What Are Oregon Marriage Records?

Oregon marriage records are official documents maintained by government agencies that contain details about legally married couples.

While counties began recording marriages in 1842, statewide registration commenced in 1906. These records typically include the spouses' full legal names, birth details, marriage date and location, parents' names, and prior marital status.

Oregon maintains various marriage records, including license applications, registered domestic partnerships, marriage licenses, and marriage certificates.

A marriage license grants legal authorization to marry and must be obtained before the ceremony. Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Section 106.020, applicants must meet specific criteria, such as not being currently married.

A marriage certificate serves as legal proof of marriage and is typically issued about one month after the submission of completed marriage paperwork to the county office. Individuals may need these records for divorce proceedings, legal name changes, estate settlements, immigration applications, or genealogical research.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

Under ORS Section 432.380(3), original and copies of marriage records, including marriage certificates, are sealed for 50 years from the marriage date.

During this period, only the following eligible or authorized individuals and entities are allowed to access such records, as per ORS Section 432.380(2)(B)(v):

• The registrant (individual named on the record)
• Immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, legal guardians).
• Legal representatives of the registrant or their family
• Government agencies performing official duties
• Individuals with a court order granting access

After 50 years, these records are considered historic documents accessible to the public. However, requesting parties may not obtain personally identifiable information (PPI) from the records, such as telephone numbers and addresses, unless they have a valid need, obtain approval from the custodian of records, or have an inter-jurisdictional data-sharing agreement.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Oregon?

The Center for Health Statistics (CHS) within the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA)Public Health Division (PHD) serves as the state's vital statistics office for certifying, amending, and issuing marriage records. Oregon's county clerk's offices also issue and maintain marriage records, including marriage licenses and certificates.

When requesting marriage records, individuals must complete an application procedure, demonstrate their eligibility to receive the record, and pay the applicable fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Oregon, individuals can request both certified and non-certified copies of marriage certificates. A certified copy includes the original signature, embossed seal, and security features, which make it legally valid for official purposes.

Non-certified copies, such as commemorative or souvenir certificates issued by county clerks, are unofficial and intended for personal keepsakes or display. These certificates cannot be used as legal proof of marriage.

The following are the ways by which individuals can access certified copies of marriage certificates in Oregon:

Online and By Phone

In Oregon, individuals can obtain certified copies of marriage certificates online or by phone through VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor.

To order online, individuals can visit VitalChek's website at any time. They must fill out the VitalChek Order Form with essential details such as the full names of both spouses and the marriage date and location.

Requestors must also complete an electronic identity verification or submit a valid ID or other documents, especially if they are not the record's subject or owner. Payment can be made using any major credit or debit card. To place an order by phone, individuals can contact VitalChek at 1-888-896-4988.

The fee for the initial record search and the first certified copy of the certificate is $25. Additional copies cost $25 each. VitalChek also charges a $7 expedited fee and a $14.20 vendor and verification fee for online and phone orders.

Orders are forwarded to the CHS and typically processed within three business days. The records are shipped via USPS regular mail or UPS Next Day Air.

By Mail and Drop Box

To request a marriage certificate by mail, individuals should follow these steps:

• Download the "Ordering Marriage Certificates by Mail or Drop Box" form from the CHS's "Order a Marriage Certificate" page.
• Enter the following information in the required fields:
  • Full names of partners/spouses listed on the record
  • Date of marriage
  • The county or city where the marriage occurred
  • The county that issued the marriage license
  • Relationship to the person named on the record (choose "Self" if ordering for oneself)
  • Reason for ordering the certificate
  • Requestor's name, mailing address, and contact information
• Include a photocopy of proof of identity (e.g., driver's license, U.S. passport, or state ID). Copies of three different identification documents may be submitted as an alternative, provided at least one document shows the requestor's current mailing address. The following documents are accepted:
  • Recent utility or other bill with current address (document must be no more than 30 days old)
  • Monthly banking or mortgage account statement (document must be no more than 30 days old)
  • Voter registration card
  • Rental agreement
• Add a payment by check or money order, payable to Oregon Health Authority/Vital Records.
• Mail the completed form, payment, proof of identity, and any other necessary documents to:

Alternatively, individuals can place the sealed envelope containing the materials in the drop box located at the west door of the Portland State Office Building (in the parking lot) at 800 Northeast Oregon Street, Portland, Oregon 97232.

If the exact marriage date is unknown, the $25 fee covers a five-year record search, including the year of the given date, two years before, and two years after. For searches beyond five years, an additional $1 per year will be charged unless the record is over 50 years old.

Processing time for orders is typically 5-7 weeks. If requestors selected a shipping method other than USPS, they should include a pre-addressed, pre-paid delivery envelope.

In-Person

Individuals can also request certified copies of marriage certificates in person at the CHS office. They must first schedule an appointment online. Appointments are usually available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and take about 30 minutes to complete.

