Multnomah County court records in Oregon are available through several channels. MultnomahCourt.us allows you to find publicly accessible information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online tools of the Oregon Judicial Department, directly at the court clerk's office on the third floor of the Multnomah County Courthouse building, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse.
Multnomah Court System & Jurisdictions
In Oregon, there are no separate district courts of general jurisdiction and justice courts as exist in some other states. The only court of first instance with general jurisdiction is the Circuit Court. Multnomah County Circuit Court belongs to the Fourth Judicial District and is the largest district court in the state.
The Circuit Court handles virtually all categories of cases:
- Criminal cases — from felonies to misdemeanors and violations, including DUI cases.
- Civil cases — contract disputes, tort claims, debt collection.
- Small Claims — claims up to $10,000, simplified procedure without mandatory attorney representation.
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders.
- Probate cases — estate management procedures, appointment of guardians and conservators.
- Traffic violations — fines for traffic rule violations, DMV decision appeals.
- Juvenile cases — juvenile offenses, dependency cases.
Federal cases — bankruptcy, federal law violations — are handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, also located in Portland. If you are unsure which court to file a request with, contact the Circuit Court clerk's office.
Multnomah Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The Oregon Judicial Department provides free access to court calendars for all district courts in the state. To view the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the OJD Records and Calendar Search page.
How to find the hearing schedule:
- Go to the OJD Records and Calendar Search page.
- Select "Multnomah" from the list of counties.
- Enter the date or date range, party name, or case number.
- The system will show scheduled hearings with room, time, and judge's name.
More detailed information about a specific case — register of actions, decisions, filed documents — can be obtained through Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI). Basic search in OECI is free; viewing documents may require registration and payment. For media representatives, a Press Kiosk with access to OJCIN OnLine operates in the Multnomah County Circuit Court building.
How to Get a Copy of a Multnomah Court Document
The Court Records office (Court Records office) is located on the 3rd floor of the courthouse. Here you can order both regular and certified copies of documents.
A certified copy contains the official court seal and clerk's signature — it is usually required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for notarial procedures. A regular copy is suitable for personal reference or personal archive.
Ways to obtain copies:
- In person — visit the Court Records office. Be prepared to provide the case number or full party name and approximate filing date.
- Online — through the OECI system, you can view and print some documents. Certified copies are not issued online.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case number, the name of the required document, the number of copies, and a return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Mailing address of the office:
Some records have restricted access — cases involving minors, sealed cases, certain family cases. The clerk will inform you if the requested document is not available for public viewing.
Multnomah Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copying and certifying court documents are set in accordance with ORS 21.200–21.225 and administrative orders of the Oregon Judicial Department. Below are the main rates applicable to Oregon district courts, including the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Court database search on request | Free through OECI (basic search); extended access through OJCIN — by subscription |
| Access to OJCIN OnLine (subscription) | Depends on account type; details on the OJCIN page |
| Apostille or additional certification | Set separately by the Secretary of State |
Payment is accepted in person at the office — cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. When sending a request by mail, include a check or money order payable to "State of Oregon, Judicial Department." Specific amounts may change; before sending a request, verify the current fee amounts by calling 503-988-3022 or on the official Court Records page.
For police reports, arrest records, or jail records, contact the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office — these documents are stored separately from court records and have their own request procedure and fees.