Jefferson County Court Records
Jefferson County court records are kept at the Circuit Court in Madras. The courthouse at 129 SW E Street holds all case files for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters filed in Jefferson County. The court has served this area since the county was formed in 1914 from Crook County. A new courthouse was built in 2016 with state and county funds. You can search for case records online through the Oregon Judicial Department or visit the clerk window in person to request copies and review files from Jefferson County cases.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Circuit Court
The Jefferson County Circuit Court sits in the courthouse at 129 SW E Street in Madras. This building was completed in July 2016. It was the first courthouse in Oregon built using the Oregon Courthouse Capital Construction Improvement Fund, which the state set up in 2013. The City of Madras donated the land for the project. State funding came to $6.5 million. Jefferson County put in $8.5 million. The result is a modern courthouse that serves the county well.
Court Administration is led by Katie Slattery. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call 541-475-3317 to reach the clerk. The mailing address is Jefferson County Circuit Court, 129 SW E Street, Suite 101, Madras, OR 97741.
The Jefferson County Circuit Court website has current contact details and information about court services.
| Court |
Jefferson County Circuit Court 129 SW E Street, Suite 101 Madras, OR 97741 Phone: (541) 475-3317 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Administrator | Katie Slattery |
Requesting Jefferson County Court Records
Court records that are not sealed or private are open to the public in Jefferson County. Court staff maintain all documents in the local case files and help the public with copy requests. Requests are handled on a first come, first serve basis.
To get copies from a court file, fill out the online Jefferson Copy Request Form on the Jefferson County records page. You can also print the form and send it by mail, fax, or bring it to the clerk window in person. Staff will figure the total cost after you submit your request. Under ORS 21.345, copies cost $0.25 per page and certified copies cost $5.00 per document. If copies are mailed, postage costs are added. All fees must be paid in full before any copies will be made.
Documents in newer cases can be viewed using the kiosk computers in the courthouse lobby. These are free to use. Older case files that have not been digitized can be viewed by asking staff to pull the file from storage.
Note: Adoption and juvenile cases in Jefferson County are private, and access to them is limited by law.
Search Jefferson County Records Online
Oregon has two online systems for court record searches. Both include Jefferson County cases.
The OJD Records and Calendar Search is free. You can look up case numbers, filing dates, party names, case types, and hearing dates. It covers all 36 Oregon circuit courts. Search by case number or party name to find Jefferson County records. This tool does not show copies of filed documents, but it gives you the basic data you need to find a case.
The OJCIN OnLine system gives deeper access. It shows the full register of actions, judgment dockets, and some documents. A subscription is required. Under ORS 193.077, the Oregon Judicial Department can provide electronic record access, but the official record of the court stays at the courthouse in Madras. For certified copies, contact the Jefferson County clerk directly.
The Oregon Judicial Department provides statewide online tools for searching court records, including cases filed in Jefferson County.
Use the free OJD search or the paid OJCIN system to look up Jefferson County cases online.
Types of Court Records in Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Circuit Court keeps records for all case types. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal charges, family law cases, probate matters, and traffic violations. Each case creates a file that the clerk stores at the courthouse in Madras.
A typical court record in Jefferson County contains:
- The complaint or petition that starts the case
- Responses and answers from other parties
- Motions and court orders
- Hearing transcripts or audio recordings
- The final judgment or order
- The register of actions required by ORS 7.020
The register of actions is the official log of every event in a case. It shows each document filed, each hearing held, each notice sent, and each order entered. This register is the legal timeline for the case. It does not contain copies of the documents themselves. For those, you must request copies from the clerk in Jefferson County.
Public Access to Court Records
Most court records in Jefferson County are open to the public under Oregon law. ORS 192.311 defines a public record as any document kept by a public body. Court files meet this test. You do not need to be named in the case to view records.
Juvenile records are sealed under ORS 419A.255. Adoption cases are also sealed. Mental health proceedings and cases covered by the Violence Against Women Act are restricted. Records expunged under ORS 137.225 will not appear in any search. If you are not sure whether a record is open, ask the clerk in Madras. Staff can check the file and tell you what is available.
Jefferson County Court History
Jefferson County was created in 1914 from Crook County. It was named after Mount Jefferson, which honors President Thomas Jefferson. The county clerk has marriage and land records from 1914. The Circuit Court holds court records from the same year. Madras has served as the county seat from the start.
The old courthouse served the county for many decades before the new building opened in 2016. The new courthouse was a major investment in the community. The Oregon State Archives may hold some older Jefferson County records that were transferred for long-term storage. These can help with historical research and family history in Jefferson County.
Note: Historical court records may include naturalization papers and old probate files from the early years of Jefferson County.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County borders Deschutes County, Crook County, Wheeler County, Wasco County, and Linn County. If your case was not filed in Jefferson County, you may need to contact the court in one of these neighboring counties. The clerk in Madras can help direct you if you are not sure which court holds the record you need.