Every dollar you'll spend getting married in a Washington state prison or county jail — broken down clearly. Officiant fees, marriage license, travel charges, what's included, and the hidden costs most couples don't know about until it's too late.
Bound by Love Ceremonies charges a base fee that varies by facility type — county jails and state prisons have different approval requirements, timelines, and complexity levels, which is reflected in the pricing.
County jails have a shorter approval process (1–4 weeks) and fewer DOC-specific requirements. Base fee covers ceremony, documentation, coordination, and filing. Travel fee added for facilities outside the Yakima area.
State DOC facilities require longer coordination (4–8 weeks), mandatory NCIC background check clearance, DOC Form 20-213 submission, and Religious Activities Coordinator approval. Base fee covers this entire process plus the ceremony.
💡 Why is the state prison fee higher? The additional $100 reflects the added complexity — more paperwork, a longer approval timeline, mandatory NCIC clearance, and the experience required to navigate the DOC system smoothly. You're not paying more for a different ceremony. You're paying for a smoother process.
These fees are all-in for the ceremony itself — no surprise charges on the day. Travel fees (for facilities outside the Yakima area) are the only add-on, and those are fully transparent up front. See Section 3 for the complete travel fee schedule.
A Washington state marriage license is required for every ceremony and is a separate cost paid directly to the county — not to the officiant. This is a government fee, and the amount varies slightly by county.
| County | License Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| King County (Seattle) | $70 | Apply online or in-person at the Recorder's Office |
| Pierce County (Tacoma) | $65 | Auditor's Office, in-person required |
| Snohomish County (Everett) | $65 | Auditor's Office |
| Spokane County | $65 | Auditor's Office, Spokane |
| Yakima County | $65 | County Auditor, Downtown Yakima |
| Clark County (Vancouver) | $65 | Auditor's Office |
| Thurston County (Olympia) | $65 | Auditor's Office |
| Most other WA counties | $50–$65 | Varies; confirm with county auditor |
You can get the license from any Washington county — it does not need to be the county where the facility is located. Get it from the county auditor closest to you. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. Both parties must sign it — your incarcerated partner signs on the ceremony day at the facility.
After the ceremony, your officiant returns the completed, signed license to the county for recording. You can then order certified copies ($25–$50 for a set) — needed for name changes, spousal benefits, and any official legal purposes.
Bound by Love Ceremonies is based in Yakima, Washington. Travel fees are calculated based on the one-way driving distance from Yakima to the facility. These fees are fixed-rate tiers — no mileage tracking, no surprise invoices.
📍 Example: Monroe Correctional Complex is approximately 146 miles from Yakima — that's the 50–149 mile tier, so the travel fee is +$50. Monroe state prison base fee ($350) + travel ($50) + license ($65) = ~$465 total.
For facilities over 350 miles, contact us directly for a custom quote. We serve the entire state of Washington and no facility is out of reach.
For the exact distance and total calculated cost for every Washington state prison and county jail, see our full facility pricing table on the home page — with searchable, filterable details for all 51 facilities.
The base ceremony fee is not just "showing up." It covers the entire process from first contact to filed marriage certificate. Here's exactly what you're getting:
We walk you through Form DOC 20-213, visitor clearance requirements, and every step the incarcerated partner needs to initiate with the facility. You're not figuring this out alone.
We communicate directly with the Religious Activities Coordinator (state prisons) or jail administration (county jails) to schedule and confirm the ceremony. We manage the back-and-forth so you don't have to.
We work with you in advance to craft vows and a ceremony that reflects your relationship. This day matters — the words should mean something to both of you.
For state DOC facilities, the officiant must pass an NCIC background check. We've already gone through this process and maintain active clearance. No delays on our end.
Officiant performs a complete, legally valid marriage ceremony under RCW 26.04.050. Witnesses the exchange of vows, pronounces you legally married, and signs the marriage license.
After the ceremony, the completed marriage license is returned to the county auditor for recording. Your marriage is officially on record. Certified copies can then be ordered.
