About Oregon Public Records

About Oregon public records

Use the following links in finding state of Oregon documents, files, criminal history checks and reports. Lookup documents from the state's courts. Request a marriage license, divorce or dissolution decree, order an death certificate or birth certificate. Review files professional licenses, certificates and credentials. View various assets, real estate, titles, liens, and deeds. Request various documents from the state of Oregon's agencies and obtain official records.

State background and court information

Oregon became the 33rd U.S. state in 1859. It is the 9th largest state in the U.S. by size, however it is only the 28th most populated in the country. The size of the state is 98,381 square miles and holds an estimated population of almost 4 million residents. Previously, Oregon's economy benefited from its natural resources such as timber, agriculture and fishing, however, the state strived to make a transition to more manufacturing such as computers and electronics.

Oregon state government is divided in 3 branches . The Oregon legislative branch comprises of the state's senate and house of representatives. Elected officials and offices make up the executive branch and the judicial branch being the supreme court, court of appeals, tax court and circuit courts for each county.

There are 36 counties in Oregon with 476 cities. The state gave counties the power to enact local laws regarding county matters and are also the largest governing entity by size within the state. Services from a county include law enforcement, fire and rescue, tax collections, libraries, prosecutors, treasurer and circuit courts as well as other county offices and functions. Cities are governed by the mayor, city manager and council members, finance, municipal courts, public works and other local needs.

One of Oregon's government duties, local or statewide, is to be and stay transparent to its residents. The Oregon public record law enacted in 1973 gives any member of the public the right to access records from government agencies. Oregon's freedom of information act does not solely provide information regarding the government and its functions, but also provides that all government agencies which hold records are to make their files and records open to the general public. This includes information such as births, deaths and marriages from the Oregon health authority. Any individual can order an Oregon criminal history record checks from the state police and conduct a background check on a resident in that state.

Instant databases add great valuable information to any search or investigation. State and local law enforcement agencies across Oregon offer instant searches to improve public safety. Free search of registered offenders can be searched locally with a county sheriff offices or statewide with the Oregon State Police registry. Lookup the most wanted persons or an inmate held in Oregon prisons instantly from your computer with online access. Government instant databases cover non criminal information through its various agencies. Verification of licensed professionals is accesses with a free and instant databank for anyone to use from the Oregon Secretary of State.

The Oregon municipal court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor, traffic, jury trials for certain cases.

Justice courts hear small claims of up to $2,500, misdemeanors, moving traffic, parking, miscellaneous traffic violations and handles preliminary hearings.

County court has jurisdiction over mental health, estate, adoption, and juvenile cases.

Circuit courts have exclusive tort, contract, real property rights from $751 and up, small claims up to $5,000, adoption, estate, civil appeals, mental health cases, general civil matters and domestic family relations, except adoption. Criminal circuit court has exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, traffic, and juvenile proceedings with jury trials for most case types.

Tax courts hear appeals of administrative agency cases, no jury trials. The Oregon court of appeals maintains mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases, and no discretionary jurisdiction.

The state's supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, administrative agency, disciplinary, and original proceeding cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, answering certified questions from federal courts and original proceeding cases.

Vital records

Statewide Oregon vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Oregon and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Oregon to conduct research online. Center for health statistics, ordering records, download order forms, state archives, divorce decrees, brochures, records for US citizens born or died abroad, history of law change.

Property and asset records

Search for assets in Oregon and obtain records of property, business ownership, professional license verification and other personal or corporate assets. Find bankruptcies, liens, UCC judgment filings and find out about information that can effect a person's or company's asset. See the status of a business and verify ownership, DBA, status, activity and whether the corporation or business filed in Oklahoma owns property, vehicles, real estate and more. Unclaimed property and Oregon search from official government databases open to the public.

Government records and agencies

Access Oregon government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Free and easy to use direct official Oregon government links to driver license and registration sources. Register your vehicle, get your tags, obtain the history of a vehicle. Online forms and processing from your computer anywhere. You can also see the status of your applications at anytime online without having to call the clerk. Locations, hours and office information are also available online.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Oregon. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Oregon criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Oregon genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Search Oregon State Archives for many genealogical records.

Missing children resources

The Oregon State Police acts as the missing children clearinghouse and has a wealth of information on abduction and educational materials regarding child safety. You can search their database for missing children in Oregon. Statistics show that time is our greatest adversary when a child has been abducted. The Oregon Child Amber Alert website utilizes the resources of law enforcement and media to notify the public immediately when children are kidnapped. The mission of the Oregon Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is to protect Oregon's children through community education and the identification, apprehension and prosecution of those who commit Internet crimes against children. Parents can find internet rules to teach their children how to surf the web safely and red flags to alert them if their child is using the internet unwisely. Find a quick reference guide with steps to take immediately if you believe a child has gone missing. Family members can download information for those who have experienced a family abduction, learn about the laws that will help them, prevention methods, and suggestions for aftercare following the abduction.