Search Multnomah County Court Records

Multnomah County court records are managed by the Circuit Court in Portland, the most populous county in Oregon. The Fourth Judicial District serves more than 800,000 residents across Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, and several other cities. Court filings, case documents, and judicial records are available to the public through the clerk's office and online tools. Whether you need to look up a civil case, find a criminal filing, or review family court documents, Multnomah County offers multiple ways to get the records you need.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Overview

The Multnomah County Circuit Court is the Fourth Judicial District in the Oregon court system. It is one of 27 judicial districts in the state. The court operates from four locations: the Central Courthouse, the Justice Center, the Juvenile Justice Center, and the East County Courthouse. The Records Department is at 1200 SW 1st Avenue in Portland. Staff there handle all requests for case files and court documents in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County has the highest caseload of any county in Oregon. The circuit court hears criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, probate cases, juvenile cases, traffic cases, and ordinance violations. Each type of case creates records that the clerk maintains. Barbara Marcille serves as the Trial Court Administrator. The judges and staff pledge to treat every person in a court proceeding with respect and to respond to questions about court procedure in Multnomah County.

The Multnomah County Circuit Court website has details on court locations, hours, and services available to the public.

This is the main hub for court information in Multnomah County, including contact details and filing instructions.

How to Search Multnomah County Court Records

There are three main ways to find court records in Multnomah County. First, the OJD Records and Calendar Search at courts.oregon.gov gives free access to basic case information. You can search by case number or party name. The system shows case numbers, filing dates, party names, case types, and hearing schedules for Multnomah County and all other Oregon courts.

Second, OJCIN OnLine provides detailed access to the official register of actions and judgment dockets in Multnomah County. This is a paid subscription service. Users must complete a terms of use form and pay a $150 setup fee. Once registered, you can search the Oregon eCourt Case Information system for Multnomah County records. The system shows filed documents, hearing dates, and court orders. Under ORS 193.077, online records are not the official record. The official record remains at the courthouse in Multnomah County.

Third, visit the courthouse in person. Go to the Records Department at 1200 SW 1st Avenue in Portland. You can also reach the records staff by email at mul.records@ojd.state.or.us or by phone. In-person visits let you review full case files and get certified copies on the spot in Multnomah County.

Multnomah County Court Records Department

The Records Department in Multnomah County handles all requests for case documents. Requests come in by phone, email, mail, or in person at Room 03315 on the third floor of the Central Courthouse. Each request gets a reference number, and a clerk follows up with you about your order.

The Multnomah County records page explains the full process for requesting documents from the court. You can use this page to find the request form and learn about fees before placing your order.

Copy fees in Multnomah County follow the state schedule. Standard copies cost 25 cents per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Exemplified copies cost $10.00. There is also a $3.00 fee per request. Payment must be made in full before the court processes your order. If you need copies mailed, postage is added to the total cost. These fees are set by ORS 21.345.

Note: If requesting records from a confidential case type, you may need to show identification and pick up copies in person at the Multnomah County Courthouse.

Court Audio Recordings in Multnomah County

Multnomah County Circuit Court creates digital audio recordings for all proceedings held on the record. You can request copies of these recordings. To do so, you need the judge's name, the hearing date, and the case number. If you lack any of these details, email mul.records@ojd.state.or.us for help completing your order.

The court uses a system called "For The Record" to make recordings. Copies are sent through a secure website as digital files. You need the free FTR Player to listen to them. State law restricts who may receive audio copies for some case types. Adoption and juvenile hearings in Multnomah County are confidential. If you request audio from a restricted case, your request may be denied or you may need to fill out extra paperwork.

Public Access to Multnomah County Case Files

Most court records in Multnomah County are public. Under ORS 192.311, public records are open for review by anyone. You do not need to be a party in the case. The courthouse has public access computers where you can look up case details at no charge. Newer cases are available on the kiosk computers in the lobby. Older files that have not been digitized can be pulled from storage by the clerk.

Certain records are restricted. Juvenile cases fall under ORS 419A.255 and are confidential. Adoption files are sealed. Mental health cases and cases covered by the Violence Against Women Act are also restricted from public view in Multnomah County. If a judge seals part of a case, those portions are not available.

Multnomah County also has a Press Kiosk located in the Circuit Court for on-premises access to submitted File and Serve envelopes. This is a unique feature of the Multnomah County courthouse and gives media access to filings through the OJCIN system.

Multnomah County Court Records Search Tools

The state court website provides guidance on how to find a case or court record in any Oregon county, including Multnomah County.

You can look up case details using the public access computers at the Multnomah County courthouse. Record requests can be made at the Court Records Office in Room 3315 on the third floor. Family court records, including divorce, custody, and support cases, are part of the circuit court system in Multnomah County. Copies can be ordered by sending a request form by mail or email to the courthouse.

Criminal Record Expungement in Multnomah County

Oregon law under ORS 137.225 allows certain criminal records to be set aside. The waiting period depends on the charge. Dismissed charges can be expunged at any time. Class B and C misdemeanors require a one-year wait. Class A misdemeanors need three years. To start, file a motion with the Multnomah County Circuit Court. You must also get a fingerprint-based criminal history check from the Oregon State Police.

The Oregon State Police CJIS Division handles criminal history checks. Contact them at PO Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395, or call (503) 378-3070. All requests take up to fourteen business days to process. Once the court grants an expungement in Multnomah County, the criminal record is sealed from public view.

Note: Not all convictions qualify for expungement, and the court in Multnomah County reviews each petition on its own facts.

Types of Court Records in Multnomah County

The Multnomah County Circuit Court maintains records for every type of case it hears. Criminal case files include charges, arraignment records, plea documents, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Civil case records cover lawsuits, judgments, and settlement documents. Family court files include divorce petitions, custody orders, and support modifications. Probate records cover wills, estates, and guardianship matters.

Every case in Multnomah County has a register of actions as required by ORS 7.020. This register lists each event in the case. It shows what documents were filed and when, but it does not contain copies of the documents themselves. The register serves as the official chronological index of the case in Multnomah County.

Traffic cases and ordinance violations also produce court records. Portland does not have a traditional municipal court, so parking and traffic matters within the city go through the Multnomah County Circuit Court. This makes the circuit court the single court of record for nearly all legal matters in the county.

Historical Records in Multnomah County

The Oregon State Archives holds historical court records from Multnomah County and all other Oregon counties. These may include old naturalization papers, probate files, and early civil and criminal case documents. Many historical records are on microfilm and can be viewed in the archives research room in Salem or through interlibrary loan.

For recent records, the Multnomah County Courthouse is your best source. The clerk keeps active and closed case files on site. Older files may need to be retrieved from storage, which can take extra time.

Cities in Multnomah County

All cities in Multnomah County file cases at the Circuit Court in Portland. The court serves Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. No matter which city you live in, your court records are kept at the Multnomah County Courthouse.

Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park are also part of Multnomah County. All case filings from these cities go through the same circuit court system.

Nearby Counties

Multnomah County shares borders with Washington County, Clackamas County, Columbia County, Hood River County, and Clark County in Washington state. If you are not sure which county your case belongs to, check the address where the events occurred. Cases must be filed in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction.