| Julie A. Brecke | coosclerk@co.coos.or.us | 541-396-7601 |
WEDDING OFFICIALS
| JUDGE ANDREW COMBS | EXT 70024 |
| JUDGE MATT MUENCHRATH | EXT 70023 |
| JUDGE BRETT PRUESS | EXT 70020 |
Marriage License
Step 1: Complete Application Online
- Complete the online application here
- If you do not have a computer available to you, you can come to the office and use a public terminal to complete the application in our office.
Step 2: Mail Fee
- Complete the application online and then mail the $60.00 fee (cashier’s check or money order only) to: Coos County Clerk, Attn: Marriage, 250 N. Baxter, Coquille OR 97423
- Include names of both parties, daytime phone number and marriage date with your payment.
- Or to pay in person over the counter with cash or money order.
Step 3: Application Review
- Once payment is received, we will call you to review the application for accuracy.
- We will then print, sign and mail the marriage license to you.
Step 4: Receive License
- Once you receive the license you will both sign, date and initial the highlighted areas.
- All instructions will be included in the packet.
- Please take mail time into consideration. We process these daily, but with mail time, the entire process may take several days from the date you mail the fee to us. Please plan accordingly.
Additional Information
- There is a 3-day waiting period in Oregon. The waiting period starts the day after the license is purchased (the date that the money is cashiered).
- Under special circumstances a waiver of the 3-day waiting period can be purchased for an additional $25.00 fee.
- The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date purchased.
- Your ceremony may be performed anywhere within Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can marry us?
Category: Marriage License
Am I eligible to get a marriage license in Coos County?
You must meet these requirements to have a marriage license issued from Coos County:
- You are at least 17 years old. (If you are 17, please read the Consent Requirements below before you apply for your license.)
- Your ceremony will take place somewhere in the State of Oregon.
- You are getting married within 60 days.
- You are not currently married.
- You are not first cousins or any nearer of kin.
- Are mentally competent to consent to contract.
Consent Requirements for applicants under 18 years of age.
Oregon Law prohibits the issuance of a marriage license to anyone under 18 years of age without parental consent. Applicants who are 17 years old must get the written consent of their parent or guardian.
Required documents that you must bring with you at the time of the application:
- A certified copy of your Birth Certificate (a photocopy is not acceptable)
- The consenting parent or guardian must be present with the parties at the time of the application and must fill out a Consent Form and provide proof of their relationship with the applicant. (Certified copy of birth certificate or certified copy of guardianship)
- The consenting parent or guardian must have current photo ID
Fees:
- $25.00 to process the consent form Per Coos County Board of Commissioners Order #20-03-012-L
Plus
- $10.00 to notarize the consent form
Category: Marriage License
How do I apply for a marriage license?
There are two options available for applicants
Fill out your Marriage Application online then come into the Clerk’s Office to complete the process at
https://marriage.co.coos.or.us/
OR
Fill out your entire Marriage Application in the Clerk’s Office
- Both parties are recommended to appear, but if only one party is available, they may pick up the license if the application has been completed online, they would pick it up at the Coos County Clerk’s Office at the Courthouse in Coquille
- Marriage Applications processed Monday – Friday 8:00-11:30 am & 1:00-4:30 pm, except holidays
- Application is completed by the couple and the oath is issued
- Photo ID is required for both parties (if present)
- Payment of fee - $60.00 (cash only) Per Coos County Board of Commissioners Order #20-03-012-L
Information required on the license application:
- Father’s full names (First, middle, last)
- Mother’s full maiden names (first, middle, last)
- The states or foreign country in which all parents were born
- The name(s) the couple will take after the ceremony
- Social Security numbers
- Previous marriage end date
Important Information:
- There is a 3 day waiting period in Oregon. The license becomes effective on the 3rd day from the date of issuance and is valid for 60 days. A Waiting Period Waiver may be issued for a $25.00 cash fee.
Age requirement:
- 18 years old or older
- 17 years may purchase a license with parental consent. The consenting parent must appear with the couple and complete an affidavit of consent. A Certified Copy of applicants Birth Certificate and valid Photo ID of the consenting parent is required. Parental Consent Waiver may be issued for a $25.00 cash fee, plus a $10.00 Notary fee.
Category: Marriage License
How do I get a certified copy of my marriage license?
How do I get a certified copy of my marriage license?
1.You will receive one certified copy of your marriage license automatically, once your completed marriage license has returned to our office, we will mail it to you.
Additional Copies:
1.In person: We process requests immediately. We accept cash, checks and debit or credit cards. The fee is $7.75 for the first copy, $4.00 each for any additional copies, when purchased at the same time. An additional fee of $2.00 will be charged to use a credit/debit card.
2.Mailing in the Certified Copy Request Form (see next page below). Once received in our office, we process requests daily. We only accept checks or money orders for mailed requests. Payments must be in US dollars made payable to Coos County Clerk.
