Vale Court Records in Malheur County

Malheur County civil court records are kept at the Circuit Court in Vale, the county seat. This court is part of the 9th Judicial District. Malheur County stands out as the only county in Oregon on Mountain Time. It is also the second largest county in the state by land area. The Circuit Court handles all civil case filings for this vast region. You can search civil court records in person at the Vale courthouse, by phone, or through online tools from the Oregon Judicial Department. Staff can help you find both old and new case files in Malheur County.

Malheur County Circuit Court

The Malheur County Circuit Court sits in Vale at 251 B Street West. Judges Lung S. Hung and Erin K. Landis hear all civil cases filed in this county. Judge Hung serves as the Presiding Judge. The court handles lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and other civil matters for all of Malheur County.

Malheur County is the only Oregon county in the Mountain Time Zone. This means court hours follow Mountain Time, not Pacific Time like the rest of the state. Keep this in mind when calling the court or planning a visit. Civil court records in Malheur County date back to the county's formation in 1887. The clerk's office stores these files and makes them available to the public under Oregon law.

The Malheur County Circuit Court website lists hours, forms, and contact details for civil cases.

This page shows how to reach the court, file civil cases, and find forms used in Malheur County.

Malheur County Courthouse History

Malheur County has had three courthouses over the years, each one reflecting the growth of this rural Oregon county. The first courthouse was built in 1887, the same year the county was formed. It cost just $1,400 to build. That modest structure served the county for about fifteen years before a larger building was needed.

A second courthouse went up in 1902. Workers used sandstone to build it, and the total cost reached $10,000. That building served Malheur County for over fifty years. As the county grew, it became clear that a larger and more modern facility was needed for the courts and civil records.

The current courthouse dates to 1958. Built from red brick, it still serves Malheur County today. All civil court records are housed in this building at 251 B Street West in Vale. The structure holds the Circuit Court, the County Clerk's office, and other county departments. Under ORS 7.110, the clerk or court administrator has custody of all records and files within this courthouse.

Search Malheur County Civil Court Records

You have several ways to search for civil court records in Malheur County. Online tools let you start from anywhere. In-person visits give you the most thorough access. Each method works best for different needs.

The free online records search from the Oregon Judicial Department covers civil cases in Malheur County. Go to the OJD records search page to look up basic case data by name or case number. This tool shows civil, small claims, and other case types. Sealed records such as adoption, juvenile, and mental health cases are not shown. Those are restricted by state and federal law.

For deeper access, the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network offers a paid subscription. OJCIN provides the official Register of Actions and judgment dockets for Malheur County civil court records. Under ORS 7.020, the register is the official log where the clerk enters every case filed in court.

You can also search in person at the Vale courthouse. Kiosk computers in the lobby let you look up newer civil court records at no charge. Older case files must be pulled by staff. Call ahead to confirm that files are ready. Remember that Malheur County runs on Mountain Time, so plan your visit or call based on that zone.

Copies of Malheur County Court Records

Getting copies of civil court records in Malheur County starts with a request to the Circuit Court clerk. Under ORS 192.324, any person may submit a written request to inspect or copy public records. The court must respond within five business days.

The Malheur County court records page explains request steps and fees.

This page covers what types of civil records are open to the public in Malheur County.

Name searches cost $3.75 per name and must be submitted in writing. You can email the County Clerk at countyclerk@malheurco.org or call (541) 473-5151 first if you plan to send email attachments. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee per document. All payments must be made in full before copies are released.

Malheur County civil court records that are not sealed or made confidential are open to public view. Under ORS 192.314, every person in Oregon has the right to inspect public records unless a specific legal exemption applies. Adoption and juvenile records are always confidential in Malheur County.

Malheur County Clerk Office

County Clerk Gayle V. Trotter oversees a separate set of records from those held by the Circuit Court. The Clerk's office handles real estate documents, marriage licenses, elections, and probate files in Malheur County. Civil court records like lawsuits and judgments are kept at the Circuit Court, not the Clerk's office. The distinction matters because these two offices serve different roles under Oregon law.

The Malheur County website gives access to county departments and services.

Links to the Clerk's office, the District Attorney, and other departments are on this site.

The County Clerk's office is at 251 B Street West, Suite 4, in Vale. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. Recording hours end at 4:30 PM Mountain Time. You can reach the office by phone at (541) 473-5151 or by fax at (541) 473-5523. Appointments are required for marriage licenses, domestic partnerships, and passport applications.

Historical Records in Malheur County

Malheur County was formed on February 17, 1887. Court records date back to that year. Land records also begin in 1887. Marriage records span from 1880 to 1986 and are held at the Oregon State Archives in Salem. Probate records go back to 1886, and naturalization records cover 1861 through 1908.

As the second largest county in Oregon, Malheur County covers a vast area of eastern Oregon. Much of the region is agricultural. The county grows more onions, sugar beets, and alfalfa hay than any other county in the state. This farming heritage shows up in many of the older civil court records, which often involve land disputes, water rights, and property claims tied to agriculture in Malheur County.

Malheur County has a unique governing structure. A County Judge chairs a three-person County Commission and can preside over probate matters. This structure differs from most Oregon counties. Civil court records tied to probate in Malheur County may involve both the County Judge and the Circuit Court, depending on the case type and era.

Public Access to Malheur County Civil Records

Oregon's public records law gives broad access to civil court records in Malheur County. Under ORS 192.311, court records are classified as public records. This means anyone can ask to see or copy civil case files. You do not need to be a party in the case.

The Malheur County Justice Court also handles some civil matters. That court sits at 1178 SW 4th Street, Suite 1, in Ontario. Small claims cases filed in the Justice Court create their own set of civil records. For questions about those files, email JusticeCourt@malheurco.org or call the court. If a case was appealed, the civil court records may also appear in the Circuit Court system in Malheur County.

Online payments for certain court matters are available through the Malheur County portal or by calling 1-877-495-2729. Not all civil court records require a payment to view. Public kiosk computers at the courthouse in Vale offer free access to newer case details. For older civil court records in Malheur County, staff will pull the files on request.

Nearby Counties

Malheur County borders Harney County to the west and Baker County to the north. It also shares a border with Idaho to the east. 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.