Are Oregon Vital Records Public?
Yes. Although Oregon is a closed records state, vital records become public records after a period of confidentiality elapses. During this restriction period, Oregon vital records are only available to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and court-approved requesters. When the period of confidentiality elapses, interested members of the public may obtain various vital records for informational or genealogical purposes.
What Information Shows Up in Oregon Vital Records?
Oregon vital records are all official documents relating to vital events within the state’s jurisdiction. This includes records of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths, as well as related occurrences, including adoption, separations, abortions, and others. These records are used for identification purposes but are also handy for analyzing health trends and developing public policies that improve community living.
How Do I Obtain Oregon Vital Records Online?
The Oregon Health Authority is the central custodian for vital records in the state, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce, and death records. However, the department does not provide an electronic option to conduct online searches.
Online vital record orders typically require that the requesting party provide information with which to process the request. The information required typically includes:
- The registrant’s full name
- The year, month, and day of the life event
- The county or city where the life event happened
- The full name of the registrant's parents (including the mother's maiden name where applicable)
- The case file number of the record
How Do I Obtain Oregon Vital Records?
The requirements for obtaining an Oregon vital record typically vary depending on the requestor’s eligibility and the intended use of the vital record. Eligible requestors need only provide a government-issued photo ID or proof that establishes the requestor’s relationship with the individual named on the vital record of interest. On the other hand, requesters who are statutorily ineligible must obtain a court order from an Oregon-licensed judge.
Publicly available vital records are also managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide the following:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved in providing it is not a juvenile
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Informational copies are copies of a record typically issued to requestors for genealogical, research, or informational purposes. Holders of informational copies cannot use the document to establish identity - this warning is clearly stated on the document. On the other hand, a certified record is an official copy that gives the holder the legal authority to establish identity and can be used for official purposes like processing insurance benefits.
Are Oregon Marriage Records Public Information?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Oregon marriage records are not public information until 50 years after the marriage. Pending when this restriction elapses, only the following persons may access Oregon marriage records:
- The persons named on the record
- The person’s parent, legal guardian
- A descendant of either party named on the record (aged 18 and above)
- A legal representative or court-approved representative
- Any government agency (or a third party) with the legal authority to access the record
Record seekers who want to know how to find marriage records in Oregon should contact the State Vital Records Office.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Oregon?
Public marriage records are available via the state archives, but eligible persons who wish to obtain restricted marriage records must visit the Clerk’s Office in the county where the marriage license was issued. Marriage license lookup can be done online, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk & Recorder’s Offices. For instance, an individual can conduct a free marriage license records search via the Multnomah County Digital Research Room.
Meanwhile, marriage records in Oregon are also maintained by the Vital Records Office of the Oregon Health Authority. This state agency only processes in-person and mail requests for marriage records. The eligible requester must complete an Oregon Marriage Record Order Form (English or Spanish) or submit a written request containing the following information:
- The full names of both parties named on the record
- The county in which the marriage license was issued
- The date on which the marriage was licensed or the record was filed
- The requestor’s full name, contact information, and mailing address
- The relationship between the requesting party and the registrant(s)
Either way, the requestor must sign the request and attach payment in the form of a money order or check and a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID. Next, the requestor must enclose the application packet in a self-addressed envelope and submit the request in person or via mail to:
Oregon Vital Records Office
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050
Contact the Vital Records Office or the Clerk’s Office in the county where the marriage license was issued for more information on how to find marriage records and conduct a free marriage license records search in Oregon.
How to Get an Oregon Marriage Certificate
An individual can obtain a marriage certificate in Oregon by sending a request to the Vital Records Office. Marriage certificate requests can be made in person, online, by mail, or over the phone. Record seekers can apply for marriage certificates by calling (888) 896-4988 or using an online tool provided by a third-party vendor approved by the Office. A mail applicant must submit a complete Marriage Record Order Form, a copy of acceptable identification, and the necessary fees (payable by money order or check) to the Office. In-person applicants must schedule an appointment before visiting the Office. The processing time for an in-person request is 30 minutes to one business day. It takes about ten to twelve weeks to process requests received by regular mail and three to five business days to process requests via “rush delivery” service.
Are Oregon Divorce Records Public Information?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Oregon divorce records are not available to the public because state laws deem all divorce-related confidential until 50 years after the divorce. Until the period of confidentiality elapses, the following persons may access the divorce record: the persons named on the record, immediate family members, the registrants’ legal representatives, and persons armed with a court order.
