La Grande Marriage License Records

Union County marriage license records are on file at the County Clerk office in La Grande, Oregon. The clerk issues new licenses and stores past filings for public review. La Grande serves as the county seat and the hub for all vital record services in Union County. If you need to search for a marriage license or plan to apply for one, the Union County Clerk office can help. Staff handle requests by phone, fax, or in person at the courthouse. Clerk Lisa Feik leads the office. All marriage license records in Union County are public documents open to search.

Union County Clerk Office

The Union County Clerk handles all marriage license services. The office is at 1001 Fourth St Suite D in La Grande, Oregon 97850. Lisa Feik serves as the elected clerk, with a term that runs through 2027. Staff can issue new licenses, look up old records, and provide certified copies. Call 541-963-1006 to ask about hours or what you need to bring.

Both people must appear in person at the Union County Clerk office. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you had a prior marriage, bring proof it ended. The clerk will review your documents and confirm you meet the legal rules. Under ORS 106.041, the clerk must verify that both parties qualify before a Union County marriage license can be issued. Contact the office for the current fee amount.

You can also reach the Union County Clerk by fax at 541-963-1013. This may help if you have questions about forms or need to send documents ahead of your visit to La Grande.

The Union County government website has more details on clerk services. Visit the Union County Clerk page for hours, forms, and contact info for marriage license services.

The image above shows the Union County Clerk office page. You can find links to marriage license details and other recording services from this page.

How to Get a Union County Marriage License

Start by calling the Union County Clerk at 541-963-1006. Ask about the current fee, what forms you need, and how to set up your visit. Some couples call ahead to confirm hours, since schedules can shift around holidays. The La Grande office handles all marriage license requests for Union County.

At your visit, both partners sign the application in front of a clerk staff member. The clerk checks your IDs and reviews all the information. Once you pay the fee, your Union County marriage license enters a three-day waiting period. Oregon law under ORS 106.077 sets this hold time. After three days pass, you can hold your ceremony. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

A court order can waive the three-day wait in special cases in Union County.

Union County Official Website

The Union County government runs a website with details on all county departments. You can find the clerk office, contact info, and links to forms and services.

Visit unioncountyor.gov to browse Union County services. The site lists phone numbers, office locations, and details on how to access marriage license records.

Union County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 17 to apply for a marriage license in Union County. Those under 18 need consent from a parent or legal guardian. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver license, state ID, or passport. You also need your Social Security number. If a prior marriage ended in divorce, bring the decree. A death certificate works if a prior spouse passed away.

Oregon law does not require a blood test. There is no residency rule either. You do not have to live in Union County or even in Oregon to get a marriage license in La Grande. Both parties must appear in person at the clerk office. No one can apply on behalf of another person. Under ORS Chapter 106, these rules apply across every county in the state.

Here is what to bring to the Union County Clerk office:

• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Social Security numbers
• Payment in the amount set by the clerk
• Proof of prior marriage end if needed

After the Wedding in Union County

Your officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. They must return the signed license to the Union County Clerk within 10 days. Under ORS 106.120, the person who performs the ceremony is responsible for filing the completed form. The clerk then records it and the marriage becomes part of the official record in Union County.

Once the license is on file, you can request certified copies. These copies serve as proof of your marriage. You may need them to change your name, update insurance, or handle other legal tasks. The Union County Clerk charges a fee for each certified copy. Call ahead to confirm the cost.

A marriage license from Union County can be used anywhere in Oregon. Under ORS 106.150, a license issued in one county is valid for ceremonies in any other county. So you could get your license in La Grande and hold your wedding elsewhere in the state.

Oregon Marriage License Laws

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

The Oregon Health Authority keeps vital records for the whole state. This includes marriage records from Union County and all other counties. You can order certified copies of older marriage certificates through their office. Visit the Oregon Vital Records page for details on how to request copies.

The state vital records office holds marriage data going back many decades. They can help if Union County records are hard to find for older filings.

Search Union County Marriage Records

Past marriage records in Union County are public documents. Anyone can ask the clerk to search for a record. You will need a name and a rough date to help the staff locate the file. The Union County Clerk office keeps records on site in La Grande. Older records may also be on file with the state.

For marriage records from Union County that go back further, contact the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. They hold records from 1906 to present. You can also use VitalChek to order certified copies online. This service works for Union County marriage certificates and other Oregon vital records. There is an extra fee for using VitalChek on top of the state fee.

The ACLU Oregon guide has useful details on getting a marriage license in any Oregon county, including Union County.

Name Changes After Marriage

Many people choose to change their name after marriage. In Union County, the marriage license itself can serve as the basis for a name change. Under ORS 106.220, either spouse may take the other's last name or adopt a new combined name. You list your chosen name on the marriage license application at the Union County Clerk office.

Once your marriage is on record, take a certified copy to the Social Security office, the DMV, and your bank. Each agency has its own process. The certified copy from Union County serves as proof. Start with Social Security, then move to your driver license, and then update other accounts.