Multnomah County, Oregon Court Records
Multnomah County court records are official documentation of civil and criminal trials within the Multnomah County Circuit Court and the Troutdale Municipal Court. The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD), through the Multnomah County Circuit Court, creates and maintains Multnomah County court records in compliance with Chapter 7 of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS).
Typically, court records detail the progress and outcome of legal trials, and may include details such as:
- Complaints and petitions
- Motions
- Court orders
- Judgments
- Dockets
- Transcripts.
The primary purpose of Multnomah County court records is to document court proceedings, preserve accurate histories of legal trials, and provide transparency and accountability within the Multnomah County judicial system. Multnomah County court records often intersect with other public records. For instance, Multnomah County’s birth, death, and marriage records (which are vital records) may play crucial roles in probate cases and become part of Multnomah County probate court records. Likewise, Multnomah County arrest records often precede the county’s criminal court records.
Are Multnomah County Court Records Public?
Yes, Multnomah County court records are public. Access to Multnomah County court records is guaranteed by Chapter 192 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. This legislation establishes individuals’ right to:
- View court dockets, filings, and orders at the courthouse
- Request copies of Multnomah County court records from their custodian at a nominal fee
- Access certain case information online through the Oregon Judicial Department portal.
However, there are restrictions on public access to certain case records. For privacy reasons, Oregon does not permit public disclosure of Multnomah County court records that relate to:
- Juvenile cases
- Sealed or expunged records
- Adoption
- Mental health or confidential proceedings, such as involuntary commitment or guardianship.
What Information is Available in Multnomah County Court Records?
The contents of Multnomah County court records may vary based on the type of case. Nonetheless, most Court records contain similar information documenting the proceedings, decisions, and actions taken by the court. Generally, a typical court records usually contain the following details:
Case identification information
- Case number
- Case title
- Filing date
- Court division
Filings and motions
- Complaints or petitions
- Responses or answers
- Motions
- Supporting documents, such as:
- Evidence
- Affidavits
- Exhibits
- Declarations submitted by parties
Court orders and judgments
- Orders
- Judgments or decrees
- Notices
Docket information
- Chronological record of events
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Parties and attorneys details
- Names and contact information of the plaintiffs and defendants
- Names, firms, and contact information of the attorneys.
Multnomah County court records may also contain the following case-specific details:
Criminal Cases
- Charges
- Arrest dates
- Plea agreements
- Sentences
- Probation or parole conditions
Civil Cases
- Claims
- Damages sought
- Settlement agreements
- Lien information
Family Cases
- Divorce decrees
- Custody and visitation orders
- Child support order
Probate Cases
- Wills
- Inventories of estate assets
- Appointment of executors or guardians.
Multnomah County Court Records Search
Interested parties can search for Multnomah County court records in several ways. Multnomah County court records may be searched online, in person, by mail, or by phone request. However, accessibility of these documents using specific access methods varies by case type.
Online Search
The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) offers online tools for accessing court records, including those of Multnomah County. Information seekers can search for free basic case information and calendars through the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) System, or subscribe to the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network OJCIN Online Account for an extensive search for Multnomah County court records. The OJD Records and Calendar Search Portal also offers limited public access to court calendars and basic case information without requiring a subscription.
In-person Search for Multnomah County court records
Record seekers can search for Multnomah County case information in person at the Multnomah County Circuit Court through Public Access Terminals. Individuals can also obtain copies of court records through the Trial Court Administrator (TCA) office at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse:
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland,
OR 97204.
Mail and Phone Requests
Interested parties can call the Multnomah County Circuit Court at 971-274-0570 or send mail requests to:
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland,
OR 97204.
Mail request for Multnomah County court records should include:
- Case number or party names
- Specific documents requested
- Check or money order to cover applicable costs (payable to State of Oregon)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return.
Record seekers should note that copies of Multnomah County Circuit Court cost $0.25 per page.
Fees for Court Records in Multnomah County
According to the Oregon Judicial Department and Chief Justice Order (CJO) 23-016, the following fees apply to copies of Multnomah County court records:
- Standard Copies:
- $0.25 per page
- Waived if the total cost is under $5.00
- Certified Copies:
- $5.00 per document (certification fee), plus $0.25 per page for the copy
- Non-Certified Paper Requests:
- An additional $3.00 per case is charged for clerk-processed, non-certified paper copies
- Audio Recordings (FTR):
- $10.00 per case for digital audio files of court proceedings.
For Multnomah County marriage, birth, and death certificates, copies of these documents may be accessible through the Multnomah County Recording Office and the Oregon Health Authority. The Multnomah County Recording Office charges $7.75 for a certified copy of marriage records. Depending on the request method, the Oregon Center for Health Statistics may charge between $25.00 and $49.20 per copy of a birth or death certificate.