Record seekers asking the question, “Are death certificates public record?” should contact the Vital Record Office staff at (971) 673-1190.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Oregon?
Oregon divorce records are also known as dissolution of marriage records. Oregon divorce records can be obtained by querying the clerk of courts in the courthouse where the divorce was granted or by requesting the record from the Vital Records Office. Eligible requesters may send a written request or a completed Oregon Divorce Record Order Form (English or Spanish). Either way, the application packet must contain the signed application or request letter, a check or money order for $25, and a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID. The requester must enclose the application packet in a self-addressed stamped envelope and submit the request in person or via mail to:
Oregon Vital Records Office
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland OR 97293-0050
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Oregon
A record seeker can get a certified Oregon divorce certificate from the Oregon Vital Records Office by applying in person, online, by mail, or over the phone. Online applicants must request the dissolution of marriage records via the online tool provided by a third-party vendor approved by the Office, while phone applicants can call (888) 896-4988. Mail applicants must submit complete Divorce Record Order Forms and current IDs to the Office.
Are Oregon Birth Records Public Information?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Oregon birth records are not deemed public birth records until 100 years following the birth date. Within these initial 100 years, access to birth records is restricted to:
- The person named on the record (must be 15 years of age or older)
- The parents, legal guardian, or spouse of the registrant
- Immediate family members of the registrant
- Legal representatives of any of the above-mentioned parties
- A court-approved party
- Government or security agencies conducting official duties.
How Do I Obtain Oregon Birth Records?
Requests for birth records start at the clerk’s office in the county where the life event occurred. Meanwhile, the Oregon Vital Records Office also acts as a central repository for statewide birth records and processes requests for birth certificates and replacement birth certificates. To order birth certificates from this state agency, the requester must complete an Oregon Birth Record Order Form (English or Spanish) or prepare a written request stating information relevant to the record. Upon completing the request form, attach payment in the form of a check or money order, as well as a government-issued photo ID. Enclose the application packet containing these three items in a self-addressed stamped envelope and submit it in person or via mail to:
Oregon Vital Records Office
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland OR 97293-0050
Is a Birth Certificate a Public Record in Oregon?
Per ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(ii), birth certificates are not public birth records until 100 years after the date of birth. Public birth certificates are accessible to all, but confidential birth certificates are only available to the following persons:
- An individual from 15 years and above whose name is on the birth records
- Immediate members of the registrant family, such as current spouses, siblings, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren
- Step-parents of registrant below the age of 18
- Legal guardians
- Authorized and legal representatives
- Government agencies
Record seekers can request original birth certificates or replacement birth certificates at the Oregon Vital Records Office.
Are Oregon Death Records Open to the Public?
It depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Oregon death records are not available to the public until 50 years after the death occurred. Until this statutory period of confidentiality elapses, only immediate family members of the deceased, the next of kin, the deceased’s legal guardian, or a legal representative may obtain the death record.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Oregon?
Public death records are available following a death certificate search in the state archives. On the other hand, confidential death records can either be obtained in the judicial district where the event occurred or by querying the Office of Vital Records.
To obtain death records from the state agency, complete the Oregon Death Record Order Form (English or Spanish), attach the indicated fees and ID requirements, and enclose the documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Submit the record in person or mail the record to:
Oregon Vital Records Office
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland OR 97293-0050
Upon receipt, the administrative staff will perform a death record search by name and retrieve the death record of interest. Then, the official makes a certified copy of the death certificate and processes it for return to the requester. Mail requests in this way take an average of two weeks if the application packet is complete and accurate.
Is a Death Certificate Public Record in Oregon?
Most people contact the Oregon Vital Records Office when they seek answers to the question, “Are death certificates public record?”. This helps them to ascertain their eligibility to obtain such records.
Per ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(ii), a death certificate is considered a public record 50 years after the date of death. Hence, death certificates less than 50 years are confidential and restricted to the decedents’ family members (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, and grandchild), authorized representatives, funeral home staff, and government agencies.
What are Vital Statistics in Oregon?
Oregon vital statistics are the assembling of information collected from vital event records and the analysis of such records. Data gathered from vital events are used to analyze health trends, program planning, and policy development. To find vital statistics, call (971) 673-1190 or visit the Bureau of Vital Statistics at the Oregon Center for Health Statistics.
