Oregon Birth Records

Are Birth Records Public in Oregon?

No, only birth records above 100 years can be accessed by any member of the public. All birth records, including indexes below a 100-year, are considered private records (Oregon Health Division, OAR 333-011-096). Those seeking to access vital records in the archives that are under 100 years would need to obtain permission through the State Registrar.

The Oregon Department of Health, provides information such as vital statistics and public birth records, including birth certificates to persons seeking data. The bureau of vital statistics maintains all records of vital events that took place in Oregon; birth records, death records, and records of marriages and divorces. Oregon birth certificates can be ordered from the official website maintained by the health department (which is advised) and can also be obtained from online vendors (third-party sites).

What are Birth Records in Oregon?

In Oregon, a birth record is a legal document that bears vital details of birth and proves that such an event occurred within the state’s territory. Oregon began recording births officially in 1903, though some counties kept birth records before then. Certified copies of Oregon birth records are available to eligible persons on request. In Oregon, interested parties can obtain any of two birth certificates types:

1. Short-form Certificates: Short-form birth certificates are computer-issued and are called short-form because they originally contain only vital information such as:

• Child’s name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Mother’s full name (maiden name included)
• Father’s name

Previously, information such as time of birth, birth hospital, mother’s address, and parents’ dates of birth were not included on short-form birth certificates. However, Oregon began electronic filing of birth records in 2008, and this led to the inclusion of some other information on short-form birth certificates. Every short-form birth certificate issued for births occurring after 2008 contains all the previously excluded data. To date, requesters seeking to obtain records of births that occurred before 2008 are issued the old short-form birth certificates with limited information. They are used for legal purposes within the United States. The information it contains is enough to process documents such as driver’s licenses and passports.

2. Long-form Certificates: These are full image birth records and are only available for births registered before 2008. Long-form birth certificates had more information than short-form birth certificates before Oregon started issuing the new short-form birth certificates. The information in long-form certificates is detailed, making them suitable for use outside the United States, especially for obtaining citizenship status in other countries.

Where to Find Public Birth Records in Oregon

The department of health, Oregon, maintains an Oregon birth registry database where those seeking to find birth records can search. Records can be accessed online, via mail, or in person:

Online; one can check for records. Payment can be made by credit or debit cards.

Please note that a nonrefundable fee of $43.25 would be made to search the Oregon birth registry and a fee $25 for additional copies of the record.

Or,

Phone: (888) 896-4988

Payment can be made using a credit or debit card.

Note that a nonrefundable fee of $44.95 would be required for the search, and a fee of $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously.

By Mail: records can be requested via mail either as regular or one could request for expedited service.

Regular; requesters can send an order form by regular mail. Payment can be made using a money order or a check.

A nonrefundable fee of $25 would need to be paid for a record search and a fee of $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered at the time of the search. A full-image birth certificate goes for $30.

For expedited service; the requester can send an order form through an overnight delivery service. Payment should be done via money order.

Requests can also be sent through a dropbox. Those who seek an Oregon birth record can submit the required documents in a sealed envelope in the drop box at the Oregon State Office Building.

In-person or walk-in services; requesters who scheduled an appointment would need to check in early at the first floor

800 North-East Oregon Street, Portland 97232.

Appointment Hours

Note that a nonrefundable fee of $28 is required and a fee of $25 for any additional copies of the same record. A birth certificate with a full image goes for $33.

Those seeking records can also obtain access to records from third-party sites.

How to Find and Request Birth Records Online in Oregon

In Oregon, interested persons can look up birth records that have been registered for over a hundred years online. Such birth documents are preserved at the State Archives for the public to view and make copies. Recent birth records are not public records and, as such, cannot be seen online. However, eligible applicants can obtain birth records online by filing applications with third-party vital records providers approved by the Oregon Vital Records Office. Birth records can also be accessed by the legal representative of the subject of data when necessary.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

How to Get Birth Records in Oregon

In Oregon, interested persons can obtain certified copies of their birth records from any of the following government agency:

• Oregon Vital Records Office, also known as the Center for Health Statistics (CHS).
• Local County Health Departments (Only for birth events under six months).

