Marriage Licenses & Domestic Partnerships
Marriage Licenses & Domestic Partnerships in Benton County
What is the difference between a marriage license and a domestic partnership?
Marriage licenses require a ceremony and two witnesses, a three day wait period, and they may be used for ceremonies happening anywhere in the state of Oregon. Marriages are recognized by the federal government. Domestic partnerships are a notarized registration that receive state-level recognition and have no required waiting period.
How to Get Started
- You can apply for your marriage license or obtain a domestic partnership form online. Find relevant links throughout this page.
- Next, schedule an appointment to purchase a marriage license or register the domestic partnership available between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each business day. Book an appointment »
- Both parties must appear and provide valid government-issued photo ID to purchase a marriage license or have their partnership form notarized.
- Bring a form of payment to purchase the license or register the partnership. A 2.49% processing fee is assessed to all card payments.
- If you would like a civil ceremony, carried out by a County officiant, learn more on our Civil Ceremonies page.
Obtain a Marriage License
Marriage Licenses issued by our office are good to use within the State of Oregon only. The license becomes effective for use 3 days after issuance and is valid 60 days.
- Civil ceremonies are available on select dates & times at the Kalapuya building.
- Both parties must be 18 years or older.
- First cousins are prohibited from obtaining a marriage license.
- Three-day waiting period can be waived for an additional fee.
Register a Domestic Partnership
Domestic Partnerships are a civil contract between two individuals over 18 years old. One person must be an Oregon resident. Complete the form and be sure to print on letter size paper (8.5in x 11in).
Domestic Partnerships are prohibited and void when:
- Either party consent obtained by force or fraud.
- Either party has a partner or spouse at time of partnership.
- Either party incapable to consent due to age or sufficient understanding
Marriage License & Domestic Partnership Fees
| Item | Price* |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | $52.00 |
| Waiver of 3-Day Waiting Period | $25.00 |
| Certified Copies (Each)** | $4.00 |
| Commemorative Certificate (Extra) | $2.00 |
| Domestic Partnership Registration | $50.00 |
| Notary Services (Per Signature) | $10.00 |
| County Civil Ceremony | $117.00 |
| County Provided Witness | $25.00 |
*We accept cash, check/money order, or debit/credit cards. There is an additional 2.49% convenience fee added to all card transactions.
**Certified Copies cannot be emailed or faxed
Name change options with Marriages & Domestic Partnerships
Approved Name Changes
You may change your name with a marriage license or domestic partnership; however, options are limited. Names other than the options listed below will require a court ordered legal name change.
- First Name – No changes (Court ordered ONLY)
- Middle Name – Can remain the same, be dropped entirely, replaced with your current last name, or add current last name to current middle to create two middle names.
- Last Name – Can remain the same, can change to spouse/partner’s current last name, or a combination of the two last names with or without a hyphen.
Petitioned Name Changes
Considering a name change that is not on the approved list?
If you would like that new name reflective on your marriage license and/or domestic partnership registration, you must petition the court prior to applying for a marriage license or registering your domestic partnership. You will need to provide a certified copy of the court order to proceed.
Note: Marriage and domestic partnership records CANNOT be amended to reflect a legal name or sex change if either is issued at a later date.
Order a Certified Copy
We can provide regular or certified copies of real property, marriage & domestic partnership records or a data report or export for the public records we preserve.
*Certified Copies cannot be emailed or faxed
Resources for Officiants
If you will be officiating a wedding in Oregon, educate yourself on how to conduct ceremonies and make sure marriage licenses are filled out correctly.