How to Find Oregon Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:29, 3 July 2014

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records Oregon Oregon Marriage Records

Finding Oregon Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

In 1859 Oregon became a state
Counties began to record marriages soon after they were organized (some as early as 1842)
Beginning in 1906 each county sent copies of the records to the Oregon State Health Division

Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit \| edit source]		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1906 1906 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1906[edit | edit source]

Counties began to record marriages soon after they were organized (some as early as 1842)

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

Oregon Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975	Free; most counties 1851-1975: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include licenses and marriage certificates and are arranged by county, volume, and date.
Try 2nd:
	Oregon State Archives	Free;searches for some marriages with name index at Oregon State Archives.
Try 3rd:
	Western States Marriage Index	Free; incomplete.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1906 to Present[edit | edit source]

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]

Oregon Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975	Free; most counties 1851-1975: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include licenses and marriage certificates and are arranged by county, volume, and date.
Try 2nd:
	Oregon State Archives	Free; searches for some marriages with name index at Oregon State Archives.
Try 3rd:
	Western States Marriage Index	Free; incomplete.

If you can't find the marriage record in the above databases, try the following:
Oregon Marriage Databases - Index Only
Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following:
	1906-1924, 1946-2008 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center

	1906-1924, 1946-2008 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library

Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

Find Marriage Information

Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.

Copies may be ordered from the Oregon Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From OR Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local FamilySearch Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

Search the FHLC by county.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.