During the appointment, requestors will use a self-service kiosk to place their order and provide valid identification, necessary record information, and payment via check, credit or debit card, or money order. A $3 security fee for identity verification is also required.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

In Oregon, eligible individuals can request certified copies of marriage licenses from the specific county clerk's office that issued the original license. Requestors can purchase copies online, by phone, by mail, or in person, depending on the office.

For instance, the Wasco County Clerk's Office and Douglas County Clerk's Office use the Digital Research Room, a search engine that allows individuals to locate marriage licenses using the couple's names, marriage dates, or license issuance date. Orders are processed and mailed within 3-5 business days.

Meanwhile, to request copies from the Tillamook County Clerk's Office, individuals must submit the completed "Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License" form along with a check made payable to the county clerk.

Regardless of the county or request method, the first copy is $7.75, and each additional copy is $4. Online requests may also incur additional transaction fees.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Marriage records in Oregon can be searched online through various sources beyond VitalChek and county clerk's office search tools. One such resource is the Oregon Historical Records Index (OHRI), maintained by the Oregon State Archives (OSA). This online inventory includes marriage records over 50 years old (1841 to 1961)

These records are compiled from collections held by the OSA, county offices, local museums, and historical societies.

Individuals can search the index using the spouse's name, marriage location, or parents' names. Copies of these records can be purchased by completing the "Order Copies from the Oregon State Archives" form.

Marriage records are also accessible through third-party websites such as RecordsFinder. After signing up, individuals can utilize an instant lookup tool to access basic or comprehensive reports related to the bride and groom.

Although certified copies cannot be obtained from these sources, the information can assist in tracing ancestry, verifying family lineage, and researching marital and historical events.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

Confidential marriage is a legal option in some states that allows couples to marry without their marriage records becoming part of the public domain. Although confidential marriage is not permitted in Oregon, state laws provide strong protections for the confidentiality of marriage records.

For example, Oregon's Public Records Law (OPRL) enables individuals to request that public agencies withhold records containing personally identifiable information if releasing them could invade their privacy or compromise their safety.

When these requests are granted, no one can access the individuals' marriage records unless the requestor has a court order, obtains the individual's permission, or is a law enforcement agency.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

Individuals intending to marry in Oregon must obtain a marriage license from any county clerk's office. They can complete the marriage license application form or marriage worksheet and submit it online or by mail in advance, but both applicants must visit the county clerk's office in person to finalize the application.

Officiants are not required when applying for a marriage license but must meet the qualifications outlined in ORS Section 106.120. The marriage license fee varies by county, ranging from $50 to $60. It is payable by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

Each applicant must present a valid government-issued ID and provide the following information:

• Name at birth and birthplace
• Parents' names and birthplaces
• Legal name after marriage
• Date of prior marriage termination, if applicable

Oregon law prohibits individuals under 17 from marrying. A 17-year-old may marry with parental or guardian consent.

The consenting parent or guardian must complete a consent form in person, present valid identification, and provide a birth certificate or court documents proving parentage or guardianship. Oregon law also prohibits marriage between first cousins or closer relatives.

A three-day waiting period applies before the license can be used, though a county clerk or judge may waive this requirement for a good and sufficient reason. The marriage license can be used only within Oregon and remains valid for 60 days.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Marriage certificates in Oregon may exhibit errors, such as incorrect middle names, missing or inaccurate information about the parents, or discrepancies in the spouse's information when compared to their birth certificate.

To correct errors like these, individuals must contact the county clerk's office that issued the marriage license. They will need to complete a request form provided by the office and submit documents that serve as evidence supporting the requested correction or amendment.

The county clerk reviews the request and, if approved, forwards it to the CHS (Center for Health Statistics) with the required documents if approved. The CHS then applies the correction or amendment to update the statewide record.

While the CHS does not charge for correction or amendment requests submitted through the county clerk's offices, an optional $30 fee allows expedited processing within three days after all the documents are received, verified, and approved.

Are Marriage Records Under the Oregon Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Under the Oregon Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), survivors of hate crimes, domestic violence, human trafficking, or bias incidents can receive mail and legal papers and apply for a marriage license or certificate without disclosing their home address.

Instead, a designated legal agent receives first-class mail on their behalf using a substitute address and forwards it to their actual residence. Participants also use the substitute address when interacting with public agencies.

This safeguard prevents abusers from tracking their victims by accessing newly created public records. However, the ACP cannot remove any previously recorded information from public marriage documents.

Oregon Marriage Statistics and Trends

Across the U.S., marriage rates have been decreasing, with just 53% of adults aged 18 and older currently married, a drop from 58% in 1995. While Oregon mirrors this trend, it is notable for its higher divorce rates compared to other states, with 8.1 divorced women per 1,000 women over age 15.

One theory behind this is Oregon's aging population, particularly Baby Boomers. This generation was the first to view divorce as an acceptable response to an unhappy marriage.

With a strong focus on individuality, Baby Boomers embraced no-fault divorce, which allows individuals to end marriages without providing cause. As more women entered the workforce, the rise of dual-income households also contributed to the increase in divorce rates.

The following data provides deeper insights about marriage in Oregon:

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