How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Oregon's 36 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both applicants appear in person together at any Oregon county Clerk's office; most county clerks are available Mon-Fri during business hours; many counties offer online pre-application to reduce in-office time; check your county's website
Complete the application (online or in-office); both parties must be present to finalize
As part of the application, each party MUST select the legal name they will take after the marriage - Oregon limits name change options to specified combinations; review options before applying
Pay the fee; license issued immediately; however a 3-day waiting period applies before the license becomes effective
THREE-DAY WAITING PERIOD: The ceremony may NOT be performed until 3 days after the license is issued; the "License Effective" date is 3 calendar days after issuance
WAIVER: Most Oregon counties allow the 3-day waiting period to be waived for an additional fee (typically $5-$25 depending on county); waiver must be requested before or at time of issuance; some counties require proof of intent to marry within the 3 days
Special waiver for military: some county clerks (e.g., Linn County) waive the waiting period for military personnel
Judicial waiver: a judge may sign a waiver for just cause
License valid for 60 days from the "License Effective" date (not from the date of issuance); ceremony must take place within this 60-day window; license can be used in any county in Oregon
Two witnesses (at least 18 years old) must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license; neither the officiant nor either party may serve as a witness; county clerk offices may provide county witnesses for a fee (typically $10/witness) upon request
After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the issuing County Clerk's office by the officiant or one of the parties
Certified copies of the marriage license: available from the issuing county Clerk's office after the license is returned and processed; fees vary by county (typically $7-$10 per copy); may be pre-purchased at time of license issuance

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID for both applicants (driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID)
If previously divorced or dissolved domestic partnership: know the final date of divorce/dissolution; a license can be issued one day after the final date of a divorce (but 3-day waiting period still applies from the date of issuance)
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old effective January 1, 2026 (for licenses issued on or before December 31, 2025: age 17 with parental/guardian consent was allowed under prior law; as of January 1, 2026, minimum age is 18 with no exceptions)
First cousins or nearer of kin may NOT marry in Oregon; no exceptions

Fee

Varies by county; standard range $50-$75 statewide (some counties raising fees in 2025-2026, e.g., Washington County increasing to $85 on July 1, 2026); waiver fee: typically $5-$25 additional; certified copy: $7-$10; civil ceremony by County Clerk: typically $117 (by appointment)

Waiting Period

The ceremony may NOT be performed until 3 days after the license is issued; the "License Effective" date is 3 calendar days after issuance WAIVER: Most Oregon counties allow the 3-day waiting period to be waived for an additional fee (typically $5-$25 depending on county); waiver must be requested before or at time of issuance; some counties require proof of intent to marry within the 3 days Special waiver for military: some county clerks (e.g., Linn County) waive the waiting period for military personnel Judicial waiver: a judge may sign a waiver for just cause Step 6 - License valid for 60 days from the "License Effective" date (not from the date of issuance); ceremony must take place within this 60-day window; license can be used in any county in Oregon Step 7 - Two witnesses (at least 18 years old) must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license; neither the officiant nor either party may serve as a witness; county clerk offices may provide county witnesses for a fee (typically $10/witness) upon request Step 8 - After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the issuing County Clerk's office by the officiant or one of the parties Step 9 - Certified copies of the marriage license: available from the issuing county Clerk's office after the license is returned and processed; fees vary by county (typically $7-$10 per copy); may be pre-purchased at time of license issuance

Where to Go

Any Oregon county Clerk's office (no residency or ceremony-county restriction)

County-specific variations apply

Oregon's 36 county Clerks each set their own fees and minor procedural details within state law. Multnomah County (Portland), Washington County (Hillsboro), Clackamas County (Oregon City), Lane County (Eugene), Marion County (Salem), and Jackson County (Medford) are the largest and most resourced. Some rural Oregon counties have limited hours or appointments only. Most counties offer online pre-application. Civil ceremony fees and waiver amounts vary by county.

Oregon Notes

Important state-specific details

3-day waiting period - plan accordingly; effective date is 3 days after issuance.
Waiver available in most counties for additional fee (typically $5-$25).
NAME CHANGE MUST BE SELECTED AT APPLICATION - Oregon limits what names can be selected; spouses may each choose names independently within the options; review county website before visiting.
Minimum age raised to 18 effective January 1, 2026.
First cousins may NOT marry (no exceptions).
Common law marriage: Oregon does NOT recognize common law marriages.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Oregon Secretary of State (general info) - sos.oregon.gov; County Clerk (varies by county); Oregon Center for Health Statistics (marriage records after filing) - oregon.gov/oha/ph/birthdeathcertificates