Benton County Court Records Search
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Benton County lies in the western portion of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, with Corvallis—home to Oregon State University—serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial matters are handled by the Benton County Circuit Court, which constitutes the 21st Judicial District within the Oregon Judicial Branch. Three elected circuit court judges preside over criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, adoption, guardianship, and traffic matters at the historic Benton County Courthouse, the oldest continuously operating courthouse in Oregon. Three municipal courts in Corvallis, Monroe, and Philomath handle local traffic, parking, and ordinance violations within their respective city limits.
Oregon court records can be searched through several official channels, including local clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and statewide electronic databases. The Oregon Judicial Department provides free online access to court calendars and basic case data, and OregonCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information across the state’s circuit courts. For more detailed record searches, the Judiciary also operates subscription-based tools with expanded docket data. Residents seeking Benton County court documents should begin with the Circuit Court’s records department or its online portals, both of which are described in detail below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Benton County?
There are three primary methods for looking up a Benton County court case: free online search, subscription-based online access, and direct contact with the Circuit Court.
Free Online Search
The Oregon Judicial Department offers a free Records and Calendar Search tool that covers all 36 circuit courts, the Tax Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Users can look up court calendars and the Register of Actions (a log of events in a case, including filings, hearings, notices, and judgments) without charge. Note that this free search does not include copies of the documents themselves, and certain case types—adoption, juvenile, mental health, and cases covered by the Violence Against Women Act—are excluded by law.
OJCIN OnLine (Subscription Service)
For more detailed case data, the OJCIN OnLine system provides access to judgment dockets and official Registers of Actions from all Oregon state courts, including trial, appellate, and tax courts. OJCIN is a low-cost, subscription-based service that allows searches for civil, small claims, domestic, criminal, and tax cases.
In-Person and Direct Requests
Public computer terminals providing access to the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system are available outside Room 106 at the Benton County Courthouse. Walk-in visitors can search electronic records during courthouse hours.
Benton County Circuit Court
120 NW 4th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: (541) 243-7850
Fax: (541) 243-7874
Mailing: P.O. Box 1870, Corvallis, OR 97339-1870
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Requesting Copies of Court Documents
Copies can be purchased by submitting a request to the court. The preferred method is email:
benton.copy.requests@ojd.state.or.us
Requests may also be submitted in person via the secure drop box on the first floor of the courthouse or by mail. Processing typically takes one to two weeks after the court receives the request.
Copy Fees (effective January 1, 2026)
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies | $3.00 per request in a case + $0.25 per page |
| Microfilm-to-electronic conversion | $0.45 per page |
| Electronic copies | $3.00 per request + no charge if delivered electronically |
| Certified copy | $5.00 + $0.25 per page (paper); no charge if electronic |
| Exemplification | $10.00 + $0.25 per page (paper) |
| Copy of court proceeding recording | $10.00 per request |
These fees are established under ORS 21.258 and Chief Justice Order 23-016. The statewide circuit court fee schedule published by the Oregon Judicial Department lists all current filing and copy fees. Individuals who cannot afford fees may apply for a fee deferral or waiver.
Are Court Records Public in Benton County?
The Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192) grants every person the right to inspect public records maintained by a public body in the state. Court records in Benton County are classified as public records, and most case filings, rulings, judgments, and docket entries are available for public review either at the courthouse or through the court’s electronic systems.
Confidential and Restricted Records
Oregon law and court rules restrict access to several categories of records. The following are not available to the general public:
- Adoption records — confidential under ORS Chapter 109; recent law changes allow limited access for certain individuals without a court order, but others must obtain one
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Records protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Expunged or set-aside criminal records
- Sealed records restricted by court order
- Personal information subject to redaction under Uniform Trial Court Rule (UTCR) 2.110 and UTCR 2.130
Under ORS 192.338, when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt material, the court must separate the two and make the non-exempt portion available. Redaction of personal or confidential information under UTCR 2.110 costs $25 per case plus $1 per page reviewed. Filers submitting documents under UTCR 2.100 or UTCR 2.130 are expected to segregate confidential information at the time of filing at no charge.
Law enforcement agencies may access certain restricted records, including expunged files, for investigative purposes. Members of the public who believe they need access to a sealed or confidential record must petition the court for permission.
