The Easiest Way To Get A Copy Of Your Oregon Divorce Certificate

There's a wide range of situations when Oregon residents may need documentation of being legally divorced, including important life events like getting remarried or changing your immigration status.

If you can't find your , or just want some extra copies in case you ever need them, you can request one from Oregon Vital Records. This article goes over your best options for ordering a copy of your divorce certificate and how DoNotPay makes the process .

Differences in Divorce Certificates

First, it’s important to understand the difference in divorce types so you file the correct one.

Divorce Type	Description
Default	If your future ex-spouse doesn't respond to the petition within the allotted time, the court will allow you to invoke a default divorce without the input of your partner and grant all of your requests during a hearing.
Contested	A contested divorce is when you and your spouse disagree on many terms, such as child custody or property division. This results in both sides making their case at trial in front of a judge and/or jury. (Iowa does not require an attorney for a divorce.) This method is time-consuming and potentially expensive. Legal representation costs money, and the Petitioner must also pay for the personal service of the initial paperwork on the Respondent. Also, the discovery process requires a thorough investigation into the claims of each party using evidence and witness interviews. Each person's attorney can attempt to find a settlement, but you can never assume that negotiating will be productive or that a trial will play out in your favor.
Uncontested	An uncontested divorce is the quickest and most affordable form of divorce. This is when each person agrees on all the major issues in their case, eliminating the need for long mediation sessions or costly attorney fees. In Iowa, there is a mandatory waiting period of 90 days, sometimes referred to as a nisi period, that must run before a judge can officially annul the marriage. Unlike a contested divorce, the need to pay for personal services is not needed because the respondent spouse is likely to sign an Acceptance of Service form.

The Difference Between Divorce Certificates and Divorce Decrees In Oregon

Divorce certificates and divorce decrees are both issued once the legal proceedings are over. However, these documents don't have the same purpose and aren't used in the same way.

A divorce decree is a court order that officially ends your marriage. Divorce decrees also contain sensitive information about the terms of separation as decided by the judge, such as

The terms of child custody and visitation rights
The terms of spousal support
The division of debts and assets
Identifying information for each spouse, including birth dates and addresses

Most people want these kinds of personal details to remain private, which is why the divorce decree usually stays tucked away.

Instead, Oregon residents use a divorce certificate to function as proof that their marriage is legally over. Certificates only contain the names of the former spouses, the address of the court that presided over the divorce, and the date when the divorce was finalized.

Who Can Request a Divorce Certificate Copy in Oregon?

Divorce certificates in Oregon are not considered public records, which means that only certain people can request a copy. In order to be eligible, you have to be:

One of the ex-spouses named
A direct family member (including an adult child, sibling, or parent)
A legal representative for either spouse
A government employee acting on official duties

How Long Does it Take to Get your Divorce Certificate in Oregon?

The time frame varies quite a bit depending on how you request the document and how you choose to pay the processing fee. For example, paying by check will add another three weeks.

How To Request a Copy of Your Oregon Divorce Certificate By Yourself

The application form to order an Oregon divorce certificate asks for basic information like the full name of both spouses and the county where the divorce took place. You also have to explain your reason for needing a copy of this record.

How To Order On The Internet or By Telephone

Fill out the application either on Oregon's Vital Check page or by calling 1-888-896-4988 to use the automated phone system
Provide information to confirm your identity, such as your Social Security number
Use a credit or debit card to pay the non-refundable fee of $43.25 for one record search and one copy of the divorce certificate. Extra copies are $25 each
Certificates are mailed to you within three business days, but you can pay more for next-day service

How To Order By Mail

Download and print the application form
Include a photocopy of a government ID, like your driver's license or passport
Mail it in with a money order or check for the non-refundable fee of $25 for the record search and one copy of the certificate. You can also get another copy for $25.
Allow 5-8 business days for your request to be processed and the certificate mailed to you. Add three weeks to this timeline if you paid by check.

How to Order Via the DropBox

Put together the document, the photocopy of your ID, and the $25 service fee in a sealed envelope
Take the request to the dropbox outside the Oregon State Office Building
Allow 5-8 business days for your request to be processed and the certificate mailed to you. Add three weeks to this timeline if you paid by check.

Use DoNotPay to Order Your Oregon Divorce Certificate More Easily

As with any bureaucratic process, getting a copy of your requires multiple steps and plenty of hassle. If you need this document to resolve a personal or legal issue, you're probably looking for the easiest way possible.

That's why DoNotPay created a simple and convenient Divorce Certificate tool that you can use to contact Oregon Vital Records. The process is completely virtual on the app, so you can do it all from the comfort of your smartphone or laptop.

If you want to get a copy of an Oregon divorce certificate but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 7 easy steps:

Go to the Certificates of Divorce product on DoNotPay.
Select whether the certificate belongs to you or a relative/loved one. If it belongs to someone else, enter the details of both people on the certificate, and select/upload evidence that proves your relationship with them. If the certificate is yours, enter the details of your spouse.*Please note: some states only allow people named on the certificate to apply.
Enter the city, state, and county where the divorce certificate and original divorce certificate were issued as well as the dates they were issued on.
Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.
Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.
Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct.
If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail in your request form with a check on your behalf.

Why Use DoNotPay to Order an Oregon Divorce Certificate

DoNotPay has a suite of tools that help you solve problems with much less hassle, especially when it comes to dealing with red tape. You can count on the virtual lawyer in your pocket to request your Oregon divorce certificate quickly, easily, and efficiently.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

When it comes to saving time or avoiding the hassle, there's so much this versatile legal app can help you do. Here are some of the most popular ways to use DoNotPay: