Oregon Vital Records

County Records of Births and Deaths
While most counties began keeping birth and death records in 1903, some areas started as early as 1854. For example, birth records for Portland begin in 1864 and death records begin in 1862, but they are incomplete. These are available at the Oregon State Archives.

You can write to each county clerk for information. The Family History Library has copies of some county records, for example, Douglas County marriages, 1852 to 1912, and coroner inquests, 1896 to 1946.

State Records of Births and Deaths
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1903. The Family History Library has the index to deaths from 1903 to 1970 and has some county birth and death records on microfilm. The original birth and death records are available from the state. The records that are available can be identified at the State Archives Web Site. To request copies for 1903 to the present, write to:

Oregon State Archives 800 Summer St NE Salem, OR 97310 503-373-0701 ext. 1 Fax: 503-373-0953 [mailto:reference.archives@state.or.us reference.archives@state.or.us]

The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are provided in their site above.

State records are not open to the public. Birth records are available only to the registrant's immediate family. Death records are available to persons with a “direct and tangible interest.” In your request, state your relationship to the individual you want information about and your reason.

The Oregon State Archives (see address under “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline) has an index to the state's records of births and deaths from 1903 to 1984. They also have copies of Oregon death records 1903-1946, some marriage records 1849-1935, and a marriage index 1906-1995 (some years missing).

Delayed registration of births began in the late 1930s. To obtain these records write to the Oregon State Health Division. The Family History Library has delayed records for some counties.

Marriage and Divorce Records
Counties began to record marriages soon after they were organized. Some county marriage records date from 1849. Write to the county clerk for information on early records they may have. Beginning in 1906 each county sent copies of the records to the Oregon State Health Division (address above). For records after 1906 you can write to the county clerk or to the state. Records from 1849-1930 are also at the Oregon State Archives (see address under “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline).

Before 1853, divorces were granted by the territorial legislature. These records are now kept at the Oregon State Archives. Divorces that occurred after 1853 were recorded in the circuit court of each county. Records since 1925 may also be obtained from the Oregon State Health Division (address above).

Guide to Vital Records
More information about the history and availability of vital records is in Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Oregon (Portland, Oregon: Historical Records Survey, 1942; FHL book 979.5 V2h; film 1036701 item 4; fiche 6051198).