Benton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Benton County—including felonies, misdemeanors, and violations—are processed by the Circuit Court. The Criminal Unit handles case management, arraignments, and trial scheduling. Violations are processed in Room 104, and more serious charges proceed through standard criminal dockets before a judge.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case docket information can be accessed through the free Records and Calendar Search or via OJCIN OnLine. In-person searches are available at the public terminals outside Room 106 of the courthouse.
Oregon State Police Criminal History Checks
Statewide criminal history records are maintained by the Oregon State Police (OSP) rather than individual county courts. Two types of requests are available:
- Own record request — Submit a completed Copy of Own Oregon Record form, a rolled fingerprint card, and a $33 check or money order payable to Oregon State Police. Fingerprinting is available at OSP offices Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for a $20 fee. Local police departments and authorized vendors also provide fingerprinting.
- Request for another individual’s record — Complete the Request for Oregon Criminal History Information on Another Individual form with the subject’s full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current or last known address. No fingerprints are required. The fee is $10 by check or money order.
Mail requests to:
Oregon State Police
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Unit 11, P.O. Box 4395
Portland, OR 97208-4395
Phone: (503) 378-3070
Billing account holders may alternatively mail requests to the Salem office at 3565 Trelstad Avenue SE, Salem, OR 97317.
Sheriff’s Office
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of the county. Arrest records, incident reports, and related documents may be available through the Sheriff:
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
180 NW 5th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: (541) 766-6858 (24-hour line)
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Expungement
Oregon law permits the setting aside of certain convictions, arrests, citations, and charges. Under the current fee schedule, motions to set aside a conviction or arrest carry no filing fee (ORS 137.225(1)(g)). Marijuana offense reductions under ORS 137.222 are also filed at no cost.
Benton County Civil Court Records
The Civil Unit of the Benton County Circuit Court handles tort and contract claims, foreclosures, forcible entry and detainer actions, declaratory judgments, equitable proceedings, and small claims. Civil case records are maintained by the Court Records Department and are available for public inspection at the courthouse or through the OECI online system.
Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees for civil actions in Oregon circuit courts are set by statute. Key fees from the 2026 Circuit Court Fee Schedule include:
| Action Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tort or contract claim — $10,000 or less | $170 |
| Tort or contract claim — more than $10,000, less than $50,000 | $283 |
| Tort or contract claim — $50,000 or more, less than $1,000,000 | $594 |
| Civil action — standard (no other fee statute applies) | $281 |
| Civil action — equitable remedies only | $281 |
| Small claims — $2,500 or less (plaintiff or defendant) | $57 |
| Small claims — more than $2,500 (plaintiff) | $102 |
| Residential FED (eviction) — complaint + trial fee | $88 + trial fee |
| Writ of execution | $47 |
| Writ of garnishment | $47 |
| Contempt action (remedial) | $56 |
Small Claims
Small claims are filed for disputes involving limited dollar amounts and follow a simplified process without attorneys. Defendant responses to small claims cost $57 (claims $2,500 or less) or $102 (claims over $2,500). If a defendant demands a jury trial, the matter transfers to a standard civil proceeding with applicable tort or contract filing fees.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case data is searchable through the free Records and Calendar Search or OJCIN OnLine. Copies of specific documents can be requested by email to benton.copy.requests@ojd.state.or.us or submitted through the courthouse drop box.
Property Records
Property-related documents—deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments—are maintained separately by the Benton County Records and Elections Department, not the Circuit Court. The department provides an online records index search that allows the public to look up recorded property documents by various parameters. Property account details, including ownership, sales history, and taxlot maps, are available through the Benton County Assessment property search. The Records and Elections office is located at:
Benton County Records & Elections
4500 SW Research Way, 2nd Floor, Suite 200
Corvallis, OR 97333
Phone: (541) 766-6831
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Benton County Family Court Records
The Family Law Unit of the Benton County Circuit Court, located in Room 101, processes domestic relations matters including dissolution of marriage (divorce), annulment, legal separation, child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support, parentage (formerly paternity), adoption, and restraining orders.
