Introduction to Oregon Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Oregon Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want a Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Oregon Death certificates have been maintained by the Oregon Center for Health Statistics for individuals that died in the state of Oregon since 1903. Oregon State Archives has City of Portland death records from 1862 to 1902 and statewide death records from 1903 to 1955.

Oregon Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Oregon state law, Oregon Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Oregon Death certificate
• Persons or organizations with a personal or property right
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Oregon Death Certificate

Oregon Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain an Oregon Death Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Oregon Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Oregon Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Oregon Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Oregon Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Oregon Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Oregon Death certificate online.

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Oregon Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Oregon Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Oregon Death certificate
• Sex on the Oregon Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Oregon Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Oregon Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Oregon Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Oregon Vital Records

PO Box 14050

Portland, OR 97293-0050

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Oregon: You may go to any county health department in the State of Oregon to obtain a certified copy of a Oregon Death certificate. Most Oregon Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Oregon Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Oregon Death certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Oregon Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Oregon Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $15.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Oregon DHS/Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.