How to Find Oregon Marriage Records

From FamilySearch Wiki
Revision as of 09:10, 26 June 2013 by Bushmancb (talk | contribs) (formatting)
Icon-warning.png
The Etobicoke Family History Portal is getting a facelift. Please bear with us whilst this process evolves, and stay tuned for loads of great content to assist with your Family Research.

Please add any comments to the talk page.


How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to How To Find Oregon 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 1849)
  • Beginning in 1906 each county sent copies of the records to the Oregon Sate Health Division


Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]

Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


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 1849)


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

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 After 1906[edit | edit source]

Try 2nd: County Clerk If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk. Try 3rd: Michigan Department of Health If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Oregon Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images

Try 1st:


Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

Try 2nd:


Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch.


Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


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


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.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Marriages 1926 to 1935
[edit | edit source]

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images

Try 1st:


Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935

Free; most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.

Try 2nd:


County Clerk If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:


Michigan Department of Health If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.


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

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search 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 Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Marriages 1936 to Present[edit | edit source]

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

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred From MI 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

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

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]