⚠️ Not included: The marriage license fee (paid to county), certified copies of the marriage certificate (ordered after ceremony), wedding rings, guest travel expenses, and any facility-specific processing fees (rare, typically $0–$25 if charged at all).
Prison wedding officiant fees are often similar to or less than traditional wedding officiants in Washington State — especially when you factor in what's included. Here's an honest comparison:
| Factor | 🔵 Traditional Officiant (WA) | 🩷 Prison/Jail Officiant (BbL) |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $150–$600+ | $250–$350 |
| Travel fee | Often billed by mileage ($0.50–$1.00/mi) | Fixed-rate tiers ($0–$150) |
| Paperwork help | None (you handle it all) | Included — full process guidance |
| Facility coordination | Not applicable | Included |
| Background check | Not required | Required (we handle it) |
| Ceremony script | Basic template, may charge extra for custom | Personalized, included |
| License filing | Included (standard) | Included (standard) |
| Experience with this setting | None — most won't even attempt it | Specialized — this is our focus |
| Total cost (typical) | $300–$700+ (varies widely) | $300–$570 (fully transparent) |
Most traditional wedding officiants won't do a prison ceremony — not because they legally can't, but because they're unfamiliar with the process and don't want the complexity. Finding an officiant willing and qualified to do this is itself a significant part of the value.
💡 Bottom line: You're paying a comparable rate to a traditional officiant, but getting someone who specializes in exactly this situation, manages the paperwork, coordinates with the facility, and has done this before. For couples navigating an already difficult process, that experience is worth every dollar.
We understand that this process involves financial planning alongside an already stressful situation. Our payment structure is designed to be straightforward and manageable.
We work with families on a case-by-case basis for payment plans. If a standard payment schedule is difficult, reach out during the consultation — we'll find something workable. We want this ceremony to happen for you.
Cost-specific questions from couples planning a Washington state prison or jail wedding.
Total cost is typically $300–$570 depending on facility type and distance. This includes: marriage license ($50–$70 from county auditor), officiant base fee ($250 for county jails, $350 for state prisons), and travel fee ($0–$150 depending on distance from Yakima). The facility itself charges nothing. Budget an additional $50–$100 for certified certificate copies and any optional costs like rings.
A county jail wedding in Washington typically costs $300–$470 total: marriage license (~$65) + $250 officiant base fee + $0–$150 travel fee. County jails have a lower base fee than state prisons because the approval process is shorter. Check the home page pricing table for exact costs by specific county jail.
No. Washington state prisons (DOC) and county jails do not charge a fee for the ceremony itself. The only government fee is the marriage license (~$65) from the county auditor's office. This is one of the few no-extra-cost aspects of the process — the facility's Religious Activities Coordinator and administrative staff process the approval at no charge to the couple.
Yes. A deposit is required at booking to begin coordination, and we work with couples on the balance timeline on a case-by-case basis. Bring this up during the free consultation — we want the ceremony to happen and will work with you on payment structure if needed.
Facility rescheduling happens — lockdowns, staffing shortages, administrative delays. When the facility reschedules, we reschedule with no additional fees. We've dealt with this many times. We don't charge again just because the facility changed the date. We see this through with you until the ceremony is complete.
No — the marriage license is a government fee paid directly to the county auditor's office, separate from the officiant fee. It costs $50–$70 depending on your county. We guide you on exactly where and how to get it, but the fee goes to the county, not to us.
The home page has a complete, searchable pricing table for all 12 Washington state prisons and 39 county jails — with exact distances from Yakima, the applicable travel tier, and the calculated total cost. You can filter by facility type and search by name. Every facility in Washington is listed.
State DOC facilities require more coordination: mandatory NCIC background check clearance for the officiant, DOC Form 20-213 submission, Religious Activities Coordinator review, and Superintendent approval — a process that typically takes 4–8 weeks versus 1–4 weeks for county jails. The additional $100 covers the additional time, effort, and expertise required to navigate the DOC approval process successfully.
Every situation is different. Book a free 15-minute consultation and we'll give you an exact quote for your specific facility — no surprises, no pressure.
We've helped families across Washington State. We know the process. Let's talk.