Deschutes County Court Records
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Deschutes County is located in central Oregon, with its county seat in Bend. The county's court system includes the Deschutes County Circuit Court — the primary trial court of general jurisdiction — along with a Justice Court in Redmond and the Bend Municipal Court. The Circuit Court, which operates under the Oregon Judicial Department, handles the full range of criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate cases. The Deschutes County Clerk's Office keeps property records and marriage licenses, while the Circuit Court's File Room Department maintains case files, audio recordings, and judgment records. Together, these offices house the court records that members of the public, attorneys, and government agencies may need to access.
If you're starting a search for Oregon court records, the state's judicial system offers both free and subscription-based tools. The Oregon Judicial Department provides a free online records search covering basic case information and court calendars for all 36 circuit courts, the Tax Court, and appellate courts. A more detailed paid resource, OJCIN OnLine, gives access to registers of actions and judgment dockets. You can also find Oregon court case information through OregonCourts.us. Locally, the Deschutes County Circuit Court has a public access terminal at the Bend courthouse, and court staff can answer questions by phone or help you review files in person during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Deschutes County?
Deschutes County offers three main ways to locate court case information: free online searching, a paid subscription database, and direct contact with the court.
Free Online Records Search
The Oregon Judicial Department's OJD Records and Calendar Search gives free access to court calendars and basic case data for all Oregon circuit courts, the Tax Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. You can use it to find case numbers, upcoming hearing dates, and general case status for Deschutes County matters. Certain case types — including adoption, juvenile, mental health, and cases covered by the Violence Against Women Act — are excluded from this free service by federal or state law.
OJCIN OnLine (Paid Subscription)
The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network is a low-cost subscription service that gives you deeper access to court records, including the official Register of Actions and judgment dockets from all Oregon circuit courts. OJCIN OnLine supports searches for civil, small claims, domestic, tax, and criminal cases. Subscriber support is available at (800) 858-9658, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In-Person and Mail Requests at the Circuit Court
The File Room Department at the Deschutes County Circuit Court handles all record copy requests. You can visit the courthouse or mail in your request.
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Address: 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-5300
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
For in-person visits, head to the First Floor Information Kiosk. For mail requests, send correspondence to:
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703
Your mail request should include:
- The first and last name of the person in the case
- The case number or approximate year the case was filed
- The name of the specific document you need, or a request for the entire case file
- Whether you want certified or regular copies
- Your preferred delivery format (emailed, picked up, or mailed)
- Your name and contact information
- A check payable to the State of Oregon — if unsure of the amount, include a not-to-exceed check with a maximum of $30.00
Statewide Online Request Form
The Oregon Judicial Department also accepts record requests through its statewide records request form. One important note for Deschutes County requests: the Circuit Court only delivers copies electronically by email, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. Do not select CD or other media delivery options when using the statewide form for Deschutes County records.
Document Copy Costs
| Copy Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paper copy | $3.00 per request in a case + $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy (paper) | $5.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified copy (paper) | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Electronic document emailed | $3.00 per request in a case |
| Electronic certified copy | $5.00 |
| Electronic exemplified copy | $10.00 |
| Audio recording of proceeding | $10.00 per proceeding |
Requests typically take up to 5 business days to process. Complex requests may require 10 or more business days.
Are Court Records Public in Deschutes County?
Oregon law generally presumes that court records are open to public inspection. Oregon's Public Records Law (ORS 192.311 to 192.478) governs the storage, maintenance, and disclosure of public records statewide, including court documents in Deschutes County. Under the fee schedule established by the Oregon Judicial Department, the cost to locate and inspect court records is $0 — there is no charge simply to view files at the courthouse.
Despite that broad presumption of openness, Oregon statutes exempt specific categories of records from disclosure. Records that may be restricted or withheld in Deschutes County include:
- Personal identification data of complainants or victims in criminal cases
- Records redacted or sealed by a court order, federal statute, or state law
- Documents that could expose the court's security protocols
- Investigatory records pertaining to complaints filed under ORS 659A.820, ORS 243.676, ORS 663.180, and ORS 659A.825
- Adoption records
- Juvenile court records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Cases protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
For confidential record categories, specific access rules apply. Juvenile records are subject to the Juvenile Court Records Access Rules. Adoption records follow separate procedures, and qualifying individuals may submit a Request for Court Adoption Records form. Redaction or segregation of personal or confidential information under UTCR 2.110 costs $25 per case plus $1 per page reviewed.
