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House approves bill allowing deputy county clerks to solemnize marriages to increase access
Summary
HB 3386 allows deputy county clerks to perform marriage ceremonies, intended to expand the times and availability of civil ceremonies; sponsor said the bill is permissive and does not mandate counties provide ceremonies.
The Oregon House on March 7 approved House Bill 3386, which expands who may solemnize marriages by allowing deputy county clerks to perform marriage ceremonies.
Representative Fam, speaking on the floor, said deputy clerks are traditionally sworn in by county clerks and often perform similar duties to the clerk. The bill would permit—though not require—deputy clerks to officiate marriages, potentially increasing the availability of civil wedding services in county clerk offices.
“This bill provides, but does not mandate, more availability for county clerks to provide these marriages services to couples who want them,” the sponsor said. The sponsor said counties and couples often rely on clerk offices for ceremonies and that expanding who can execute ceremonies would ease scheduling burdens on a single person in each office.
The bill passed the House with unanimous committee support and no extended floor debate; the clerk declared HB 33 86 passed after vote.
