Columbia County, Oregon Court Records
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Columbia County, established in 1854 along the Columbia River, operates its trial court system under the Oregon Judicial Department. The Columbia County Circuit Court is the county's primary court of record, handling criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, probate proceedings, adoptions, guardianships, and juvenile cases. All records produced through these proceedings — from initial filings and docket entries to orders, judgments, and transcripts — are officially maintained by the Circuit Court and form the public record of judicial activity in the county.
If you need to access court case information, you have several practical options: visit the courthouse in person, submit a written or online records request, or use statewide digital tools. OregonCourts.us is a useful starting point for identifying court locations and locating publicly available case information across Oregon's judicial system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Columbia County?
The Oregon Judicial Department offers several ways to search Columbia County court records, ranging from free basic lookups to subscription-based comprehensive access.
Free Online Search OJD Records and Calendar Search
Start with the Oregon Judicial Department's free online OJD Records and Calendar Search tool. It provides access to court calendars and basic case information for all Oregon circuit courts, the Tax Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court — at no cost. This is the easiest first step for anyone looking up a Columbia County case.
Public Access Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI)
The Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system contains the Register of Actions for all Oregon circuit courts and the Oregon Tax Court. You can search by party name or case number through public access to the system.
Subscription Access OJCIN OnLine
If you need more in-depth research, the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN OnLine) is a subscription-based service that provides comprehensive access to case documents and judgment dockets from all 36 Oregon circuit courts, including Columbia County. It includes OECI and covers criminal, civil, small claims, tax, and domestic cases. Document access through OJCIN is limited to designated government users, Oregon State Bar members, and business subscribers with a demonstrated need. You can find registration details through the OJCIN OnLine sign-up page.
In-Person Search and Requests
The Columbia County Circuit Court maintains lobby kiosks for searching newer case records during courthouse hours. Older paper files can be retrieved upon request if they haven't yet been scanned. Requests are processed in the order received, and most are completed within 10 business days.
Columbia County Circuit Court
Address: 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Phone: (503) 397-2327 | Fax: (503) 397-3226
Email: Columbia.General@ojd.state.or.us
Front Counter Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Operator Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mail Requests
You can also send written mail requests for copies to the Circuit Court at the address above. Include as much identifying information as you can — case number, party names, document type, and approximate filing date. Payment must be made in full before your request is processed.
Are Court Records Public in Columbia County?
The Oregon Public Records Law (OPRL), ORS Chapter 192, establishes the public's right to inspect and receive copies of government records, including court records, during regular business hours. Records are generally presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following categories of records are restricted from general public access in Columbia County:
- Sealed records — inaccessible without a court order
- Juvenile court records — generally confidential under Oregon law
- Adoption records — sealed and not publicly accessible
- Confidential personnel records — exempt from routine disclosure
- Active criminal investigatory files — exempt until the investigation concludes or charges are filed
- Identity of confidential informants — protected from disclosure
- Certain family law matters — access may be limited depending on the nature of the proceeding
When a document is only partially exempt, Oregon's Public Records Law requires the custodian to redact the protected portions and provide access to the rest. The Oregon Department of Justice maintains public guidance on Oregon's public records and meetings laws for anyone who wants to understand the full scope of exemptions under ORS 192.345 and 192.355.
Columbia County Criminal Court Records
The Columbia County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal prosecutions and misdemeanor matters throughout the county. The Clatskanie Municipal Court and Vernonia Justice Court handle ordinance violations and lower-level offenses within their own jurisdictions.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information can be accessed through the following tools:
- OJD Records and Calendar Search — Free basic case information and court calendars.
- OJCIN OnLine — Subscription-based service for comprehensive criminal case details, including charges and disposition.
- In-Person at the Circuit Court — Lobby kiosks and clerk assistance available during counter hours.
Columbia County Sheriffs Office
The Columbia County Sheriffs Office maintains arrest records, jail bookings, and law enforcement reports separately from court records. You can submit public records requests through the Sheriff's Public Records Requests page, where both a web form and a PDF Records Request Form are available. The Civil and Records Processing Division handles records-related inquiries.
Columbia County Sheriffs Office
Address: 901 Port Ave., St. Helens, OR 97051
A current inmate listing is also publicly available through the Sheriff's website.
Municipal and Justice Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clatskanie Municipal Court | 95 South Nehalem St., P.O. Box 9, Clatskanie, OR 97016 | (503) 728-3011 |
| Vernonia Justice Court | 1001 Bridge Street, P.O. Box 128, Vernonia, OR 97064 | (503) 429-2441 |
Columbia County Civil Court Records
The Columbia County Circuit Court handles civil litigation across the county, including personal injury claims, contract disputes, property disagreements, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, and business litigation. As a court of general jurisdiction, it also hears appeals from the municipal and justice courts on civil matters.
