The Dalles Marriage License Search

Wasco County marriage license records are on file with the County Clerk in The Dalles, Oregon. The clerk issues new marriage licenses and stores past filings for public access. Wasco County offers an online application to help speed up the process. If you plan to search for a marriage license or need to obtain a new one, the Wasco County Clerk office can help. The Dalles serves as the county seat and the center for all vital record services. Staff handle walk-in visits, phone calls, and online requests. All Wasco County marriage license records are public documents open to anyone.

Wasco County Clerk Office

The Wasco County Clerk handles all marriage license services. The office is in The Dalles, the county seat. Staff issue new licenses, store past records, and provide certified copies. The fee for a marriage license in Wasco County is $50, as set by Ordinance 22-001. A fee waiver is on hand for $16 if you meet the right terms.

Both people must appear in person at the Wasco County Clerk office. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person had a prior marriage, bring proof it ended. Under ORS 106.041, the clerk must confirm both parties qualify before a Wasco County marriage license can be issued.

Wasco County also offers a civil ceremony service for $117. If you need a staff witness, the cost is $16 per staff member. Certified copies of a marriage record cost $7.75 each. If you need to amend a filed record, the fee is $25. Parental consent certification for a minor is $16 per minor.

Visit the Wasco County website for more on clerk services and office hours in The Dalles.

The image above shows the Wasco County official site. Links to the clerk, fees, and other county services are listed on the main page.

Wasco County Online Marriage Application

Wasco County provides an online marriage application. This lets you fill out your details before visiting the clerk office in The Dalles. It saves time and helps reduce errors on the form. You still need to appear in person with your partner and your IDs, but the paperwork is mostly done when you arrive.

Go to the Wasco County online marriage application to begin. Enter your names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other required details. Once you submit the form, the clerk will review it. Then schedule your in-person visit to sign and pay the $50 fee in Wasco County.

The online portal shown above walks you through each step. It is the fastest way to start your Wasco County marriage license application.

How to Get a Wasco County Marriage License

Start with the online application or call the clerk office. Ask about hours and what to bring. The office in The Dalles handles all marriage license requests for Wasco County.

At your visit, both partners sign the application in front of a staff member. The clerk checks IDs and reviews all the info. Pay the $50 fee. Your Wasco County marriage license then enters a three-day waiting period. Oregon law under ORS 106.077 sets this hold time. After three days, you can hold your ceremony. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued.

A court order can waive the three-day wait in Wasco County if there is a special need.

Wasco County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 17 to apply. Those under 18 need parental consent. The clerk charges $16 for the parental consent certification per minor in Wasco County. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, state ID, or passport. You also need your Social Security number. If a prior marriage ended, bring the decree or death certificate.

No blood test is needed. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Wasco County or in Oregon. Both parties must appear together at the clerk office. Under ORS Chapter 106, these rules apply in every county.

What to bring to the Wasco County Clerk:

• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Social Security numbers
• $50 fee payment
• Proof of prior marriage end if applicable
• Parental consent if under 18

After the Wedding in Wasco County

The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. They must return the signed form to the Wasco County Clerk within 10 days. Under ORS 106.120, the person who performs the ceremony is responsible for filing the completed license. The clerk then records it. The marriage becomes official at that point in Wasco County.

Once filed, you can order certified copies for $7.75 each from the Wasco County Clerk. These copies work as legal proof of your marriage. You may need them for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters.

Under ORS 106.150, a license from Wasco County is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Oregon. You can pick up your license in The Dalles and hold the wedding in any county in the state.

Search Wasco County Marriage Records

Past marriage records in Wasco County are public. Anyone can ask the clerk to look up a record. Provide a name and rough date. The Wasco County Clerk keeps records at the office in The Dalles. Older records may also be on file with the state vital records office.

For marriage records that go back further, reach out to the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. They hold records from 1906 to present. You can also use VitalChek to order certified copies online. This works for Wasco County marriage certificates and other Oregon vital records.

Oregon Marriage License Laws

Oregon state law governs all marriage licenses, including those filed in Wasco County. The full set of rules is in ORS Chapter 106. These statutes cover who can marry, what the clerk must verify, 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 Wasco County and all other counties. Visit the Oregon Vital Records page for details on how to order copies.

The state vital records office holds marriage data from many decades back. They can assist if Wasco County records are hard to find for older filings.

Name Changes After Marriage

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

Once the marriage is on record, take a certified copy to the Social Security office, the DMV, and your bank. Start with Social Security. Then update your driver license. Finally, notify other accounts. The certified copy from Wasco County serves as your proof.