Wasco County Court Records Search
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Wasco County, Oregon sits in the north-central part of the state along the Columbia River Gorge, with The Dalles as the county seat. Court records generated here cover everything from routine traffic citations and civil filings to felony criminal cases and probate proceedings. Different offices hold different types of records depending on the case, so knowing where to look — and which channel to use — will save you a lot of time before you start requesting documents.
Oregon residents and researchers can locate case information through official court portals, clerk offices, and public access terminals. OregonCourts.us is a useful place to orient yourself, pointing users toward the Oregon Judicial Department's free case search tools and individual circuit court offices across the state's 36 circuit court districts. The Wasco County Circuit Court is one of those 36 courts and handles the widest range of case types in the county.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Wasco County?
Several tools are available for searching Wasco County court records. The best choice depends on what you already know about the case and how much detail you need.
Free Online Case Search
The Oregon Judicial Department's OJD Records and Calendar Search gives free access to basic case information and court calendars for all Oregon circuit courts, including Wasco County. You can look up hearing dates, case statuses, and register-of-actions entries without creating an account. If you have a case number or a party name, this is the fastest place to start.
Subscription-Based Case Search (OJCIN)
For more detailed records — civil, small claims, domestic, criminal, and felony case histories — the OJCIN OnLine system gives registered users access to the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) database. OJCIN is a low-cost subscription service covering all 36 Oregon circuit courts. If you already hold a subscription, the Oregon eCourt Case Information login portal is available directly.
In-Person Access
Non-confidential case files can be reviewed in person at the Wasco County Circuit Court during courthouse hours. Staff can pull records on request, and in-house kiosks allow self-service access to many electronically stored files.
Submitting a Formal Records Request
When you need specific documents — particularly certified or exemplified copies — you must submit the statewide court records request form. To complete the form, you'll need the case number and the precise document or hearing date you're seeking. Additional details on the request process are available on the Wasco County Circuit Court records page.
Wasco County Circuit Court — Primary Contact:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 511 Washington Street, The Dalles, OR 97058 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1400, The Dalles, OR 97058 |
| Phone | (541) 506-2700 |
| Courthouse Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Trial Court Administrator | Rian Beach |
Are Court Records Public in Wasco County?
Under ORS 7.130, the court clerk is required to make open records available for inspection and to furnish certified copies upon request. This reflects Oregon's general presumption of public access — most filings in civil, criminal, and probate cases can be inspected or copied by any member of the public.
That said, meaningful categories of records are restricted. The following types of information are not generally accessible without specific legal authorization:
- Juvenile records — Files related to dependency, delinquency, or other juvenile proceedings are confidential. While hearings may be open to the public, the underlying file contents are protected. Only parties to a case and their attorneys can access full juvenile file information; anyone who is not a party receives only limited information.
- Adoption records — Sealed under Oregon law; specific procedures govern access.
- Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account details, and health information are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Witness and victim details — Certain identifying information about victims and witnesses in sensitive cases is withheld from general disclosure.
- Records under court seal — A judge may seal specific documents for cause, and those records are not accessible through standard request channels.
Oregon's public records statutes (ORS 192.311–192.478) provide a broader framework governing public agency records. Law enforcement reports involving open criminal investigations are not releasable until the case is closed or adjudicated.
Wasco County Criminal Court Records
The Wasco County Circuit Court is the primary venue for felony criminal prosecutions and serious misdemeanor cases. Case filings, docket entries, and judgment orders for criminal matters are maintained by the circuit court clerk and are accessible through the OJD case search tools described above.
Arrest and Law Enforcement Records
Arrest records in Wasco County are maintained separately from court records and are accessible through the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Unlike conviction records, arrest records are generally available to the public because an arrest does not require a court indictment.
To request a Sheriff's Office report, you must submit a written public records request. The office provides a Public Records Request form that can be submitted by one of the following methods:
- Email: sheriff@wascocountyor.gov
- Fax: (541) 506-2581
- In Person or Mail: 511 Washington Street, Suite 102, The Dalles, OR 97058
Releasable reports are available for a fee, set by the 2026 Sheriff's Office fee schedule. Direct questions about the records division to (541) 506-2580. Reports involving pending criminal charges will not be released until the underlying case has concluded or been adjudicated.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
If you need a broader criminal history background check on another individual — one not limited to Wasco County — the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division handles these requests. Under ORS 181A.230, name-based criminal history searches are available to the public but return only limited information. Requesters must supply:
- The subject's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (if applicable)
- Current or most recent mailing address
- The requester's own name and mailing address
The processing fee is $33.00 per request. Requests can be submitted through the CJIS online portal or by completing and mailing the criminal history request form to the Oregon State Police. Individuals seeking a copy of their own record may use a separate self-request form and can opt for a fingerprint-based search for greater accuracy.
Wasco County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes — landlord-tenant cases, contract claims, personal injury matters, small claims, and property disputes — are all handled by the Wasco County Circuit Court. The circuit court clerk maintains civil dockets and case files, and most civil records are publicly accessible under ORS 7.130.
Requesting Copies of Civil Documents
Submit all copy requests for court case documents using the statewide records request form. Before filing a request, it helps to confirm the case number first using the OJD Records and Calendar Search.
Document Copy Fee Schedule:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Paper copy per case request | $3.00 + per-page charge |
| Certified copy (paper) | $5.00 + per-page charge |
| Exemplified copy (paper) | $10.00 + per-page charge |
| Electronic document (emailed) | $3.00 per case request |
| Electronic certified copy | $5.00 per document |
| Exemplified copy (electronic) | $10.00 per document |
| Audio recording (FTR, electronic) | $10.00 per proceeding |
| Audio recording (FTR, CD) | $11.00 per proceeding |
Payment is required in full before the court processes a request. A complete breakdown of filing and records fees is available on the Oregon state court fees page.