Requesting Civil Case Records
Civil case records can be found using the same search platforms as criminal records — the free OJD Records and Calendar Search for basic information, and OJCIN OnLine for comprehensive document access. In-person requests can be submitted at the Circuit Court front counter.
Copy Fees (Columbia County Circuit Court)
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Copy (paper or electronic) | $3.00 per case request + $0.25 per page |
| Certified Copy (paper or electronic) | $5.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified Copy (3-way certificate) | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Microfilm Document | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Electronic Recording (audio hearing) | $10.00 per records request |
Delivery Costs:
| Delivery Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mailed | $3.00 per case request + $0.25 per page |
| CD (audio hearings) | $5.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Emailed | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Other media | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
All fees must be paid in full before a request is processed. Court hearing recordings are available on CD or in digital (email) format and require the free For the Record (FTR) player to listen. Note that the FTR Player is not currently compatible with Apple/Mac computers. For a complete listing of state court filing fees, visit the Oregon state court filing fees page.
County Clerk Property and Land Records
The Columbia County Clerks Office is the official keeper of public records for real property. Documents recorded there include deeds, mortgages, contracts, liens, easements, subdivision plats, and military discharge records. The Clerk's office is located at the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens.
Columbia County Clerk
Phone: (503) 397-3796 | Fax: (503) 397-7266
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Document recording: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Columbia County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Columbia County are heard in the Columbia County Circuit Court. This includes divorce and dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoptions, guardianships, and juvenile proceedings. All of these cases are filed with the Circuit Court and maintained in its records system.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution of marriage cases are generally public records in Oregon, though specific sensitive information within case files may be subject to redaction. Certified copies of divorce records can be requested directly from the Columbia County Circuit Court using the procedures and fee schedule described in the civil records section above. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Center for Health Statistics also maintains divorce records at the state level.
To order a divorce record through Oregon Vital Records by mail, complete the applicable order form and submit it with a $25.00 check or money order (payable to OHA/Vital Records — cash is not accepted) and a photocopy of a valid photo ID to:
Oregon Vital Records (Mail)
Address: P.O. Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293
In-person requests (with an additional $3.00 identity authentication fee) can be submitted at:
Portland State Office Building
Address: 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR 97232
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Columbia County are issued through the Columbia County Clerks Office by appointment. Certified copies of marriage certificates are issued by the Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics. The cost is $25.00 for the first certificate plus $25.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Eligibility requirements for who may obtain a marriage certificate are described on the OHA Vital Records eligibility page. Mail requests require the completed Marriage Certificate Order Form, a copy of the requester's photo ID, and payment.
Birth Records
Birth certificates are not issued by the Columbia County Clerk — they are available exclusively through the Oregon Vital Records Office. The OHA issues both a computer-generated short form and a full-image long form certificate, each costing $25.00. Requests require a completed birth order form, a valid ID copy, and applicable payment. Access to birth records is restricted to eligible persons as defined by Oregon law.
Death Records
The Columbia County Clerk's office issues death certificates for deaths occurring within Columbia County. The OHA Center for Health Statistics also maintains these records statewide. Mail requests for death certificates require a completed death order form, a $25.00 payment (check or money order payable to OHA/Vital Records), and a copy of valid photo ID, submitted to Oregon Vital Records at P.O. Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050.
Adoption and Guardianship
Adoption and guardianship proceedings are handled by the Columbia County Circuit Court. Adoption records are sealed by Oregon law and are not available for public inspection without a court order. Guardianship proceedings fall under the Circuit Court's probate and family jurisdiction.
Columbia County Probate Court Records
The Columbia County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all probate matters in the county, including the administration of decedents' estates, the probating of wills, intestate succession proceedings, guardianships and conservatorships, and trust administration. There is no separate probate court — these matters are heard in the Circuit Court alongside civil and criminal cases.
Columbia County Circuit Court (Probate Division)
Address: 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Phone: (503) 397-2327
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
How to Obtain Probate Records
Probate case records are accessible using the same methods as other Circuit Court records:
- Search online using the OJD Records and Calendar Search for basic case information, or OJCIN OnLine for comprehensive document access.
- Search in person at the courthouse using lobby kiosks for newer cases.
- Submit a written or online records request to the Circuit Court Clerk's office, referencing the decedent's name, case number if known, and the documents you need. Older paper files not yet scanned can be retrieved upon request.
- Contact the Clerk directly by phone at (503) 397-2327 or by email at Columbia.General@ojd.state.or.us for help locating specific probate files.
Copy fees follow the same schedule as other court records: $3.00 per case request plus $0.25 per page for standard copies, and $5.00 plus $0.25 per page for certified copies. Probate forms specific to Columbia County Circuit Court are available on the Oregon Judicial Department's Columbia County self-help forms page, alongside statewide probate forms at the OJD's general forms repository.