Klamath Falls Court Records

Klamath County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court in Klamath Falls. The county was formed on October 17, 1882, and has kept court records since 1883. The current courthouse at 316 Main Street was completed in 1998. It replaced the old courthouse that was damaged beyond repair in the 1993 Klamath Falls earthquake. The clerk's office at the courthouse handles all civil case filings. You can search for civil court records in person, by mail, or through the state's online search tools. Klamath County sits in south-central Oregon near the California border.

Klamath County Circuit Court

The Klamath County Circuit Court hears all civil cases for the county. This includes lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, probate matters, and small claims. Civil court records from each case type are stored by the clerk at the courthouse in Klamath Falls. John Powell serves as the Trial Court Administrator, and Fawna Anderson is the ADA Coordinator.

The courthouse at 316 Main Street was built in 1998 after the September 1993 earthquake struck Klamath Falls. That quake damaged the old courthouse so badly it had to be torn down. The new building has modern security screening at the entrance. All visitors must pass through this station. Under ORS 7.110, the clerk or court administrator has formal custody of all court records and files in Klamath County.

The Klamath County Circuit Court website lists hours, contact details, and civil case resources.

This page shows court hours, phone numbers, and links to forms for civil cases in Klamath County.

Search Klamath County Civil Records

There are several ways to search for civil court records in Klamath County. Your choice depends on the level of detail you need. Each option gives you different access to cases filed at the court in Klamath Falls.

Start with the free online records search from the Oregon Judicial Department. Go to the OJD records search page to look up basic case data for Klamath County. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. The tool covers civil, small claims, family, and criminal cases. Adoption, juvenile, and mental health cases are sealed and will not show up. Those are restricted by state and federal law.

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network offers deeper access. OJCIN is a paid service with the official Register of Actions and judgment dockets for Klamath County civil court records. Under ORS 7.020, the register is the official log where the clerk enters every action and suit filed in court. Setup is $160, and monthly fees start at $27. The service runs around the clock.

You can also go to the courthouse at 316 Main Street in Klamath Falls. A public access terminal lets you search civil court records at no cost. For older paper files, ask the clerk to pull them. Keep in mind the clerk's office closes from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. Plan your visit for the morning or afternoon hours.

Note: Friday hours start at 9:00 AM, one hour later than the rest of the week, so adjust your plans if you visit on a Friday in Klamath County.

Klamath County Court Record Copies

You can get copies of Klamath County civil court records at the courthouse, by mail, or through a written request. Under ORS 192.324, any person may submit a written request to inspect or copy public records held by the court. The custodian must respond within five business days of getting your request.

Klamath County follows the standard OJD fee schedule for copies. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies add $5.00 per document on top of the page fee. Payment is required before copies are produced. To request copies by mail, write to Klamath County Circuit Court, 316 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Include the case number, party names, and the documents you want. Say whether you need certified or plain copies.

In-person requests are handled at the clerk's window during business hours. Staff can search by name or case number. Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk's signature. Many legal matters require certified copies of civil court records from Klamath County. Plain copies work for personal review and general research.

Klamath County Clerk Office

The Klamath County Clerk handles records that differ from the Circuit Court's civil case files. The clerk's office oversees real property recording, elections, marriage licenses, and passport services. Civil court records like lawsuits and judgments are kept by the Circuit Court, not the County Clerk.

The Klamath County website provides access to county departments and services.

You can find links to the clerk, the sheriff, and other county departments on this site.

The County Clerk is at 305 Main Street in Klamath Falls. Call 541-883-5134 for questions about property records, marriages, or elections. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. For all civil court case files, contact the Circuit Court at 541-883-5503. The two offices serve different roles under Oregon law.

Public Access to Klamath County Records

Oregon law gives everyone the right to view civil court records. Under ORS 192.311, court records are public records. Civil case files in Klamath County are open to anyone. You do not need to be part of the case to view them. Anyone can ask to see or copy civil court records at the courthouse in Klamath Falls.

Certain records are closed to the public. Adoption cases are sealed. Juvenile cases are sealed. Mental health records and cases under the Violence Against Women Act are also restricted. Apart from those, civil court records in Klamath County are open for review. Staff can help you find files and make copies. They cannot provide legal advice about what the records mean.

Historical Court Records in Klamath County

Klamath County has a deep archive of historical records. Court records go back to 1883, one year after the county was formed. Marriage records run from 1882 to 1990. Divorce records span 1883 to 1988. Probate records cover about 1882 to 1987. Naturalization records date from 1889 to 1981. Land records start from around 1870, before the county was even created.

The Oregon State Archives in Salem holds many of these historical files. You can visit by appointment or call 503-373-0701. Reference staff can help with research on older civil court records from Klamath County. Some records have been put on microfilm. Others are in digital form through the FamilySearch website.

The 1993 earthquake posed a risk to records stored in the old courthouse. However, the county preserved its historical documents during the transition to the new building. For recent civil court records in Klamath County, use the clerk's office in Klamath Falls or the online search tools. Older paper files stored at the courthouse can be pulled by staff on request.

Civil Court Forms for Klamath County

The Oregon Judicial Department provides court forms for civil cases filed in Klamath County. Forms are available online in PDF format. Klamath County has its own Supplementary Local Rules that apply on top of statewide rules. Use the local version of a form when one exists.

You can file forms in person at the Klamath Falls courthouse. Interactive forms let you enter your data on screen before printing. Court staff can tell you which form to use. They cannot give legal advice on how to complete it. Fee waiver forms are available for people who cannot afford filing costs. Klamath County follows the same fee schedule as other Oregon circuit courts.

• Civil complaint forms for lawsuits
• Small claims filings for lower-value disputes
• Fee waiver and deferral request forms
• Judgment forms for civil cases
• Protection order forms

Nearby Counties

Klamath County borders Lake County, Jackson County, Douglas County, Deschutes County, and the California state line. If you are not sure which county holds the civil court records you need, check the address where the case was filed. Oregon law requires cases to be filed in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction over the matter.