A complete, step-by-step guide to getting married at a Washington state prison or county jail. We cover the legal process, required forms, what to expect on the day, and how to find a qualified officiant — from someone who has lived it.
Yes — you can get married in prison in Washington State. This is not just possible; it is a protected right.
"Every person who has not a spouse living may be joined in marriage, including persons currently incarcerated in a correctional institution." Washington courts have consistently upheld the right to marry as a fundamental constitutional right that is not forfeit upon incarceration.
The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) governs marriage for individuals housed in state prisons under DOC Policy 590.200 (Marriages and State Registered Domestic Partnerships). County jails each maintain their own policies, though all must comply with state law.
The process requires coordination between three parties: the couple, the correctional facility, and an ordained officiant. While it takes more planning than a traditional wedding, hundreds of couples successfully complete Washington prison marriages every year.
💡 Key fact: Washington has zero dedicated prison wedding officiants with a public web presence. This means if you're searching for help, you are likely one of the first to find a specialized service. You are not alone — and the process is navigable.
Getting married in a Washington correctional facility follows a defined sequence. Allow 4–8 weeks for state prisons and 1–4 weeks for county jails to process everything before your desired ceremony date.
Your incarcerated partner initiates the process by completing and submitting WA DOC Form 20-213 (Request to Marry / State Registered Domestic Partnership) to the facility's Religious Activities Coordinator (RAC) or Chaplain. This form requests facility approval for the marriage ceremony. It captures basic information about both parties and the proposed officiant.
The Religious Activities Coordinator reviews the request and forwards it to the facility Superintendent or their designee for approval. At state prisons, this typically takes 2–4 weeks. The facility will consider the security classification, conduct record, and logistical requirements. In most cases — if all paperwork is correct — approval is granted.
Your chosen officiant must be approved as a visitor to the facility. This involves a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background check. If you hire a professional prison wedding officiant like Bound by Love Ceremonies, we handle this process and are already familiar with the requirements. If you bring in your own officiant, they'll need to submit visitor application paperwork well in advance.
The outside partner (you) must obtain a marriage license from the county auditor's office in Washington State. Licenses cost approximately $50–$70, are valid for 60 days, and require both parties to sign — which means either the incarcerated person signs it on the ceremony day, or you arrange a separate signing appointment. The license must be obtained before the ceremony.
Once all approvals are in place, the Religious Activities Coordinator will work with you and the officiant to schedule the ceremony. Most facilities designate specific times — often on weekdays — for ceremonies. Flexibility on your end makes scheduling easier. State prisons typically conduct ceremonies in a chapel or designated visitation space.
Arrive at the facility with your marriage license, valid government-issued photo ID, and the facility's visitor list confirmation. Your officiant will lead the ceremony, sign the marriage license, and file the completed certificate. Your marriage is legally binding the moment the ceremony is performed and documented.
After the ceremony, the completed marriage license must be returned to the county auditor's office that issued it. Your officiant typically handles this. Once recorded, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate — important for name changes, benefits, and legal matters.
Here is everything you need to have in order before your ceremony can take place.
Submitted by the incarcerated individual to the facility's Religious Activities Coordinator. This is the official DOC request-to-marry form. Copies available from the facility or through your attorney.
Obtained from any Washington county auditor's office by the outside partner. Costs $50–$70. Valid for 60 days. Both parties sign the license — the incarcerated partner typically signs on ceremony day.
Your officiant must be legally ordained to perform marriages in Washington State (RCW 26.04.050) and must pass the facility's visitor clearance (NCIC background check). They must bring proof of ordination credentials to the ceremony.
All outside attendees — including the partner and officiant — must present valid, government-issued photo ID at the facility. No ID, no entry. State-issued ID, driver's license, or passport all work.
All attendees must be on the incarcerated person's approved visitor list before the ceremony. If you're not already on the list, this process takes time — add everyone as early as possible.
For state prisons, the Superintendent or designee must formally approve the ceremony. For county jails, the jail administrator or sheriff's office approves. This is handled via DOC 20-213 or the facility's equivalent form.
⚠️ Start early. The single most common reason prison weddings are delayed is waiting too long to begin the paperwork process. Submit Form DOC 20-213 at least 8 weeks before your desired ceremony date for state prisons, and at least 4 weeks for county jails.
Prison weddings are different from traditional ceremonies — but that doesn't make them less meaningful. Here's what you can typically expect at a Washington state facility.
State prisons typically conduct ceremonies in the facility chapel, a visitation room, or a designated religious services area. The setting is simple but dignified. County jails may use a visiting room or small conference room. You will not be outdoors in most cases.
Most ceremonies last 15–30 minutes. Facility schedules are strict — your slot is your slot. Arrive on time and be prepared for the ceremony to begin promptly.
💡 Personal vows: Most facilities allow personalized vows within the ceremony. Work with your officiant ahead of time to prepare vows that are meaningful to you both. It's one of the most powerful ways to make the day feel like yours, regardless of the surroundings.
