Search Grant County Court Records

Grant County court records are held at the Circuit Court in Canyon City, the county seat. Grant County is part of the 24th Judicial District, which it shares with Harney County. One elected judge serves both counties. You can search Grant County records online through the Oregon Judicial Department or visit the courthouse in person. The court keeps civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case files. Records go back to 1864 when the county was first formed. Staff at the clerk window can help you find cases and get copies of court papers.

Grant County Circuit Court

The Grant County Circuit Court is in Canyon City, Oregon. The courthouse was built in 1952. It is the only court in Grant County. All civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the county are filed here. The court is open on weekdays during standard business hours.

Grant County and Harney County make up the 24th Judicial District. The two counties share one elected judge: Robert S. Raschio, who serves as Presiding Judge for both. Harney County was once part of Grant County, but the long distance to Canyon City led citizens to push for their own county. The state created Harney County in February 1889 from the southern two-thirds of Grant County. Despite the split, the two counties still share their judge and some court resources today.

The Grant County courthouse and the Harney County courthouse in Burns share a common design. Both were built in the mid-1900s and serve their communities in rural eastern Oregon.

Grant County was formed in 1864 from parts of Wasco and Umatilla counties. It was named for Ulysses S. Grant, who led the Union Army at the time. The county seat has been Canyon City since the start.

How to Search Grant County Records

There are two main ways to find court records in Grant County. You can use the state online tools or go to the courthouse in Canyon City. Online searches are a good first step. In-person visits give you access to the full case file.

The OJD Records and Calendar Search is free. It shows basic case data for all Oregon courts, including Grant County. You can search by name or case number. The results show case types, filing dates, and hearing times. For more detail, the OJCIN system offers paid access to the full register of actions for Grant County cases. A subscription costs $150 to set up, with a monthly fee after that.

To visit the courthouse in Canyon City, plan ahead. Grant County is in a remote part of eastern Oregon. Call the court first to check hours and make sure staff can help with your request. Since the court is small, wait times are often short once you arrive. The official court record stays at the local courthouse in Grant County.

Types of Grant County Court Records

The Grant County Circuit Court keeps a range of case files. Under ORS 7.020, the court maintains a register of actions for every case. This log tracks each document filed, each hearing, and each order the judge issues. It is the official record of the court in Grant County.

Records available at the Grant County court include:

• Civil lawsuits and small claims
• Criminal charges and sentencing records
• Family law cases such as divorce and custody
• Probate matters for wills and estates
• Traffic violations and citations

Most of these records are open to the public. Civil files hold complaints, motions, and judgments. Criminal files show charges, pleas, and sentences. Family law files include petitions, parenting plans, and support orders. Each of these documents is logged in the register of actions for that Grant County case.

The Grant County records page on the court website provides links to the statewide records request form and online search tools.

Juvenile and adoption records in Grant County are sealed by law. You need a court order to view them.

Requesting Grant County Court Copies

You can request copies of Grant County court documents through the statewide online form or by contacting the courthouse in Canyon City. The Grant County records page links to the form. Before you submit, review the instructions so you know what details to include. You will need the case number and a list of the exact documents you want.

Copy fees in Grant County follow the state schedule set by ORS 21.345. Standard copies are 25 cents per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the page charge. Exemplified copies, also called three-way certificates, cost $10.00 per document. You must pay in full before the court processes your Grant County records request. Mail a check payable to the State of Oregon along with a stamped return envelope.

Note: Grant County court staff will let you know the total cost after they review your request and before they begin making copies.

Public Access in Grant County

Oregon's public records law, ORS 192.311, makes most government records open to the public. This includes court files in Grant County. You do not need to be part of a case to view it. Anyone can ask to see a court record. The clerk in Canyon City can help you access files during office hours.

There are limits on some records. Juvenile cases are sealed under ORS 419A.255. Adoption files are private. Mental health cases and matters under the Violence Against Women Act may also be sealed. In a small county like Grant, privacy rules are especially important. The clerk will tell you if a file you want has any viewing limits.

Historical Grant County Court Records

Grant County has court records from 1864. The county clerk keeps marriage and land records from that same year. These old files are a rich source for anyone doing genealogy or historical research. Canyon City grew as a gold mining town, and many of the oldest case files deal with mining claims and land disputes in Grant County.

The Oregon State Archives holds some historical Grant County records. These may include old court dockets, naturalization papers, and probate files. You can view them at the Archives in Salem or request microfilm through your local library. For files still in Canyon City, ask the clerk how to access older records. Very old Grant County case files may need extra time to pull from storage.

The history of Grant County ties closely to the gold rush era of the 1860s. Court records from that time show land claims, mining disputes, and the daily legal life of a frontier community. These records help preserve the story of eastern Oregon.

Clearing Records in Grant County

Oregon law allows some criminal records to be set aside. Under ORS 137.225, you file a motion with the Grant County Circuit Court in Canyon City. You also need a fingerprint criminal history check from the Oregon State Police. The wait time depends on the crime. Class A misdemeanors need three years. Class B and C need one year.

If granted, the Grant County record is sealed from most public searches. In a small community, this can make a real difference. For help finding a lawyer, contact the Oregon State Bar at 1-800-452-7636. They can connect you with an attorney who handles cases in Grant County.

Nearby Counties

Grant County borders Harney County, Wheeler County, Gilliam County, Umatilla County, Union County, Baker County, and Malheur County. It shares a judicial district with Harney County. If you need records from Harney County, contact the courthouse in Burns. The Grant County court in Canyon City only handles cases filed within Grant County borders.