Vital Records Oregon – Where To Get Your Documents

People who are looking for vital records in Oregon can consult the state’s Center for Health Statistics. Information like birth records are not publicly available – with the exception of kin and legal representatives - and will remain so for at least a hundred years. There are other avenues that can be explored by researchers including public libraries, specialty groups and online public record search providers to get the needed data.

If you are looking for vital records in Oregon, you should go to the Center for Health Statistics. The department is responsible for providing certified copies of these records. Copies tend to be a bit pricey – they cost anywhere from 15 to 20 dollars per copy. An initial non-refundable fee is usually imposed. Requests can be made through mail, fax, telephone or in-person.

OR Vital Records – The Issue of Eligibility

Unfortunately, birth records are not available to the public – access is only available to the registrant, his family or his legal representatives. This is the case for at least a hundred years. This is to protect the privacy of individuals and prevent information abuse. If the birth records are over a hundred years old, then the public can request for a copy. Likewise, marriage and divorce records are not available to the general public. They become open for inspection to the general public after fifty years.

When requesting for copies, the researcher should include as much information on the individual as possible. Names, addresses and dates are essential to finding the right person’s record. Aside from the Center for Health Statistics, vital records may be requested at the county clerk of court and the county health department. If the researcher does not know the name of the individual, he can use online record searches instead. They provide indices and abstracts of vital records and allow searches for similar names. There is a small charge for using such services, usually in the form of monthly memberships.

Oregon Vital Records – The Issue of Accessibility

Depending on the type of research one is conducting, there are many avenues of information. For historical and genealogical research, the public libraries can be an excellent source of information. This is especially true for those who have not yet ascertained the identities of the individual they are searching for.

Specialty groups and non-government organizations are also a great source of information. They can be found online and mailing lists. They can give fellow researchers advice on how to do their job.

Of course, the clerk of court can always help you out in case all your sources have been exhausted.

Useful Oregon Vital Records Resource

Oregon Health Division
Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050

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