Search Marion County Marriage and Divorce Records

Getting a Marriage License in Marion County

The Marion County Clerk and Recorder issues marriage licenses. The office is at 555 Court St NE, Suite 2130, Salem, OR 97301, and the phone is 503-588-5225. License hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Both parties must appear together in person to sign and pay.

A few rules apply. Both people need a valid photo ID. The legal age to marry in Oregon is 18. As of January 1, 2026, 17-year-olds may no longer marry in Oregon, even with parental consent. Oregon law also does not allow marriage of first cousins or nearer kin. The marriage page is shown below.

The Marion County marriage license page covers the application, fee, and waiting period.

Marion County is home to about 355,000 residents, so the clerk processes a steady stream of marriage licenses each year, as the county data below reflects.

The Census QuickFacts for Marion County shows the population the office serves.

That volume is why the county pushes much of the application online to save counter time.

How to Apply for a Marion County Marriage License

The county lets you start online, then finish in person. Complete the online application first to save time at the counter. Both parties still must appear together to sign and pay. Follow these steps.

1. Complete the online marriage application, or fill a worksheet in the office.
2. Both parties appear together with valid photo ID.
3. Sign the license and provide SSN information.
4. Pay the fee and receive the license.
5. Wait out the 3-day waiting period unless it is waived before issuance.

Once valid, the license can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Oregon within 60 days. Marion County can waive the 3-day wait at no charge if you ask before issuance. There are no refunds or extensions after issuance.

Marriage License Application Fields

The application asks for identity and history details from both parties. Have these ready before you start. The table lists the main fields.

If a prior marriage ended in divorce, the new license cannot become valid until the day after the dissolution is final, and the 3-day wait still applies from the application date.

Marion County Marriage and Divorce Fees

The marriage fees are set by the county clerk. Divorce filing fees are set by the court, and a fee waiver or deferral may be available. Certified court copies follow the statewide court price list.

The county can waive the 3-day waiting period for free, but it does not refund the license fee.

How to Look Up Marion County Marriage Records

The county offers an online Marriage License Search. It carries a disclaimer that records may not be complete and can change without notice. For a specific record, the office can confirm details by phone. The search page is shown below.

The Marion County marriage license search starts with a disclaimer screen.

To find a record, have the names of both parties and an approximate marriage date. For an official certified copy, request it from the Marion County Clerk.

How to Find Marion County Divorce Records

Divorce records are different. A dissolution is a circuit court domestic relations case, not a county clerk record. So you search divorce records the same way you search any court case. Use the free OJD records search for basic case data, and the OJD Records Request Form for copies.

Most divorce case data is public, but parts can be sealed or restricted. Protected personal information, like social security numbers and some addresses, is removed. Children's identifying details are protected. For the full court search process, see Marion County court records.

How to File for Divorce in Marion County

Filing for divorce starts at the Circuit Court. You do not use the county clerk for this. Oregon calls it a dissolution of marriage. Many people use the state's family law forms or get help from legal aid. The basic path looks like this.

1. Confirm Oregon residency and that Marion County is the right venue.
2. Use the OJD family law forms or consult an attorney or legal aid.
3. File the petition in Marion County Circuit Court and pay the fee, or request a waiver.
4. Serve the other party, unless you file jointly.
5. Address custody, parenting time, support, and property in the case.
6. Get the signed judgment of dissolution and request certified copies if needed.

If the case involves children, the court may require parent education or mediation before it enters a final judgment.

Getting Certified Copies in Marion County

You may need a certified copy for legal steps, a name change, or benefits. Where you get it depends on the record. A certified marriage certificate comes from the county clerk for $4. A certified divorce judgment comes from the court, not the clerk, because the dissolution is a court case.

For a marriage copy, contact the Marion County Clerk and Recorder; callers may ask ahead so the copy is ready for pickup. For a divorce judgment, use the OJD Records Request Form with the case number and the exact document. A certified court copy is $5 plus a per-page charge.

Oregon Vital Records and the County Clerk

Two offices round out the picture. The Marion County Clerk and Recorder handles local marriage licenses and certified marriage copies. The Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics keeps statewide vital records, including marriage and divorce indexes for eligible requesters. The county office is the right first stop for a Marion County marriage.

For recorded documents and the broader clerk's role, see the Marion County Clerk page.

Related Marion County Records

Family records connect to others. See probate records for estates and guardianships, public records for the county clerk's other duties, the Marion County Clerk for recording, and court records for the full divorce file.