Get a marriage license

Before you start

Congratulations, this is an exciting time! Please review all the instructions and fill out the application carefully.

Eligibility

You must meet these requirements to have a marriage license issued by Multnomah County:

• You are at least 18 years old.
• Your ceremony will take place somewhere in the State of Oregon.
• You are getting married within 60 days of picking up your license.
• You are not currently married to or in a State Domestic partnership with someone else.
• You are not first cousins or any nearer of kin.

The marriage license application process

You will start your application online and then come into our office to pick up your license. Both parties must come into the office together. After the ceremony, your officiant will turn in the completed paperwork. Once we have received the license back and certified the information, you can order a certified copy.

When you come into our office, we will go over the application with you to make sure that your names, your parents' names and other important details have been entered correctly. We will help you understand the steps before and after the ceremony. 

When to apply

• Come in at least 3 days before you plan to get married. You must wait 3 days from the day the license is issued before you can have a wedding ceremony.
• After the waiting period, you must get married within 60 days. 
• You can waive the 3-day waiting period for an extra fee.

Steps to take

Step 1: Fill out the online application

Fill out the marriage application form. After you submit the application, you do not need to print it out. We will print it out when you come in and go over the information when you come in to pick up the license. 

Notes: 

• The names on the application should match the photo identification you will provide when you come into our office. 
• The parents’ names that you enter should match what is on their birth records. 

Step 2: Visit our office to pick up the license and pay the fee

Both parties must appear in person together to pick up the license. Bring photo identification for each person (driver's license, State ID card, passport, etc.). The names on the application should match the identification provided. 

We will review your marriage license application with you and print the official license. The license will be effective 3 days after we issue it. After the 3-day waiting period, you have 60 days to have a ceremony performed anywhere in Oregon.  

If you have questions before you come in, call or email the clerk: 503-988-2273 or clerk@multco.us.

Location

501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Rm 175, Portland, OR 97214

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30-4pm. Both parties must be in our office, with a completed application, by 4pm in order to purchase a marriage license that day. We do not schedule appointments.

Fee

The fee is $60. If you are requesting a waiver of the three-day waiting period, there is an additional $5 fee.   

Payments accepted: cash, credit/debit card (2% charge), or cashier's check or money order made out to "Multnomah County". No personal checks.

Step 3: Officiant fills out and returns official marriage license

When you come in to pick up and pay for your license, we will give you a packet of information that includes the official license to marry, a decorative certificate and instructions for the officiant.

The officiant must sign and return the license within 5 days of the ceremony.  Return either 

• In person via our drop box or over the counter at the Multnomah Building
• By mail in the return envelope provided. Address: Multnomah County DART, PO Box 5007, Portland, Oregon 97208-5007 

Step 4: Request a certified copy of your marriage license

The decorative certificate that you get when you pick up your license is not a certified copy and cannot be used as proof of marriage. For that you will need a certified copy.

Order a certified copy of your marriage license

If you have changed your name, you will need to update all your information, such as your social security number, driver’s license, passport, etc. Most organizations will want to see a certified copy of your marriage license as proof of your new name.

Learn more about changing your name after marriage/domestic partnership.

More information

Who can perform the ceremony

The following people can perform (officiate) ceremonies:

• Anyone authorized by an active religious congregation or secular organization. 
• An active judge of a federal court.
• An active United States Magistrate judge.
• A State of Oregon judicial officer.

Read more: Officiants information

Getting married at the courthouse

If you wish to get married by a judge at the courthouse, follow instructions provided by the Multnomah County Circuit Court:

Judicial availability for weddings PDF

The Multnomah Building, where you will pick up your license, is not the county courthouse. Ceremonies and celebrations are not allowed at the Multnomah Building without prior approval. Email FMAdmin@multco.us for questions about building use. 

Allowable name change options

Oregon law limits the possible name change options when getting married. When you fill out the application, you will be given a list of options to choose from, based on both parties' current names. 

If your desired name is not listed when applying, you can email or call us with your desired name and we can help determine if it is possible. Or you can ask the clerk at the window when you come into the office for allowable name options.  

Correcting a mistake on a marriage license

If you notice a mistake on your license before the ceremony, contact our office by email at clerk@multco.us so we can assist you in correcting the mistake.

If the license has already been received by our office, there will be a $20 amendment fee. Please review Requesting an Amendment to Your Marriage Record