Union County Court Records

Union County court records are filed and kept at the Circuit Court in La Grande, Oregon. The court holds case files for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters across the county. You can search Union County court records online through state tools or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk staff can help you find filings, look up case numbers, and get copies of court documents. Union County has maintained court records since 1864 when the county was first formed from Baker County.

Union County Circuit Court

The Union County Circuit Court handles all case types in the county. This includes civil suits, criminal cases, family law, and probate. The court sits in La Grande at 1105 K Avenue. Staff are on hand to help with filings and record requests during business hours. The courthouse is open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. All public service counters close at 4:30 PM, though courtrooms may run until 5:00 PM.

Union County was formed in 1864 from a part of Baker County. It was named for the Union cause during the Civil War. Court records in Union County go back to that year. The Circuit Court has served as the trial court of general jurisdiction since its start. Today the court handles all matters from small claims to serious felony cases. You can visit the Union County Circuit Court page for current hours and contact details.

A drop box is located at the courthouse in La Grande. Items left in the box between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM are received that same day. Items left after 5:00 PM count as received the next business day.

Search Union County Court Records

There are a few ways to look up court records in Union County. The fastest is through the Oregon Judicial Department's free online search tool. This lets you find basic case data, court dates, and party names for cases filed in Union County and every other Oregon circuit court. Visit OJD Records and Calendar Search to start a free search by name or case number.

For more detailed records, the Oregon eCourt Case Information system through OJCIN OnLine gives subscribers access to the official register of actions, judgment dockets, and filed documents from Union County cases. This is a paid service that requires a subscription. The data comes from the Oregon Judicial Department database and is updated daily by court staff. While the online records are near real time, the official record of the court stays at the Union County courthouse in La Grande.

You can also search in person at the Union County courthouse. Public access terminals are set up for viewing newer case records on kiosk computers. For older case files, you can ask staff to pull the file for review. Bring a form of ID when you visit. Court staff can search by name or case number but cannot give legal advice.

Note: Not all Union County court records are available online, as sealed and confidential cases are excluded from public systems.

Court Record Copies in Union County

The Union County Circuit Court provides copies of court records to the public. You can request copies in person at the clerk window or by mail using the statewide request form. You will need to know the case number and the specific documents or hearing dates you want. The Union County court records page links to the form and gives more details on how to submit your request.

Standard paper copies cost $3.00 per case request plus 25 cents per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per page cost. An exemplified copy runs $10.00 plus page fees. Electronic copies sent by email cost $3.00 per case request. Certified electronic copies are $5.00 per document. Payment must be made in full before the court processes your request.

Under ORS 192.311, most court records in Union County are public. Anyone can ask to view or copy them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some records are restricted by law, such as juvenile cases under ORS 419A.255 and cases sealed by court order.

Types of Union County Records

Union County court records cover a wide range of case types. Each type creates its own set of documents that become part of the public file. The Circuit Court in La Grande is the single trial court for all case categories in the county.

Civil cases in Union County include lawsuits over money, property, contracts, and personal injury. Criminal cases range from minor violations to felonies. Family law cases cover dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Probate cases deal with estates, wills, and guardianships. Traffic cases handle violations and driving offenses. All of these are filed at the Union County Circuit Court and each produces records that the public can access.

• Civil case filings and judgments
• Criminal charges, pleas, and sentencing records
• Family law orders and dissolution decrees
• Probate and estate documents
• Traffic violation records

The register of actions is the official record for each case filed in Union County. Under ORS 7.020, every court must keep this register. It logs each paper filed, each hearing held, and each order or judgment entered. The register does not include copies of the actual documents, just a log of what happened and when.

Union County Court Records Online

Several online tools help you find Union County court records. The state runs a free search at courts.oregon.gov that covers all 36 Oregon circuit courts. You can look up case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, and hearing schedules. This is a good first step for any search.

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

Keep in mind that online records may not show every document in a case file. Some records are confidential under state or federal law. Adoption, juvenile, mental health, and certain domestic violence cases are not shown through online access. For the full file, visit the courthouse in La Grande.

Note: Electronic records from OJCIN are not the official court record, which is kept at the Union County courthouse where the case was filed.

Clearing Court Records in Union County

Oregon law allows certain criminal records to be set aside through expungement. Under ORS 137.225, people with eligible convictions can file a motion with the Union County Circuit Court to have their record cleared. The waiting periods vary by offense type. Class A misdemeanors require a three-year wait. Class B and C misdemeanors require one year. Dismissed charges can be set aside at any time.

The process starts by filing the motion at the Union County courthouse in La Grande. You will also need a fingerprint-based criminal history check from the Oregon State Police. The court reviews the motion and may hold a hearing. If the motion is granted, the conviction is set aside and the record is sealed from public view.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders Wallowa County, Baker County, Grant County, and Umatilla County. If you are not sure which county holds your case, check the address where the events took place. Court cases must be filed in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction. Each neighboring county has its own Circuit Court and clerk office.