Multnomah County Court Records
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Multnomah County, Oregon is home to one of the state's busiest court systems, centered on the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Court records generated and maintained within the county cover a broad range of materials — written documents, audio and video recordings, electronic files, maps, and photographs — all produced or received in connection with legal proceedings. These records, which include dockets, motions, rulings, judgments, opinions, depositions, and case calendars, serve as the official account of how civil, criminal, family, and probate matters were handled within the county.
Oregon residents researching court cases have several options: in-person visits to clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, direct requests by mail or email, and state-maintained online case search tools. OregonCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information from Multnomah County and other Oregon circuit courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Multnomah County?
The Multnomah County Circuit Court Records Department is the primary custodian of court records for the county and accepts requests through multiple channels. For most searches, having the case number, approximate filing year, and the full name of a party will significantly speed up processing.
Online search tools:
- The Oregon Judicial Department Online Records Search provides free access to basic case information and court calendars for Multnomah County and all other Oregon circuit courts.
- OJCIN OnLine (Oregon Judicial Case Information Network) is a subscription-based service that gives you more extensive case records and document-level details.
- The online court records request form lets you specify your preferred delivery method — email, mail, or in-person pickup.
In-person access:
Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Records Office on the third floor of the central courthouse (Room 3315). Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse for on-site case lookups.
By phone:
Call (971) 274-0570, Monday through Friday, 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 1:30–4:00 p.m.
By mail or email:
Submit a completed Records Request Form to:
Multnomah County Courthouse Records
1200 SW 1st Ave, Room 3315
Portland, OR 97204
Or email: MUL.Records@ojd.state.or.us
Multnomah County Circuit Court Locations:
| Court Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County Courthouse | 1021 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 988-3957 |
| Justice Center | 1120 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 988-3641 |
| East County Courthouse | 18480 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97233 | (503) 988-3199 |
| Juvenile Justice Center | 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland, OR 97213 | (503) 988-3022 ext. 5 |
| Troutdale Municipal Court | 219 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060 | (503) 665-5175 |
Are Court Records Public in Multnomah County?
Oregon's Public Records Law, ORS Chapter 192, establishes the general rule that government records — including court records — are available for public inspection and copying. Under this framework, any person, business, or organization may request access to Multnomah County court records. The Multnomah County Circuit Court operates under a presumption of openness consistent with this statute.
That said, a number of record categories are exempt from public disclosure or carry restricted access:
- Juvenile court records, including delinquency, dependency, and abuse or neglect proceedings
- Adoption records and related case audio
- Records pertaining to active, unsolved criminal investigations
- Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
- Personal identifying information made confidential by court ruling
- Records related to drug court programs
- Any record sealed by court order
When a document contains both public and restricted information, a requester may apply for a court order compelling full disclosure, or the court may produce a redacted copy with protected portions removed. Redaction fees are charged at $25.00 per case plus $1.00 per page for general records, and $25.00 per case plus $2.00 per page for adoption records.
Parties who believe a record should be sealed may file a motion with the court. The court then evaluates whether sufficient grounds exist to overcome the presumption of public access before issuing any sealing order.
Multnomah County Criminal Court Records
Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Multnomah County are heard by the Multnomah County Circuit Court, while the Troutdale Municipal Court handles local ordinance violations and traffic infractions. Criminal case records can be searched online through the Oregon Judicial Department's free records and calendars search, or through the subscription-based OJCIN platform for more detailed case documents.
For law enforcement–generated criminal records — including booking information, charges, and names of individuals in custody — the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is the relevant agency. The MCSO now uses the GovQA online portal as its preferred method for receiving public records requests. Requesters must create an account, then submit, track, and pay for requests through the portal. Mail submissions may also be directed to:
MCSO Communications Unit
Attention: Public Records Request
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97214
For statewide criminal history information, the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division handles public access requests. Two options are available:
- Records of another person: Submit an open records request form with a fee of $33.00.
- Copy of your own record: Submit a self-request form with fingerprinting at the Salem headquarters; the fee is $33.00 plus $30.00 for fingerprinting.
Oregon law requires that when a third party requests access to another person's criminal records, the subject must be notified and is given 14 days to challenge the request. If no challenge is received within that window, the request proceeds.
CJIS Division contact:
Oregon State Police CJIS Division, Unit 11
P.O. Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395
Phone: (503) 378-3070 | Email: orecord@osp.oregon.gov
Certain categories of criminal information are exempt from public disclosure, including concealed handgun license records, active investigation materials, trial preparation documents, medical records, DNA records, and personal information about peace officers.
Multnomah County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Multnomah County — including general civil disputes, contract actions, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims — are heard by the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The Records Department maintains all case files and documentation from these proceedings.
