Umatilla County Court Records

Umatilla County court records are managed by the Circuit Court in Pendleton, the county seat in eastern Oregon. The court shares a judicial district with neighboring Morrow County, but each county keeps its own case files. The clerk's office in Pendleton handles all record requests and provides access to court filings, case documents, and judicial records. Umatilla County has maintained court records since 1862. Residents and the public can search for case information through the courthouse, the Hermiston court location, or online systems run by the Oregon Judicial Department.

Umatilla County Circuit Court

The Umatilla County Circuit Court is located at 216 SE Court Avenue in Pendleton. It serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county. The court handles all types of cases, from civil lawsuits and criminal charges to family law, probate, and traffic violations. Umatilla County shares its judicial district with Morrow County, meaning the same judges serve both areas. However, each county keeps its own case files and records.

The court also has a location in Hermiston to serve the western part of the county. Drop boxes are available at both locations. In Pendleton, the drop box is outside Room 230 on the second floor, open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on business days. In Hermiston, the drop box is on the north wall outside the main entrance and is available at any time.

The Umatilla and Morrow Counties Circuit Court website has contact details, court news, and information about filing procedures.

This is the main page for both Umatilla and Morrow county court operations, including drop box locations and appearance rules.

Note: All appearances in Umatilla County are assumed to require in-person attendance unless the hearing notice states otherwise or a judge has allowed remote appearance.

Umatilla County Court Records Online

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network provides online access to Umatilla County court records. The primary portal is the Oregon eCourt Case Information system. Navigate to the OECI portal and select Umatilla County from the jurisdiction list. You can then search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Basic case information is available at no charge through the OJD Records and Calendar Search.

For full access to court records in Umatilla County, register for an OJCIN OnLine subscription. The setup fee is $150, and there is a monthly fee of about $15. The system shows circuit court case registers, party information, hearing schedules, judgment details, and filed document listings for Umatilla County. Under ORS 193.077, records accessed online are not the official court record. The official record stays at the courthouse in Pendleton.

The OJCIN OnLine portal from the Oregon Judicial Department provides subscription-based access to detailed court records across all Oregon counties.

You can search Umatilla County case records through the state system using the free OJD search or the paid OJCIN subscription.

How to Request Umatilla County Court Documents

To get copies of court records from Umatilla County, you need the case number or party names. You can make a request in person at 216 SE Court Avenue in Pendleton or at the Hermiston court location. You can also submit a request by mail, phone, or through the online records request form.

Copy fees follow the statewide schedule under ORS 21.345. Standard copies are 25 cents per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Exemplified copies are $10.00. There is a $3.00 fee per case request. If copies are mailed, postage is added. Payment must be made in full before the court processes your order in Umatilla County.

You can submit documents and payments through the drop boxes at either court location. In Pendleton, use the box outside Room 230. In Hermiston, use the box on the north wall. Items left in the drop box after business hours are processed the next day.

Public Access to Umatilla County Case Files

Court records in Umatilla County are open to the public under Oregon law. ORS 192.311 defines public records broadly and creates a presumption that they are available to anyone. You do not need to be a party in the case. The courthouse has free public access terminals where you can search case data during business hours.

Certain case types are restricted. Juvenile records are confidential under ORS 419A.255. Adoption files are sealed. Mental health cases and those covered by the Violence Against Women Act are not available to the general public. Sealed records in Umatilla County require a court order to access.

Types of Court Records in Umatilla County

The Umatilla County Circuit Court maintains case records for every matter it hears. Criminal court files include arrest records, charges, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Civil case records cover lawsuits, judgments, and settlement documents. Family court filings deal with divorce, custody, support, and adoption. Probate records handle wills, estates, and guardianships. Traffic violations that go before a judge also produce court records in Umatilla County.

Each case gets a register of actions under ORS 7.020. This is the official log of all events in the case. It tracks every document filed, every hearing held, and every order entered. The register does not include copies of the documents themselves. It is the chronological index of the case in Umatilla County.

Note: Documents and payments must be submitted in the county where the case is filed, even though Umatilla and Morrow share judges.

Criminal Record Expungement in Umatilla County

Oregon allows some criminal records to be set aside. Under ORS 137.225, dismissed charges can be expunged at any time. Class B and C misdemeanors require one year. Class A misdemeanors need three years. To begin, file a motion with the Umatilla County Circuit Court in Pendleton. You must also get a fingerprint-based criminal history check from the Oregon State Police CJIS Division at (503) 378-3070.

The criminal history check takes up to fourteen business days. If the court grants the expungement, the record is sealed from public access in Umatilla County and in statewide databases. The record is not destroyed but is removed from public search results.

Historical Umatilla County Court Records

Umatilla County was created in 1862 from a portion of Wasco County. It was named after the Umatilla River. Court records in Umatilla County date back to that year. The county clerk also holds marriage and land records from 1862. Historical court files may include early civil suits, criminal prosecutions, naturalization papers, and probate matters.

The Oregon State Archives maintains some historical Umatilla County records. These can be viewed in the archives research room in Salem or requested on microfilm through interlibrary loan. For files still at the courthouse, contact the Umatilla County clerk in Pendleton to find out what is available on site.

Umatilla-Morrow Judicial District

Oregon has 27 judicial districts. Some smaller counties are combined for the purpose of judicial staffing. Umatilla County and Morrow County share a single judicial district. The same group of circuit court judges serves both counties. This means a judge may hear cases in Pendleton one week and in Heppner the next.

Despite sharing judges, each county operates its own clerk's office and keeps its own court records. If a case was filed in Umatilla County, the records are at the Pendleton courthouse. If it was filed in Morrow County, the records are in Heppner. Make sure you contact the correct county clerk when requesting court documents.

Nearby Counties

Umatilla County borders Morrow County, Union County, Wallowa County, and the state of Washington. The county sits in the northeast part of Oregon. If you need to verify which county a case was filed in, check the address connected to the legal matter. The Umatilla County clerk in Pendleton can confirm whether a case is on file at their courthouse.