How To Find Court Records In Oregon

Exploring Oregon court records is easier than you might expect. With CourtCaseFinder, you can tap into multiple courts across the state from a single, user-friendly interface.

Simply enter a person's name, location, or case number to view filing dates, court actions, outcomes, fines, and case status, when available, depending on the case type and eligibility.

Imagine checking a divorce case in Multnomah County Circuit Court or following a custody dispute in Lane County. You'll discover filings and rulings without setting foot in a courthouse.

These records capture official legal proceedings, from motions to judgments and resolutions. Consulting them helps you stay informed, protect your legal rights, and support transparency and accountability in Oregon's justice system.

How To Access Oregon Public Court Records

CourtCaseFinder provides an easy entry point if you're not familiar with the Oregon Judicial Department's official system and resources. While obtaining court records through official sources may take more time and cost more, it gives you access to comprehensive information that can be critical for your case or research.

Oregon Judicial Department (ODJD) Online Services

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN OnLine) is the official website for accessing court records and case details maintained by the OJD (Oregon Judicial Department).

It provides subscription-based access to databases that organize and deliver court records efficiently. When you subscribe, you gain access to two useful portals:

• Oregon eCourt Case Information Network (OECI): This portal lets you search civil, small claims, tax, domestic, and criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies, across Oregon's 36 Circuit Courts and the Tax Court.
• Appellate Case Management System (ACMS): You can use this to access appellate-level records, including filings and case details.

To use these portals, you must create an OJCIN OnLine Account, sign the Terms of Use Agreement, and complete the Customer Information Form.

A $160 non-refundable setup fee applies, and monthly subscription costs range from $27 to $1,620 depending on the access level, plus $16 per user profile.

Written Requests

Another way to obtain Oregon court records is by submitting a written request to the appropriate state court administrator or records custodian. Be sure to include enough information for staff to locate the file, such as:

• Case number
• Names of the parties
• The court where the case was filed
• Type of records requested
• Preferred delivery method (email, mail, in-person pickup, or pickup at another court)

You can submit your request online using the Records Request Form or mail it to the address below if you are requesting records from the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court:

Records Administrator

Appellate Court Records Section

Supreme Court Building

1163 State Street

Salem, OR 97301-2563

For Circuit Court records, including divorce or custody cases, send your request to the Trial Court Administrator in the county where the case was filed.

Copying fees start at $0.25 per page, with $5 for certified copies. Additional fees may be charged for staff time spent locating, researching, reviewing, or preparing records.

Local Courthouse Visits

You can inspect court case records at public access terminals available in Oregon Circuit Courts. Public records viewing is free of charge, and terminals are open during regular business hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Oregon Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

In Oregon, court records fall under the Public Records Law(ORS 192.311-192.478), which makes most government and court documents available for public inspection unless specifically exempted.

As a result, many case files in state courts are accessible. Information commonly available includes:

• Party names
• Charges
• Hearing schedules
• Judgments
• Docket activity

However, some records are restricted by law to protect privacy or sensitive matters. Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Sections 192.345 and 192.355, the following categories are confidential or sealed:

• Personal details of victims, minors, juveniles, and vulnerable persons
• Cases covered under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
• Adoption, child support, and juvenile records
• Certain legal actions involving public agencies
• Settlement payment details in some instances
• Psychological or mental health evaluations
• Records of dismissed charges (nolle prosequi)

Who Oversees the Courts in Oregon

The Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court serves as the administrative head of the Oregon Judicial Department and appoints the State Court Administrator (SCA) as chief administrative officer.

Through the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA), the SCA makes sure that courts across all 36 counties work efficiently, follow consistent policies, and meet both statewide and local needs. The State Court Administrator's duties under the law include:

• Supervise personnel policies for non-judge employees.
• Prepare budgets, oversee finances, and audit accounts.
• Maintain court records, inventories, and statistics.
• Direct public information and education programs.
• Provide administrative support to judges, lawyers, and the public.
• Plan future court improvements and manage law libraries.