To obtain an Oregon birth record, a requester must complete an application form, which may vary depending on the applicant’s choice of a certificate. Persons seeking to obtain the short-form birth certificates should complete the Oregon Birth Record Order Form. Those looking to get the long-form certificates should complete the Oregon Birth Record Order Form - Full image. They must submit proof of identities with the completed application forms. In Oregon, any of the following documents can serve as proof of identification when requesting birth records:

• Unexpired Oregon driver's license, permit, or ID card
• Valid passport or passport card with photo
• Valid driver's license or ID card obtained from another U.S. state
• Tribal membership or ID card with photo and address (without a photo, it is accepted as one of three pieces of ID)
• U.S. alien registration card with photo
• Armed services ID card with photo.
• Current student body card with name and photo (only high school students)
• Consulate card (Matrícula Consular) with photo and address.
• Citizen ID with photo
• Permanent resident card with photo
• State or federal government ID badge with photo

If none of these documents can be provided by requesters as proof of identification, they may provide at least three of the following documents:

• Original selective service card or military discharge paper
• U.S. Immigration or naturalization papers
• Concealed weapon permit with photo
• Official papers issued by courts, which include the date of birth
• Official corrections department or parole papers showing the date of birth and identity
• Vehicle registration documents
• Personalized check or savings account passbook
• Monthly account statement (not more than 30 days old).
• Pistol or firearms permit
• State hunting or fishing license
• A recent utility or any other bill with current address (document provided must be no more than 30 days old)
• Recent official paycheck stub or paycheck (Document submitted must not be more than 30 days old
• Company identification card
• Voter registration card issued by a county elections department
• Valid food stamp, welfare, or unemployment identification
• Medical or hospital card of identification
• Tax statements
• Auto insurance policy
• Union membership card

The completed applications and required documents can be submitted in person or by mail. Usually, in-person submissions are the fastest way of obtaining certified copies of birth records in Oregon. Walk-in birth records applications are usually processed and fulfilled on the same day of requests.

Where Can I Find Birth Records in Oregon?

Certified copies of birth records in Oregon are available at the Vital Records Office, which is often called the Center for Health Statistics (CHS). The CHS is a division of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) tasked with the collection, maintenance, and issuance of certified copies of birth records. It receives and processes birth records orders submitted in person or by mail.

Walk-In Requests – CHS

For in-person birth records orders in Oregon, completed applications and supporting documents should be submitted to the CHS at:

Oregon Vital Records
800 Northeast Oregon Street Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232

The CHS has self-service kiosks at this location where applicants are required to provide their Social Security Numbers (SSNs) to generate questionnaires. A requester’s SSN serves as additional proof of identity at this service point. The CHS accepts walk-in requests between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mail-In Requests – CHS

Requesters should enclose with completed applications, payments proof, supporting documents, and self-addressed stamped envelopes and send by mail to:

Oregon Vital Records
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293

Requesters opting for expedited overnight delivery service should include prepaid overnight delivery envelopes in their applications.

Local County Health Departments

Certified copies of birth records are available at some County Health Departments. In Oregon, County Registrars must seek the approval of the State Registrar before issuing certified copies of birth records to anyone. If authorized, the County Health Departments can only issue birth certificates of children who are not older than six months. Applicants seeking to obtain birth certificates for older persons must apply to the CHS. Health Departments in Lincoln, Polk, and Multnomah counties are some county offices issuing certified copies of birth records for children within the approved age range.

Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Oregon?

Certified copies of Oregon birth certificates registered in less than 100 years are only available to specific persons. Such birth certificates can only be obtained by the following persons:

• Registrants whose names are on the birth records (must be 15 years or older)
• Emancipated minors
• Members of the registrants’ immediate families, such as current spouses, siblings, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren
• Step-parents of registrants who are below 18 years of age
• Legal guardians (must show legal proof of guardianship)
• Legal representatives (must state whom they represent and their relationship with the registrants
• Authorized representatives who are not related to the registrants or other eligible applicants (must prove the relationship between whom they represent and the registrants)
• Government agencies (in discharging their official duties)

How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost in Oregon?

State Archives

Viewing Oregon birth records at the State Archives is free. However, patrons pay 25¢ per page of a photocopied certificate, while State Archives staff are charged 75¢ per page. Persons seeking to obtain certified copies of birth records from the State Archives will pay $5 per record if requesting from within the state. Out-of-state requesters are charged $10 per record. The State Archives offers expedited services for requesters who wish to get birth records earlier than the standard processing time. They must pay an additional $30 fee to access this rush service.

Walk-In Requests - CHS

For walk-in requests at the CHS, applicants pay $28 for one short-form birth certificate. Additional copies of the certificate in the same order cost $25 each. The cost of obtaining long-form birth certificates is $33 per copy.

