
Oregon Wedding Laws
Drafted and last reviewed for accuracy by the Oregon marriage law team at the Universal Life Church Ministries on
When you’re busy planning the perfect wedding, spending hours weeding through Oregon’s unique array of state-specific regulations, deadlines, and fees is the last thing you want to do. We’ve reviewed all the pertinent legal provisions and put together a convenient, comprehensive guide for couples and ministers to help ensure your marriage is legitimate according to Oregon law.
Getting Married in Oregon
Oregon allows ministers and couples to customize the wedding ceremony as they see fit. The only requirements for an Oregon wedding ceremony are:
- During the ceremony, each partner must state that he or she consents to the marriage and takes the other as his or her spouse.
- The minister must pronounce that both partners have consented.
- The minister, both partners, and two competent adult witnesses must be physically present for the entire ceremony.
Oregon Marriage Requirements
Oregon, like all U.S. states, recognizes same-sex couples’ rights to marriage equality. The state does not have a residency requirement and does not require a blood test from persons seeking to be married.
Each partner must be at least 18 years of age to be married in Oregon. A person who is at least 17 years of age must file a sworn, written statement of consent from a parent or legal guardian. To give valid consent, the parent or legal guardian must be at least 18 years of age themselves. If the veracity of a person’s age, identity, or consent is questionable, the clerk may request additional documentation.
No person may marry his or her parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, niece, nephew, or first cousin. There is an exception for first cousins who are related through adoption only, with no biological relationship.
How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Oregon
Oregon does not require ministers to register with the state prior to performing wedding ceremonies. The state places no restrictions on a minister’s religious beliefs, race, gender, or orientation; the only requirements for a minister is that he or she must be at least 18 years of age and ordained by an accredited religious organization.
Universal Life Church Ministries is considered a religious actor under Oregon law, and consequently, ULC-ordained ministers are authorized to perform Oregon weddings and other ceremonies. ULC recommends that all ministers keep copies of their ordination credentials on hand while performing weddings, just in case anyone needs to see them.
Applying For a Marriage License in Oregon
Oregon law has a mandatory three-day waiting period for couples who have applied for marriage licenses. However, the waiting period may be waived by a circuit- or county-court judge if the couple submits sufficient evidence of exigent circumstances. The couple’s marriage license is considered effectively issued at the end of the third calendar day after the couple submitted their application.
The marriage license “expires” 60 days after the effective issue date, which means that the couple must solemnize the marriage with a wedding ceremony within that time. The ceremony may take place in any Oregon county. After the ceremony, however, the minister or officiant who performed the ceremony must return the completed license to the clerk’s office in the county where it was issued, rather than in the county where the ceremony was held.
How to Get an Oregon Marriage License
Oregon is committed to reducing domestic violence in the state and beyond. Each person who applies for a marriage license must state, under oath, that he or she is aware that no person is ever considered to be the property of his or her spouse and that no person is ever required to remain in a violent or abusive marriage. In addition, Oregon contributes $25 of every $60 marriage license fee to Oregon’s Domestic Violence Fund.
To apply for a marriage license, a couple must appear together, in person, at the office of the County Clerk in any Oregon county. Unlike most states, Oregon requires any partner who wishes to change his or her name as a result of the marriage to declare his or her desired post-nuptial name on the license application.
Marriage license applications in Oregon are completed as sworn documents; anyone who makes an intentionally false statement on the application could face perjury charges.
Finalizing the Union
After the ceremony, the minister must complete the final section of the marriage license, sometimes called the marriage certificate. He or she should include his or her full name, title (“minister”), and church name (“Universal Life Church Ministries”).
If asked to provide an address of ministry, give the address of your residence.
Finally, the minister and both newlyweds must sign the marriage license. The minister must then return the original, completed license to the clerk’s office in the county where it was issued.
Learn How to Perform a Oregon Wedding
Become an OfficiantWant to Learn More about Ministry in Oregon?
Explore the OR OrdinationBecome a Legal Minister Online
Get Ordained Now