This topic came up in a thread regarding marriage in Thailand. My opinion was that it couldn't be done. So, I emailed the Clackamas County, Oregon "recording" office to ask. They said nope, and referred me to the State level "recording" office to check there. Again, nix.

Below the same email I sent to both and their replies.

Mac

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Greetings from Bangkok

Got a Q for you folks that came up a couple days ago here in Thailand. It relates to "registration" in the U.S. of a foreign marriage, for example, married in Thailand. Please note that a formal registered in Thailand marriage is fully recognized as legal in the U.S.

So, can a Thai marriage document be translated to English, and recorded/registered in Oregon?

I tried to find such on your www site, no joy.

Thanks.

Mac

formerly of Lake Oswego, now retired in Thailand

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Recording

Apr 18

Out of State or Country marriages are legal in Oregon, we would not record such a document. The State of Oregon-Vital Records are the final keeper of vital records, I don’t believe they even file out of Country marriages. Typically a certified copy of the marriage license and if the agency that you are showing or proving the marriage, if they require it to be translated that would be up to where ever you are trying to prove the marriage. You can contact the State of Oregon Vital Records at www.healthoregon.org

Thanks,

Tina

Clackamas County Recording Department

2051 Kaen Rd., 2nd floor

Oregon City, Oregon 97045 (map)

503.655.8551

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Hampton Karen R

We agree that a marriage in another country is valid in the United States. However, we do not have the legal authority to register marriages (or other events) that did not occur in Oregon. So no, the marriage could not be recorded here.

To the best of my knowledge, the translation and original document would need to be used together whenever proof of marriage is required.

Karen Hampton

Manager, Oregon Vital Events Registration System

Center for Health Statistics

Public Health Division

971-673-1191

There is no place to record a marriage in the US. Your marriage is legal. If the occasion arises that you need to prove you are married, i.e., applying for insurance, you simply show them the marriage certificate and the translation. It does not need to be "logged" or "recorded" in any government database, office, department, or agency. It simply exists. Just like a US marriage.

TH