Portland and Multnomah County Marriage Records

Multnomah County is the most populated county in Oregon. The County Clerk office in Portland handles all marriage license requests and keeps marriage records on file. Walk-in service is open each weekday with no need for an appointment. Couples from Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, and the rest of Multnomah County come to this one office to apply. The clerk also stores past marriage records and can issue certified copies. For anyone who needs a new license or wants to look up an old marriage record, the Multnomah County Clerk on Hawthorne Boulevard is the place to go.

Multnomah County Clerk Marriage License Office

The Multnomah County Clerk issues marriage licenses at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175, in Portland. No appointment is needed. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Both people must be in the office by 4:00 PM to get a same-day license. Walk in, apply, and leave with your license that same visit.

You can reach the office by phone at (503) 988-3326, option 4. You can also send an email to clerk@multco.us with questions. Staff are ready to help with marriage license requests and record searches. Multnomah County is a busy office, but the walk-in system keeps things moving.

Visit the Multnomah County marriage license page for current details on how to apply.

How to Get a Marriage License in Multnomah County

Start by filling out the online form. Go to the Multnomah County online marriage application to begin. You can also reach it at www.multcomarriage.org. Fill in your details at home. Then visit the clerk office in Portland to finish the process.

Both people must appear in person. Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. If either person was married before, the divorce must be final. Oregon law says a new license can be issued one day after a divorce becomes final. The clerk will check this at the Multnomah County office.

Multnomah County accepts cash, credit or debit cards, cashier's checks, and money orders. Cards have a small processing fee on top of the base cost. If you want the three-day waiting period waived, ask for that when you apply. The waiver has a small added charge that must be requested at the start of the process.

Here is what to bring to the Multnomah County Clerk office:

• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Proof that any prior marriage has ended
• Payment by cash, card, cashier's check, or money order

The license is valid for 60 days once issued. It can only be used in Oregon. You must return the signed license to the same county that issued it. Multnomah County does not grant extensions or refunds on marriage licenses.

Multnomah County Marriage License Application

The image below shows the Multnomah County online marriage application portal, where couples can begin the license process from home.

Using the online form speeds up the visit. You fill in names, dates, and other details ahead of time. When you get to the office, the clerk reviews everything and prints the license. Most couples are done in under an hour.

Multnomah County Marriage License Rules

Oregon law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. You must be at least 17. If either person is 17, a parent or guardian must sign a consent form at the Multnomah County office. No one under 17 can marry in Oregon. There are no exceptions to this rule.

First cousins cannot marry. This is state law that applies in Multnomah County and every other county. There is no blood test. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Multnomah County or Oregon to get a license here. But the license can only be used in Oregon.

The three-day waiting period starts the day the license is issued. If you plan a wedding within three days, ask about the waiver at the start of your visit. Once the wait is done or waived, you have 60 days. After that, the license expires. You would need to start over if that happens.

Copies of Multnomah County Marriage Records

After the wedding, the signed license goes back to the Multnomah County Clerk. The clerk files it as the official marriage record. You can then order certified copies. The first copy costs $7.75. Each extra copy at the same time is $4.00. Certified copies have the county seal and are good for legal use.

You can request copies in person or by mail. Bring your ID if you visit. Under ORS 432.295, marriage records are restricted for 50 years. During that time, only certain people can get a copy. After 50 years, the record is open to anyone. The Multnomah County Clerk follows this rule for all marriage records in its care.

For records you cannot find at the county level, try the state. The Oregon Health Authority has marriage records from 1906 to now. The state archives hold older records. Both are in Salem.

Oregon State Marriage Records for Multnomah County

The Oregon Health Authority stores vital records for the whole state. This includes marriage records filed in Multnomah County. You can order copies by mail or online. Processing times vary. The state office can be faster than the county for some requests.

The Oregon State Archives has records going back to the early days of statehood. For Multnomah County, that means some records from the 1850s and 1860s may be on file. These older records are open to the public. They are a key resource for anyone doing family research in the Portland area.

The Oregon State Bar has a plain-language guide to marriage law in the state. It covers the basics of who can marry, what the license requires, and how the process works. This is a good starting point if you have questions about Multnomah County marriage law.

Historical Marriage Records in Multnomah County

Multnomah County was formed in 1854. Marriage records stretch back to those early years. The county seat has always been Portland. Over time, the city grew into the largest in Oregon. The volume of marriage records here is far greater than in any other county in the state.

Early records are in bound books. Later records moved to microfilm. Now most are digital. The clerk office can search all of these. For very old records, the search may take longer. Staff may need to pull files from storage. Call the office first to ask about the record you need.

Many people look up Multnomah County marriage records for family history. Portland drew settlers from around the world. Marriage records can show names, ages, birthplaces, and parents. That kind of detail is gold for anyone building a family tree. The clerk staff handle these requests often and know the records well.

Portland is also home to many genealogy groups and libraries. The Oregon Historical Society on SW Broadway has archives that include marriage-related documents. The Multnomah County Library system has microfilm and digital access to old records. These are free to use and can add to what you find at the clerk office.

Nearby Counties

Multnomah County borders Washington County, Clackamas County, Columbia County, and Hood River County. Each county clerk issues its own marriage licenses. If you are not sure which county to use, check the address where you plan to hold the ceremony.