Oregon Wedding Laws

What to expect when officiating a wedding.

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Requirements for the Couple

  • Minimum Age: 18 years (16+ with guardian consent)
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Minimum Kin Distance: First Cousins
  • Marriage Equality: Yes

Couples must be 18+ to marry or 16+ with guardian consent. Residency is not required, and first cousins may marry. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.

Marriage License Requirements

  • License Pickup: By Couple, In Person Only
  • Validity: Any County in Oregon
  • Cost: Varies by County
  • Accepted ID: Photo ID or Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Divorce: Not Required
  • Blood Test: Not Required

One member of the couple must apply in person at the County Clerk’s office with valid ID. Licenses are valid statewide, regardless of issuance county, and fees vary. Divorce proof and blood tests are not required.

Marriage License Facts

  • Ceremony Type: Religious
  • Waiting Period: 3 Days
  • License Validity: 60 Days
  • Submission Deadline: Within 10 Days of Ceremony

Couples must obtain a license for a “religious” ceremony. The 3-day waiting period applies but can sometimes be waived. Licenses are valid for 60 days and must be returned to the Clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony.

Requirements for the Minister

  • Minimum Age: 18 years
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Documents Required: None
  • Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
  • Registration Office: County Clerk
  • Submission Deadline: After Ceremony

Ministers must be 18+ and can be ordained through Ministries of Love. No residency or pre-registration is required, but County Clerks may request documentation after the ceremony. Ministries of Love recommends keeping credentials on hand.

Wedding Ceremony Requirements

  • Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
  • Minister Presence: Required
  • Number of Witnesses: 2
  • Witness Minimum Age: 18 Years
  • Consent Required: Yes
  • Pronouncement Required: Yes

All participants, including the officiant and two witnesses (18+), must be present. Ceremony language can be customized, but it must include the couple’s consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement.

Final Steps

  • Officiant Title: Minister
  • Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
  • Address: Minister’s Home Address

The marriage license must be filled out accurately and signed by all parties. Submit the completed license to the County Clerk’s office within 10 days. Ministers should keep an official copy of their credentials and a record of ceremonies performed.

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