General Questions
Here’s information about getting a marriage license.
Oregon
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- Age – You must be of legal age (18 years or older) to obtain a marriage license in Oregon. You may get married at age 17 with permission from a parent or guardian.
An exception applies if you have no parent or guardian living in Oregon, consult your county clerk’s office for details. See the list of Oregon’s county clerks
- Age – You must be of legal age (18 years or older) to obtain a marriage license in Oregon. You may get married at age 17 with permission from a parent or guardian.
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- Residency – You do not have to be an Oregon resident to obtain an Oregon marriage license. If you are getting married in Oregon, you must have an Oregon marriage license. You can obtain a marriage license from any county clerk’s office, and your license will be valid for a ceremony anywhere in Oregon. See the list of Oregon’s county clerks
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- Kinship – You may not marry anyone who is a first cousin or nearer of kin to you, unless they are your first cousin by adoption.
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- Members – Only marriages between two individuals are legally recognized in Oregon.
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- Fees – Marriage license fees vary by county but range from $50-60. Each county has its own policy on acceptable payment methods, so check with your county clerk before filing. See the list of Oregon’s county clerks
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- Application – Both parties must have a valid picture I.D. in the name which will be entered on the application. They must also both have a valid Social Security Number.
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- Waiting Period – There is a 3-day waiting period from the time a marriage license application is filed until it is valid. This can sometimes be waived for an additional filing fee. Consult your county clerk’s office for more information. See the list of Oregon’s county clerks
Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the date they are issued.
- Waiting Period – There is a 3-day waiting period from the time a marriage license application is filed until it is valid. This can sometimes be waived for an additional filing fee. Consult your county clerk’s office for more information. See the list of Oregon’s county clerks
- Witnesses – A marriage must be witnessed by at least 2 people. These cannot be the couple getting married or the officiant (the person performing the ceremony).
Washington
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- Age – You must be of legal age (18 years or older) to obtain a marriage license in Washington.
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- Residency – You do not have to be an Oregon resident to obtain a Washington marriage license. If you are getting married in Washington, you must have a Washington marriage license. You can obtain a marriage license from any county clerk’s office, and your license will be valid or a ceremony anywhere in Washington.
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- Kinship – You may not marry anyone who is a first cousin or nearer of kin to you. This applies to half-blood and whole-blood relatives
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- Blood Tests – Washington doesn’t require blood tests. Each party must sign an affidavit showing that if either applicant has a contagious sexually transmitted disease, that both applicants are aware of it.
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- Members – Only marriages between two individuals are legally recognized in Washington.
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- Fees – Marriage license fees vary by county but range from $33-72. Each county has its own policy on acceptable payment methods, so check with your county clerk before filing.
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- Application – Both parties must have a valid picture I.D. in the name which will be entered on the application. A Social Security number isn’t necessary to get married in Washington. However, you must include the Social Security number on the marriage license form OR your signature on a declaration stating that you don’t have a Social Security number.
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- Waiting Period – There is a 3-day waiting period from the time a marriage license application is filed until it is valid.
Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the date they are issued
- Waiting Period – There is a 3-day waiting period from the time a marriage license application is filed until it is valid.
- Witnesses – A marriage must be witnessed by at least 2 people. These cannot be the couple getting married or the officiant (the person performing the ceremony). Anyone who can sign their name and understand what they are signing for can serve as a witness.