About the Washington County Recording Office
Oregon runs a unified state court system, so the courts and the county keep different kinds of records. The Washington County Recording Office sits inside Washington County Assessment and Taxation. It records county instruments and issues marriage licenses under state law. This is not a court office, and it does not hold court case files. A person who needs a recorded document or a marriage license starts here, not at the court records counter.
The recording function covers documents that affect property, identity, and certain legal status, plus marriage licensing under ORS chapter 106. The office records the document, keeps the official county copy, and can provide certified copies of what it records. Court matters such as a divorce case, a probate estate, or a criminal file are handled by the Circuit Court instead.
Washington County Recording Office
Department: Assessment and Taxation, Recording Division
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Washington County, Oregon
Note: Confirm the current counter address, hours, and accepted payment methods on the county Assessment and Taxation page before a visit, since county service hours can change.
What the Recording Office Handles
The recording office deals with county records, not court cases. Its core work is recording instruments and issuing marriage licenses. Recorded documents become part of the public county record, and many can be copied on request. The list below covers the main record types the office touches, though the exact services should be confirmed on the county page.
- Marriage licenses issued under ORS chapter 106.
- Recorded instruments such as deeds and other property documents.
- Certified copies of records the office has recorded.
- County records connected to assessment and taxation functions.
Marriage authority and requirements come from state law, even though the county runs the licensing counter. That split matters when a person asks where a record lives.
The county marriage authority is set out in ORS chapter 106, which governs marriage in Oregon.
County Recording Office vs Circuit Court Records
The single most useful thing to understand is who holds what. The recording office keeps county-recorded documents and marriage licenses. The Circuit Court keeps case files, which include divorce judgments, probate cases, and criminal and civil matters. A divorce illustrates the split well. The marriage license that started the marriage is a recording-office record, while the divorce that ended it is a court case file. The table below maps the two offices side by side.
| County Recording Office | Circuit Court Records | |
|---|---|---|
| Run By | Assessment and Taxation, Recording Division | Oregon Judicial Department, Circuit Court |
| Marriage Licenses | Yes, issued and recorded here | No |
| Recorded Deeds | Yes | No |
| Divorce Judgments | No | Yes, as a family case file |
| Probate and Estate Files | No | Yes |
| Criminal and Civil Cases | No | Yes |
For court case files, including divorce judgments, see the Clerk of Court page. For how a divorce case is searched, see marriage and divorce records.
Marriage Licenses in Washington County
A marriage license is the county document a couple needs before a wedding. In Washington County, the recording office under Assessment and Taxation handles the license, not the court. The couple applies, provides identity information, and pays the county fee. Oregon law sets eligibility, and the county may apply a waiting period or a waiver process. After the ceremony, the signed license is returned and recorded, and certified copies can be requested from the recording office.
The marriage record is a county record from start to finish. A divorce, by contrast, is a court case, so the two ends of a marriage live in different offices.
County marriage-license information is posted on the Washington County marriage license page.
Marriage License Application Fields
An application asks for identity and eligibility details for both applicants. The live county form was not fully exposed in a static review, so the table below works as a practical checklist drawn from the county process and state requirements. Confirm the exact fields and the current fee with the county before you apply.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant 1 legal name | Yes | Full legal name. |
| Applicant 2 legal name | Yes | Full legal name. |
| Date of birth / age | Yes | Used to confirm eligibility under Oregon law. |
| Identification | Yes | Government ID is generally required; confirm with the county. |
| Address / contact | Yes | Mailing and contact information. |
| Prior marriage info | No | Provide if a prior marriage or partnership applies. |
| Officiant / ceremony info | No | May be completed after the ceremony. |
| Fee / payment | Yes | County-published fee; confirm the amount before applying. |
Because field labels can change, treat the table as a guide and check the live county application before you rely on a specific item.
How to Request a Recorded Document or Marriage Copy
Requesting a county record follows a clear path. The goal is to give the office enough detail to find the right document and to know what to send back. The steps below outline the usual process for a recorded instrument or a certified marriage copy.
- Identify the record you need, such as a marriage license or a recorded deed, and gather the names and any recording date.
- Confirm the office holds it, since court case files go to the Circuit Court instead.
- Submit the request to the recording office through the county method, with the identifying details.
- Pay the county copy and certification fee once staff quote the amount.
- Pick up the copy or wait for it to be mailed, allowing time for processing.
Note: A marriage license is a county record, but a divorce judgment is a court record, so a divorce copy must be requested from the Circuit Court records office.
Historical County Records
Older county record series may not sit at the active counter. The Oregon State Archives keeps a county records guide that helps a person locate historical files and understand retention rules. This matters for genealogy, property history, and older recorded documents that predate current systems. The recording office can point to current records, while the archives guide helps with the historical trail. Some older series may have moved to storage, been microfilmed, or been transferred for long-term keeping.
When a record is old enough, the path to a copy can differ from a recent recording. Staff can explain which records are still pulled at the counter and which need an archives request. Always confirm before assuming an old document is on hand.
For broader public records beyond recorded documents, the county and state both publish request channels and open-records guidance. The public records page explains how those requests work and what fees may apply.