Oregon birth records are held confidential until 100 years past the date of birth, so you will only be able to get a copy if the records are that old or you are a direct relative or a spouse. If you are not a relative, you can also access a record providing you can supply a notarized signature from a family member giving you permission. The state office only has access to records for births that took place in Oregon.
The process for getting a copy is simple. You just need to fill out the forms, pay the search fee and provide your own identification to the Vital Records office. For submitting your application package, you can either mail it or bring it in to the Vital Records office in Portland. Counter service at the office usually means you can leave with your records after about 20 minutes, whereas a mailed-request for an Oregon birth record can take more than a month.
For in-person applications, the address is the Vital Records Office, 800 NE Oregon Street, Room 205. They're open typical office hours through the week. If you arrive close to closing, you may have to come back the next day to pick up your material.
When mailing in your request for an Oregon birth record, they prefer you to use this address: Oregon Vital Records, PO Box 14050, Portland OR, 97293-0050 USA.
To get the proper forms, you can visit the Department of Human Services website (http://public.health.oregon.gov/BirthDeathCertificates/GetVitalRecords/Documents/birthor.pdf) which can be filled in on your computer and then printed out completed. The form requires identifying information on the person whose records you are seeking, including their full name, date and place of birth, and both their parent's full names. Your own contact information also needs to be included. A clear photo copy of your identification also needs to be added as well, unless you are using the counter service and then you can simply show your ID while being served.
The current fee to search for an Oregon birth record $20 USD, and you can get extra copies if you order at the same time for an additional $15 each. If the record you want is not found, your search fee is not refunded but any fees you've paid for extra copies will be returned to you. You need to pay as a check or money order, issued to "DHS Vital Records".
The Vital Records office will have access to records dating back to around 1903, which is when the state started to require all counties submit their birth registration information. Older Oregon birth records can be found at the Oregon State Archives, with some areas (such as Portland) going back to 1864.
You can see the main holdings for vital records at the State Archives on their website (http://www.sos.state.or.us/archives/vital.html) with some indexes having search capabilities so you can look up certain records online. The archives themselves are located at 800 Summer Street NE in Salem. If you cannot get to Salem, they will so some basic searches for free or more complicated research for a fee.
To submit your request for a copy of an Oregon birth certificate, take these measures:
Step 1.
To start the process of requesting an Oregon birth certificate by mail, download and complete an Oregon Birth Certificate application.
Step 2.
Obtain copies of all legal documents that are needed to process your request. All orders are required to send a copy of your current, government-issued photo ID with the request.
Step 3.
Return all documents to the Vital Records office. Include a check or money order covering the $20 search fee.
For more help on accessing Oregon birth records, you can contact the office below:
Oregon Department of Health
Oregon Vital Records
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050
(971) 673-1190
Oregon Birth Records: How To Order
Oregon birth records can be ordered through the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. The Center has maintained Oregon birth records since July 1903.
Ways To Place Your Order
Multiple ordering methods for Oregon birth records are available. You can send in a request by mail, make an order by phone, fax, or internet, or visit the Vital Records office in person. Some ordering methods may be subject to additional processing fees, and different methods will have varying processing times.
100 Years Restricted Access
Oregon birth records are considered private information for 100 years after the occurrence. During that time, only the person listed on the certificate, immediate family members, spouses, and those who are able to demonstrate a legal need for the certificate will be able to order Oregon birth records.
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