Multnomah County Courthouse Locations
The Multnomah County Circuit Court operates four court locations. Each facility handles specific cases, with the Central Courthouse serving as the primary hub for civil and general criminal matters.
Multnomah County Circuit Court (Multnomah County Courthouse)
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland,
OR 97204
Phone: (971) 274-0500
Case types:
- Civil cases
- Family law cases
- Probate adjudications
- High-Volume case types, including:
- Traffic violations
- Small claims
- Landlord-tenant/eviction cases
- Criminal operations (pretrial civil/criminal processing)
Multnomah County Circuit Court (Multnomah County Justice Center)
1120 SW 3rd Avenue, Floor 3,
Portland,
OR 97204
Phone: 971-274-0750
Case types
- Criminal arraignments
- In-custody criminal hearings and processing
Multnomah County Circuit Court (East County Courthouse)
18480 SE Stark Street,
Portland,
OR 97233
Phone: (971) 274-0700
Case types
- Criminal misdemeanors, traffic, and ordinance violations
- Small claims and lower-complexity civil matters
- Some family and civil hearings, depending on the docket assignments
Multnomah County Circuit Court (Juvenile Justice Center)
1401 NE 68th Avenue,
Portland,
OR 97213
Phone: (971) 274-0800
Case types
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Juvenile dependency and child welfare cases
- Emancipation proceedings (minors seeking legal adulthood status)
- Termination of parental rights and related dependency matters
- Expunction of juvenile records and other youth-specific proceedings.
Criminal Records Access in Multnomah County
The Multnomah County Circuit Court does not handle official criminal history checks. State criminal history reports may include information from multiple counties and jurisdictions, and are managed by the Oregon State Police (OSP) under the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ). Criminal background requests usually involve identity verification, such as fingerprints or personal identifiers. There are also applicable state fees.
While local courts such as the Multnomah County Circuit Court do not provide statewide criminal history reports, they maintain records of criminal cases within their jurisdictions and make the details accessible to interested parties. For instance, the Multnomah County Circuit Court Trial Court Administrator (TCA) may provide case-specific records of criminal trials within the court, which may include:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Charges filed in Multnomah County
- Party names (defendant and prosecution)
- Docket entries and hearing dates
- Dispositions (dismissals, convictions, sentences)
- Judgments and orders
Multnomah County criminal court records are searchable online through the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) System, the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) System, or the OJD Records and Calendar Search Portal. Interested individuals can also visit the Multnomah County Courthouse to search for these records.
Multnomah County Probate Records
Multnomah County probate records are legal documents relating to the management of decedent persons’ estates or care of individuals who are unable to manage their affairs within Multnomah County, OR. Probate court records encompass documents on:
- Will probates
- Trust administration
- Guardianships
- Conservatorship
- Intestate succession.
Multnomah County probate records are public documents. However, there are exemptions and limitations. Oregon law restricts public access to certain sensitive matters, including:
- Guardianship and conservatorship cases involving protected adults or minors
- medical, financial, or personal identifying information
- Sealed probate cases or documents restricted by court order
- Trust-related filings that require confidentiality by law.
Some of Multnomah County’s recent probate records may be searchable online. However, older estate records, including wills and probate filings, often require an in-person visit to the Multnomah County Courthouse or formal records requests.
Multnomah County Family Court Records
Multnomah County family court records documentation on legal proceedings related to family-related matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and protective orders. Similar to other court records, Multnomah County family law records are public. However, Oregon law balances public access with privacy protections. Hence, there are exemptions. For instance, the public cannot access:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile custody or dependency matters
- Protective orders/domestic violence cases
- Sealed or expunged records
- Confidential financial or medical information.
The Oregon Judicial Department provides online case portals where individuals can search for Multnomah County family law records. Interested individuals can search for Multnomah County family law records through the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) case search portal. Individuals seeking certified copies of Multnomah County family law records should mail or visit the Multnomah County Courthouse. Typically, access to copies of Multnomah County court records incurs fees, and requesters may be required to provide valid government-issued photo identification documents.
Federal Court Records in Multnomah County
Federal cases within Multnomah County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for Oregon. This court has jurisdiction over cases involving federal laws, including:
- Civil rights claims
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Bankruptcy cases
- Intellectual property disputes
- Cases involving federal agencies.
The most common way to access federal court records is through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Users can access dockets, motions, and court orders for civil and criminal cases at a nominal fee of $0.10 per page (the cost for a single document is capped at $3.00). Individuals who prefer in-person access can visit the clerk’s office at:
1000 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 740,
Portland,
OR 97204.