How much do death certificates cost in Oregon?
Certified copies from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) cost $25 each, regardless of whether you order the short form or long form. Additional copies ordered at the same time also cost $25 each (no discount for bulk orders).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Short form (without cause of death) | $25 |
| Long form (with cause of death) | $25 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $25 |
| Extended search (beyond 5 years) | $25 + $1/year beyond 5 years |
The $25 fee is non-refundable once the record search begins. If the exact date of death is unknown, the $25 search fee covers a five-year window (the given year, two years before, and two years after). Searches beyond that window add $1 per additional year, unless the record is over 50 years old.
Short form vs. long form
Oregon offers two types of certified death certificates:
- Short form. Does not include the cause of death. Sufficient for most financial and legal purposes (banks, insurance, title transfers).
- Long form. Includes the cause of death. Required by some insurance companies, especially for accidental death or life insurance claims.
Both versions cost the same ($25). When in doubt, order the long form to avoid having to reorder later.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director orders the first batch as part of their services. This is the simplest and fastest route for recently filed death certificates.
From the Oregon Health Authority
OHA Vital Records in Portland handles death certificate requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Oregon.
- Online: Order through the OHA website. A credit card is required for online orders.
- By mail: Send a completed application with a money order or check payable to "OHA/Vital Records." Cash is not accepted by mail.
- In person: Visit the OHA Vital Records office in Portland. Cash is accepted for in-person requests.
From your county vital records office
Some Oregon counties maintain local vital records offices that can issue death certificates. Contact the county where the death occurred for availability and fees.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| OHA online | 2 to 4 weeks |
| OHA by mail | 4 to 6 weeks |
| OHA in person | Same day to 5 business days |
Mail orders take the longest. If you need copies quickly, in-person requests at the Portland office are the fastest option.
How many copies do you need?
Order at least 8 to 10 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, and the probate court. At $25 per copy with no bulk discount, 10 copies cost $250, so plan your order carefully.
For a complete breakdown, see our guide on how to get death certificates.
Who can order?
Oregon restricts certified death certificates to:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parent, child, or sibling of the deceased
- Grandparent or grandchild
- The executor or personal representative of the estate
- An attorney or legal representative
- Anyone with a court order
You must provide a valid photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased.
What to know about Oregon specifically
No bulk discount. Unlike many states that reduce the per-copy price for additional copies ordered at the same time, Oregon charges a flat $25 per copy regardless of quantity. This makes it worth being strategic about how many you order.
Short form vs. long form. Oregon is one of the few states that offers two distinct certificate types at the same price. The long form (with cause of death) is the safer choice if you are unsure what institutions will require.
Separate thresholds for small estates. Oregon evaluates personal and real property separately for small estate eligibility: $75,000 for personal property and $200,000 for real property. You will need at least one certified death certificate for any estate filing with the Circuit Court. See our guide on how probate works in Oregon.
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