Multnomah County Court Records Search
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Multnomah County is Oregon’s most populous county and home to the city of Portland. Court cases filed here are handled by the Multnomah County Circuit Court, which operates under the Oregon Judicial Department and maintains jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family law, and probate matters. The circuit court processes tens of thousands of filings each year across multiple courthouse locations, and the resulting records are maintained by the court’s records division. Whether you need to verify the status of a pending lawsuit, obtain a copy of a divorce decree, or review a criminal docket, understanding how Multnomah County organizes and provides access to its court files will save considerable time.
Oregon residents and members of the public can locate court records through several channels, including clerk offices, in-person terminals at courthouse locations, and electronic tools maintained by the Oregon Judicial Department. The statewide website OregonCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available court case information for Multnomah County and other jurisdictions across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Multnomah County?
Multnomah County offers both online and in-person methods for searching court records. The approach that works best depends on whether you already have a case number, the type of case you are searching for, and how far back the records go.
Online Search Options
The primary electronic tool for locating Multnomah County court records is the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system. This portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or date range. Basic case information—including case type, parties, and scheduled hearings—is available without an account. For more detailed access, including the ability to view filed documents, users can subscribe through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN), which offers tiered subscription plans for attorneys, businesses, and individuals.
The Oregon Judicial Department also maintains a free records and calendar search page where users can look up hearing schedules and basic docket information at no cost.
In-Person Searches
Walk-in requests can be made at the Records Division on the third floor of the Multnomah County Courthouse:
Records Division – Room 3315
Address: 1200 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (971) 274-0570
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 1:30–4:00 p.m.
Requesting Copies by Mail or Email
To order records remotely, complete and submit the court’s Record Request Form by email to MUL.Records@ojd.state.or.us or by mail to the courthouse address above. Include the following details with every request:
- Case number (if known)
- Filing year or approximate date
- Full names of all parties
- Defendant’s date of birth (for criminal matters)
- Title of the document requested
- Type of copy needed (regular, certified, or exemplified)
- Preferred delivery method (email, mail, or in-person pickup)
If you do not have a case number, provide as much identifying information as possible, and staff will attempt to locate the file.
Copy and Certification Fees
The court’s current fee schedule governs all charges. Key rates include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular (non-certified) document copies – email | $3.00 per case |
| Regular printed copies | $3.00 per request + $0.25/page |
| Certified copy – email | $5.00 per document |
| Certified copy – printed | $5.00 + $0.25/page |
| Exemplified copy – email | $10.00 per document |
| Exemplified copy – printed | $10.00 + $0.25/page |
| Audio recording (FTR) – email | $10.00 per case |
| Audio recording – physical CD | $1.00 per CD (in addition to per-case fee) |
| Segregated/redacted information | $25.00 per case + $1.00/page ($2.00/page for adoption records) |
Copies totaling less than $5.00 are provided at no charge. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card over the phone or in person. Do not email card information; contact the Records Division by phone to arrange card payment.
Are Court Records Public in Multnomah County?
Oregon’s Public Records Law (ORS 192) establishes a broad presumption that government records, including court files, are open to public inspection. Most dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court can be reviewed by any member of the public.
However, several categories of records are restricted or exempt from disclosure:
- Sealed cases – A judge may order an entire case file sealed when required by statute or when the interests of justice demand it.
- Juvenile proceedings – Cases involving minors adjudicated in juvenile court are confidential under Oregon law.
- Adoption records – Adoption files are sealed and accessible only to parties or by court order.
- Drug court and specialty court program records – Certain treatment-program documents generated during participation in diversion or specialty courts are protected.
- Active criminal investigation materials – Records that could compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation may be withheld.
- Confidential personal identifiers – Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and similar data are redacted or withheld from public copies under Oregon court rules.
- Attorney-client privileged communications – Documents reflecting privileged legal advice are exempt.
When a record contains both public and protected information, the court may produce a redacted version. Requesters who believe they are entitled to the protected portions can seek a court order compelling disclosure. Segregation and redaction carry an additional fee of $25 per case plus $1 per redacted page (or $2 per page for adoption-related documents).
Multnomah County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Multnomah County range from misdemeanors and traffic crimes heard at the Justice Center to felony matters tried at the main courthouse. The Circuit Court maintains the official record of all criminal proceedings, including charging documents, plea entries, sentencing orders, and judgments.
Where Criminal Records Are Held
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County Courthouse | 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 988-3957 |
| Justice Center (3rd Floor) | 1120 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 988-3957 |
| East County Courthouse | 18480 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97233 | — |
For questions about arraignments, email MUL.Arraignments@ojd.state.or.us. For general criminal case inquiries, email MUL.Criminal@ojd.state.or.us.
Searching Criminal Cases Online
Criminal docket information is available through the OECI public access portal. Searches can be run by defendant name or case number. Detailed document images require an OJCIN subscription.
Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports
Arrest records are maintained separately from court files. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office accepts requests for booking and corrections records using its online request form. Fees are $15 for the first two pages and $2 for each additional page.
For a statewide criminal history check, individuals may apply through Oregon’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) unit. The fee for obtaining another person’s record is $33, with an additional $30 charge if fingerprinting is required. Self-requests also cost $33. Police reports from incidents within Portland city limits should be requested from the Portland Police Bureau at (503) 823-0000 (1111 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97201), while reports involving the county sheriff are obtained from the Sheriff’s Office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 350, Portland, OR 97214 (phone (503) 988-4300).
Expungement and Set-Aside
Oregon law permits eligible individuals to petition the court for an order setting aside a conviction. Expungement inquiries in Multnomah County are handled by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at 1200 SW 1st Ave, Suite 5200, Portland, OR 97204 (phone (503) 988-3162). The court’s set-aside team can be reached at MUL.Set.Asides@ojd.state.or.us.
Multnomah County Civil Court Records
The Multnomah County Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction over contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, foreclosures, and other non-criminal matters. Civil cases with amounts in controversy exceeding Oregon’s jurisdictional threshold are filed here, along with landlord-tenant disputes, injunctions, and restraining orders.
Online Civil Case Searches
Civil case dockets from Multnomah County are searchable on the OECI portal. Users can locate a case by index number, party name, or attorney. Hearing dates and courtroom assignments can be confirmed through the Oregon Judicial Department’s online calendar tool.
Small Claims
Small claims cases are filed and heard within the Circuit Court. Inquiries about small claims procedures and filing deadlines can be directed to MUL.SmallClaims@ojd.state.or.us. For eviction-related filings (known as Forcible Entry and Detainer actions in Oregon), contact MUL.Evictions@ojd.state.or.us.
Obtaining Civil Court Documents
Copies of civil pleadings, orders, and judgments can be requested using the same methods described above—online form, email, mail, or walk-in visit to the Records Division. The same fee schedule applies. Certified copies carry the court’s seal and deputy clerk signature; exemplified copies add additional authentication by the trial court administrator and a judge, which is sometimes required for use in other jurisdictions.
Forms and Self-Help Resources
The Oregon Judicial Department publishes statewide court forms applicable to Multnomah County civil filings. The courthouse also operates a Legal Resource Center at the downtown courthouse where self-represented litigants can receive guidance on completing forms and understanding court procedures. The center does not provide legal advice but can direct users to appropriate