Washington County
Oregon
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Marriage Licenses

How to get a marriage license in Washington County.

Marriage license conditions and requirements

  • You must wait 3 days from the day the license is issued before you can have a wedding ceremony.
  • You can have a wedding ceremony anywhere in the State of Oregon up to 60 days after the marriage license is issued.
  • You must be 18 years or older, or 17 years old with a parent or guardian consent.
  • A license can be issued one day after the final date of a divorce.
  • No medical examination or blood tests are required.
  • Oregon State law does not allow the marriage of first cousins or nearer of kin.
  • There are no exceptions, waivers, or refunds to the license fee.

What do I need to obtain a Marriage License?

  • Your birthplace & name at birth
  • Your parents' birthplaces
  • Your parents' names prior to first marriage
  • The date that each applicant’s prior marriage ended, such as by death or divorce
  • The name you will be using after the marriage takes place
  • The fee is $60.00. We accept cash, checks, money order, and debit/credit cards. Debit/credit cards will be charged an additional fee of 2.45% (minimum $1.50).

Obtain a Marriage License in person or by mail

  • You can fill out the application online at https://webhelext.co.washington.or.us/Marriage. Computers are also available in our lobby if you do not have internet access. Please read and follow the instructions carefully. After you have completed the application, both applicants must come to the Recording office to pay the fee and complete the process. Be sure to bring a copy of the confirmation page with the Submission ID.
  • To obtain a marriage license application by mail, call the Recording office at 503-846-8752 or email [email protected]
    • An application will be mailed to you.
    • Both parties need to sign & date the application and return it with the fee by mail or in person at the address below.
    • Allow at least 3 weeks before the ceremony to process the mailed application.
    • On approval, your license will be returned within 3 working days of receipt.

Who Can Perform a Wedding?

The following people can perform ceremonies:

  • Anyone authorized by an active religious congregation or secular organization
  • A State of Oregon judicial officer
  • An active judge of a federal court
  • An active United States Magistrate judge

After the ceremony

Your officiant must sign the issued license and return it to the county office within (5) working days.

Certified copies

You may request a certified copy in writing or by phone. Certified copies are $7.75 each.

FAQs

We will waive the three day waiting period for an extra $5.00. You must intend to have a ceremony within the three days before we can issue the waiver.

The following people can perform ceremonies:

  • Anyone authorized by an active religious congregation or secular organization
  • A State of Oregon judicial officer
  • An active judge of a federal court
  • An active United States Magistrate judge

As long as the online ordination meets the requirements from the State of Oregon, it is just as official as a traditional religious ordination.

You need two witnesses who are present at the ceremony to validate the marriage. Neither the minister nor partners involved can act as a witness. Witnesses will print their names on the license as verification of their presence.

As part of the marriage license application, each party must pick the name taken after the marriage ceremony. However, the State of Oregon limits your name change options. If your desired name is not listed when applying, please ask the clerk at the window for allowable name options.

The officiant will fill in the required information and sign the license. Once complete, the officiant is responsible for returning the license to Washington County within five days of the ceremony.

You may purchase a certified copy of your marriage license at the time your license is issued. After the ceremony the certified copy will be mailed to the address given at the time the application was processed. You may also call the Recording Office to order a certified copy.

The Secretary of the State of Oregon is responsible for providing State of Oregon seals. They will not accept county-issued copies of marriage records. Instead, you must provide a copy from the State of Oregon Vital Records office.

If you notice a mistake on your license before the ceremony, contact our office 503-846-8752 so we can assist you in correcting the mistake. If the license has already been received by our office, there may be a $20.00 amendment fee charged to correct the information. Please contact us so we can assist you.

Location

Assessment & Taxation Suite 130 entryway

Department of Assessment & Taxation

155 N First Avenue
Suite 130, MS 9
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124

Hours and directions

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