How to Find Oregon Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:13, 13 November 2017

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Marriages Oregon Vital Records Oregon Marriages

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 Up 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 Marriages, 1853-1935	Free; Index only.
	United States Marriages – Oregon, 1826-1975	$; Index and some images.
Try 3rd:
	Oregon State Archives, 1850-1961	Free; searches for some marriages with name index at Oregon State Archives.
Try 4th:
	Western States Marriage Index, 1809-present	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 Up 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:
	Name index to marriage records from the state of Oregon, 1853-1935	Free
Try 3rd:
	Oregon State Archives, 1850-1961	Free; searches for some marriages with name index at Oregon State Archives.
Try 4th:
	Western States Marriage Index, 1809-present	Free; incomplete.
Try 5th:
	Oregon, Marriage Indexes, 1906-2009	$, Free at family history centers; Index provided by the Oregon State Library.
Try 6th:
	United States Marriages – Oregon, 1826-1975	$; index and some images.

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 FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.

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.