Oregon law provides that the Juvenile Court may, under certain conditions, grant emancipation status to a child. The basic requirements are as follows:

1. The person must be sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age.
2. The legal residence or residence of the legal custodial parent must be in Morrow County.
3. If the child is under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court pursuant to ORS 419B.100 or 419C.005, the residence of the child shall be that of the Juvenile Court having jurisdiction
4. A filing fee will be required at the time of filing

The Juvenile Department, at its own discretion, may enter a decree of emancipation when the applicant qualifies as listed above, ad the Court finds that the best interest of the minor will be served by emancipation. In making its determination, the Court will take into consideration the following facts:

1. Whether the parent of the minor consents to the proposed emancipation.
2. Whether the minor has been living away from the family home and is substantially able to be self-maintained and self-supported without parental guidance and supervision.
3. Whether the minor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Court that the minor is sufficiently mature and knowledgeable to manage the minor's affairs without parental assistance.

The procedure to follow when requesting emancipation is as follows:

1. The youth seeking the emancipation obtains an emancipation application form from either:
   1. Umatilla County Juvenile Department at 817 SE 13th St Pendleton, OR 97801
   2. Umatilla County Circuit Court at 216 SE 4th St. Pendleton, OR 97801
2. The youth presents the application fee to:
   1. The Clerk of the Court, Umatilla County Circuit Court, 216 SE 4th St. Pendleton, OR 97801
3. The Juvenile Court shall conduct a preliminary hearing within ten (10) court days of the filing date. Notification to the parent(s)/guardian(s) must be made according to Oregon Law.
4. At the initial hearing, the court will discuss emancipation and the civil and criminal rights and liabilities of an emancipated minor with the child and any parent or guardian present. The final hearing will be held no later than sixty (60) days or as soon as possible after the date on which the application is filed unless waived by the minor and parent(s)/guardian(s).
5. Upon entry of a decree of emancipation by the Court, the applicant shall be given a copy of the decree. The decree shall instruct that the applicant obtain an Oregon drivers License or Identification card through the Motor Vehicles Division of the Department of Transportation and that the Motor Vehicles Division make a notation of the minor's emancipated status on the license or identification card.

A decree of emancipation will serve only to:

1. Recognize the minor as an adult for the purposes of contracting and conveying, establishing a residence, suing and being sued, and recognize the minor as an adult for the purposes of the criminal laws of this state.
2. Terminate as to the par.