Court Records Questions
Where do I search Multnomah County court records?
Use the Oregon Judicial Department web portal for free online searches by case number or name. For the official Register of Actions, OJCIN Online is a paid subscription. Free public access terminals sit in each circuit court. When a record is not online, request a copy from the court. The court records page covers each option in detail.
Does Multnomah County government keep court records?
No. The county's locating-records guidance states that court records are held by the Multnomah County Circuit Court, a division of the Oregon Judicial Department. The county handles marriage licenses and recorded documents, but not court case files. That split confuses many users. The Circuit Court page explains the court structure behind it.
How do I order a certified court record?
You can order online, by email, by mail, by phone, or in person at the records counter. Give the case number, party names, and document title, and choose the copy type. The court contacts you for payment by card. The Clerk of Court page walks through a certified copy request step by step.
What is the difference between certified and exemplified copies?
A certified copy carries the court seal and a clerk signature. An exemplified copy is triple certified by the clerk, the Trial Court Administrator, and the Presiding Judge, and it is usually needed only for an out-of-state or foreign use. Most people need a regular or certified copy. The Clerk of Court page lists the fees.
How do I read a court docket?
The docket, called the Register of Actions, lists each filing, hearing, and order by date. It is an index of events, not the documents themselves. Watch the disposition to see how a case ended, and remember a charge is not a conviction. The court dockets page explains the terms in plain language.
Jail and Inmate Questions
How do I find someone in the Multnomah County jail?
Use the Sheriff's free MCSO Online Inmate Data tool. Search by first and last name and pick a search type, such as Now In Custody or Booked Last 7 Days. Each name opens a booking profile with charges and bail. The inmate records page covers the search and the booking profile in full.
Why are mugshots missing from the jail roster?
The Sheriff states that, because of Oregon House Bill 3273, it no longer posts booking photos on the public jail-information page. Names and charges remain public, but no photo is shown. Sites that sell mugshots are not the official source. The arrest records page explains what booking data does and does not show.
How do I see recent releases?
In the Sheriff's inmate tool, choose Released Last 7 Days or Emergency Releases Last 7 Days in the search type. For state prison or federal releases, you use separate locators, and you can register for custody alerts through VISOR. The released inmates page covers all of these tools.
How do I post bail?
Call the jail line at 503-988-3689 for instructions. The Sheriff lists TouchPay self-bail and in-person bail at the Justice Center lobby, open 24 hours. Never pay a private party who promises a release. The warrant records page covers bail and resolving a custody hold.
Where do I send mail to an inmate?
Address all inmate mail to the Inverness Jail at 11540 NE Inverness Drive, Portland, OR 97220, even if the person is held downtown. Include the words Inmate Mail, the booked name, and the SWIS ID. The inmate records page lists the full mail and money rules.
How do I put money on an inmate account?
Use a TouchPay kiosk at the Justice Center or Inverness lobby, the TouchPay online portal with MCSO Facility number 297204, or call 1-866-232-1899 with the same facility number. The Sheriff does not accept cash or checks for deposits. The inmate records page has the details.
How do I look up jail population data?
Population data comes from the Sheriff's corrections reports and from national sources like the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The two jails were funded in FY 2024 to house up to 1,130 adults. This is different from a name search. The jail population page explains capacity and trends.
Marriage and Divorce Questions
Where do I get a marriage license?
Complete the application online, then both parties appear in person at Recording and Customer Service, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 175. Appointments are not needed, and service runs Monday through Friday until 4:00 p.m. The marriage and divorce records page covers eligibility and the steps.
What does a marriage license cost?
The license is $60, or $65 with the three-day waiting-period waiver. A first certified copy is $7.75, with additional copies in the same order at $4.00 each. The office accepts cash, card with a fee, or a cashier's check. The County Clerk page lists the full fees.
How do I get a copy of a marriage record?
Use the county's Digital Research Room MarriageSearch tool, mail a certified-copy request form, or order in person. Records from 1990 to the present are digital, while 1980 through 1989 are index only. The marriage and divorce records page explains how to order.
Where are divorce records?
A divorce decree is a court record held by the Circuit Court, while a divorce certificate is a state vital record with a 50-year access restriction. They are not the same document. For the decree, you order from court records. The marriage and divorce records page covers both.
Probate and Public Records Questions
Where are probate records?
Probate is handled by the Probate Department of the Multnomah County Circuit Court. It covers estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts. You search probate cases through the same court portal as other cases. The probate records page explains the process, fees, and terms.
How do I request public county records?
Request the records from the public body that holds them, not from one central office. Describe the records clearly and expect reasonable copy fees. A local denial can be appealed to the District Attorney under ORS 192.407. The public records page walks through how to file a request.
How do I get a criminal background check?
A statewide criminal-history check is not a court case search. The county routes general criminal-history requests to the Oregon State Police, which keeps the statewide repository. A court case search is separate and runs through the court portal. The arrest records page explains the difference.
Where are federal cases?
Federal cases are in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and are searched through PACER and CM/ECF. Bankruptcy is in the Oregon Bankruptcy Court. None of these appear in the state court portal. The federal courts page covers the federal system.
Warrant and Case Questions
Is there an active warrant search?
No single official county active-warrant list was located. Warrants appear inside court case records and Sheriff's booking profiles after they are filed or served. Use the court portal and the jail tool, then confirm with the court. The warrant records page explains how to search and resolve a warrant.
What happens if I miss court?
Missing court can trigger a bench warrant, a license consequence, a default judgment, or another sanction, depending on the case. Contact the court or an attorney right away to ask the court to recall a warrant and set a new date. The warrant records page covers bench warrants.
Can I seal or expunge an Oregon record?
Oregon uses set-aside under ORS 137.225 for eligible arrests, charges, citations, and convictions. You file in the court where the case happened, with notice to the prosecutor, and a judge decides if the record qualifies. A granted set-aside seals the record. The arrest records page explains the process.
Are traffic records court records or DMV records?
Both may exist. The court traffic record shows the citation, charge, and case history. The state DMV driver record shows license status and reported convictions, and it is ordered separately from the DMV. The traffic court records page explains the difference.
Can court staff tell me what forms to use?
No. The Legal Resource Center can provide forms and procedural information, but staff cannot give legal advice or choose your forms. For advice, you need a lawyer. The legal help page lists referral services, legal aid, and self-help resources for the county.