Find Wasco County Court Records
Wasco County family court records are maintained at the Circuit Court in The Dalles, Oregon. The county sits along the Columbia River Gorge and serves about 27,000 residents. You can search for family law cases online through the state database or visit the courthouse on Washington Street. Court staff process requests for dissolution records, custody filings, and support orders. Wasco County is part of the Ninth Judicial District alongside Hood River County. The free state search tool lets you look up case information at no charge from any computer.
Wasco County Quick Facts
Wasco County Family Court Overview
The Wasco County Circuit Court operates under the Ninth Judicial District, which it shares with Hood River County. The courthouse is at 511 Washington Street, Room 304, in The Dalles. This location along the Columbia River Gorge handles all family law cases for Wasco County residents. Case types include dissolution of marriage, custody and parenting time disputes, child support, and restraining orders.
Family court records in Wasco County are public under ORS 192.314. Every person has the right to inspect public records held by Oregon courts. Sealed records are the exception. Adoption files, juvenile cases, and mental health filings remain confidential by law. Most family court records are open to view. You do not need to be a party to the case to request access.
The Wasco County Circuit Court website shows the court portal displayed below for services and case access.
This page links to forms, hearing calendars, and records request tools for the Wasco County court system in The Dalles.
| Court |
Wasco County Circuit Court 511 Washington Street, Room 304 The Dalles, OR 97058 Phone: (541) 506-2700 |
|---|---|
| District | Ninth Judicial District (with Hood River) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Search Wasco County Family Court Records Online
The free OECI database is the primary tool for searching Wasco County court records online. Enter a party name or case number to get results. The system shows case type, status, filing date, and hearing dates. It does not display full documents. You get docket entries that show what was filed and when it was filed.
Use "Last, First, Middle" format when you search by name. Wasco County family law case numbers follow the format XX-F-##### where XX is the two-digit year. The OECI system covers all 36 Oregon counties and updates every two to four hours. Select Wasco County in the search filters to narrow your results.
You can also visit the courthouse in The Dalles for in-person searches. Bring a case number or full party name. Court staff can help you locate family court records on site.
Note: Sealed, expunged, and confidential records from Wasco County do not appear in the OECI database.
Filing Fees for Wasco County Court
Wasco County uses the statewide fee schedule for family court cases. A dissolution petition costs $301 with or without children. Custody and parenting time cases for unmarried parents cost $252. Modifications are $89. FAPA restraining orders have no filing fee.
Copy fees for Wasco County family court records follow these rates:
- Standard copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5 per document plus $0.25 per page
- Exemplified copies: $10 per document plus $0.25 per page
- Research fee (when case number unknown): $10 to $30 per hour
Payment is by cash, check, or money order payable to "State of Oregon." Low-income filers can apply for a fee waiver using Form UTCR 4.090. You must provide financial documents with the application. The court administrator reviews these requests based on state income guidelines.
Requesting Records from Wasco County
Request family court records from Wasco County in person at the courthouse in The Dalles or by mail. Visit 511 Washington Street, Room 304, for same-day help on current cases. Mail requests should include the case name, case number, and the specific documents you want. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.
Processing times depend on the age of the case. Current files from 2020 onward take two to five business days. Cases from 2010 to 2019 take three to seven days. Older records may take up to two weeks. Historical files from before 1990 may need to be pulled from the Oregon State Archives in Salem, which adds more time to the process.
Under ORS 192.324, the court must respond within five business days. Fees cannot exceed the actual cost to produce records. The court may waive fees for public interest requests or financial hardship.
Family Law Cases in Wasco County
The Wasco County Circuit Court handles all types of family law cases. Dissolution of marriage is the most common filing. Under ORS 107.025, irreconcilable differences is the sole ground for dissolution in Oregon. One spouse must have lived in the state for six months before filing.
Custody and parenting time cases are filed when unmarried parents need a court order in Wasco County. Child support cases set or adjust payment amounts. Modifications change existing orders when circumstances shift. Contempt actions enforce orders that a party has violated. Each case type produces family court records that are searchable and available to the public.
Parents with minor children must complete a parenting class within 45 days of filing. Online options are available. The class costs between $30 and $50. You must file the completion certificate with the court before a judge will finalize any case that involves children in Wasco County.
Wasco County Legal Resources
The Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can match you with a family law attorney serving Wasco County and The Dalles area. A 30-minute consultation costs $35. The Modest Means Program provides reduced rates of $60 to $100 per hour for people who qualify by income.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon offers free legal help to those who meet income guidelines. Priority is given to domestic violence survivors and families with children. The OJD family law page has forms and instructions for self-represented parties filing in Wasco County court.
The OJCIN subscription service gives deeper access to Wasco County family court records. Setup costs $150 and monthly fees start at $27. Subscribers can view document images and full case registers going back to the early 2000s.
Note: Court interpreters are available at no cost for Wasco County hearings if requested at least five days before the hearing date.
Nearby Counties
Wasco County is in the Columbia River Gorge area. Family court cases must be filed in the county where you reside. Check your address to confirm the correct filing location.