Filing and Responding to Family Cases
Parties can initiate or respond to family law cases through several methods:
- An attorney files electronically using File and Serve
- The party uses the Guide and File interactive interview with online filing
- The party uses Guide and File to generate forms for printing and in-person filing
- Printed forms from the Oregon Judicial Department forms page can be brought to Room 101
In-person review or filing of family law documents requires an appointment. Contact the Family Law Unit at BEN.FamilyLaw@ojd.state.or.us for scheduling.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage, annulment, or separation | $301 |
| Parentage (filiation) adjudication | $301 |
| Custody, support, or parenting time petition (ORS 109.103) | $301 |
| Support proceeding (ORS 108.110, 109.100) | $301 |
| Supplemental judgment motion | $167 |
| Expedited parenting time motion | $56 |
| Change of name / change of sex | $124 |
Mandatory Mediation and Co-Parenting Class
When minor children are involved and custody or parenting time is at issue, mediation is mandatory. After a response is filed, the court schedules a Mediation Orientation session. Up to eight hours of mediation are paid for by the State of Oregon. A co-parenting education class is also required in contested cases involving children in dissolution, separation, custody, and parenting-time proceedings.
Restraining Orders
Petitions under the Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA), the Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act, and the Sexual Abuse Protective Order statute carry no filing, hearing, or service fees. Completed FAPA forms must be received by 10:00 a.m. to be considered by a judge the same business day at 11:30 a.m. Forms are available in Room 101 and through the OJD restraining orders page.
Adoption Records
Adoptions are confidential under Oregon law. Recent statutory amendments allow certain individuals to access some adoption court records without a court order, but most parties must petition the court for access. The court does not provide adoption forms; parties should consult the OJD’s adoption information page or an attorney. A motion to inspect sealed adoption records costs $124 for a birth parent of an adult adoptee, $0 if DHS consented to the adoption, and $263 in all other cases.
Vital Records
Marriage and divorce records are available through the Circuit Court or the Oregon Vital Records Office at a cost of $25 per certified copy. Birth and death certificates recorded within six months of the event in Benton County can be obtained from the Benton County Health Department for $25 per copy:
Benton County Health Department — Vital Records
530 NW 27th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: (541) 766-6040
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
Records older than six months or from other Oregon counties should be requested from the state Vital Records Office at P.O. Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293, or by calling (971) 673-1190.
Benton County Probate Court Records
The Probate Unit of the Benton County Circuit Court manages the administration of decedents’ estates, validation of wills, and protective proceedings such as guardianships and conservatorships. Probate proceedings determine how a deceased person’s assets—real property, personal property, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds—are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs.
Small Estate Procedure
Oregon allows an abbreviated process for estates that qualify. If an estate’s personal property is valued at no more than $75,000 and real property at no more than $200,000 (aggregate maximum $275,000), the process may be handled through a small estate affidavit rather than full probate. The filing fee for a small estate affidavit is $124.
Probate Filing Fees
Fees for probate matters are tied to the value of the estate under ORS 21.170:
| Filing | Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Petition for appointment of personal representative | Less than $50,000 | $278 |
| $50,000–$999,999 | $591 | |
| $1,000,000–$9,999,999 | $882 | |
| $10,000,000 or more | $1,176 | |
| Annual or final accounting | Less than $50,000 | $35 |
| $50,000–$999,999 | $298 | |
| Simple estate affidavit | Any | $124 |
| Summary determination (ORS 114.540 or 114.550) | Any | $281 |
Guardianship and Conservatorship Fees
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for appointment of guardian | $124 |
| Petition for appointment of conservator (estate under $50,000) | $278 |
| Petition for appointment of conservator (estate $50,000–$999,999) | $591 |
| Annual or final accounting by conservator (estate under $50,000) | $35 |
| Certified copies of letters of guardianship or conservatorship | $5.00 + $0.25 per page |
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is accessible through the Oregon eCourt Case Information portal or the public terminals at the courthouse. Copies of probate documents may be requested by email to benton.copy.requests@ojd.state.or.us, through the courthouse drop box, or by mail to the Benton County Circuit Court, P.O. Box 1870, Corvallis, OR 97339-1870. Additional probate-related forms are available in the statewide Forms Center. Court staff can provide general procedural guidance but are prohibited from giving legal advice under ORS 9.160.