Deschutes County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Deschutes County are prosecuted primarily in the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over all felonies and misdemeanors. The Justice Court in Redmond handles certain violation-level offenses, and the Bend Municipal Court adjudicates city ordinance violations.
Obtaining Criminal Court Records from the Circuit Court
The Circuit Court File Room keeps criminal case files, and requests follow the same procedures described above — in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the statewide online request form. The free records search tool provides basic criminal case information at no cost, while OJCIN OnLine subscribers can access more detailed registers of actions and judgment docket information.
Criminal History Checks through the Oregon State Police
The Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) is the statewide repository for criminal history records. Two types of searches are available:
- Name-based search — create an account on the Open Records portal and submit a search request. A fee of $33 applies.
-
Fingerprint-based search (own record only) — complete a request form, get fingerprinted at a local law enforcement agency, include $33 (plus $5 for notarization if desired), and mail everything to:
Oregon State Police CJIS Division
Unit 11
P.O. Box 4395
Portland, OR 97208-4395
Mail requests are typically processed within seven to ten business days. Third-party requesters may use the third-party request letter form, but confidential criminal records will not be released to non-subjects.
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement records. The Records Unit handles all public records requests and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
Address: 63333 West Highway 20, Bend, OR 97703
Records Phone: (541) 388-6655
Non-Emergency Dispatch: (541) 693-6911
You can submit requests through the Sheriff's Office public records request form or in person at the Records Unit.
Deschutes County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Deschutes County is heard primarily in the Circuit Court, which has unlimited civil jurisdiction. The Justice Court in Redmond also handles small claims and certain limited civil matters. Civil case types include tort and contract actions, landlord-tenant disputes, commercial forcible entry and detainer cases, and equitable proceedings.
Filing Fees for Civil Cases (Effective January 1, 2026)
Filing fees are set statewide by Oregon statute. The current Circuit Court Fee Schedule includes:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil tort/contract $10,000 or less | $170 |
| Civil tort/contract $10,001 to $49,999 | $283 |
| Civil tort/contract $50,000 to $999,999 | $594 |
| Civil tort/contract $1,000,000 to $9,999,999 | $884 |
| Civil tort/contract $10,000,000 or more | $1,178 |
| Civil equitable remedy only | $281 |
| Small claims $2,500 or less | $57 |
| Small claims over $2,500 | $102 |
| Residential FED (eviction) complaint | $88 + trial fee |
| Declaratory judgment | $281 |
If you can't afford the filing fee, you may apply for a deferral or waiver through the Fee Deferral and Waiver page.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case records are available through the same channels used for all Circuit Court records — in person at the courthouse, by mail to the File Room Department, through the statewide online request form, or via the free records search and OJCIN OnLine. The Justice Court keeps its own records at its Redmond location for cases heard there.
Deschutes County Justice Court
Address: 411 SW 9th Street, Room 230, Redmond, OR 97756
Phone: (541) 617-4758
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Thursday afternoons beginning July 1, 2025)
Property Records
Property-related records in Deschutes County — including deeds, mortgages, plats, and subdivisions — are maintained by the County Clerk's Office. The Clerk provides online property record indexes and an interactive property search database that allows searches by owner name, property address, tax lot, subdivision, or interactive map. Real property documents from 1983 forward are available in the Clerk's Digital Research Room.
Deschutes County Clerk's Office
Address: 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-6549
Recording/Marriage/Passports Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Deschutes County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Deschutes County — including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, parentage determinations, and restraining orders — are adjudicated in the Circuit Court. Juvenile matters, including delinquency and abuse/neglect/dependency proceedings, are heard at the Juvenile Community Justice Building.
