Portland Family Court Records

Portland family court records are held at the Multnomah County Circuit Court in downtown Portland. The court keeps records for all family law cases filed by Portland residents. This includes dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and other family matters. Portland is the largest city in Oregon with about 650,000 people. You can search for family court records through the state online case system or by visiting the courthouse. The clerk files and stores all records from family cases in Portland.

Portland Family Court Location

Portland residents file family law cases at the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The courthouse sits in downtown Portland. All family court records for the city go through this court. It handles dissolution, custody, parenting time, child support, and restraining orders for Portland and the rest of Multnomah County.

The courthouse is near Pioneer Courthouse Square. Public transit stops close by. TriMet MAX and bus lines serve the area well. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. Paid parking is in nearby garages and at street meters. Plan extra time for your first trip to get family court records in Portland.

Search Portland Family Court Records Online

Oregon eCourt Case Information, known as OECI, lets you look up family court records for Portland from any device. The system covers all of Multnomah County. You search by party name or case number. Results show case type, filing date, current status, and the judge assigned. OECI does not show the full documents. For copies of actual court papers, you must contact the clerk or go to the courthouse. Start your search at courts.oregon.gov to find Portland family court records.

You can also visit the records office in person at the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Staff look up cases by name or case number. They can pull files and make copies right there. Certified copies cost $5 per document plus $0.25 per page. Plain copies are $0.25 per page. Call the records line at (503) 988-3957 before your visit to check what you need. Many Portland residents prefer to start with a free OECI search and then request copies from the clerk when they find the case they need.

To search family court records in Portland, you need at least one of these:

• Full name of a party in the case
• Case number in the format YY-F-#####
• Date range when the case was filed
• Name of the attorney on the case

Note: OECI does not include sealed records, adoption files, or juvenile cases filed in Portland.

Multnomah County Family Court Records

The Multnomah County Circuit Court website has resources for Portland residents who need family court records or want to file a new case.

The court site lists forms, filing guides, and contact details for the family law division. Portland residents can download forms and read about the steps to file before going to the courthouse. This saves time and helps you prepare the right paperwork for your family court case in Portland.

Filing Family Court Cases in Portland

Portland residents follow Oregon state law when filing family court cases. Since Portland is in Multnomah County, all filings go to the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Each filing creates records that become part of the case file. You can get copies of any filed document from the clerk.

The most common family court filings in Portland are dissolution of marriage, child custody petitions, and child support cases. To file for dissolution, at least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months under ORS 107.075. The filing fee is $287 for a new dissolution case. After you file, you must serve the other party with the papers. Proof of service goes into the court file. Oregon law requires a 90-day waiting period between filing and when the court can enter a judgment of dissolution.

The only ground for dissolution in Oregon is irreconcilable differences under ORS 107.025. The court handles property division, spousal support, and parenting plans all within the same case. Once the judge signs the general judgment, it becomes a public record under ORS 192.311 to 192.478. Portland family court records remain open to the public unless a party gets a court order to seal them.

Child custody and parenting time cases create their own set of family court records in Portland. These filings include parenting plans, modification petitions, and enforcement motions. The court keeps all of these documents in the case file at the Multnomah County courthouse.

Portland Family Court Fees

Fees for family court cases in Portland follow the statewide Oregon fee schedule. The cost to start a new dissolution case is $287. A response filing costs $256. Other motions have different fees. Call the clerk at (503) 988-3957 to confirm current rates before you file.

If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver or deferral. You fill out an application with the court. You must show that you cannot afford the fees. This can include proof of public assistance or income below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. The court reviews your request and decides if you qualify for a waiver on your Portland family court case.

Getting copies of existing family court records in Portland has its own costs. Plain copies run $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 per document plus the per-page fee. Exemplified copies for use outside Oregon cost $10 per document plus per-page charges.

Note: Payment is required before the court releases copies of family court records in Portland.

Legal Help for Family Cases in Portland

Several groups help Portland residents with family court matters. Legal Aid Services of Oregon serves Portland and all of Multnomah County. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call their helpline at (503) 224-4086 or visit lasoregon.org for more details about services in Portland.

The Oregon State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-452-7636 to get matched with a family law attorney near Portland. The initial consultation costs $35 for 30 minutes. The Bar also has a Modest Means Program with reduced hourly rates for people who earn too much for free legal aid but still need lower costs.

Portland residents who want to handle their own family court case can find forms and guides at the Oregon Judicial Department family law page. The Multnomah County courthouse has a Family Law Self-Help Center as well. Staff there help with form selection and filing steps but do not give legal advice.

Access to Family Court Records in Portland

Family court records in Portland are public records. Oregon law gives every person the right to inspect public records under ORS 192.314. You do not need to give a reason to request them. The court must respond to your records request within five business days.

Some family court records in Portland have restricted access. Adoption records are sealed by statute. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Financial information forms with Social Security numbers and account details are filed under seal. Parties can also ask the court to seal parts of a case file if they show a strong privacy interest. Most family court records in Portland remain open for public review.

For records older than 1990, the court may need extra time to retrieve files from storage. Historical family court records from before 1987 may require a request to the Oregon State Archives. Processing times vary based on the age of the records you need from Portland.

Note: The court cannot charge you for staff time spent deciding if a record is exempt from disclosure.

Multnomah County Family Court

Portland is in Multnomah County. All family law filings go through the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The county court handles cases for Portland and several other cities in the county. For a full list of fees, court resources, and more about family court records in Multnomah County, visit the county page.

View Multnomah County Family Court Records