What Types of Courts Exist in Oregon?

Oregon's state courts include the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, and Circuit Courts. These courts handle most civil, criminal, and administrative cases. Other courts, such as Municipal, Justice, County, and Tribal Courts, operate independently.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Oregon Supreme Court	Highest court; 7 justices elected for 6 years. Discretionary review of appeals; mandatory direct review in death penalty, Tax Court, attorney/judge discipline, and election cases.	Court of Appeals reviews, capital cases, habeas corpus, attorney/judge discipline, election disputes, labor and prison law, suppression/dismissal appeals
Oregon Court of Appeals	Intermediate appellate court; 13 judges in 4 panels. Reviews circuit court appeals (except death penalty & Tax Court) and agency rulings.	Civil and criminal appeals, administrative rule challenges, substantive motions, and en banc reviews
Circuit Courts	General jurisdiction in all 36 counties, grouped into 27 districts. Presiding judges are appointed every 2 years; all trials are recorded.	Felonies, misdemeanors, civil (no limit), family law, probate, juvenile, traffic, guardianship, and mental health
Oregon Tax Court	Exclusive statewide tax jurisdiction. Two divisions: Magistrate (initial mediation/trials) and Regular (elected judge, de novo trials)	Property tax, income tax, corporate excise, timber, cigarette, and budget law
Municipal Courts	Local courts in certain cities; not part of the state system. Jurisdiction limited to violations within city limits.	Traffic/parking tickets, animal/fire code violations, local ordinances, and minor state law offenses
County Courts	Exist in 7 eastern counties. The county judge (also commission chair) has a limited judicial role.	Probate and juvenile cases alongside county administrative duties
Justice Courts	Limited jurisdiction, created by counties. Justices of the Peace are elected for 6 years.	Civil claims capped at $10,000, misdemeanors (≤1 year jail), traffic/violations (fines only), small claims, and evictions. Appeals are heard in circuit courts.
Tribal Courts	Operated by Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes under tribal constitutions.	Civil/criminal cases on tribal lands; may use traditional or adversarial processes.

What Federal Courts Are In Oregon

In Oregon, most cases, including divorce, personal injury, and criminal matters, are handled in state courts. Federal courts have jurisdiction only in certain situations, such as cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or parties from different states or countries with claims over $75,000.

Terrorism cases, for example, fall under federal jurisdiction because federal law governs weapons of mass destruction. Below is a summary of the federal courts in Oregon, including their jurisdiction, locations, and contact information:

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon	Oregon's only federal trial court has divisions in Portland, Pendleton, Medford, and Eugene. Handles federal crimes, constitutional challenges, civil disputes over $75,000, maritime law, patents, and cases involving the U.S. Government.	Portland: Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse 1000 Southwest Third Ave. Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-8000 Pendleton: John F. Kilkenny U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 104 Southwest Dorion Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 Phone: 503-326-8000 Medford: James A. Redden U.S. Courthouse 310 West Sixth Street Medford, OR 97501 Phone: 541-608-8777 Eugene: Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse 405 East Eighth Ave. Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 431-4100
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon	Specialized court with exclusive authority over bankruptcy cases under Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the Bankruptcy Code), covering Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 business reorganizations, and Chapter 13 repayment plans.	Portland: 1050 SW 6th Ave #700 Portland, OR 97204 (503) 326-1500 Phone: (503) 326-1500 Eugene: Co-located with the U.S. District Court office in Eugene

If your case is decided in Oregon's federal courts, you can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco, where judges review the lower federal court's decisions to see if the law was applied correctly and your rights were fully considered.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Oregon Courts?

Oregon's Circuit Courts, the state's primary trial courts, handle the vast majority of legal matters for residents each year. In total, they process approximately 527,000 cases annually.

