Oregon Public Records

The state of Oregon keeps vital records private until 100 years after the event took place, so unless the record you need is older, you may only gain access if you’re an immediate family member or spouse of the person. Even though the Freedom of Information Act granted the right to the public of searching through public records, each state is responsible for their own privacy laws that prevent just anyone from gaining access. Also, the state can only provide records for events that took place in the state of Oregon. There is an application form that you must complete and a search fee of $20, plus the requirement that you must provide copies of photo identification to prove you’re who you say you are and that you’re related in some way to the person whose record you’re searching for. Send the completed form, fee and copies of identification to the following address:

Oregon Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, Oregon97293
Phone: (971) 673-1190

It may take as long as a month to receive a response to your request and the fee is non-refundable. If you need the record sooner or would like to have the record cross-referenced to other states, you may want to engage the services of a private, online search site.

OR Public Records

These sites offer timely and concise reports to those who need records for any reasons. All you have to do is enter some basic information about the person and within minutes you’ll have the report sent to your email address. Professionals who know how to retrieve vital records can give you background information or a genealogical search that’s usually more accurate and timely that one you could receive from the state. The fee payment is encrypted, so no one will know it was you who requested the search – nor do you need to fear that your data will be stolen. Most lawyers and those who search for data as part of their jobs (such as genealogists) maintain monthly memberships to some of these sites. But, you can conduct only one search if that’s all you need. You may need background records to be sure someone in your life is telling the truth about his or her past. Vital records can also provide the missing piece of the puzzle to a family tree. Whatever the reason you need to search through public records, these sites offer invaluable service and accuracy. Find out more about how you can use one of these services to search through Oregon public records – or any state where you may need information. Click on the link to be connected with a site and then decide if you want to pursue your search for vital records.