ATTENTION:
INCLUDED WITH YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE, YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE CERTIFIED COPY OF YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE, IT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU ONCE WE RECEIVE YOUR COMPLETED MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM YOUR OFFICIANT. PLEASE USE THE BELOW FORM TO ORDER ADDITIONAL CERTIFIED COPIES BY MAIL OR YOU MAY COME INTO OUR OFFICE IN COQUILLE AND PICK IT UP IN PERSON IMMEDIATELY.
Category: Marriage License
I need an apostille seal on my marriage record. Where do I go?
The Oregon Secretary of State is responsible for providing apostille seals. They will not accept County-issued copies of marriage records. Instead, you must provide a copy from the State of Oregon Vital office. You can find additional information on their website:
Category: Marriage License
I need the waiting period waived. How do I do that?
The statutory 3 day waiting period may be waived under special circumstances. There is an additional fee of $25.00 cash for the waiver. Effective 4/1/2020 Per Coos County Board of Commissioners Order #20-03-012-L
Category: Marriage License
I want to change my name. What are my options?
I want to change my name. What are my options?
As part of the marriage license application, each party must pick the name they will take after the marriage ceremony. However, the State of Oregon limits your name change options. If your desired name is not listed when applying, please ask the clerk for allowable name options.
Changing your name after marriage
I’ve taken my spouse’s name after our marriage. What do I do now? Where do I go?
Once the marriage ceremony has taken place and the license has been returned to our office, your name has changed to whatever you declared at the time of application. Now that your name has changed, you’ll need to update your name on all of your identification, accounts and important documents.
Examples of agencies to change your name with and documents to update are:
- Driver’s License
- Social Security
- Military
- Bank
- Passport
- Credit Cards
- Insurance
- Employer
- Mortgage Company
- Immigration
- Landlord
- Vehicle Registration
Most of these examples require a certified copy, which we will mail you once your marriage license has been returned to our office. Additional copies may be purchased at any time. You can find the order form on our website.
Category: Marriage License
There is a mistake on my marriage license, how do I fix it?
If you notice a mistake on your license before the ceremony, contact our office at 541-396-7600 so we can assist you in correcting the mistake.
If the license has already been received by our office, there may be a $25.00 (cash only) amendment fee charged to correct the information. Please contact us so we can assist you.
To avoid these errors, review and verify your information before submitting the marriage license application.
Category: Marriage License
What about Witnesses?
You need two witnesses who are 18 years or older to make a ceremony valid in Oregon. Neither the minister or partners involved can act as a witness. Your officiant will print the names of the witness on the license. The witnesses will only sign the commemorative Marriage Certificate.
Category: Marriage License
What happens after the ceremony?
What happens after the ceremony?
The officiant will complete the required information and sign the marriage license. Once complete, the officiant is responsible for returning the license to Coos County within five days of the ceremony. The marriage license packet will include an envelope for returning the license to us, which can be delivered to our office or returned by mail.
Instructions for Officiants
You must have received documentation of your ordination. We will not ask for the proof of your ordination. Also, you do not need to register your ordination with Coos County before the ceremony.
Two persons age 18 or older need to witness the solemnization of the marriage.
Following the marriage ceremony, complete the Ceremony section on the marriage license. You must fill in the following information:
- Date of marriage
- Location of marriage
- County of marriage
- Your signature
- Your title (minister, priest, etc.)
- Your name, personal address and phone number (PO BOX is acceptable.)
- The name of the organization that gave you the authority to perform marriages.
- The printed names of the witnesses.
You are responsible for returning the license within five days of the ceremony either by mail or in person.
A marriage license form that is not completed will cause a delay in processing the license. The parties involved will not be able to get certified copies until the errors are corrected. We include Instructions for Officiants with the marriage license packet.
Category: Marriage License
What if our officiant got ordained online?
What if our officiant got ordained online?
As long as the online ordination meets the requirements from the State of Oregon, it is just as official as a traditional religious ordination.
Ordination Requirements
To be considered a valid ordination, the State of Oregon requires:
- An organization must be active (i.e. conducting business or holding services).
If the organization has closed or does not have a physical address, then you must get another ordination. We cannot process a license that fails to meet either of these requirements.
Category: Marriage License
Where is the office located and what hours can I apply for an marriage license?
Where is the office located?
Coos County Clerk’s Office
Coos County Courthouse
250 N. Baxter
Coquille, OR 97423
What hours can I apply for a marriage license?
- Online applications can be completed in the convenience of your home at any time. If you choose to complete your marriage license by mail, then you mail the $60.00 fee (money order or cashier's check only) to our office. Upon receipt of the fee we will call you to review the application and then send you the license.
- In Person, marriage applications are processed in our office Monday - Friday, except holidays 8:00 am - 11:30 am / 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Category: Marriage License
