Deschutes County Marriage License

Deschutes County issues marriage licenses at the County Clerk office in Bend, Oregon. Bend is one of the fastest growing cities in the state, and the clerk office handles a high volume of marriage license requests each year. Deschutes County strongly encourages couples to fill out the online application before visiting the office. Doing so can reduce your visit to just five to ten minutes. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID. The marriage license fee is $55, and the county does not offer any fee waivers. Oregon law requires a three-day waiting period, and the Deschutes County marriage license is valid for 60 days.

Deschutes County Clerk in Bend

The Deschutes County Clerk office is located at 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, in Bend. This is the only location in the county where you can get a marriage license. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Deschutes County serves a large area of central Oregon. Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, and Sunriver all fall within the county. No matter where you live in Deschutes County, you apply at the Bend office. Staff are helpful and can answer your questions about the marriage license process. The office can get busy, so plan your visit and use the online application to save time.

The Deschutes County Clerk page on the marriage licenses section has full details on what you need to bring.

The Deschutes County Clerk website is the best place to start your marriage license application.

Deschutes County Online Application

Deschutes County offers an online marriage license application. This is the fastest way to get started. You fill out your personal details, contact information, and other required fields from home. When you arrive at the clerk office, staff pull up your completed form and verify it in person.

Couples who use the online application can complete their visit in just five to ten minutes. Without it, the process takes longer because you must fill out all the paperwork at the counter. The Deschutes County Clerk strongly recommends using the online application before your visit.

The online form does not replace the in-person step. Both people still must go to the Bend office. You sign the application in front of clerk staff. They check your ID and confirm the details you entered online. This is required by ORS 106.041.

Note: The online application does not hold a spot in line at the Deschutes County Clerk office. Arrive during regular hours.

Marriage License Fee in Deschutes County

The Deschutes County marriage license fee is $55. You pay when you apply at the clerk office in Bend. The office accepts cash, checks, and debit cards. A $1 processing fee applies to debit card payments. Credit cards are not accepted for marriage license fees in Deschutes County.

Deschutes County does not offer fee waivers or reductions. Even if you complete a premarital education course, the fee stays at $55. This is a local policy. The premarital course still qualifies you to waive the three-day waiting period under ORS 106.077, but the fee amount does not change in Deschutes County.

There are no refunds on the marriage license fee. If the license expires before you use it, you must apply and pay again. Plan your ceremony date within the 60-day window.

Waiting Period in Deschutes County

Oregon requires a three-day waiting period after a marriage license is issued. The count starts the day after the Deschutes County Clerk grants the license. Weekends and holidays count toward the three days. If you apply on Monday, you can marry on Thursday.

Couples who take a premarital education course of at least three hours may have the wait waived. Under ORS 106.077, you must present a certificate from a qualified provider. Bring this to your appointment at the Deschutes County Clerk office. Without the certificate, the standard three-day rule applies.

The Deschutes County marriage license page outlines the full process, including how the waiting period works.

Getting Married in Deschutes County

Once the waiting period passes, you can use your Deschutes County marriage license anywhere in Oregon. Popular spots in the area include Drake Park, Tumalo Falls, and venues along the Deschutes River. Central Oregon is a top destination for outdoor weddings.

An officiant must perform the ceremony. Oregon law is flexible about who can officiate. Under ORS 106.120, clergy, judges, and certain elected officials may perform marriages. Friends or family can become ordained online. Two witnesses must be present and sign the license.

The Deschutes County Clerk does not perform courthouse ceremonies. Do not plan to have the clerk officiate your wedding. You must arrange your own officiant and venue.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed marriage license to the Deschutes County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline is set by ORS 106.150. The clerk then records the marriage.

Note: Confirm with your officiant that they will return the signed license to the Deschutes County Clerk on time.

After Your Deschutes County Marriage

When the signed license is filed, the Deschutes County Clerk creates your official marriage record. You can order certified copies from the clerk office in Bend. Many couples need several copies for name changes and other legal updates.

Certified copies from Deschutes County are useful for:

• Social Security name change
• Oregon DMV license update
• Adding a spouse to insurance
• Updating bank accounts
• Filing joint tax returns

You can also get copies from the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. They maintain statewide marriage records from 1906 onward. Order online through VitalChek or by mail. The state charges $25 per certified copy. The Deschutes County Clerk may have different fees for local copies.

Deschutes County Marriage License Requirements

Oregon law sets the eligibility rules for a marriage license. These rules apply in Deschutes County and every other county. There is no blood test. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Deschutes County, Bend, or Oregon to get a license here.

Both people must be at least 18. A 17-year-old may apply with a court order. Under ORS 106.041, both applicants must appear before the county clerk in person. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples follow the same steps.

Bring these items to the Deschutes County Clerk office:

• Valid photo ID for each applicant
• Social Security numbers
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Premarital course certificate if seeking a waiting period waiver

The marriage license from Deschutes County expires after 60 days. If your ceremony does not take place within that window, you start over. The full text of Oregon marriage law is in ORS Chapter 106. The ACLU of Oregon has a helpful guide as well.