Our guide to Oregon Elopements

This page serves as your ultimate elopement guide, providing you with all the essential information you need for a seamless and unforgettable experience. Discover tips, legal requirements, and inspiration to make your dream elopement reality in beautiful Oregon.

At Whimsical Elopements, we understand that obtaining a marriage license can be overwhelming and confusing. That's why we have put together a comprehensive guide to obtaining your marriage certificate. With our guidance, you can rest assured that the legal aspect of your elopement will go off without a hitch and you'll be able to fully enjoy your special day!

Getting your marriage license in OREGON

OREGON MARRIAGE COMMON QUESTIONS

Do you need a witness to get married in Oregon?

Yep! To get married in Oregon you’ll need two witnesses present at your ceremony.

How long is a marriage license good for in Oregon?

Your Oregon marriage license will be valid for 60 days! After those 60 days run out, you’ll have to apply for a new one.

Is there a waiting period for Oregon marriage licenses?

Yes, there is a 3-day waiting period between the day your license is issued & the day you can use it to get married. So plan accordingly for those 3 days if you’re eloping at the last minute!

Note that sometimes a county clerk can waive this waiting period for a “good cause” (and there may be an additional waiver fee), so it’s worth looking into/asking if you do want to get married ASAP!

Can you get married in Oregon without a ceremony?

It all depends on what you mean by “ceremony”! To be legally married, you’ll need an ordained minister or officiant to perform the ceremony with your witnesses present. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be a grand, traditional wedding. You can keep it simple by getting legally married at your local courthouse and skipping the big celebration—or have the legal ceremony first and then throw a larger party later without needing to include another formal ceremony.

This approach is especially helpful for destination weddings. If dealing with legal paperwork and embassy requirements in a foreign country sounds like a hassle, you can take care of the legalities at home first. Then, at your destination wedding or elopement, you can have a symbolic unity ceremony without worrying about the legal side of things!

Can you get married online in Oregon?

You can’t legally get married online, but you may be able to apply for your marriage license through your county’s website. Whether you apply online or in person, both partners must visit the county office together with valid photo IDs to sign the license.

How do I change my last name after marriage in Oregon?
If you want to take your partner’s last name or combine your last names after marriage, you’ll go through your county’s process. Once your marriage is official, your marriage certificate will be issued and can be used as legal proof of your name change.

How old do you have to be to get married in Oregon?
You must be at least 17 years old to get married in Oregon. If you’re under 18, you’ll need written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Do we need to take a blood test to apply for a marriage license?

Nope, no blood test required!

Do you have to be an Oregon resident to get married there?
Not at all! You don’t need to be a resident of Oregon to legally marry in the state.

Who is authorized to marry couples in Oregon?
In Oregon, weddings can be officiated by a judicial officer, a county clerk, or any ordained minister/officiant.

Fun fact – I’m ordained! So not only can I capture your wedding day through photography, but I can also officiate your ceremony and guide you through the entire process.

If you’d prefer a separate officiant, I highly recommend my friend Wendy—check her out at WendyDuncanMinistries!

Can a friend marry us in Oregon?

Absolutely! If you’d love for a friend or family member to officiate your wedding, they can do so as long as they’re at least 18 years old. They don’t need to be an Oregon resident and can get ordained either through the county or an online organization like the Universal Life Church.

Can we officiate our own wedding in Oregon?
Unfortunately, Oregon doesn’t allow self-solemnization, meaning you can’t officiate your own wedding. But no worries—I’m ordained! That means you won’t need to hire a separate officiant, making your intimate celebration even more personal and seamless.

Oregon Marriage License: Key Facts

Witnesses Needed: 2
License Valid For: 60 days
Waiting Period: 3 days
Minimum Age: 17 (with parental/guardian consent if under 18)
Who Can Officiate: Any ordained minister/officiant (including online ordinations)
Can You Officiate Your Own Wedding? No
Oregon Residency Required? No
Blood Test Required? No
Cost: Varies by county, usually $50–$60

How to get your Oregon marriage license

Now that you’re familiar with the laws in place surrounding Oregon marriages, let’s talk about how to actually apply for + receive your Oregon marriage license!

The exact process varies by the county you apply for your license in, and so does the cost – typically the cost of applying will range from $50-$60, but there may be additional fees depending on the details of your wedding/license.

Your license can be issued by any county in Oregon as long as you make sure to submit all of your paperwork to the same county that issued your license after you get married! Your license can also be used in any county – e.g. if you get your license from Multnomah County, you can get married in any county, not just Multnomah.

How to Get Your Oregon Marriage License

1. Find Your County’s Requirements

Marriage license procedures vary by county, so start by researching the specific requirements of the county where you’ll be applying. You can check out a full list of Oregon County Clerk Offices and find the link for your chosen county.

Note: The following steps are based on Multnomah County as an example—your county’s process may differ slightly!

2. Complete Your Marriage Application

You can fill out your application online or in person at the county clerk’s office. If you apply online, you’ll still need to visit the office in person to show identification. Most offices accept walk-ins on weekdays.

3. Bring Valid Photo ID

After submitting your application, both partners must visit the county clerk’s office with valid photo IDs (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport). Both of you must be present to receive the license.

4. Pay the Application Fee

In Multnomah County, the marriage license fee is $60, payable by cash, credit/debit card, cashier’s check, or money order. If you want to waive the 3-day waiting period, you can request a waiver for an additional $5.

5. File Your Completed License After the Wedding

Congrats—you’re officially married! After the ceremony, your officiant must complete and sign the marriage license and return it to the county office. In Deschutes County, for example, this must be done within five days of your wedding.

Getting Your Oregon Elopement & Wedding Permits

Now that you know how to legally get married in Oregon, don’t forget to secure the necessary permits for your ceremony location!

For weddings in Oregon National Parks or national park sites, you’ll need a Special Use Permit specific to that park.
For Oregon State Parks, a Special Use Permit is only required if your wedding includes more than 50 guests.

You Made It to the End—Woohoo!

I hope you’re now feeling way more confident about Oregon’s marriage laws than when you first started reading!

Remember, I’m ordained, which means I can guide you through the entire process and even officiate your ceremony—making things even easier for you. If you’re ready to chat all things Oregon weddings and elopements, reach out to me!

Below, you’ll find some helpful links for more details on Oregon marriage laws, plus a few more of my… [continue with your links or additional resources!]

favorite recent blog posts that I think you’ll LOVE.

List of All Oregon County Clerk Offices

Oregon State Bar Website – Marriage in Oregon

Getting Your Oregon Marriage License

Now that you’re familiar with Oregon’s marriage laws, let’s go over how to apply for and receive your marriage license!

The process and fees vary by county, with application costs typically ranging from $50 to $60. Additional fees may apply depending on specific details related to your wedding or license.

Your marriage license can be issued by any county in Oregon, but it’s important to submit all paperwork to the same county that issued it after your wedding. The good news? Your license is valid statewide—so if you get your license from Deschutes County, you can still get married anywhere in Oregon!