Guide to Getting a Marriage Certificate in Oregon
If you need a marriage certificate in OR for your own research or records, you may not know what state level department to contact. Not everyone is eligible to obtain any marriage certificate in Oregon, and a request without the correct identification or paperwork is likely to be rejected. This guide will explain who is eligible to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in OR, and how you can go about getting a marriage certificate if you are eligible.
Who Can Get a Marriage Certificate in Oregon?
Currently, only some categories of people are allowed to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in OR. In order to get a marriage certificate in Oregon for a marriage that took place in the last 50 years, you are required to show that you are a family member of one of the people who was married (or a member of the couple), an attorney or other legal representative, a person with a personal or property right to the marriage certificate, or someone who is licensed to receive such records.
If you do qualify to get a marriage certificate in OR, you will need to provide valid photo identification at the time when you seek the certificate copy. If you do not have any relationship to the couple and are therefore ineligible to get a copy of their marriage certificate in Oregon, you may still obtain a copy if you can provide a notarized permission form from someone who is eligible.
Obtaining a Marriage Certificate in Oregon
If you have just gotten married in Oregon, you may obtain a marriage certificate in OR from your county clerk's office. You may need your marriage certificate in Oregon to show to your employer in order to add a spouse to your health insurance or other benefits plan, or to show to a state agency or the Social Security Administration if you plan to change your name after your wedding. In some cases, it may be useful to have more than one copy of your marriage certificate in OR.
It will generally cost $20 to obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate in Oregon. You may also order your marriage certificate in OR from the State Department of Vital Records. The office accepts requests via fax, phone, internet, and mail. However, it costs more to get a marriage certificate in Oregon if you are using a credit card: expect a steep $12.50 transaction fee for all credit card transactions.
Obtaining a Marriage Certificate in Oregon for Research
Even if you have no eligibility to access a marriage certificate in OR, after 50 years have passed, the records become available to the public. Any interested party may seek a marriage certificate in Oregon for any marriage that occurred more than 50 years ago. The process for ordering a copy of this type of marriage certificate in OR is much the same as for ordering a certificate for yourself, with the same costs.