While these courts process everything from probate and juvenile matters to civil disputes and domestic relations, the largest share involves misdemeanors, minor criminal offenses, parking violations, and civil cases.

Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
Misdemeanor	~40,000
Felony	~21,000
Violation (Minor Crimes)	~140,000
Landlord Tenant	~23,000
Procedural Matters	~7,000
Parking	~142,000
Small Claims	~36,000
Civil	~52,000
Protective Order	~18,000
Dissolution	~14,000
Other Domestic Relations	~8,000
Civil Commitment	~7,000
Probate	~13,000
Juvenile	~6,000

For comprehensive statewide Circuit Court data, including case closures, trial statistics, and performance on timely dispositions, visit the OJD's Reports, Statistics, & Performance Measures page.

How Do I File a Case in Oregon Courts?

Filing a case in Oregon doesn't have to be complicated. You can navigate the system confidently by understanding the legal process, preparing the correct forms, and using available resources. Here are the essential steps:

1. Identify the Right Court

Start by figuring out which court handles your case. Most civil disputes, landlord-tenant evictions, probate issues, and family law matters (divorce, custody, support) go to the Oregon Circuit Courts. Small claims cases up to $10,000 are also filed here.

2. Obtain and Complete Forms

When filing a case in Circuit Court, you usually need to submit a complaint or petition. The OJD's Forms Center provides statewide forms often used in these courts, including a "Petition to Remove Discriminatory Provisions from Title to Real Property" or a " Claim of Violation of Victim's Rights".

3. File Your Paperwork

Using the OJD's eFile File & Serve system, you can file documents remotely with the Circuit Court, Court of Appeals, or Supreme Court.

If you are representing yourself, the Guide & Serve app lets you access interactive forms (iForms) for small claims, protection orders, separation, divorce, and custody matters. After filling out the forms, you may submit them by mail, in person, or directly through the app.

4. Determine and Settle the Filing Fees

In Circuit Court, the standard cost for filing a civil case or first appearance is $281, as listed in the Circuit Court Fee Schedule.

If you appeal to the Court of Appeals, Oregon law (ORS Sections 21.010 and 21.025) sets the filing fee at $391. This applies to traffic violations and certain civil cases, such as civil stalking, breach of contract, remedial contempt, and tort or negligence claims.

5. Serve the Court Papers

Finally, you must officially send the legal papers to the defendant, called "service". The defendant may sign an Acceptance of Service, confirming they received the documents from you without agreeing to your claim.

If the defendant does want to sign this form, you may use personal service by a sheriff, process server, or competent person not involved in the case.

How Is the Oregon Court System Unique?

Oregon's court system is distinctive as a fully state-funded, unified judiciary under the Oregon Judicial Department.

Since 1983, the state has managed the financing and administration of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, and Circuit Courts, providing uniform rules, staffing, and access to justice across all 36 counties. By eliminating reliance on local governments, Oregon reduces disparities in resources, improves efficiency, and maintains consistent statewide standards.

Although County, Municipal, Justice, and Tribal courts remain outside state funding and oversight, their separation protects local authority, cultural sovereignty, and procedural flexibility.

Operating independently, these courts address community-specific needs while complementing the state judiciary.

Oregon Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Baker
• Benton
• Clackamas
• Clatsop
• Columbia
• Coos
• Crook
• Curry
• Deschutes
• Douglas
• Gilliam
• Grant
• Harney
• Hood River
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Josephine
• Klamath
• Lake
• Lane
• Lincoln
• Linn
• Malheur
• Marion
• Morrow
• Multnomah
• Polk
• Sherman
• Tillamook
• Umatilla
• Union
• Wallowa
• Wasco
• Washington
• Wheeler
• Yamhill

Where to Find Additional Information About Oregon Courts?

• Multnomah County Circuit Court
• Oregon - Courts - Department of Justice
• Oregon Legal Research Guide: State Courts - Watzek Library
• Search Public Records Orders - Oregon Department of Justice

FAQs