Clackamas County Court Records

Clackamas County civil court records are held at the Circuit Court in Oregon City. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District and serves one of the largest counties in Oregon. You can search for civil case files in person at the courthouse or through online tools run by the state. The clerk staff at 807 Main Street can help you find records by name or case number. Clackamas County civil court records cover lawsuits, small claims, liens, and other civil matters filed in this court. Requests can be made by mail, phone, or at the Records Center on the first floor of the Public Service Center.

Clackamas County Circuit Court

The Clackamas County Circuit Court handles all civil cases filed in the county. This court is part of the 5th Judicial District. It sits at 807 Main Street in Oregon City. The court hears civil disputes, contract cases, property matters, and small claims. Staff are on hand Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to help with civil court records requests.

You can reach the Clackamas County Circuit Court by phone at 503-655-8447. The court also has space at 1000 Courthouse Road in Oregon City. Public Wi-Fi is on hand at the courthouse for those who need to look up case details while they visit. Under ORS 7.110, the circuit court clerk has custody of all court records and files. This means the clerk keeps every civil case document safe and makes them open for public review. If you plan to visit, arrive early to allow time for any security screening at the building entrance. The court also offers jury services through an eResponse system for those who get a summons.

The Clackamas County Circuit Court website has updates on courthouse construction and other changes that may affect your visit.

Clackamas County Clerk and Records

County Clerk Catherine McMullen runs the clerk office in Clackamas County. The clerk office sits at 1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 100, in Oregon City. This office handles property recordings, elections, and other public records. For civil court records, you work with the circuit court clerk rather than the county clerk. Still, the county clerk can help with deeds, liens, and other recorded documents that may tie to a civil case in Clackamas County.

The Clackamas County clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. You can call the recording division at 503-655-8551. The recording office is in Suite 110 at the same address. Records management sits in Suite 120 at 1810 Red Soils Court. These offices serve as a key resource for anyone who needs to find property records that connect to a civil court case in Clackamas County.

You can view the Clackamas County Clerk page for more details on recording services and contact information.

Under ORS 192.311, public records include any writing that contains information about the conduct of the public's business. This covers civil court records in Clackamas County. The county clerk and the circuit court clerk both hold records that fall under this law.

Note: The county clerk office and the circuit court clerk are two different offices in Clackamas County, so check which one has the records you need.

Search Clackamas County Civil Records

There are a few ways to search for civil court records in Clackamas County. You can look online, go in person, call by phone, or send a request by mail. The best choice depends on how much detail you need and how fast you want results.

The Oregon Judicial Department runs a free online search tool called OJD Records Search. It shows basic case data for courts across the state, including Clackamas County. You can search by party name or case number. For more detail, an OJCIN subscription gives full access to case files. The courthouse at 807 Main Street also has public terminals in Room 104 where you can search civil court records at no cost. These terminals show data for cases going back many years. You can start a search on the Clackamas County court records page for more options.

To search Clackamas County civil court records, you need basic details about the case:

• Full name of at least one party
• Case number if you have it
• Type of civil case you are looking for
• Year the case was filed or a date range

You can also mail your request to the Clackamas County Circuit Court at 1000 Courthouse Road, Room 1060, Oregon City, OR 97045. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies sent back to you. Staff may charge for time spent finding and reviewing records, so keep your request as clear as you can. Under ORS 192.324, any person has the right to get copies of public records, and the agency must respond within a set time frame.

Note: Older civil court records in Clackamas County may need to be pulled from archives, which can take extra time.

Clackamas County Court Record Fees

The Clackamas County Circuit Court charges fees for copies of civil court records. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page charge. Exemplified copies, which carry a higher level of court seal, cost $10.00 plus the copy charge. These fees follow the state schedule and may change over time.

You can pay with a credit or debit card, personal check, cashier's check, or money order. The court does not take two-party checks or cash by mail. Phone payments by credit card are also an option if you cannot visit in person. For large requests, the court may charge for staff time spent on finding and reviewing civil court records. The Records Center in Clackamas County can let you know the total cost before they fill your request.

If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver under ORS 21.245. The court has forms for this. You fill out a short application, and the court decides if you qualify. This can help if the cost of copies is a barrier to getting the civil court records you need in Clackamas County.

Clackamas Civil Court Case Types

The Clackamas County Circuit Court handles a wide range of civil cases. These fall into groups based on the type of dispute and the amount of money at stake. Each type of civil case creates its own set of records that become part of the public file in Clackamas County.

General civil cases include contract disputes, property claims, personal injury suits, and debt collection. Small claims cases in Clackamas County cover disputes up to $10,000. These cases use a simpler process and shorter forms. Family law cases, which include custody, support, and dissolution matters, also create civil court records. Probate cases deal with estates and guardianships. All of these case types are stored at the Clackamas County Circuit Court and can be searched through the methods listed above.

The court records page on the Oregon Judicial Department site lists options for getting records from the Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Under ORS 192.314, every person has the right to inspect any non-exempt public record. Civil court records in Clackamas County are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Most civil case files are open for anyone to view or copy.

Clackamas County Court Programs

Clackamas County runs several treatment courts through the Circuit Court. These programs aim to help people who face substance abuse or mental health issues. Treatment courts create their own records, though access may be limited due to the nature of the programs.

The treatment courts in Clackamas County include Adult Drug Court, Family Treatment Court, Juvenile Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Drunken Driving Court, and Domestic Violence Diversion. Heather Jefferis serves as the treatment court coordinator and works with all seven problem-solving courts in the county. Evaluation services are offered through Clarke Assessment and Resource Agency (CARA) at 503-974-9683. Pioneer Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (PADES) can be reached at 503-722-5250. While these programs have their own processes, any orders or judgments that come from them are part of the court record in Clackamas County.

Under ORS 7.020, the clerk must keep a register of all actions and proceedings in the court. This includes entries from treatment court programs. Some treatment court records may be restricted, so ask the clerk about what is available for public review in Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Public Records Access

The Clackamas County website offers a gateway to many public services and records. You can find contact information for county departments, access property records, and learn about local government services. The site also links to the sheriff's office, community corrections, and other agencies that may hold records tied to civil court cases in Clackamas County.

Visit the Clackamas County website for a full list of county departments and their contact information.

The county also has a law library with access to OJIN and OECI systems. These tools let you look up civil court records from any county in Oregon, including Clackamas County. Parole and probation services sit at 1024 Main Street in Oregon City, and the community corrections office can be reached at 503-655-8603. While these offices deal mostly with criminal matters, some records may overlap with civil cases such as restitution orders or civil judgments that stem from criminal proceedings in Clackamas County.

Note: For the most current hours and services, check the Clackamas County website before your visit.

Oregon Public Records Law

Civil court records in Clackamas County fall under the Oregon Public Records Law. This law, found at ORS 192.311 through 192.478, gives every person the right to access public records held by state and local agencies. The law covers court records, county records, and most other government documents.

When you ask for civil court records in Clackamas County, the court must respond in a fair amount of time. Under ORS 192.324, the agency must tell you if it will fill your request and give you an estimate of the time and cost. If a record is exempt from disclosure, the court must cite the specific law that allows them to withhold it. You can appeal a denial to the Clackamas County District Attorney or the Oregon Attorney General. Most civil court records are public, so denials are rare for standard case files.

Nearby Counties

Clackamas County borders Multnomah County, Washington County, Marion County, and several other counties in Oregon. If you are not sure which county holds the civil court records you need, check the address where the case was filed. Civil cases must be filed in the county with proper jurisdiction over the matter.