Washington has 39 county jails (operated by county sheriffs) and 12 state prisons (operated by the WA Department of Corrections). The process differs between these two types of facilities in important ways.
| Factor | 🔵 County Jail | 🩷 State Prison (DOC) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing body | County Sheriff's Office | WA Dept. of Corrections |
| Primary form | Varies by county (often informal request) | DOC Form 20-213 |
| Processing time | 1–4 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| NCIC background check | Required for officiant (usually) | Required for officiant (always) |
| Religious Activities Coordinator | May not exist — contact jail directly | Present at every facility |
| Guest allowances | Very limited — often officiant only | 2–5 pre-approved visitors |
| Ring rules | Often no jewelry allowed at ceremony | Plain band under $100 (males); varies for females |
| Ceremony location | Visiting room or interview room | Chapel or designated ceremony room |
| Officiant base fee | $250 + travel | $350 + travel |
| Contact point | Jail administration / Sheriff's office | Religious Activities Coordinator (RAC) |
Regardless of facility type, the key relationship is with the Religious Activities Coordinator (state prisons) or the jail administrator (county jails). This person is your primary point of contact for all ceremony logistics. Treat them with respect — they have the authority to approve or complicate your ceremony.
Getting married in prison in Washington state involves three main costs. There are no fees charged by the DOC or county jail for the ceremony itself — the facility does not charge couples.
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County Marriage License | $50–$70 | Paid to county auditor's office. Valid 60 days. Both parties must sign. |
| Officiant Fee — County Jail | $250 base | Base fee covers ceremony, documentation, facility coordination. Travel fee extra. |
| Officiant Fee — State Prison | $350 base | Additional DOC requirements, longer process. Travel fee extra. |
| Travel Fee (50–149 miles) | +$50 | From Yakima, WA. Most Western WA facilities fall in this range. |
| Travel Fee (150–249 miles) | +$100 | Covers majority of WA state facilities. |
| Travel Fee (250–349 miles) | +$150 | Long-distance facilities like Clallam Bay, Olympic CC. |
| Wedding Ring | $0–$100 | State prisons require plain band under $100 for males. Some jails prohibit rings. |
| Marriage Certificate Copies | $25–$50 | After the ceremony, order certified copies from the county for legal purposes. |
📊 Example total cost: Getting married at Monroe Correctional Complex (near Seattle) — marriage license ($60) + state prison base fee ($350) + travel fee ($50 for ~146 miles) = approximately $460 total for a complete, legally binding ceremony.
For a full breakdown by every facility in Washington state — with exact distances and total costs calculated for you — see our full pricing page.
Common questions specific to getting married in Washington state prisons and county jails.
Yes. Washington state law (RCW 26.04.050) protects the right of incarcerated individuals to marry. Both state DOC facilities and county jails permit marriages with proper approval. The process takes planning but is absolutely achievable.
DOC 20-213 is the official Washington Department of Corrections form titled "Request to Marry / State Registered Domestic Partnership." It's submitted by the incarcerated individual to their facility's Religious Activities Coordinator to initiate the marriage approval process. The form captures information about both partners and the proposed officiant. Copies are available from the facility or by contacting the DOC directly.
NCIC stands for National Crime Information Center — the FBI's criminal history database. All non-attorney visitors to Washington state prisons, including officiants, must pass a background check through this system. The facility submits the officiant's information and receives a clearance response. Professional prison wedding officiants like Bound by Love Ceremonies have already gone through this process and are familiar with the requirements. For a first-time officiant, the clearance process typically takes 2–4 weeks.
You (the outside partner) visit any Washington county auditor's office to apply for the marriage license. You'll need your ID and basic information about both parties. The license is issued to you — your incarcerated partner signs it on the day of the ceremony at the facility. The completed license is then returned to the county to be recorded. Washington marriage licenses are valid for 60 days.
At Washington state prisons, typically 2–5 pre-approved guests may attend the ceremony. Everyone must be on the incarcerated person's approved visitor list before the ceremony date. At county jails, guest allowances are often more restricted — sometimes only the officiant and the outside partner are permitted. Always confirm with the specific facility's Religious Activities Coordinator.
Yes, completely. As long as an ordained minister authorized under RCW 26.04.050 performs the ceremony and the completed marriage license is filed with the county, the marriage is fully legal in Washington state and federally. There is no asterisk or limitation on the marriage because it occurred at a correctional facility.
Denials are uncommon but do occur — usually for specific security or conduct-related reasons. If denied, the incarcerated person has the right to appeal through the DOC grievance process. In some cases, resubmitting after a waiting period or addressing the specific concern raised resolves the issue. Contact the facility's Religious Activities Coordinator to understand the reason for denial before appealing.
At Bound by Love Ceremonies, we guide you through the entire process — from understanding what forms are needed, to coordinating with the facility's Religious Activities Coordinator, to the ceremony itself. We've been through this personally and professionally. You're not figuring this out alone.
You've done your research. Now let us handle the details. We're Washington's compassionate prison wedding officiant — and we've lived this experience ourselves.