OregonOregon service members may apply and marry remotely while on active duty
Starting January 1, 2027, service members kept away by active duty may apply for an Oregon marriage license and, if a judicial officer performs it, join the ceremony remotely.
What it does
A service member kept from the clerk's office by active duty may sign a marriage license application electronically, and the clerk may not refuse it for that reason alone.
When active service keeps a service member from attending, a judicial officer may perform the ceremony with the member joining by live video and sound; the officer may waive the fee.
Argument forService members whose active duty keeps them from the clerk's office could apply for a marriage license without traveling there in person.
Argument againstRequiring a judicial officer to conduct the ceremony could make remote marriage harder to arrange for service members whose duty keeps them away.
More detail
A county clerk may not refuse the license solely because the service member cannot appear in person, and the service member may sign the application electronically. This applies when one person applying for an Oregon marriage license is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard. The service member must be unable to submit the application in person because of active service. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
A judicial officer may perform the marriage ceremony while the service member joins remotely. This applies when one person in the marriage is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard. The service member must be unable to attend in person because of active service, appear using live video and sound, and meet all other marriage ceremony requirements. The judicial officer may waive the ceremony fee. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 17Chapter 20, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.Latest
- Mar 5Governor Tina Kotek signed.Became Law
- Feb 27President signed.Major
- Feb 27Speaker signed.Major
- Feb 26Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.Minor
- Feb 24Public Hearing and Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Public Hearing Cancelled.
- Feb 16Referred to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs.Minor
- Feb 16First reading. Referred to President's desk.Minor
- Feb 12Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Watanabe. Passed.Passed House
- Vote recorded Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Watanabe. Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Second reading.Minor
- Feb 11Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.Minor
- Feb 10Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Referred to Emergency Management and Veterans.Minor
- Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.Introduced