Multnomah County Courts

Over 795,000 people reside in Multnomah County, accounting for approximately 18.6% of Oregon's total population of 4.2 million. The county seat is in Portland. Multnomah County handles an average of 295,581 case filings annually, including approximately 251,000 criminal cases, 31,000 civil cases, and 2,300 probate matters.

The Multnomah County judicial system consists of a Circuit Court and a Municipal Court, which handle a wide range of legal matters. These courts operate with jurisdiction based on the type of cases they hear:

• Multnomah County Circuit Court handles most civil and criminal cases, including probate and juvenile matters.
• Multnomah County Municipal Court addresses specific criminal matters, including traffic and city ordinance violations.

Primary court services are centralized in Portland, with additional satellite locations throughout the county.

How To Access Multnomah County Court Records

Multnomah County court records are considered public information under the Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.314), unless exempt by law. Exempt records include juvenile, medical, and adoption proceedings. Interested individuals who wish to access the county's court records must provide valid government-issued photo identification and a case number. Below are options to access or search for Multnomah County court records:

Online

Record seekers may access Multnomah County court records online through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network. Individuals may search for small claims, civil, and criminal cases on the portal by using the case number or party name. Additionally, the county court records may be searched through CourtCaseFinder, which allows users to access court records from all counties across the United States. Federal court records originating in Multnomah County may be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER).

In-Person

Individuals seeking Multnomah County court records may access them by submitting written requests in person at the Clerk's Office in the courthouse where the cases were filed. Court records may be viewed through the public access terminals available within the courthouses. These computers allow users to view basic court information at no cost. Certain fees are required for obtaining copies of court records, with $0.25 charged per page and $5 charge per certified document.

Old and Archived Court Records

Historic court records in Multnomah County, especially those older than 50 years, may no longer be available at the court clerk's offices or their online databases. To access these records, requesters may visit the State Archives or Multnomah County Digital Archives. These archives contain public court records dating back to the 1800s. Individuals may contact the archives at:

How To File a Case in Multnomah County

An individual may file a case online through the Oregon Judicial Department eFile portal, in person at the Clerk's Office, or by mail (if permitted). Before filing any case in the county, a person must first determine which court has jurisdiction over the type of case they intend to file. To avoid filing errors, appellants are encouraged to contact the Multnomah County Circuit Clerk's Office to verify court jurisdiction before proceeding.

Individuals who want to file cases in Multnomah County need to provide necessary documents such as civil case cover sheets, summonses, petitions or complaints, and any additional materials like exhibits or affidavits. It is necessary to use court-approved forms available online at the Oregon Judicial Department website or the court clerk's office. Filing fees may vary depending on the types of cases. Litigants who cannot afford to pay court costs may apply for fee waivers by submitting an Application for Waiver to the court clerk's office. Courts review each application and may grant a full or partial waiver based on financial eligibility.

Once filed, the Clerk's Office will assign case numbers, process the documents, and provide confirmations through stamped copy or email. Filing parties must then serve all other involved parties using court-approved methods and submit proofs of service to the Clerk's Office to proceed with the cases. Parties may track case progress online using the Oregon Judicial Department case lookup tool.

Below are steps for filing cases in Multnomah County:

• Identify the exact courts with jurisdiction over the case types.
• Prepare required documents.
• Attach supporting materials, including exhibits, affidavits, and court-approved forms.
• File the cases online, in person, or by mail (if allowed).
• Pay the filing fees or apply for fee waivers.
• Serve notices to the opposing parties and file proofs of service.
• Track cases through the OJD Records Portal.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play vital roles in ensuring access to justice. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Multnomah County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation for court cases may seek free legal assistance through local legal aid organizations, courthouse self-help services, and pro bono programs coordinated by the Multnomah County Bar Association.

The following organizations and services provide legal support to qualified persons in Multnomah County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) offers free advice, legal brief services, and full legal representation across the United States, including Multnomah County.
• Oregon Law Center (OLC) provides legal services for low-income residents.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• Multnomah Bar Association (MBA)
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Multnomah County Library's Legal Aid & Resource Services

Types of Courts in Multnomah County, Oregon

Multnomah County residents are served by multiple courts, which generally include county courts, municipal courts, and federal courts. The jurisdiction of each court and its contact details are listed below:

Multnomah County Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This is a general-jurisdiction trial court that handles felonies, misdemeanors, civil cases (including small claims), family law, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters.
• Address and Contact Information

Below are contact details for other offices where residents may access court services in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County Circuit Court - East County

Multnomah County Circuit Court - Justice Center

Multnomah County Circuit Court - Juvenile Justice Center

Multnomah County Municipal Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles city violations, parking and traffic tickets, and minor misdemeanors, either through a court hearing or a violations bureau for quicker resolution.
• Address and Contact Information

Federal Courts in Multnomah County

Listed below are the federal courts that serve the county:

United States District Court - Western District of Oregon

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles federal cases such as civil rights violations, federal crimes, constitutional challenges, immigration issues, and lawsuits involving federal laws or agencies.
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Oregon

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles bankruptcy cases and related legal matters.
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Multnomah County Courts

The following questions are commonly asked regarding how Multnomah County courts operate: