Wasco County Court Records Access

Wasco County court records are held at the Circuit Court in The Dalles, Oregon. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the entire county. Wasco County is one of the oldest counties in Oregon, formed in 1854, and its court records stretch back to that year. You can look up Wasco County case filings through the state online search tools or visit the historic courthouse in The Dalles. Staff at the clerk office can help you find records and get copies of court documents.

Wasco County Circuit Court

The Wasco County Circuit Court sits at 511 Washington Street in The Dalles. This court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county. It handles all case types, from small claims to serious criminal matters. The Trial Court Administrator is Rian Beach, who can be reached at (541) 506-2700.

Wasco County has deep roots in Oregon history. At the time of its creation in 1854, it was the largest county ever formed in the United States. It stretched from the Cascade Mountains to the Rocky Mountains and from California to Washington. Over time, 17 other counties in Eastern Oregon were carved from Wasco County. The county takes its name from the Wascopam Indian Tribe. The city of The Dalles became the county seat when the county was first formed and remains the seat today. The historic courthouse, built in 1914, still serves the community. Visit the Wasco County Circuit Court page for hours and contact details.

Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The court is closed on legal holidays.

How to Search Wasco County Records

The Oregon Judicial Department provides free online access to basic case data for Wasco County and all other circuit courts in the state. The OJD Records and Calendar Search tool lets you search by party name or case number. You can find case numbers, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status at no charge.

For more complete records, the OJCIN OnLine system gives subscribers access to the official register of actions and judgment dockets. This paid service covers all Oregon circuit courts, including Wasco County. Court staff update the data daily. An OJCIN subscription requires a $150 setup fee and a monthly charge. The information is near real time but does not replace the official court record, which stays at the Wasco County courthouse in The Dalles.

You can also walk into the courthouse and search records in person. Public access terminals let you look up case information on the spot. For older files, ask the clerk to pull the record for your review.

Wasco County Record Copies

The Wasco County Circuit Court provides copies of court records to anyone who asks. You can submit a request using the statewide court record request form. You will need the case number and the exact documents or hearing dates. The Wasco County records page has the form and current fee details.

Wasco County follows the standard Oregon fee schedule for court record copies. Here are the current costs:

• Paper copy: $3.00 per case request plus 25 cents per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 plus 25 cents per page
• Exemplified copy: $10.00 plus 25 cents per page
• Electronic document emailed: $3.00 per case request
• Electronic certified copy: $5.00 per document
• Audio recording: $10.00 per request

Payment must be made in full before the court processes your request. Microfilm documents emailed cost 45 cents per page. CD recordings of hearings cost $11.00 per request. These fees apply to all Wasco County court record requests.

Note: Certified and exemplified copies are sworn by a court clerk to be true copies of the original documents on file in Wasco County.

Court Records and Public Law

Oregon's public records law makes most Wasco County court records open to the public. Under ORS 192.311, a public record is any document prepared or kept by a government body that relates to its work. Court filings, orders, and judgments all fall under this law. You do not need to be a party to a case to view or copy these records in Wasco County.

Certain records are protected from public view. Juvenile cases are confidential under ORS 419A.255. Adoption, mental health, and domestic violence cases may also be sealed. The Oregon Judicial Department does not show these records through its online systems. For all other case types, the records are public and available at the Wasco County courthouse or through online search tools.

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

The official record of any case filed in Wasco County is kept at the courthouse in The Dalles. Under ORS 7.020, courts must keep a register of actions for each case. This register logs every document filed, every hearing held, and every judgment entered. It is the definitive legal record of the case.

Types of Wasco County Cases

The Circuit Court in The Dalles handles all case types for Wasco County. Civil cases cover disputes over money, contracts, property, and personal injury. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. Family law covers marriage dissolution, child custody, and support orders. Probate deals with estates and guardianships. Traffic cases handle violations and driving offenses.

Each case filed at the Wasco County Circuit Court generates records that become part of the public file. These records show who filed what, when hearings took place, and what the court decided. You can access these records through public terminals at the courthouse and through the state online systems.

Clearing Records in Wasco County

People with eligible criminal records can ask the Wasco County Circuit Court to set aside their conviction. Under ORS 137.225, the process starts with a motion filed at the courthouse. You will also need a fingerprint-based criminal history check from the Oregon State Police. Waiting periods range from one year for minor misdemeanors to three years for Class A misdemeanors. Dismissed charges can be set aside at any time.

If the court grants the motion, the record is sealed. It will no longer show up in public searches of Wasco County court records.

Note: Contact the Wasco County Circuit Court to ask about eligibility before you file a motion to set aside a record.

Nearby Counties

Wasco County borders Hood River County, Sherman County, Jefferson County, and Wheeler County. If you are unsure which county holds your court records, check where the case was filed. Each county in Oregon has its own Circuit Court and maintains its own records. Contact the court in the correct county for the records you need.