Advance Directive

Oregon’s Advance Directive form authorizes a healthcare proxy and specifies an individual’s living and last will. It must be signed by the individual, proxy, and two witnesses.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Only the deceased’s immediate family members with proof of relation, legal representatives, and governmental agencies can obtain death certificates in Oregon.

The following information is required to obtain the certificate:

• Deceased’s name
• Name of deceased’s spouse
• Date and place of death
• Applicant’s name, phone number, address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased and purpose for the request
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID

The death certificate and one certified copy cost $10. Each additional copy costs $15 if ordered at the same time. Cash is only accepted when the request or handed in person.

The application can be mailed to:

Oregon Vital Records

P.O. Box 14050

Portland, Oregon 97293-0050

Or handed in person at:

800 NE Oregon Street, Room 205

Portland, OR 97232.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

SB 1554 Revised Uniform Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on January 1, 2017.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Oregon has let the state’s terminally ill residents die willingly since 1997 following the Oregon Death with Dignity act. More information on this matter can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Oregon’s organ donation registry can be accessed here.

Portable Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Oregon’s POLST form should be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Oregon’s legislation on decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title 12: Probate Law.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Oregon has an estate tax of up to 16%.