Oregon Birth Records

Oregon birth records are official documents certifying the existence of an individual within the state. Oregon began mandatory statewide birth registration in 1903. Before that date, record-keeping was managed at the city and county level, with some counties having birth records dating back to the 1860s.

Oregon issues two primary types of birth certificates, depending on the birth year. Persons born before 2008 may receive the long-form or computer-issued birth certificate, also called the short-form birth certificate. While persons born in 2008 and onward are issued a computer-issued certificate.

The long-form birth certificate is the official birth record. It contains detailed information about a birth in the state, such as the registrant's name, hospital of birth, attending physician information, parents' full names, and parents' birthplaces. The long-form birth certificate contains security features, such as the registrar's signature, state file number, and raised seal. The long-form birth certificate is valid for all legal, financial, and administrative purposes.

The computer-issued (short-form) birth certificate is issued to persons born from 2008 to date. It contains all information filed at the time of birth, including the full name of the child, gender, date of birth, hospital name, parents' information, and issuing officer's signature. It is valid for all legal transactions in Oregon.

Birth records in Oregon may also be certified or informational. A certified copy of the birth record is a government-issued copy on banknote security paper bearing the registrar's signature and state seal. Certified birth records are valid for all legal transactions in the state. The informational copy of the birth record contains the same data as the certified birth record, but is typically watermarked or stamped " not valid for legal purposes". The document is best suited for family history research and commemorative purposes.

How To Order an Oregon Birth Certificate?

You may order certified copies of birth records from July 1903 to the present at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Vital Statistics Office. Birth records are accessible online, by mail, or in person. Online requests for birth certificates are through an approved service provider. In-person request for birth records requires scheduling an appointment with the OHA Vital Statistics Office.

To purchase the birth certificate by mail or in person, complete the Birth Order Form and include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees to obtain the document. It costs $25 to order the short-form and computer-issued birth certificate and $30 for the long-form birth record. Mail the request to:

You may request the birth record in person at:

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You may also obtain certified copies of birth records from the County Vital Records Offices. However, these offices issue birth certificates for events occurring within 6 months. Obtain the request form from your local vital records office or their website. Complete and submit the form, including a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. Submit the request in person or by mail. Birth certificates obtained at the County Vital Records Offices typically cost $25.

Are Birth Records Public in Oregon?

No. In Oregon, all vital records, including birth records, are exempt from public disclosure. Therefore, the general public cannot view, inspect, or obtain copies of birth records in Oregon. However, while the state restricts public access, some individuals are eligible to view and purchase copies of the birth record.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Oregon?

Per state law, only persons with a direct or familial interest are eligible to obtain certified copies of Oregon's birth certificates. These individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents listed on the birth record
• Immediate family members, including children, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and registered domestic partners
• Legal guardians
• Legal representatives
• Government agencies
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get an Oregon Birth Certificate?

Oregon birth certificates ordered by mail from the OHA Vital Statistics Office are typically processed within 5 to 7 weeks. The office does not offer expedited processing of birth certificates. If you need the document faster, you may purchase the certificate online, which has a delivery time of 3 business days, or obtain the record in person at the state Vital Statistics Office and get the record within 30 minutes.

Birth certificates under 6 months are ordered at the local health department. It may take up to a week to get the record if the request is sent by mail. Walk-in requests are processed immediately.

Where Can I Find Oregon Birth Records Free?

Access to certified copies of birth records is restricted to eligible persons in Oregon. However, if you need to access informational copies for personal or genealogy research, there are online resources to help you access birth records at no cost.

While the National Vital Records Archives is not a repository of vital records, it provides a centralized directory linking you to each state's vital records. Its "Where to Write" page shows exact addresses and phone numbers for every state's vital records office, including Oregon's state archives for non-certified copies of birth records.

Oregon State Archives holds microfilm and original registered births from Portland City from 1864 to 1902 and all other cities outside Portland from 1845 to 1902. You can view the records at no cost or request copies for a small fee.

Genealogy websites like Ancestry.com host Oregon birth indexes and scanned registers from 1903-1919. Similarly, FamilySearch.org maintains multiple collections of Oregon birth indexes and microfilm images. While both platforms offer free access to birth records, FamilySearch.org may require a subscription to the platform to access the records.

Websites like PublicRecords.us compile state and county vital records, contacts, and links from multiple public sources to provide a searchable database of millions of Oregon birth records. The platform provides basic details of both current and old births and is ideal for starting your research.

When Would I Need My Oregon Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a fundamental form of identification in Oregon and serves as a core document for legal, governmental, and personal purposes. Therefore, there are numerous situations where one may need to present their birth certificate, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining a driver's license or a state ID
• Getting a Social Security Card
• Verifying your suitability for employment
• Applying for a marriage license or a change of name
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, or universities
• Establish identity during the visa application
• Prove heirship, parentage, or next-of-kin status for probate cases
• Applying for government or retirement benefits

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Oregon?

If your birth certificate is missing, stolen, damaged, becomes illegible, or destroyed, you will need a replacement birth record. Obtaining a replacement birth certificate in Oregon involves the same process as obtaining the certified birth record.

You may replace your birth certificate by filling out the Birth Record form. Include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees with your application. You can mail or request the replacement document in person. Replacement birth records cost $25 for the short-form or computer-issued birth records and $30 for the long-form birth certificate.

If a birth certificate issued for a child under 6 months requires replacement, contact the county health department to replace the document. Complete the application form available on their website or at their office. Birth certificate replacement at your local health department costs $25.

When Can the Public Access Oregon Birth Certificates?

Birth certificates are considered confidential in Oregon and are not immediately accessible to the general public. Per state law, birth records remain confidential for the first 100 years from the birth date. After the period lapses, birth certificates become publicly accessible.

How To Correct an Error on an Oregon Birth Certificate?

You can correct errors, such as typographical or clerical errors, court-ordered name changes, paternity corrections, and sex designation corrections on your live birth record. Generally, any substantive corrections that alter the document, such as the date of birth to a different year, require a court order.

To correct your birth certificate, complete the appropriate amendment request form. Include a copy of the original birth certificate containing the error, a valid government-issued photo ID, and other supporting documents, such as a court order, hospital record, or other official record. There is an amendment fee of $35, which excludes the cost of obtaining the corrected birth certificate. Mail the application request to the OHA Vital Statistics Office.

Does Oregon Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. Oregon allows a non-binary gender marker "X" on birth certificates at initial registration and via an amendment process for existing records. Oregon passed House Bill 2673 into law, creating an administrative path for any person born in Oregon to amend their birth certificate markers to reflect "Male", 'Female", or "X".

To amend the birth certificate, download and complete the application form. Notarize the application and prepare supporting documents such as a valid government-issued ID or a court order. Mail the application to the OHA Vital Statistics Office. There is a $35 amendment fee.