Hillsboro Court Records
Hillsboro court records are available through the Washington County Circuit Court and the Hillsboro Municipal Court. As the county seat of Washington County, Hillsboro is where the circuit courthouse is located. The Washington County Circuit Court at 150 N First Avenue handles all major case types including civil, criminal, and family cases. Hillsboro residents can search court records online through Oregon state tools or visit the Justice Services Building in person to view filings and get copies of court documents.
Hillsboro Quick Facts
Hillsboro Court Locations
Hillsboro has two courts that handle cases for the city. The Washington County Circuit Court is the main trial court for the entire county. It is located in the Justice Services Building in downtown Hillsboro. This court hears criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate, and juvenile cases. The building also houses the public records review room where you can look at court files.
| Court | Washington County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 N First Avenue Hillsboro, OR 97124 |
| Records Room | Room 110J, Justice Services Building |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Hillsboro Municipal Court is at 150 E Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123. It handles traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor crimes within the city of Hillsboro. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Municipal Court accepts online payments for many citation types.
Washington County has a long court history. The county was established in 1846, originally as Tuality County. The first courthouse was a log cabin. Over the years, the courthouse has changed locations and styles but continues to serve as the center of justice for Hillsboro and all of Washington County.
Search Hillsboro Court Records Online
The OJD Records and Calendar Search is a free tool that covers all Oregon circuit courts. Select Washington County from the list to search for Hillsboro cases. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or date range. The tool shows filing dates, case types, party names, and hearing schedules. No account or fee is needed.
For full access to the Register of Actions and judgment dockets, use OJCIN OnLine. This paid service provides detailed case data from all 36 Oregon circuit courts including Washington County. The setup cost is $150, with monthly fees after that. OJCIN covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic records for Hillsboro.
The Oregon Judicial Department provides a statewide page for finding court records, including how online and in-person searches work for Hillsboro cases at courts.oregon.gov.
This resource helps you understand what types of records are available and how to find them in Hillsboro.
Note: Some courts charge a fee for online case name searches, but Washington County residents can search for free at the courthouse terminals during business hours.
Requesting Court Records in Hillsboro
The Public Records Review Room is in Room 110J of the Justice Services Building at 150 N First Avenue in Hillsboro. You can view court files there during business hours. Walk-in requests for copies are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring the case name or number to speed up the process.
Standard copies of Hillsboro court records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the per-page charge. Exemplified copies cost $10.00 per document. These fees are set by state law under ORS 21.345. Payment must be made before copies are released.
You can also submit requests by mail or through the statewide online request form. For mail requests, send a letter to the Washington County Circuit Court at 150 N First Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Include the case name, case number, and a clear list of what you need. Staff will calculate the total cost and let you know before starting work on your request.
Types of Hillsboro Court Records
The Washington County Circuit Court maintains a wide range of records for cases filed in Hillsboro and the rest of the county. Under ORS 7.020, the court keeps a Register of Actions for every case. This log tracks each document filed, every hearing held, and all orders or judgments entered. It serves as the official court record.
Court records in Hillsboro typically include:
- Criminal case files and sentencing orders
- Civil lawsuits and monetary judgments
- Family law filings including divorce and custody
- Probate and estate case documents
- Traffic violations and ordinance cases
- Small claims and landlord-tenant disputes
Court records provide important details about each case. They typically show the allegations, sworn statements, names of parties and attorneys, the presiding judge, filing dates, and docket information. These records serve as the official account of legal proceedings in Hillsboro.
Public Access to Hillsboro Court Files
Oregon's public records law under ORS 192.311 makes most court records open for public review. The Washington County Circuit Court has public access terminals where anyone can search case data for free. These computers are in the Justice Services Building in Hillsboro and cover cases from across Washington County.
Some records are exempt from public access. Juvenile court cases are confidential under ORS 419A.255. Adoption records, mental health proceedings, and cases under the Violence Against Women Act also have restricted access. The Washington County Law Library in the Justice Services Building provides legal resources for people doing their own case research in Hillsboro.
The Oregon Judicial Department provides electronic filing for family and other court cases through its eFiling system, which covers Hillsboro and courts across the state.
Family court records in Hillsboro include cases for divorce, child custody, support, and other domestic matters filed at the Washington County Circuit Court.
Note: Electronic access to court records is authorized under ORS 193.077, which provides the legal basis for OJCIN and other online search tools.
Hillsboro Court Record Expungement
Under ORS 137.225, certain criminal records in Hillsboro can be set aside. You file a motion with the Washington County Circuit Court. The process also requires a current fingerprint card and a criminal history check from the Oregon State Police at (503) 378-3070. Processing takes up to 14 business days.
Wait times depend on the type of case. Arrests without charges can be sealed after 60 days. Dismissed charges have no waiting period. Class A misdemeanor convictions require three years. Class B and C misdemeanors require one year. Once a Hillsboro court record is expunged, it is sealed from standard public searches.
Legal Resources in Hillsboro
Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides free legal assistance to qualifying residents in Hillsboro and Washington County. Visit lasoregon.org to learn about services in your area. The Oregon State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at (503) 684-3763 or 1-800-452-7636 for residents who need help finding an attorney.
The Washington County Law Library is inside the Justice Services Building in Hillsboro. It provides legal resources, self-help materials, and public access terminals for court record searches. The Oregon Judicial Department at courts.oregon.gov offers free court forms and step-by-step guides for people handling their own cases.
Forms are grouped by case type and are free to download for use in Hillsboro and all Oregon courts.
Washington County Court Records
Hillsboro is the county seat of Washington County. The Washington County Circuit Court handles all major case types for Hillsboro and the rest of the county. For more details on the county court, record access, fees, and resources, visit the Washington County court records page.