Access Josephine County Court Records

Josephine County court records are stored at the Circuit Court in Grants Pass. The courthouse at 500 NW 6th Street holds case files for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters filed in this county. Josephine County was created in 1856 from Jackson County and has kept court records since that year. You can search case filings through Oregon's online court systems or visit the clerk window in Grants Pass. The Circuit Court handles all types of cases in Josephine County, and staff can help you find records and request copies of documents.

Josephine County Circuit Court

The Josephine County Circuit Court is located at 500 NW 6th Street in Grants Pass. This is the trial court for all cases filed in the county. It handles civil disputes, criminal charges, family law, probate, and traffic matters. Call 541-476-2389 for court information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Josephine County was carved from Jackson County in 1856. It was named after Josephine Rollins, who was the first white woman to settle in southern Oregon. Grants Pass has served as the county seat since then. The Circuit Court has kept records of all proceedings since the county was formed. Today the court uses both paper files and electronic records to track cases filed in Josephine County. The clerk stores all documents and provides access to the public.

The Josephine County Circuit Court website has hours, forms, and contact details.

Josephine County Court Records Online

Josephine County court records can be searched through several online tools run by the Oregon Judicial Department. The Josephine County records page explains the main options for searching from home.

The Oregon eCourt Case Information system lets you search Josephine County cases by number, party name, attorney, or date range. Select "Josephine" from the county list to begin. Basic case data is available for free. Subscribers get access to filed documents, docket entries, and hearing schedules. You can register for a subscriber account on the OJCIN website. Visit courts.oregon.gov to sign up.

The free OJD Records and Calendar Search is another option. It shows case numbers, filing dates, party names, case types, and hearing dates for all Oregon courts. You can search by name or case number. It does not show copies of filed documents, but it is a good starting point for any Josephine County record search.

In-Person Records Access in Grants Pass

Visit the courthouse at 500 NW 6th Street to access court records in person. The clerk window is open during regular hours. Bring a case number if you have one. Staff can also search by party name.

The courthouse has a public access terminal where you can look up case data for free. This kiosk shows basic case details for most Josephine County cases. If you need copies, the court charges fees set by ORS 21.345. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. All fees must be paid before your copies are made. Mailed requests include postage. You can also submit a records request form for documents you need from Josephine County cases. The Oregon Judicial Department has an online records request option for files not available through the regular portals.

Note: Walk-in requests during busy periods may take longer to process at the Josephine County courthouse.

Josephine County Case Filing Types

The Josephine County Circuit Court page shows the full range of services the court offers. The image below shows the court's main page on the Oregon Judicial Department site.

The court handles the same case types as all Oregon circuit courts. These include civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases. Each case type creates records that become part of the court file in Josephine County. The register of actions, required by ORS 7.020, logs every event in the case. It shows each document filed, each hearing, and each order entered.

Appellate records from Josephine County cases are available through the Appellate Case Management System. If a case was appealed, you can search for appellate briefs, opinions, and orders through that system. The state Court of Appeals hears most appeals from circuit court decisions across Oregon.

Public Records Law

Oregon law makes most court records open. Under ORS 192.311, documents held by a public body are public records. Court files in Josephine County are public. You do not need to be part of the case to view them.

Some records are sealed. Juvenile cases are closed under ORS 419A.255. Adoption files stay sealed. Mental health matters and cases under the Violence Against Women Act are also restricted. Expunged records under ORS 137.225 will not show up in any search. The clerk in Grants Pass can tell you which Josephine County records are available and which are not.

The Oregon State Archives holds historical records from all 36 counties. Their collection may include old Josephine County court files, dockets, and judgments going back to 1856.

Josephine County Court History

Josephine County has a long court history that dates back to 1856. The county was formed from Jackson County in southern Oregon. It was named after Josephine Rollins, an early settler in the region. Grants Pass grew into the county seat and remains the center of county government today. The Josephine County Clerk holds marriage and land records from 1856 onward. These records can help with property research and family history work in the county.

The Circuit Court in Grants Pass handles the same case types as all Oregon circuit courts. Under Oregon law, the circuit court is the trial court of general jurisdiction. It hears cases no matter the subject, the amount of money at stake, or the level of crime charged. The court is also a court of record, which means an official system records the proceedings in most cases. That record is used if any party files an appeal from a Josephine County case to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Note: Older Josephine County records may be stored at the Oregon State Archives in Salem for long-term care.

Nearby Counties

Josephine County borders Jackson County, Douglas County, Curry County, and the state of California. Josephine County was originally part of Jackson County, and the two courts still serve neighboring communities in southern Oregon. If your case was filed in another county, contact that court for records. The clerk in Grants Pass can help you figure out where to look.