Union County Court Records Search
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Union County, Oregon maintains an active court system based primarily in La Grande that produces and preserves a wide range of legal records. Under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 192, court records are considered public records — defined as any information prepared, owned, used, or retained by a state agency or political subdivision in connection with its activities, transactions, or functions. These records include motions, orders, judgments, pleadings, affidavits, transcripts, and audio files generated throughout the life of a case, from initial filing through final disposition.
Finding Court Records in Union County:
Oregon residents and other interested parties can search for Union County court records through several channels: the court clerk's office, public-access kiosk terminals at the courthouse, online state judicial systems, and official government portals. OregonCourts.us can help you find publicly available case information for Union County and other Oregon jurisdictions. The Oregon Judicial Department also offers online tools for case searching, and you can request specific records directly from the relevant court clerk's office — either in person or by submitting a formal written request.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
Start with the Union County Circuit Court, the primary trial court for most criminal and civil matters in the county. It is part of the 10th Judicial District of Oregon, which it shares with Wallowa County, and is presided over by two elected circuit court judges. The courthouse is in La Grande and open to the public Monday through Friday.
Union County Circuit Court
Address: Union County Courthouse, 1105 K Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850
Mailing Address: 1105 K Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 962-9500
Courthouse Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Drop Box: Located at 1105 K Avenue; checked daily at 5:00 p.m.
Note: All public service counters close at 4:30 p.m. Courtrooms may continue operating until 5:00 p.m. or at the presiding judge's discretion. All entrants must pass through a security checkpoint.
Online Search Options:
- OJCIN OnLine: The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) is a paid subscription resource giving access to case information from all 36 Oregon circuit courts, the Tax Court, and appellate courts. It allows name-based and case-number-based searches.
- Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI): The OECI system provides free public access to basic case information and docket entries for Oregon circuit courts, including Union County.
- Kiosk Terminals: For newer digitized cases, kiosk computers in the Union County Courthouse lobby allow free on-site review of court documents.
- Records Request Form: The Oregon Judicial Department's Online Court Records Request Form can be used to submit formal requests for copies of specific documents from any Oregon circuit court, including Union County.
Are Court Records Public in Union County?
Oregon's public records framework under ORS Chapter 192 establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court documents. Most Union County court records are available for inspection and copying by any person, subject to applicable fees. Non-confidential and non-sealed records are accessible to the public both in person and through online tools.
That said, certain categories of records are exempt from routine public disclosure under state and federal law:
- Adoption records — confidential; access requires submission of the Request for Adoption Records form and compliance with the Records Release Requirements for Court Adoption and Re-adoption Cases
- Juvenile court records — confidential; governed by the Juvenile Court Records Access Rules specific to Union County
- Expunged records — sealed by court order and not available for public inspection
- Drug court program records — subject to confidentiality protections
- Child abuse and neglect records
- Mental health and medical records
- Personally identifiable information — including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, which are redacted from public versions of court documents
When a court file contains both public and restricted materials, staff will separate and redact confidential information before producing records for the requester. For adoption and juvenile record questions, contact the circuit court directly at (541) 962-9500.
Union County Criminal Court Records
The Union County Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major misdemeanors, and related proceedings. The Union County Justice Court handles limited-jurisdiction criminal matters, including misdemeanors carrying a potential penalty of up to one year of incarceration, traffic violations not resulting in incarceration, and civil claims of $10,000 or less.
Union County Justice Court
Address: 10605 Island Avenue, Island City, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 962-2997
Email: ucjc@union-county.org
Citation Payments by Phone: Point & Pay at (888) 891-6064
Credit/Debit Card Fee: 4.0% (minimum $2.00), assessed by Point & Pay
Criminal case records from the Circuit Court can be searched online through OJCIN or requested using the Oregon Judicial Department Records Request Form. For Justice Court criminal records, contact the court directly or visit in person at the Island City address above.
Arrest Records and Criminal History:
Arrest records and law enforcement incident reports are maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office — not the court clerk. To request records, submit the Sheriff's Records Request Form by email to UCSORecords@union-county.org, deliver it in person, or mail it to:
Union County Sheriff's Office
1109 K Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850
Records Specialist: (541) 963-1017, ext. 222
Sheriff's Office Records Fee Schedule (County Court Order 2021-19):
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case report — first 5 pages | $10.00 |
| Each additional page (beyond 5) | $0.25 per page |
| Photographs (printed) | $5.00 each |
| Photograph CD | $25.00 |
| Jail records — up to 10 pages | $10.00 |
| Jail records — 11 or more pages | $15.00 |
| Research and production | $35.00/hour (first 15 min. free; minimum charge of 30 min. after that) |
Note: Records cannot be emailed unless the requester provides an encrypted email address. Records may be faxed, mailed, or picked up in person at the front counter.
