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How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Center for Health Statistics / Oregon Vital Records (state level - Portland) / County Health Departments (county level - recent births only)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Oregon birth records are restricted (not fully public). Eligible: the registrant, parents, legal guardian, legal representative, children, grandchildren, siblings, and other direct-line descendants; see oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates for full eligibility rules.
  2. Determine which office to contact based on when the birth occurred:
  3. Recent birth (within approx. 5 months): Contact the county health department or county vital records office in the county where the birth occurred for fastest in-person service
  4. Older birth: Contact Oregon Vital Records (state office)
  5. Choose your method:
  6. ONLINE (fastest - state): VitalChek (authorized vendor for Oregon Vital Records); order at vitalchek.com; select mail delivery or call ahead about Will Call options
  7. WILL CALL: Oregon Vital Records, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232; Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM; call (971) 673-1190 to confirm Will Call hours and procedures
  8. BY MAIL (state): Complete application (available at oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates); include copy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "Oregon Health Authority"; mail to: Oregon Vital Records, PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050
  9. IN PERSON (county health dept - recent births): Contact county office directly; varies by county
  10. Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
  11. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed application
  • Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another person
  • Payment
Processing Time
VitalChek/online: approximately 2-5 business days; state mail: varies; county in-person (recent births): faster
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek (authorized vendor); oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates for state ordering links
Where to Go
County vital records (recent births); Oregon Vital Records - state office (all other births); 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232; mail: PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050
County-specific variations apply

County vital records offices (typically county health departments) can issue certificates for births in their county within the past approximately 5 months and 28 days. Multnomah County (Portland), Washington County, Clackamas County, Lane County (Eugene), Marion County (Salem), Jackson County (Medford), and others have county vital records offices. For births older than this window, use the state office.

Oregon Notes

Important state-specific details

  • State (Oregon Vital Records): records from July 1903 to present; births before 1903 at Oregon State Archives.
  • Birth records become public after 100 years; death and marriage records after 50 years.
  • Short form (standard) certificates are sufficient for most purposes; long form requested for international use, tribal enrollment, or detailed amendment history; request specifically.
  • Adult (21+) adoptees born in Oregon may apply for original adoption records and birth certificate.
  • Oregon Vital Records accepts online orders through VitalChek and walk-in at Portland office.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics / Oregon Vital Records - oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates | (971) 673-1190 | 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232; mail: PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050