Umatilla County Civil Case Records

Umatilla County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court in Pendleton. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District, which it shares with Morrow County. Umatilla County also has a Hermiston office for certain services. You can search for civil court records in person at the Pendleton courthouse or through online tools from the Oregon Judicial Department. The County Clerk at 216 SE Court Ave handles property recordings and vital records. In-person court appearances are required unless a judge specifically allows remote attendance in Umatilla County.

Umatilla County Circuit Court

The Umatilla County Circuit Court is part of the 6th Judicial District. This district also serves Morrow County. Civil court records in Umatilla County include lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and other non-criminal matters. The main courthouse is in Pendleton, and a second office operates in Hermiston.

All court appearances in Umatilla County must be in person. Remote appearances are only allowed when a hearing notice schedules them or a judge grants permission. This rule applies to all civil cases. If you have a hearing, plan to be at the courthouse unless told otherwise.

Under ORS 7.110, the clerk or court administrator has formal custody of all court records and files in Umatilla County. The court serves the entire county from its Pendleton and Hermiston locations. All civil court records for cases filed in Umatilla County are stored here.

Umatilla County Document Drop Boxes

Umatilla County provides drop boxes at two locations for filing documents and payments. You must submit items in the county where your case is filed. Each drop box has its own hours and rules.

The Pendleton drop box sits outside Room 230 on the second floor of the courthouse. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on business days. The Hermiston drop box is on the north wall outside the main entrance. It is open at any time, day or night. Documents left in either box are checked by staff on a regular basis.

Drop boxes are a good option when you need to file civil court records or payments in Umatilla County but cannot wait in line. Make sure all forms are filled out and signed before you drop them off. Include a cover sheet with your case number when possible. Staff will process items in the order they are received at the Umatilla County courthouse.

Search Umatilla County Civil Records

You have several ways to search for civil court records in Umatilla County. Each option gives a different level of detail about cases on file.

The free online records search from the Oregon Judicial Department is the fastest starting point. Go to the OJD records search page to look up basic case data for Umatilla County. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. This tool covers civil, small claims, domestic, and criminal cases. It does not show adoption, juvenile, mental health, or VAWA cases.

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network offers a paid subscription service. OJCIN provides the official Register of Actions and judgment dockets for Umatilla County civil court records. Setup costs $160. Monthly fees range from $27 to $1,620 based on access level. As defined under ORS 7.020, the register is where the clerk records every action and suit filed in court.

You can also visit the courthouse in Pendleton or the office in Hermiston. A public kiosk lets you look up recent civil court records at no cost. Staff can pull older files. Bring a case number or party name to speed your search at the Umatilla County courthouse.

Umatilla County Court Record Copies

You can get copies of Umatilla 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. The court must respond within five business days.

Umatilla County follows the standard Oregon fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies add $5.00 per document on top of copy fees. If costs may go over $25, the court will provide a written estimate first. You must pay before copies are made.

To request copies by mail, write to Umatilla County Circuit Court at 216 SE Court Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801. Include the case number, party names, and which documents you need. Note whether you want certified copies. Under ORS 192.314, every person has the right to inspect public records in Umatilla County unless a specific exemption applies.

Umatilla County Clerk Office

The Umatilla County Clerk handles a different set of records from the Circuit Court. The Clerk manages real property recordings, elections, marriages, and other vital records. Civil court records such as lawsuits and judgments go through the Circuit Court, not the County Clerk.

The Umatilla County website offers details on county services and office locations.

You can find links to recording services, elections, and other Umatilla County departments on this site.

The Clerk has two locations. The main office is at 216 SE Court Ave in Pendleton. A second office sits at 915 SE Columbia Dr in Hermiston. Both offices can help with property records, marriage records, and other Clerk services. Phone the Pendleton office at (541) 278-6236 with questions. For all civil court case files in Umatilla County, contact the Circuit Court directly.

Access Rights for Umatilla Records

Oregon law gives strong rights to anyone who wants to view civil court records. Under ORS 192.311, court records are defined as public records. Civil case files in Umatilla County are open to the public. You do not need to be a party in the case to view them.

Some records are sealed. Adoption cases are not open. Juvenile matters are not open. Mental health records and cases under the Violence Against Women Act are sealed as well. Outside of these groups, civil court records in Umatilla County are available for review. Court staff cannot give legal advice on the records, but they can help you find what you need and make copies.

If your request is denied, you may appeal. For local records in Umatilla County, the appeal goes to the District Attorney. The Attorney General handles appeals of state agency denials. These steps are set out in Oregon's public records laws.

Historical Court Files in Umatilla County

Umatilla County has roots in eastern Oregon's agricultural and ranching past. Early civil court records cover land claims, water rights, and property disputes from the region's settlement era. The county's history as a center for farming and trade produced many civil records over the years.

The Oregon State Archives in Salem holds historical records from Umatilla County. These may include early court proceedings, land records, and vital records. Call 503-373-0701 to arrange a visit. Reference staff can assist with research into older civil court records from Umatilla County.

For more recent civil court records, use the Circuit Court office in Pendleton or Hermiston. The free online records search and OJCIN tools cover cases from recent decades. Older paper files are stored at the courthouse and can be pulled by staff when you ask.

Civil Court Forms for Umatilla County

The Oregon Judicial Department provides court forms for civil cases filed in Umatilla County. Forms are available online in PDF format. If a local version of a form exists for Umatilla County, use that one rather than the statewide form.

You can file forms in person at the Pendleton or Hermiston office, or use the drop boxes. Interactive forms called iForms let you fill in details on screen before printing. Court staff can answer questions about which forms to use, but they cannot give legal advice. Fee waiver forms are available for people who cannot afford filing costs in Umatilla County.

• Civil complaint forms for lawsuits
• Small claims filings for minor disputes
• Fee waiver and deferral forms
• Subpoena and summons forms
• Judgment forms for civil cases

Visit the OJD Forms Center to download forms accepted in all 36 Oregon circuit courts, including Umatilla County.

Nearby Counties

Umatilla County borders Morrow County, Union County, Wallowa County, and Grant County. The 6th Judicial District is shared with Morrow County. 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 you to file in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction.