Beaverton Marriage License Records
Beaverton marriage records are handled by the Washington County Clerk in Hillsboro. Beaverton is one of the largest cities in Washington County and sits just west of Portland. The city does not have its own marriage license office. All couples who live in Beaverton must go to the county clerk to get a license or request copies of past marriage records. The clerk office stores all marriage records for every city in Washington County. This makes the Hillsboro office the main place for Beaverton residents to find what they need.
Beaverton Marriage Records at Washington County
The Washington County Clerk is in Hillsboro. It is about a 15-minute drive from Beaverton. The office sits on First Avenue in the county building. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. No weekend hours are offered. Walk in any time during those hours to start the process or ask for copies of marriage records.
Both people must come to the office. Bring a photo ID. You will need your date of birth, Social Security number, and your parents' full names. The clerk staff will guide you. They handle many cases each day. The process is smooth and well run.
| Office |
Washington County Clerk 155 N First Avenue, Room 130 Hillsboro, OR 97124 Phone: (503) 846-8741 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | washingtoncountyor.gov/at/recording/marriage-licenses |
Beaverton residents can also start an application from home. The county offers an online marriage application that saves time. Fill it out before your visit. Then come to the office with your ID to finish the process. This cuts down the wait and makes the trip shorter for people from Beaverton.
How to Get a Marriage License from Beaverton
The steps are clear. Start with the online form on the county website. Enter your names, dates of birth, and other facts. Save your work. Then drive to Hillsboro. Both parties must appear in person. The clerk will check your ID and review the form.
Payment is due at the time of the visit. The fee is $60.00. The county takes cash, checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. A small fee of 2.45% is added for card use. Once paid, the clerk will issue the license.
Oregon law sets a three-day wait after the license is issued. This means you cannot hold the ceremony right away. The license is good for 60 days after that wait ends. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is needed. No witness is required at the ceremony itself.
After the ceremony, the person who led it signs the license. They must send it back to the Washington County Clerk. Once filed, it becomes an official marriage record. Beaverton couples can then order copies from the clerk office.
Oregon State Marriage Records for Beaverton
The state also keeps copies. The Oregon Health Authority has marriage records from 1906 on. You can request copies by mail or online. This is a good choice if you cannot drive to Hillsboro.
The image below shows the Oregon State Archives portal, which holds older vital records that may include Beaverton marriage records.
The Oregon State Archives stores older files. These are open to the public once they pass a set number of years. For family research, the archives are a strong tool. They hold records from all Oregon counties, so Beaverton records filed in Washington County will be there.
Under ORS 432.295, vital records are kept private for 50 years. After that, they open up. Newer marriage records need a direct link to the person on the file. Older ones can be accessed by anyone. This rule covers all of Oregon, including Beaverton.
Certified Copies of Beaverton Marriage Records
A certified copy carries the county seal. It is the version most places will accept for legal use. The Washington County Clerk charges $7.75 for each certified copy. You can get one at the office or request it by mail.
Bring your ID when you visit. The staff will search by name and date. They can pull up records fast. Most requests are filled the same day. For mail requests, allow extra time. Include a check or money order with your letter.
Some common reasons people ask for certified copies include:
- Name change at the DMV or Social Security office
- Proof of marriage for insurance
- Legal filings that need a sealed record
- Family history and genealogy work
Plain copies cost less. They lack the seal. For most legal matters, you need the certified version. Ask the clerk if you are not sure which type you need for your case.
Marriage Laws That Apply in Beaverton
Oregon law governs all marriages in the state. Beaverton follows the same rules as every other city. Both parties must be 18 or older. A valid ID is required. The three-day wait applies unless a judge grants a waiver.
The Oregon State Bar has a plain guide to marriage law. It covers who can perform the ceremony, what the license means, and how records are stored. This is a free resource. It explains the rules in simple terms that Beaverton residents can use.
Any person approved by law can lead the ceremony. That includes judges, clergy, and other licensed leaders. The ceremony can take place at any spot in Oregon. It does not have to be in Beaverton or even in Washington County. The license is valid across the whole state.
After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the clerk. The clerk files it and creates the official record. This step must happen within 10 days. Late filing can cause problems. Make sure your officiant sends it in on time.
Beaverton Community and Marriage Record History
Beaverton has grown fast over the past few decades. What was once a small farm town is now a busy suburb. The city sits in the Tualatin Valley and has close to 100,000 people. Growth means more marriage records are filed each year through Washington County.
The earliest records for the Beaverton area date back to the late 1800s. Washington County was formed in 1843. It is one of the first counties in Oregon. Early marriage records were written by hand in large books. Many of those old volumes still exist. The clerk office and the state archives hold them.
For deep family research, start at the county clerk. If the record is very old, the state archives may have it. Libraries in Beaverton and Hillsboro can also point you to local history collections. The Washington County Museum has items that help paint a picture of life in the area long ago.
Modern marriage records are stored in digital form. The county has moved many older records to electronic files as well. This makes searching faster. The online application system is part of that push toward digital access. Beaverton residents gain from these tools every time they need a marriage record.
Other Ways to Find Beaverton Marriage Records
Beyond the county clerk and state offices, a few other paths exist. The Oregon Health Authority handles requests for recent records. Mail your request to their office in Portland. Include the names on the record, the date of the event, and payment.
Genealogy groups in Washington County can help with older marriage records. Local volunteers have indexed many early records. These indexes make it much easier to find a specific name. Check with the Washington County Genealogical Society for leads.
For questions about Oregon marriage law, the state bar website is a good start. It covers the basics. For complex legal matters, talk to a family law attorney. Many firms in Beaverton and the greater Portland area handle these cases.
Washington County Marriage Records
Beaverton is in Washington County. All marriage licenses and records go through the Washington County Clerk in Hillsboro. The county handles filings for Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, and many other communities. For more details on fees, hours, and how to order records, visit the full Washington County marriage records page.