Counties began to keep vital records to provide essential identification for residents and keep a population census. Today, these documents have transcended their initial uses, and counties now use vital records to record all life events that happen with their jurisdiction. Besides serving as identification, these records are also resources for persons performing genealogy research in a municipality.
In Deschutes County, vital records refer to official documents on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces pertaining to every resident in the county. Persons who wish to find and get a copy of these vital records must identify the record custodians and follow official procedures for getting specific vital records.
Find Birth Records in Deschutes County
The Deschutes County Health Services is the record custodian for birth records on babies born in Deschutes County. The agency also processes requests from eligible requesters including the person named on the birth record, their parents or legal custodians, and legal representatives. Other persons must provide a notarized letter of release from the owner or their immediate family to have the same access. Contrary to this, the Department of Health Services will deny requests for birth records unless such record is over 100 years old pursuant to ORS 432.380.
To get a birth record, complete the birth record order form. On the form, indicate the number of certificates needed – each certificate costs $25.00. The person requesting the birth record must make a check or money order payable to Deschutes County Vital Records. Then, he/she must enclose the form, the payment, and a valid government-issued photo I.D. in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the form or submit it in person to:
Deschutes County Health Services
2577 NE Courtney Drive
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 322-7498
Fax: (541) 330-4624
Alternatively, the Department of Health Services will also accept requests sent via email to [email protected]. Note that the email must include the form and photo I.D. as attachments, but the requester must promptly make payment with a credit card by calling (541) 322-7498. Besides in-person, mail, and email methods, Deschutes County also allows intending requesters to use independent third-party service providers to process requests and obtain birth records. However, while this online service is faster, it tends to cost more at $44.95 – almost double the fee from official sources.
Furthermore, birth records older than six months are unavailable at the County Department of Health. Thus, the requester must submit a request to the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. In this case, begin your request by completing the same birth record request form. Also, enclose the photo ID and check or money order in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Only this time, you will direct your request to the Oregon Center for Health Statistics office located at:
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050
Phone: (971) 673-1190
Persons who submit the request in person typically get a copy within one hour if there are no issues with the birth record. Processing the request may take longer for full image record search – ergo the option of submitting a mail request. Note that the Center charges a non-refundable search fee of $28.00 per record and $25.00 for additional copies of the same birth record. Also, full-image birth records cost $33.00 per copy.
Find Death Records in Deschutes County
The Department of Health Services also handles requests for death records just as it handles requests for birth records. This time, however, there are differences that a person must note. First, the requester must complete the death record order form. Second, death records from the local Department of Health Services are only available for residents who passed away six months earlier.
To get older records, the requester must submit a request for death records to the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. The Center is located at:
800 Northeast Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050
Phone: (971) 673-1190
Meanwhile, for the first fifty years after the named record owner’s demise, death records are only accessible to immediate family members and authorized entities. Both the local Department of Health and Oregon Center for Health Statistics accept in-person, mail, and email requests for death records in its custody. Intending requesters may also use authorized online alternatives for faster response and at a higher cost.
Finding Marriage Records In Deschutes County
The County Clerk is the official custodian for marriage records in Deschutes County. Interested persons may search the county’s online marriage index. Alternatively, persons named on the marriage record may request a certified copy by submitting a Request for Certified Copy of Marriage Record form via mail or in-person at the clerk’s office:
Deschutes County Clerk’s Office
1300 Northwest Wall Street
P.O. Box 6005
Bend, Oregon 97708-6005
For mail and in-person requests, the requester must possess or enclose a valid photo I.D. and payment for the certified copy fees. The clerk charges incremental fees starting at $7.75 for one copy, $11.75 for two copies, and $23.75 for five certified copies.
Finding Deschutes Divorce Records
Divorce records in Deschutes County are available at the clerk’s office in the circuit court that handled the divorce case. Interested persons may request divorce records in person, by mail, or online using the online request form.
For in-person, visit
Deschutes County Circuit Court
First Floor, File Viewing Window (#4)
1100 Northwest Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703
To request divorce records by mail, prepare a written request stating the complete name of the person or persons involved, the case number or year of filing, specific divorce record sought, and intended means of receipt, i.e., emailed copy or pick-up for hard copies. The requester must also indicate whether he/she wants certified or regular copies of the divorce records.
Enclose the request in a self-addressed stamped envelope and include a check made payable to the State of Oregon. Generally, the court accepts not-to-exceed (NTE) checks capped at $30.00. Send requests to:
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 Northwest Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-5300 x2010