Marriage License for Curry County

Curry County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in Gold Beach, Oregon. This coastal county sits on the southern Oregon shoreline and draws many couples for destination weddings. You must schedule an appointment to apply for a marriage license in Curry County. Walk-ins are not accepted. Both people need to appear at the clerk office with valid photo ID. The fee is $50, and the office takes cash or money orders only. Oregon law requires a three-day waiting period before the license can be used. Your Curry County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.

Curry County Clerk Office

The Curry County Clerk in Gold Beach handles all marriage license applications. This is the only office in the county where you can apply. You must make an appointment before you visit. Call the office to set up a time that works for both applicants.

Curry County is a small, rural county along the coast. The clerk office serves the entire area from Gold Beach. Towns like Brookings, Port Orford, and Langlois all fall under Curry County. No matter where you live or plan to wed in the county, you apply for your marriage license at this one location. The staff will guide you through the paperwork and answer your questions about the Curry County marriage license process.

Check the Curry County website for contact details and to arrange your appointment.

The Curry County homepage provides links to clerk services and office contact information.

Note: Curry County does not accept checks or credit cards for marriage license fees.

How to Apply in Curry County

Start by calling the Curry County Clerk to book your appointment. Both partners must attend the appointment together. You cannot send one person alone or have someone apply on your behalf. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Each person needs their own ID.

If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate will work. The Curry County Clerk needs to see original or certified documents. Photocopies are not enough.

At the appointment, you will fill out the marriage license application. Staff will review your documents and collect the $50 fee. Under ORS 106.041, both applicants must sign the application in front of the county clerk. The Curry County Clerk will then issue the license, and the three-day waiting period begins.

You do not need to be a resident of Curry County or Oregon. Anyone can apply for a marriage license here. Many out-of-state couples visit the southern Oregon coast and get their Curry County marriage license before a beach ceremony.

Marriage License Fees in Curry County

A Curry County marriage license costs $50. Payment is due at the time of your appointment. The office only accepts cash and money orders. No checks, credit cards, or debit cards are taken for marriage license fees in Curry County.

Couples who complete a premarital education course can save $10 on the fee. The course must last at least three hours. It should cover communication and conflict resolution skills. Under ORS 106.077, the course provider must be qualified. Bring your certificate of completion to the appointment in Curry County to claim the discount.

The premarital course also waives the three-day waiting period. This means you can use the Curry County marriage license right away. Many couples who plan a quick wedding find this option helpful.

Curry County Waiting Period

Oregon law sets a three-day waiting period for all marriage licenses. This applies to Curry County just like every other county in the state. The three days begin the day after the clerk issues the license. Weekends and holidays count toward the three days.

If you apply on a Wednesday, you can marry on Saturday. If you apply on a Friday, you can marry on Monday. Plan ahead so your ceremony date falls after the waiting period ends. The Curry County Clerk can help you figure out the right timing.

Under ORS 106.077, couples who take a premarital education class may skip the wait. Ask the clerk for details when you schedule your Curry County marriage license appointment.

This state resource explains the waiting period rule that applies across all Oregon counties.

Note: The waiting period cannot be waived by a judge in Oregon, only through the premarital course.

Getting Married in Curry County

Your Curry County marriage license lets you marry anywhere in Oregon. You are not limited to Curry County. However, many couples choose the southern coast for its natural beauty. Gold Beach, Brookings, and the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor are popular spots for weddings.

You need an officiant to perform the ceremony. Under ORS 106.120, clergy, judges, and certain public officials may officiate. Friends or family can also get ordained for the occasion. Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license.

After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the Curry County Clerk. This is required by ORS 106.150. The clerk then records the marriage and it becomes a public record in Curry County. Make sure your officiant is aware of this deadline.

After Your Curry County Marriage

Once the signed license is on file, the Curry County Clerk creates the official marriage record. You can request certified copies from the clerk office. These copies serve as legal proof of your marriage.

You may also order copies from the state. The Oregon Center for Health Statistics keeps marriage records from 1906 to the present. You can order online through VitalChek or send a request by mail. The state charges $25 per certified copy.

Common uses for a certified copy of your Curry County marriage license:

• Social Security name change
• Driver's license update at the DMV
• Insurance and benefits updates
• Bank and financial account changes

Keep at least two certified copies on hand. Some agencies keep the copy you send them, and you may need extras for other purposes.

Curry County Marriage License Rules

Oregon has clear rules about who can get a marriage license. These apply in Curry County and all other counties in the state. There is no blood test. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Curry County or Oregon.

Both people must be at least 18. Minors aged 17 may apply with a court order. Under ORS 106.041, the clerk must verify the identity and age of each applicant. Same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples follow the same steps in Curry County.

The Curry County marriage license expires after 60 days. If you do not use it in time, you must apply again and pay the fee a second time. Plan your ceremony date before you apply so the license does not lapse.

The full text of Oregon's marriage laws is in ORS Chapter 106. The ACLU of Oregon also offers a plain-language guide to getting married in any county.

Oregon Marriage License Records

Oregon Vital Records, run by the Oregon Health Authority, stores marriage records from across the state. This includes every Curry County marriage license that has been filed and returned.

The Oregon Vital Records site explains how to request copies at the state level.

State-level records can be useful if the Curry County Clerk office does not have the copy you need, or if the marriage took place many years ago.