Deschutes County Juvenile Court
Address: 63360 NW Britta Street, Building 1, Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-6671
Fax: (541) 383-0165
Domestic Relations Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage, annulment, or separation (first appearance) | $301 |
| Parentage adjudication (first appearance) | $301 |
| Custody/support/parenting time under ORS 109.103 (first appearance) | $301 |
| Supplemental judgment motion | $167 |
| Expedited parenting time motion | $56 |
| Restraining order petition (FAPA, EPPDAPA, SAPO) | $0 |
Requesting Family Court Records
Family case files are maintained by the Circuit Court File Room and can be obtained by mail, in person, or through the online request form. The same copy fees apply. Juvenile and adoption records are confidential under Oregon law, however, and access is restricted to authorized parties. Transcripts of confidential proceedings require additional paperwork and may require in-person pickup with valid identification.
The Circuit Court records hearings and trials for most case types but does not routinely record small claims, traffic, landlord-tenant, or juvenile delinquency proceedings. If a hearing was recorded, you can request a transcript by submitting the court's transcript request form. Transcript fees are set by ORS 21.345 at up to $4.25 per page for the original and $0.25 per page for additional copies, paid directly to the private transcriber.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Deschutes County are issued by the Clerk's Office. Both parties must appear in person with photo identification. The license fee is $55.00, with pre-ordered certified copies available at $4.00 each and a 3-day waiting period waiver for $10.00. The Clerk's Office maintains an online marriage record search portal for locating marriage license records. Paper copies can be requested by mail using the marriage record request form with a $7.00 fee for each certified copy, payable to the Deschutes County Clerk.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are part of the Circuit Court's civil case files and can be obtained through the File Room using the standard request process. Alternatively, the Oregon Center for Health Statistics maintains statewide marriage and divorce records. Orders through the state office require a completed application form, a copy of a valid ID, and a $25 search fee payable to OHA/Vital Records. Mail requests go to Oregon Vital Records, P.O. Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293.
Birth and Death Records
Deschutes County Health Services processes birth and death certificates only for events occurring within the county and within six months of the event. For birth certificates, the fee is $28 for the first copy and $25 per additional copy. Death certificates cost $25 per certified copy. You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person at 2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend, OR 97701.
Oregon is a closed-record state, and access to birth records is restricted for 100 years following the date of birth. Only eligible persons — parents, grandparents, siblings age 18 or older, adult children of the registrant, legal representatives, and government agencies — may obtain certified copies. For vital records questions, call (541) 322-7498 or email vitalrecords@deschutes.org.
Older records and certificates for events outside Deschutes County must be ordered through the State Vital Records Office in Portland, either in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
Deschutes County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Deschutes County are handled through the Circuit Court. These proceedings cover the validation of wills, appointment of personal representatives, administration of estates, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, trust-related disputes, and name changes.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees depend on the value of the estate, as established by Oregon statute:
| Estate Value | Personal Representative Petition Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $50,000 | $278 |
| $50,000–$999,999 | $591 |
| $1,000,000–$9,999,999 | $882 |
| $10,000,000 or more | $1,176 |
Additional probate-related fees include $124 for filing a simple estate affidavit, $124 for a petition for appointment of a guardian, and $5 per certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration (plus $0.25 per page if provided on paper). The complete fee schedule is available in the Circuit Court Fee Schedule.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case files are maintained by the Circuit Court File Room. You can search records online using the free records search or OJCIN OnLine, or obtain them in person or by mail from the File Room at the Deschutes County Courthouse. The same document copy fees and request procedures apply as for other case types.
For mail requests, send correspondence to:
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703
Include the decedent's name, case number (if known), the specific documents needed, your preferred delivery method, and a check payable to the State of Oregon. Certified copies of letters testamentary, administration, conservatorship, and guardianship are frequently requested in probate matters and may be needed for banks, title companies, and other institutions managing the decedent's assets. Parties needing exemplified copies for use in another state should confirm with the receiving agency whether an electronic or paper exemplification is required. The Circuit Court provides both options, with paper exemplifications stamped and signed in ink and electronic versions bearing a digital county seal.