What are the laws regarding marriage in my state?
In the state of Washington, the laws surrounding marriage are fairly straightforward. To be legally married, you must obtain a license from a Washington State county auditor. Both partners must be at least 18 years old and either a resident of or have valid ID from Washington. This license must be signed by both parties and then returned to the auditor’s office. It must be returned within 60 days of being issued or the license will expire. Once the license is returned, the presiding official can then legally marry the couple. Washington State does not require a waiting period for marriage and two witnesses are needed for the ceremony. The officiant then notifies the county auditor within thirty days that the ceremony was performed. In some cases, if the couple is unable to find an officiant, courts can designate someone to perform the ceremony. Additionally, if a couple has completed premarital counseling for at least two hours, the couple may be eligible for a reduced license fee. Same-sex marriages are now legal in Washington. The same requirements apply for same-sex couples as they do for opposite-sex couples when applying for a marriage license. Additionally, individuals who have already had a domestic partnership can now have their partnership converted to a marriage free of charge. Divorces must be filed with the court in the county in which one of the parties lives. A divorce must be granted if one party can demonstrate that the marriage has “irretrievably broken down” and that there is no chance of reconciliation.
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