Dreaming of saying “I do” surrounded by Oregon’s wild beauty — from the rugged coastline to the misty forests of the Cascades? You’re not alone. Oregon is one of the most breathtaking (and easiest!) states to elope in. But before you hike up a mountain in your wedding dress or exchange vows beside a waterfall, you’ll need to make sure it’s all legal.

Here’s everything you need to know to legally elope in Oregon — from your marriage license to finding an officiant, and all the small but important details in between.

1. Apply for Your Oregon Marriage License

Oregon makes getting your marriage license simple and stress-free. You can apply at any county clerk’s office. It doesn’t have to be the same county where your elopement takes place.

Here’s how it works:

• Both partners must apply in person at a county clerk’s office. All counties in Oregon allow online applications to start the process, but you’ll still need to appear in person to finalize it.
• Bring valid photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport).
• Pay the license fee, which is typically around $50 to $60, depending on the county.
• There’s a three-day waiting period, so plan ahead! This means that after you visit a county clerk’s office, you must wait a minimum of three days before you are legally allowed to complete it. (Some counties will waive it for an extra fee if you need your license right away.)
• Once issued, your marriage license is valid for 60 days. After 60 days has passed, you must purchase a new one.

2. Choose Your Officiant

To make your marriage legally binding, your ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant. In Oregon, that includes:

• Judges or county clerks
• Religious or spiritual leaders (like ministers, priests, or rabbis)
• A friend, family member or vendor (like me!) who gets ordained online (Oregon recognizes officiants ordained through organizations like the Universal Life Church)

If you’re planning an intimate elopement, having a close friend or family member officiate can make the day even more personal— just make sure they’re ordained before the ceremony.

3. Don’t Forget Your Witnesses

Oregon requires two witnesses to sign your marriage license during your ceremony.

If you’re eloping just the two of you, don’t worry — this is easy to work around. You can:

• Ask your photographer and videographer to sign
• Invite a park ranger, Airbnb host, or even a friendly hiker nearby (it happens all the time!)

4. Hold Your Ceremony Anywhere You Love

Oregon doesn’t restrict where you can hold your ceremony, so the sky’s the limit! Whether you’re exchanging vows on the Oregon Coast, deep in the Columbia River Gorge, or under Mount Hood’s snow-capped peaks, it’s all fair game.

Just remember: if you’re eloping on public land, you may need a permit.

• National and State Parks: Usually require a special use permit for weddings or photography.
• BLM Land and Forest Service areas: Some locations require permits only for larger gatherings or commercial photography.

Always check the official park or land management website for the most up-to-date rules before your elopement day.

5. Return Your Signed License

After your ceremony, your officiant legally is responsible for returning the signed marriage license to the county where you applied within five days. However; the couple is allowed to take it in as well as long as it is returned to the same office you received it from within five days of your legal ceremony. If it is returned after five days of your ceremony, you may have to pay an additional fee.

Once it’s processed, you can order certified copies (usually for a small fee of $7–$10 each).

Your certified marriage certificate is your legal proof of marriage — you’ll need it for name changes, taxes, and official documents.

Eloping in Oregon means giving yourself permission to slow down, focus on each other, and celebrate love your way, with a little paperwork to make it official. Once that’s done, the rest is pure magic.

If you’re planning your Oregon elopement and want help with locations, permits, or photography, I’d love to help you bring your dream day to life. Oregon has a thousand hidden corners waiting for your story — let’s find the one that feels like you.