Officiate Weddings in Portland, Oregon
Located squarely within the stunning Pacific Northwest, Portland boasts a vibrant downtown area, a thriving art community, and an abundance of artisanal breweries sure to captivate even the most discerning beer enthusiasts. Prior to your ceremony, the city offers a plethora of opportunities for exploration and discovery, including serene strolls through the tranquil Portland Japanese Gardens, scenic rides on the aerial tram, and perusing the extensive book collection at Powell’s City of Books, renowned as the world’s largest independent bookstore.
Portland offers a myriad of venues to host your wedding ceremony and celebration of love with your partner. If you’re in need of assistance in selecting the perfect location, we’ve curated a few ideas below. Additionally, we provide essential details on obtaining your marriage license, getting ordained, and planning every aspect of your ceremony. From start to finish, we’ve got you covered with all the necessary information to ensure your special day is nothing short of unforgettable.
Before delving into the exciting aspects of planning, let’s first address the technical details, beginning with the process of getting ordained by your chosen minister—perhaps that’s you!
STEP 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries
As per the Multnomah County Clerk’s website, weddings can be officiated by a “clergy member” or a “minister,” along with select government officials and employees. Fortunately, if you’re not ordained by a religious organization, you’re in luck. You can easily get ordained with AMM—it’s a free process that only takes a few minutes. Once you’ve completed this step, we can move on to the exciting part of planning your special day.
STEP 2: Prepare For Officiating the Wedding
With your credentials sorted, it’s time to assist you in preparing for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is indeed an honor, but it does require some preparation. You’ll find our wedding training pages invaluable—they serve as a comprehensive library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it proceeds smoothly.
STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding
You can access an online application for a marriage license on the Multnomah County Clerk’s website. It’s the responsibility of the couple to complete this application. Afterward, the couple must visit the clerk’s office together. Multnomah County mandates a 3-day waiting period before the marriage license can be obtained. Additionally, the wedding ceremony must take place within 60 days of issuance, or the marriage license will expire.
Portland Wedding Planning Logistics
To obtain their marriage license, the couple must visit the County Clerk’s office in person after completing the online license application.
Multnomah County does not require residency in Oregon for obtaining a marriage license. However, it’s important to note that the marriage license issued by Multnomah County is only valid within Multnomah County, Oregon.
If you would like to waive the three-day waiting period, the marriage license will cost you and extra $5.00 for a total of $65.00.
Once you’ve completed your marriage application and had it signed by your officiant, it’s essential for the officiant to return it to the Multnomah County Clerk within 5 days of the ceremony.
Portland Marriage License Info
Where do I file for the marriage license in Portland?
How much does the marriage license cost in Portland?
The cost of a marriage license in Portland, specifically in Multnomah County, is $60.
How long must I wait before completing my marriage license in Portland?
In Portland, specifically in Multnomah County, there is a mandatory waiting period of 3 days before you can complete your marriage license.
