Clackamas County Marriage Records

Clackamas County maintains marriage license records through the County Clerk office in Oregon City. Marriage records in Clackamas County date back to the 1840s, making this one of the oldest collections in the state. The clerk issues new licenses and stores completed records for public review. To apply for a new marriage license or search old filings, contact the Clackamas County Clerk at 503-655-8551. The office is at 1710 Red Soils Court in Oregon City. Appointments are available most weekdays for those who need a marriage license in Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Clerk Services

The Clackamas County Clerk runs the marriage license program from Oregon City. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Appointments for marriage licenses are set Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3:45pm and Friday from 9am to 2:15pm. Walk-ins may not be served, so call first.

A marriage license in Clackamas County costs $60. The fee waiver is $15. Payment must be made by cash or certified check only. Personal checks are not accepted at the Clackamas County Clerk office. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. You will also need your Social Security number. If a prior marriage ended, bring the final decree or death certificate to your Clackamas County appointment.

Visit the Clackamas County Clerk website for the most current details on fees, forms, and office hours.

The image above shows the Clackamas County Clerk page. It has links to marriage license forms and other recording services in Clackamas County.

Historical Marriage Records in Clackamas County

Clackamas County holds marriage records that go back to the 1840s. This is one of the longest running collections in Oregon. Early records may be handwritten and stored in bound ledger books. The Clackamas County Clerk has worked to preserve these old records over the years. If you search for a very old marriage record, staff may need extra time to locate it.

For records from the past few decades, searches are faster. The Clackamas County Clerk can pull up recent marriage licenses with a name or date range. Older records may require a trip to the office. The recording division handles these requests as well. Check the Clackamas County recording division page for more on public record lookups.

This screenshot shows the recording division section of the Clackamas County website. It links to tools for searching recorded documents including marriage records.

Note: Very old Clackamas County marriage records may also be found at the Oregon Historical Society or state archives.

Clackamas County Marriage License Steps

Getting a marriage license in Clackamas County takes a few simple steps. Call the clerk office at 503-655-8551 to set your appointment. Show up on time with both parties present. Bring your IDs and cash or certified check for the $60 fee. The clerk reviews your info and has you sign the license.

After you sign, the three-day waiting period begins. Oregon law under ORS 106.077 requires this hold. You cannot use the license during those three days. Once the wait ends, your Clackamas County marriage license is active for 60 days. Hold your ceremony within that window. The officiant signs the license and sends it back to the Clackamas County Clerk to be recorded.

Under ORS 106.150, you can buy a marriage license in Clackamas County and use it anywhere in Oregon. The reverse is true too. A license from any Oregon county works in Clackamas County. This gives couples more options for where to hold their wedding.

Marriage License Requirements

Clackamas County follows the same rules as all Oregon counties for marriage licenses. Under ORS 106.010, both people must be at least 18. No residency is required. You do not have to live in Clackamas County or in Oregon. No blood test is needed.

Items you need for your Clackamas County marriage license appointment:

• Government-issued photo ID for each person
• Social Security number for each person
• Cash or certified check for $60
• Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married

The Clackamas County Clerk will not accept personal checks. This is a strict rule. Plan to bring cash or get a certified check from your bank before your visit. Credit cards may not be accepted either, so call ahead to confirm payment methods at the Clackamas County office.

Filing the Marriage Certificate in Clackamas County

Your officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Clackamas County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. This is the law under ORS 106.120. The clerk records the completed license and it becomes a permanent part of the Clackamas County public record. You can then order certified copies.

Certified copies of a Clackamas County marriage record serve as legal proof of your marriage. You may need them for a name change at the DMV or Social Security office. Banks, insurance firms, and government agencies all accept certified copies from the Clackamas County Clerk. Order extras if you think you will need them for multiple places.

Note: If your officiant fails to file the license on time, contact the Clackamas County Clerk right away to avoid delays.

Oregon State Marriage Records

The Oregon Health Authority holds copies of all marriage records filed in the state. This includes Clackamas County records. You can request certified copies from the state if you cannot visit the Clackamas County office. The Oregon Vital Records office handles these requests by mail and in person.

Online ordering is also an option through VitalChek. This third-party service processes requests for Clackamas County marriage certificates and other Oregon vital records. There is a service fee on top of the state cost. The ACLU Oregon guide provides helpful tips on the marriage license process across all Oregon counties. The full text of Oregon marriage law is in ORS Chapter 106.