Portland Marriage License Information

Multnomah County marriage license records are kept by the County Clerk in Portland, Oregon. The clerk office issues new licenses and stores all filed records for public access. Multnomah County is the most populous county in the state. If you want to search for a marriage license or need to obtain one, the Multnomah County Clerk office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd is your starting point. Walk-ins are welcome and no appointment is needed. Staff handle all marriage license tasks during regular service hours. Every marriage license filing in Multnomah County becomes part of the public record.

Multnomah County Clerk Office

The Multnomah County Clerk handles all marriage license services from the Portland office. The address is 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, Portland, OR 97214. Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4pm. Walk-ins are welcome. You do not need an appointment. Call 503-988-3326 or email clerk@multco.us with questions.

The marriage license fee in Multnomah County is $60. A fee waiver is on hand for $5 if you qualify. The office takes cash, credit cards, debit cards, cashier's checks, and money orders. Under ORS 106.041, the clerk must confirm both parties meet all legal rules before a Multnomah County marriage license can be issued. Both people must appear in person with valid photo ID.

The Multnomah County Clerk also runs an online marriage application at multcomarriage.org. Fill out the form ahead of your visit to save time at the counter. The online tool lets you enter your info and print a summary to bring along. This speeds up the process at the Multnomah County Clerk office.

The image above shows the online marriage application for Multnomah County. You can start your application from home before you visit the clerk office in Portland.

Getting a Multnomah County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Multnomah County, both partners go to the clerk office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. Bring valid photo IDs and your Social Security numbers. If either person had a prior marriage, bring proof it ended. A divorce decree or death certificate works.

Once you pay the $60 fee, a three-day waiting period starts. Oregon law under ORS 106.077 sets this hold. A court order can waive it in special cases. After three days, you can hold your ceremony. Your Multnomah County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Multnomah County requires two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The witnesses cannot be the officiant or either partner. Both witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license. This is a rule that is specific to Multnomah County and can catch people off guard if they do not plan ahead.

Multnomah County Marriage License Records

The Multnomah County recording division stores all marriage license records. You can visit the Multnomah County recording page for details on how to access filed documents. The office keeps records going back many years.

The recording division page above shows how to reach the Multnomah County office that handles public records. Staff can pull up filed marriage licenses and provide copies.

Multnomah County also offers a Digital Research Room for online searches. Visit the Multnomah County Digital Research Room to look up recorded documents from your computer. This tool lets you search by name, date, or document type. It is a fast way to find Multnomah County marriage license records without going to the office in person.

The Digital Research Room is a free tool that Multnomah County provides to the public. It covers many types of recorded documents, including marriage license filings.

Multnomah County Marriage License Page

The Multnomah County Clerk has a page that is just for marriage license info. Visit the Multnomah County marriage license page for the most current details on fees, hours, and what to bring. This page also covers special cases like name changes and ceremony options.

The page shown above has all the info you need to plan your visit to the Multnomah County Clerk for a marriage license. It is kept up to date by the clerk staff.

Certified copies of a Multnomah County marriage license cost $7.75 for the first copy and $4 for each one after that. You can order copies in person or by mail. Many people need certified copies for name changes, insurance, or legal matters after their wedding.

Oregon Marriage License Laws

Oregon state law governs all marriage licenses, including those filed in Multnomah County. The full set of rules is in ORS Chapter 106. These statutes list who can marry, what the clerk must check, and how long a license lasts. Every county in Oregon follows the same base rules for marriage licenses.

Under ORS 106.010, any two people who are at least 18 and not already married may apply for a marriage license. There is no blood test needed in Oregon. Both people must show up at the Multnomah County Clerk office in person. No one can file on behalf of someone else.

Courthouse ceremonies in Multnomah County are handled by judges and vary based on the judge. Ask the clerk staff for current details on who performs ceremonies at the courthouse. Availability changes, so it is best to call ahead. Religious leaders and other authorized persons can also perform weddings under Oregon law.

After the Ceremony in Multnomah County

Once your ceremony takes place, the officiant signs the marriage license. Under ORS 106.120, the person who performs the ceremony must file the completed license with the Multnomah County Clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and the marriage is official.

You can then request certified copies. Bring your ID to the clerk office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. The first certified copy is $7.75 and each extra copy is $4. Many couples order a few at a time for name changes, bank accounts, and other legal needs.

Under ORS 106.150, a license from Multnomah County can be used for a ceremony in any other Oregon county. You are not limited to Portland for your wedding.

Searching Older Multnomah County Records

The Oregon Health Authority keeps vital records for the whole state. This includes marriage records from Multnomah County going back to 1906. You can order certified copies of older marriage certificates through the Oregon Vital Records office. They serve as a backup if the Multnomah County clerk does not have the record you need.

The ACLU Oregon guide has helpful info on getting a marriage license in any Oregon county. It covers Multnomah County and the rest of the state. This resource is a quick way to check the basics before you visit the clerk office.