Mail-in Requests - CHS

The CHS charges $25 for each short-form birth certificate requested by mail. Requesters seeking to obtain full image long-form birth certificates will pay $30 for each copy ordered. Additional charges apply to applicants who want rush service. The amount varies and is determined by the overnight-delivery service provider chosen by requesters.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate in Oregon?

In Oregon, in-person birth certificate requests at the CHS are typically fulfilled between 30 minutes to an hour for short-form certificates. Long-form birth certificate requests are processed and ready for pick up the next business day. Mail requests take between five to eight weeks after the receipt of applications to be processed. Expedited mail orders are delivered within three to five business days. Birth records requests at the State Archives for research purposes are usually processed within seven to ten business days, provided the particular records of interests are articulately described.

How to Get a New Birth Certificate in Oregon.

Birth certificates can be requested from the vital records office center for health statistics Oregon. Those seeking it can fill in an Oregon birth certificate application online on via mail,

The requester would need to provide the following information.:

• The full name of the subject of the birth record
• The date of birth
• Place of birth
• Full name of both birth parents (mother’s maiden name).
• Requesters relationship with the person named on the record.
• A stated reason for the order, if the requester is not the subject of the record.
• Contact number and address for the recipient.
• Signature and copy of a valid ID

A new birth certificate would cost $25. One can also get a new marriage, divorce, or death certificate from the Bureau of vital statistics Oregon.

Can You Find Oregon Birth Certificates Online?

Yes. Birth certificates can be ordered online in Oregon. Those seeking to find Oregon birth certificates can do so by checking the state-managed database maintained by the bureau of vital statistics Oregon. One can also find an Oregon death certificate online.

How to Expunge Your Birth Records in Oregon

Expungement is a court-ordered removal or destruction of all or parts of a person’s record. Expunged records are not publicly available. At present, there are no provisions for the expungement of birth records in Oregon. However, birth certificates may be voided if issuing authorities are convinced the birth records were obtained by false representation.

How to Seal Your Birth Records in Oregon

Generally, most birth records are sealed from public access in Oregon. Members of the public do not have access to birth records until after 100 years of registration. Pre-adoption birth records, all the documents generated during adoption processes, and adoption records are equally sealed in Oregon. Since Oregon adoption records are generally sealed, there is naturally no need to write a petition to seal an adoption record. They can only be opened by order of a court. Upon the finalization of adoption processes, adoptees are issued amended birth certificates. The changes made to amended birth records include replacing birth parents’ names with those of adoptive parents. Sealing of birth records in Oregon aims to protect adoptees from discrimination.

Please note that due to some amendment to the law some individuals can access an Oregon adoption record without a court order.

How to Unseal Your Birth Records in Oregon

Oregon gives adult adoptees above 21 years of age unrestricted access to their sealed original birth certificates upon fulfilling certain conditions. The information of the birth parents in the contact preference form signed at the finalization of adoption processes plays an insignificant role in unsealing birth records. Birth parents’ dissent for future contact by adoptees does not deny adoptees the right to obtain their pre-adoption birth certificates. The following are the conditions that must be met by adoptees or other qualified persons to have access to their sealed birth records:

• Only adoptees or their legal representatives can obtain original birth certificates. The legal representatives must include notarized permission notes from the adoptees.
• Adoptees must be 21 years or older.
• Adoptees must be Oregon-born.
• Only adoptees involved in finalized adoption processes, with sealed original birth certificates and adoption reports on record, can obtain sealed certificates.

To obtain pre-adoption birth certificates, adoptees or their legal representatives must complete the Pre-Adoption Birth Record Order Form and provide valid identifying photo documents. Legal representatives must include notarized permission notes from adoptees to their applications. The applications should be clearly marked with “Adoptee Seeking a Pre-adoption Birth Record” and submitted to:

Oregon Vital Records
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050

Who Signs Birth and Death Certificates in Oregon?

A birth certificate usually bears the signature of one or both birth parents of the subject of the data and the hospital where the baby whose name appears on the certificate. A death certificate on the other hand can be signed by a hospital, coroner, a physician certifier, or the funeral director.

What is an Oregon Birth Index?

The Oregon birth index is an online database containing all registered birth records that occurred within Oregon. These records contain information regarding the person whose name appears on the certificate or record. The Center for Health Statistics Oregon has birth records dating from 1903.