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division maintains a comprehensive criminal history repository covering Union County and all other Oregon counties. The standard fee for a name-based personal criminal history request is $33.00 per request, payable by check or money order to Oregon State Police.
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Union County is split between the Circuit Court and the Justice Court based on the amount in dispute and the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles major civil matters including tort claims, contract disputes, and property actions. The Justice Court hears civil claims valued at $10,000 or less, along with eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer) cases.
Searching Civil Records:
Civil case filings at the Circuit Court are searchable through OJCIN or the OECI public access system. Copies of specific documents may be requested using the Oregon Judicial Department Records Request Form. Older, non-digitized files may require a retrieval request submitted to the clerk — allow additional processing time for physical file retrieval.
Standard Circuit Court Copy Fees:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document + per-page copy charge |
| Exemplified copy (3-Way Certificate) | Additional processing; allow 2–3 extra days |
Viewing records in person using courthouse kiosk terminals is free. All fees must be paid before copies are produced. If you request mailed copies, actual postage costs will be added to your total.
Municipal court records for traffic and ordinance violations within La Grande city limits are maintained by the La Grande Municipal Court, located at 1000 Adams Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850, Phone: (541) 962-1314 The Elgin Municipal Court serves the City of Elgin at 180 North 8th Avenue, Elgin, OR 97827, Phone: (541) 437-2253 The Union Municipal Court is located at 342 South Main Street, Union, OR 97883, Phone: (541) 562-5197
Union County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Union County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence protective orders — are handled by the Union County Circuit Court as part of its general jurisdiction as a trial court of record.
Divorce and Separation Records:
Divorce case records are filed with and maintained by the Circuit Court clerk. You can search them online through OJCIN or the OECI system and request copies using the court's records request form. Self-represented litigants can access forms specific to Union County through the Oregon Judicial Department Self-Help Forms page.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates from the Oregon Health Authority:
Under ORS 432.380, marriage and divorce records are restricted from general public access for 50 years after the event date. Only eligible individuals may order certified copies during this restricted period. Eligible requesters include the registrant, parents, stepparents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, spouse or registered domestic partner, legal guardian, legal or authorized representative, government agencies, and certain other relatives and close personal relations. All eligible individuals must be at least 18 years old and provide acceptable proof of identity and their qualifying relationship to the registrant.
To order a Union County marriage certificate, eligible individuals may complete the Marriage Order Form (also available in Spanish) and submit it with the required fee, a copy of valid ID, and any required relationship documentation.
To order a Union County divorce certificate, use the Dissolution/Divorce Record Order Form (also in Spanish).
Submission options for marriage and divorce records:
- In person: Schedule an appointment with OHA Center for Health Statistics. Fee: $28 per request. Processing time: approximately 30 minutes.
- By mail: Fee: $25 via money order or check payable to OHA/Vital Records. Processing time: 5–7 weeks. Mail to: Oregon Vital Records, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR 97232
- By drop box: Same form, same $25 fee. Drop box is at the entrance of OHA Center for Health Statistics, west door. Processing time: 5–7 weeks.
Eligible individuals may also authorize an ineligible person to pick up their certificate by completing the Notarized Permission to Pick Up Certificate Form (also available in Spanish).
Birth and Death Records:
Birth records are restricted for 100 years; death records are restricted for 50 years under Oregon law. The Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics maintains these records and issues certified copies to eligible requesters. The fee is $25.00 per certified birth or death certificate. Acceptable proof of identity is required with every order. You can order a birth certificate or order a death certificate online, in person (by appointment), by mail using the Birth Order Form or Death Order Form, or by drop box. For proof of identity requirements, consult the acceptable ID documentation list published by OHA.
Union County Probate Court Records
Oregon does not operate a separate probate court. In Union County, all probate proceedings — including will probate, estate administration, trust matters, conservatorships, and guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults — are handled by the Union County Circuit Court as part of its general jurisdiction as a court of record.
Most probate records are public and available for inspection. The Circuit Court offers several ways to access them:
- Kiosk terminals: Review digitized documents of newer probate cases at courthouse kiosk computers free of charge during regular hours.
- OJCIN search: Use the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network for subscription-based online case searches by party name or case number.
- Records request: Submit the Oregon Judicial Department Records Request Form online or in writing to the Circuit Court clerk for copies of specific probate documents.
- In person: Visit the Union County Courthouse at 1105 K Avenue, La Grande, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.). Provide the party name or case number to locate the relevant file. Older, non-digitized files require a retrieval request and additional processing time.
Copy fees for probate documents follow the standard Oregon circuit court schedule: $0.25 per page for standard copies, $5.00 per document (plus per-page charge) for certified copies. All fees must be paid in full before copies are released. If the requested documents are to be mailed, actual postage costs will be added to the total.