The Multnomah County Recording Office
Multnomah County Recording and Customer Service is part of the Department of County Management. It serves as the county's recording office, and it sits in southeast Portland, well away from the downtown courthouse. This office records and copies documents that are county records, such as marriage licenses and recorded land papers. It does not handle court case files, which belong to the Circuit Court. The location alone signals the split: the recording office is on SE Hawthorne Boulevard, while the court records counter is downtown at the Central Courthouse. People who drive to the wrong one lose time, so it pays to confirm which office holds the record you want.
The county's locating-records guidance is clear on the point. Court records are available through the Circuit Court, while marriage, recording, and related county records run through this office. The contact card below has the address, phone, and hours.
Recording & Customer Service
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175
Portland, OR 97214
503-988-2273
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
What the Multnomah County Clerk Records
This office records and serves a defined set of county documents. The most common requests are for marriage licenses and marriage copies, but the recording function also covers land and property documents. These records are separate from the court system, so they carry their own fees and forms.
- Marriage license applications and issued licenses.
- Certified marriage copies and amendments.
- Recorded land and property documents.
- Officiant instructions and completed license returns.
- Copy and research assistance for recorded records.
For divorce, note the split. A divorce decree is a court record from the Circuit Court, while a divorce certificate is a state vital record. Neither is issued by this office, though people often start here by mistake.
Recorded documents have a long shelf life. Once a paper is recorded, it stays in the public record and can be searched and copied for years. That permanence is the point. A recorded deed proves ownership, and a recorded lien gives notice of a claim. The office keeps these records organized so the public can find and rely on them.
Marriage Licenses
The recording office issues marriage licenses. You complete the application online, then both parties appear in person to buy and pick up the license. Appointments are not needed. Service hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and both parties must be in the office with a completed application by 4:00 p.m. to buy that day.
Oregon sets the rules. Both parties must be at least 18, the ceremony must occur in Oregon, and the couple must marry within 60 days. For the full eligibility list and the application steps, the marriage and divorce records page has the details.
The in-person rule catches some couples off guard. Both people must appear together, with photo ID that matches the names on the application. A license cannot be issued to one party alone. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the county within five days, and two witnesses age 18 or older are required.
Ordering Marriage Copies
After a marriage is recorded, you can order a certified copy from this office. The county's Digital Research Room offers a MarriageSearch tool for copy orders. Records from 1990 to the present are available digitally, while 1980 through 1989 records are index only. Older records may need a staff search of the paper index, which can take longer. You can also mail a certified-copy request form or order in person at the counter.
The first certified marriage copy costs $7.75, with additional copies in the same order at $4.00 each. A marriage amendment is $20. A card order adds a 2 percent convenience fee, while a mailed request accepts a check in U.S. dollars.
A certified marriage copy is the version most agencies accept as proof of marriage, for a name change, a benefit claim, or an immigration matter. An uncertified printout is fine for personal reference but may be rejected for official use. So decide how the copy will be used before you order, and request the certified version when an agency is involved.
Recorded Documents
Beyond marriage, the office records land and property documents. Recording places a document in the public record, which protects ownership and gives notice to others. Title companies, lenders, and property owners rely on these records to confirm who holds an interest in a property. A clean recorded chain is what lets a sale or a loan close with confidence, and a missing or clouded record can stall a deal.
Because these are county records and not court files, they follow the county's recording fees and processes. A search of recorded documents is a different task from a court case search, and it happens through this office rather than the court portal.
If you are researching a property, recorded documents are the trail to follow. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases all leave a record here. The office and its research room can help you locate them, and copy and research assistance fees apply when staff pull or search records for you.
Multnomah County Clerk Fees
The office posts its marriage and copy fees so you can budget before you order. The table lists the common charges. Recording fees for land documents are set separately and depend on the document and its page count. The county also publishes copying and research assistance fees for recorded records, which apply when staff help you locate or pull documents.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $60 |
| Three-day waiting-period waiver | $5 extra, total $65 |
| Certified marriage copy, first copy | $7.75 |
| Additional certified copies, same order | $4.00 each |
| Marriage amendment | $20 |
| Card convenience fee | 2% for debit or credit orders |
Note: the office accepts cash, a card with a processing fee, or a cashier's check or money order for a license, payable to Multnomah County Marriage Licenses.
County Clerk vs Court Clerk
These two offices are easy to mix up, but they are not the same. The county recording office handles marriage and recorded documents. The Circuit Court records office handles court case files such as criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Each has its own address, its own fees, and its own request forms.
If you need a court case copy, including a divorce decree, you go to the court. The Clerk of Court page covers court copy requests, including how to order a certified divorce decree. If you need a marriage copy or a recorded deed, you stay with this recording office. Sending a request to the wrong one is the most common reason for a delay.
A simple test helps. Ask whether the record came from a court case. A criminal charge, a lawsuit, a custody fight, or an estate is a court matter, so the court holds it. A marriage license, a recorded deed, or a property lien is a county recording matter, so this office holds it. When the record ties to a case number, it is almost always a court file.
How to Request from the County Clerk
The recording office takes requests a few ways. The steps below cover a typical marriage copy order, which is the most common request to this office.
- Decide whether you need a marriage copy or a recorded document.
- Search the Digital Research Room for the marriage record.
- Order online, mail a certified-copy request form, or go in person.
- Pay the fee, including any card convenience fee.
- Receive the certified copy by mail or pickup.
Marriage questions go to clerk@multco.us or 503-988-2273. For recorded land documents, the same office can point you to the right search and fee. Mailed certified-copy requests accept a check in U.S. dollars, and the office will return the copy to the address you provide. If you order in person, you can often leave with the certified copy the same day.