Delivery Options for Copies
Records can be delivered by email, standard mail, or in-person pickup. Paper certified copies carry an ink stamp and the clerk's original signature; if the document runs multiple pages, it is stapled, and removing that staple invalidates the certification. Electronically certified copies are digitally stamped and must be printed in color to be valid for third-party use. Exemplified copies — sometimes called three-way certificates — carry notarization by both the court administrator and a judge, and they are typically required when filing documents in courts outside Oregon.
Audio recordings of proceedings are provided in the FTR (For The Record) format and require the free FTR Player for playback. Note that FTR software is not currently compatible with Apple devices.
Property Records Through the County Clerk
Property records — deeds, liens, mortgages, and plats — are recorded and maintained by the Wasco County Clerk's Office, not the circuit court. The clerk offers a free online Digital Research Room where recorded land documents can be searched and printed from any internet connection. In-person access via public terminals at the clerk's office carries a printing fee of $0.25 per page. Certified copies of recorded land documents cost $7.75 for a one-page document, with $0.25 added for each additional page. The Wasco County Clerk has recently relocated to 401 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100, The Dalles, OR 97058.
Wasco County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Wasco County — divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and domestic violence proceedings — are all handled by the Wasco County Circuit Court. These cases are filed and tracked in the same court system as civil and criminal matters, and records are accessible through the same case search tools.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the circuit court clerk. Most divorce records are public once a case is concluded, though certain exhibits or personal identifiers within the file may be redacted. You can search for dissolution cases by party name through the OJD free case search or OJCIN, then request specific documents using the statewide records form.
Domestic Violence and Protective Orders
The Wasco County Circuit Court processes Family Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) restraining orders and other protective order requests. The Oregon Judicial Department provides guidance on how to file for a protective order, including interactive iForms that allow self-represented litigants to complete the necessary paperwork online before submitting at the courthouse.
Self-Help Resources for Family Law
Self-represented individuals involved in divorce, custody, or other family law cases can access Wasco County-specific forms — as well as statewide forms — through the Wasco County Circuit Court self-help forms page. These include forms for dissolution of marriage, child support modification, and custody proceedings. The Oregon Judicial Department's broader family law self-help section provides step-by-step guidance as well.
Vital Records — Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Marriage and divorce certificates are issued as vital records by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), not by the circuit court. Under ORS 432.350, marriage and divorce records are restricted from general public access for 50 years after the event. After that period, they become historically accessible.
Eligible requesters — generally the parties to the marriage or divorce, close family members, or authorized representatives — can order certificates through the OHA online, by phone via an authorized contractor, by mail or drop box, or in person by appointment. The fee for a marriage or divorce certificate is $25.00 per copy. Historical vital records may also be researched through the Oregon State Archives, which maintains indexes for researchers and genealogists.
Wasco County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Wasco County — administration of decedents' estates, will filings, conservatorships, and guardianships — are handled by the Wasco County Circuit Court. Oregon does not maintain a separate probate court; circuit courts exercise jurisdiction over all probate proceedings under state law.
What Probate Records Cover
Probate files typically contain some or all of the following, depending on the complexity of the estate:
- Original wills and codicils submitted to the court
- Petitions for appointment of a personal representative or administrator
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration (used to administer the estate)
- Inventories and appraisals of estate assets
- Accountings and final distributions
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
Accessing Probate Records
Publicly accessible probate records can be requested through the same process as other court records — use the statewide records request form and provide the case number and specific documents needed. Because probate records can involve significant personal and financial information, some portions of filings may be subject to redaction. Under ORS 7.230, probate and juvenile records are subject to specific retention rules that differ from standard civil and criminal records. Not all historical probate records will be immediately available online, and older files may require manual retrieval by court staff.
Small Estate Affidavits and Certified Letters
Certified copies of fiduciary letters and small estate affidavits typically need to be paper-certified — rather than electronically certified — when used to administer an estate. Banks, the Secretary of State's office, and federal agencies commonly require original-ink certified documents in probate matters. Before requesting electronic copies for these purposes, confirm with the receiving agency whether digital certification is accepted.
Probate Self-Help Forms
The Wasco County Circuit Court provides several Wasco-specific probate forms through its self-help forms page, including forms for probate accounting, conservatorship, guardianship, and simple estate administration. The Oregon Judicial Department's main forms center also carries statewide probate forms for users working through the process without an attorney.
Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates in Wasco County are issued by the Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics, not by any local county office. Under ORS 432.350, birth records are restricted for 100 years from the date of the event, while death records are restricted for 50 years. Access before those periods expire is limited to eligible individuals, including the registrant or close family members.
Birth certificates are available in two formats: a standard computer-generated certificate at $25.00 and a full-image certificate at $30.00. Death certificates come in short form (without cause of death, available from 1978 forward) and long form (with cause of death, available from 1903 forward), both priced at $25.00. Certificates can be ordered online, by phone through an OHA-authorized contractor at (888) 896-4988, by mail or drop box, or in person by appointment. Historical vital records that have passed their restriction periods can also be accessed at no charge at the Oregon State Archives, which maintains indexes and images for genealogical research.
The Dalles Municipal Court
For traffic violations and city ordinance infractions that occurred within The Dalles city limits, the appropriate venue is The Dalles Municipal Court rather than the circuit court. The Dalles Municipal Court is located at:
The Dalles Municipal Court
Address: 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 296-5481
Municipal court records are separate from circuit court records and are not available through the OJD case search system. Contact the court directly for case information, payment options, or hearing dates related to municipal violations.