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Oregon · How-To Guide

How do I access court records?

Circuit Court Clerk (county level - each of Oregon's 36 counties / 27 judicial districts) / Oregon Tax Court (state level - Salem) / Oregon Court of Appeals / Oregon Supreme Court
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Identify what type of record you need: Circuit Court (felonies, civil over $10,000, domestic/family, probate/guardianship, juvenile), Justice Court (some smaller civil and misdemeanor matters in some counties), Municipal Court (city ordinances, traffic), Oregon Tax Court (tax matters), Oregon Court of Appeals, or Oregon Supreme Court
  2. Search online:
  3. OREGON COURTS CASE INFORMATION NETWORK (eCourt): oregon.gov/courts/pages/court-records.aspx - Oregon's statewide online case access system; searchable court records for Circuit Courts, Oregon Tax Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court
  4. OREGON eCOURTS: Available at courts.oregon.gov; public access portal for case information; Oregon has been implementing electronic case management across all courts
  5. Many Oregon counties also maintain local court websites with case search
  6. For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed
  7. In-person access: visit the county courthouse; bring photo ID and case details
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
  • Case number or full legal name of parties
Fee
Online case search: free for basic information; certified copies: typically $0.50-$1 per page; contact specific county Circuit Court Clerk for current schedule
Processing Time
Online: immediate where available; same day or by mail for certified copies
Online Option
Yes - Oregon Courts eCourt at courts.oregon.gov
Where to Go
Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed
County-specific variations apply

Oregon's 36 counties are organized into 27 judicial districts. Multnomah County (Portland), Washington County (Hillsboro), Clackamas County (Oregon City), Lane County (Eugene), Marion County (Salem), and Jackson County (Medford) have the busiest circuit courts and best online access. Rural eastern and southern Oregon counties (Wheeler, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Gilliam, Sherman, etc.) may have very limited court staffing.

Oregon Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Oregon's eCourts system (courts.oregon.gov) is gradually providing better statewide online access.
  • Oregon Tax Court (courts.oregon.gov/courts/tax): handles all tax appeals including property tax; two divisions (Magistrate and Regular); based in Salem.
  • Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court opinions: oregon.gov/courts; courts.oregon.gov.
  • Criminal history background checks: Oregon State Police, Identification Services Section - oregon.gov/osp | (503) 378-3070; fee-based.
  • Oregon Sex Offender Registry: oregon.gov/sor - searchable online.
  • Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules.
  • Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192): public records presumed open; agencies must respond promptly.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Oregon Judicial Department - courts.oregon.gov | (503) 986-5500; Oregon State Police (criminal records) - oregon.gov/osp | (503) 378-3070