Civil case records can be searched online using the free Oregon Judicial Department Online Records Search, which displays basic case information by name or case number. More detailed document-level access is available through the OJCIN subscription service. In-person searches can be conducted at the public access terminals in the courthouse or at the Records Office counter in Room 3315, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Copies of civil records can be ordered online, in person, by phone, or by submitting the Records Request Form by mail or email. The current fee schedule for circuit court copies is:
| Copy Type | Email Delivery | Printed Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (non-certified) | $3.00 per case | $3.00 per request + $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document | $5.00 certification + $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00 per document | $10.00 + $0.25 per page |
| Audio (FTR) recording | $10.00 per case | $10.00 + $1.00 per CD |
Orders totaling less than $5.00 are processed at no charge under CJO 23-016. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card over the phone or in person — do not send card information by email. For alternate payment arrangements, contact the Records Department at MUL.Records@ojd.state.or.us or call (971) 274-0570. The full current fee schedule is published in the court's Records Fees document.
Multnomah County Family Court Records
The Family Court division of the Multnomah County Circuit Court handles domestic relations matters, including divorce and dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, adoption proceedings, and termination of parental rights. Case records from these proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Court Records Department and can be requested through the same channels as civil and criminal records.
Divorce and dissolution records can be ordered by submitting the Records Request Form by mail to 1200 SW 1st Ave, Room 3315, Portland, OR 97204, or by email to MUL.Records@ojd.state.or.us. Standard copy fees apply. Basic case information for dissolution matters can also be looked up online using the free records search tool.
Marriage records issued by Multnomah County are maintained by the Multnomah County Department of Assessment, Recording, and Taxation (DART), not by the circuit court. Records extend back to 1855. Options for obtaining a copy include:
- Online: Non-certified copies of marriage records from 1990 to present can be ordered through the county's Digital Research Room. Records from 1980–1989 are available as index entries only online.
- In person or by mail: Submit a Certified Copy Request form to the DART Customer Service Office:
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd #175, Portland, OR 97214
Office hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Mail requests go to: ML/DP Records, P.O. Box 2716, Portland, OR 97208-2716
Certified copies of marriage records cost $3.75. A 2% convenience charge applies to all debit and credit card payments.
Birth and death records less than six months old are available from the Multnomah County Vital Records Office:
847 NE 19th Ave, Suite 350, Portland, Oregon 97232
Phone: (503) 988-3745 | Email: vitals@multco.us
Each certified copy costs $25.00, payable by check or money order to Multnomah County Vital Records. You'll need to provide identifying information, proof of relationship to the subject, and a copy of a current photo ID. Birth and death records older than six months must be ordered through the Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics.
Adoption records carry special confidentiality protections. Requests for documents or audio from adoption cases should be directed to the Guardianships & Adoption page of the Oregon Judicial Department's Multnomah County court site. Juvenile case audio and records must be requested directly through the Juvenile Justice Center at (503) 988-3022.
Multnomah County Probate Court Records
The Probate Department of the Multnomah County Circuit Court, located at the central courthouse, handles all estate administration, adult and minor guardianship, conservatorship, and trust cases filed in the county. Probate records are maintained by the Circuit Court Records Department and can be requested through the standard channels — in person, by mail, by email, or online.
The Probate Department's jurisdiction covers a broad range of matters:
- Estate administration (probate): The process by which a deceased person's property is transferred to heirs after debts are paid. A simplified Simple Estate Affidavit process is available when personal property in the estate does not exceed $75,000 in fair market value and real property does not exceed $200,000.
- Wills: The court will file an un-probated will of a deceased person for safekeeping only when a probate case is opened or when the personal representative named in the will cannot be located. Wills for living persons are not filed with the court.
- Guardianships: Court-appointed guardians promote and protect the health and well-being of incapacitated adults or minors. The Court Visitor fee for adult guardianship cases in Multnomah County is $750.00. Guardians must file an annual report within 30 days of the anniversary of their appointment.
- Conservatorships: Court-appointed conservators manage the financial estate of a protected person (a minor or incapacitated adult). The Court Visitor fee for conservatorship cases is $550.00. Conservators must file annual accounts with the court unless restricted by court order.
- Trust proceedings: The court has jurisdiction when trustees seek to modify trust terms or when disputes arise regarding trust administration or the actions of a trustee.
Probate case information can be searched online through the Oregon Judicial Department's free records search or through OJCIN. For ordering copies of specific probate documents, the same Records Request Form and fee schedule that apply to civil records govern probate copy requests. The court's Probate FAQ page provides additional guidance on common questions about estate and guardianship proceedings. Individuals navigating these matters are encouraged to consult a licensed attorney, as court staff are not permitted to provide legal advice on which type of proceeding applies to a given situation.