Junior Rasmussen
Oregon permits weddings, but there are several legal requirements that couples must meet to ensure their marriage is valid. These include obtaining a marriage license, complying with the state's unique legal framework, and meeting the minimum age requirement. Oregon allows couples to customize their wedding ceremonies, but certain elements, such as the declaration of consent and the presence of witnesses, are mandatory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Customization of wedding ceremony | Allowed |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Age between 17 and 18 years | Allowed with sworn consent of a parent or legal guardian |
| Marrying a close kin | Not allowed |
| Marrying a second cousin | Allowed |
| Same-sex marriage | Allowed |
| Common-law marriage | Recognized |
| Unregistered domestic partnership | Recognized |
| Requirements for officiant | Oregon judicial officer, county clerk, or any ordained minister/officiant |
| Requirements for ceremony | Both members of the couple must express consent, and the minister must pronounce the marriage. The couple, minister and at least two witnesses must be physically present for the entire ceremony. |
| Wedding/elopement permits | Required for locations on public lands, including state and national parks |
| Marriage license validity | 60 days |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon wedding laws
In Oregon, you must obtain a marriage license and have a wedding to be legally married. Oregon does not require couples to be residents of the state to get married there. However, there are certain requirements that must be met for a marriage to be considered legal.
Firstly, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry in Oregon. If both parties are at least 17 years old, they may marry with the sworn consent of a parent or legal guardian. County clerks may require proof of age and consent. Oregon does not allow the marriage of close kin, including blood relatives, half-blood relatives, and adopted relatives. Marriages involving individuals with living spouses are also not permitted.
Secondly, the wedding ceremony must be officiated by an ordained party, such as a judge, county clerk, or minister, and witnessed by at least two competent adults. The officiant must fill out the license and record of marriage form and return it to the county clerk's office within five days of the wedding. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, and the wedding must take place within this period for the marriage to be legally recognized.
Thirdly, specific locations in Oregon, such as state parks and national forest lands, may require special use permits for wedding ceremonies. These permits are typically dependent on the specific location and the size of the wedding party.
Finally, Oregon allows ministers and couples to customize the wedding ceremony to their preferences. However, each partner must consent to the marriage and take the other as their spouse during the ceremony. The minister must also pronounce their consent.
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Who can perform a wedding
In Oregon, the law permits individuals over the age of 18 to perform wedding ceremonies. The person officiating the wedding must be a judicial officer, county clerk, member of the clergy, or secular celebrant. The Universal Life Church Ministries is considered a religious actor under Oregon law, and ULC-ordained ministers are authorized to perform weddings and other ceremonies. Oregon does not require ministers to register with the state before performing wedding ceremonies. The state places no restrictions on a minister's religious beliefs, race, gender, or orientation. The only requirement is that the minister must be physically present for the entire ceremony.
The couple, minister, and at least two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. The couple must express their consent, and the minister must pronounce the marriage. The minister must also complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk's office in the county where it was issued. The person who performs the ceremony must fill out the license and record of marriage form and mail this paperwork to the county clerk within five days of the wedding.
Oregon does not dictate how couples choose to marry. Couples can customize the wedding ceremony as they see fit, as long as they comply with the legal framework for weddings.
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Marriage license requirements
To obtain a marriage license in Oregon, both parties must be present and provide photo identification. If both parties are at least 17, they may marry with the sworn consent of a parent or legal guardian. If either party is under 17, they cannot be legally married in Oregon. Additionally, Oregon does not allow the marriage of first cousins or any nearer kin.
The marriage license application can be completed online or in person, and the fee varies by county, typically ranging from $50 to $75 for the initial license. There is also a mandatory three-day waiting period after obtaining the license before the wedding ceremony can take place. The couple must intend to have a ceremony within 60 days of the issue of their license, as it will expire after that period.
During the ceremony, each partner must consent to the marriage and take the other as their spouse. The officiant, who can be a minister, a judicial officer, a county clerk, a member of the clergy, or a secular celebrant, must pronounce that both partners have consented and witnessed the ceremony. The officiant must also fill out and sign the license and record of marriage form, returning it to the county clerk's office within five days of the wedding.
Oregon allows ministers and couples to customize the wedding ceremony as they see fit, as long as the legal requirements are met.
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Consent and witnesses
Oregon allows ministers and couples to customise their wedding ceremony as they see fit. However, there are a few requirements that must be met for the wedding to be legal.
Consent
During the ceremony, each partner must state that they consent to the marriage and take the other as their spouse. The minister must then pronounce that both partners have consented.
If either member of the couple is under 18, they must provide a sworn, written statement of consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Witnesses
In addition to the couple and the minister, there must be two competent adult witnesses physically present for the entire ceremony. These witnesses, along with the couple and the minister, 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.
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Wedding permits
If you're planning a wedding in Oregon, there are a few legal requirements you must meet to ensure that your marriage is officially recognised.
Firstly, you must obtain a marriage license. This can be done by applying either in person or online through your county's website. Once you've applied, both parties will need to go into the county office with valid photo IDs to sign the license. There is a three-day waiting period between the day your license is issued and the day you can use it to get married. This waiting period can be waived by the county clerk for "good cause", but there may be an additional fee. Your Oregon marriage license will be valid for 60 days. If you don't get married within this time frame, you'll have to apply for a new one.
Secondly, the wedding ceremony must meet certain requirements. The ceremony must be officiated by an ordained minister, a member of the clergy, a secular celebrant, a county clerk, or a judicial officer. The couple, the officiant, and at least two witnesses must be physically present for the entire ceremony. Each partner must consent to the marriage and take each other as their spouse, and the officiant must pronounce that both partners have consented.
Finally, the officiant must fill out the license and record of marriage form and mail this paperwork to the county clerk within five days of the wedding.
In addition to these legal requirements, if you're planning to have your wedding on public land in Oregon, you may need to obtain a special use permit. This includes state parks, national parks, national forests, and other federal lands. The permitting process and requirements can vary depending on the specific location, so it's important to check with the relevant land management agency. For example, popular parks like Smith Rock require a permit, while other parks like Oswald West do not require a permit for small groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Oregon does not allow the marriage of close kin. While second cousins may marry in the state, marital unions between closer relatives are not permissible. Oregon law considers relationships through blood, half blood, and adoption when restricting the marriages of close kin. Additionally, if either member of the couple has a living spouse, marriage in Oregon is not possible.
The person officiating the wedding must be an Oregon judicial officer, a county clerk, or any ordained minister/officiant. The officiant must fill out the license and record of marriage form and mail this paperwork to the county clerk within five days of the wedding.
No, there are no age restrictions for officiating a wedding in Oregon. However, the officiant must be at least 18 years old.
To be legally married in Oregon, you must obtain a marriage license from an Oregon county clerk's office. The wedding ceremony must be officiated by an ordained party, and at least two witnesses must be present. The couple must express consent, and the officiant must pronounce the marriage.
Yes, there may be wedding or elopement permits required for the location you select, especially if it is on public lands. For weddings in Oregon state parks, a special use permit may be required depending on the park and the size of the wedding party. A park-specific Special Use Permit is needed for weddings in Oregon's National Park.
