flowing fabrics move beautifully in the wind on a ridge or beach, and layers keep you comfortable when the temperature drops near the water or at elevation. If you are hiking to your spot, pack sturdy shoes and change into your dream footwear for the ceremony. Earthy, natural tones look stunning against forest and coastline, while a classic white gown pops against deep evergreen. Comfort matters more than you think, because when you feel good, you are present, and that always shows.
Sunrise or sunset: choosing your time of day
Both are magical, and each has a personality. A sunrise elopement means cold, quiet, and almost no crowds, with soft light and a sense of the world belonging just to the two of you, perfect for popular spots that get busy later. A sunset elopement is warmer and easier to plan around, with golden light leading into blue hour, though popular locations will have more people. We match the timing to your location and your energy, and either way we aim your ceremony so portraits land in the best light of the day.
Common elopement mistakes to avoid
A few simple missteps cause most elopement stress. The biggest is forgetting the three day waiting period and cutting the license too close to the date, give yourself a comfortable buffer. Couples also underestimate travel time to the peninsula or to a trailhead, so always pad the timeline for ferries, traffic, and the walk in. Skipping a rain plan in the PNW is risky, and so is forgetting witnesses, since you need at least two present. Finally, do not pack the day so full of locations that you never get to simply be married, leave breathing room. Plan these ahead and the day unfolds calm and joyful.
Can we write our own vows for an elopement?
Absolutely, and most couples do. Without a big audience, an elopement is the perfect setting for personal, heartfelt vows. Your officiant can structure the ceremony around them, and these private vow moments often make the most emotional photos of the day.
Ready to plan your Washington elopement?
From the license to the location to the light, I help couples plan and document intimate Washington elopements across Kitsap and the Olympic Peninsula. Learn more about working with a Kitsap wedding and elopement photographer, and review official marriage license details at a Washington county auditor. When you are ready, reach out to start planning.
An elopement timeline is gloriously short. No grand entrance, no garter toss, just you two, a license, and a view that does most of the work for us.
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