Hood River County

Hood River County is located in north-central Oregon along the Columbia River Gorge, one of the most scenic regions in the Pacific Northwest. Hood River County Seat is Hood River, situated approximately 60 miles east of Portland. Established in 1908 from parts of Wasco County, Hood River County includes approximately 533 square miles of diverse terrain ranging from riverfront elevations near sea level to the glaciated peak of Mount Hood at 11,249 feet on its southern border. Hood River County population is approximately 23,000 residents.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Hood River County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Hood River County. The office provides a range of services, including patrolling rural areas, managing Hood River County jail, and processing arrests. The sheriff's office is also tasked with maintaining criminal records and providing public safety education programs.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Hood River County is provided by Hood River County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Hood River Police Department serves the city of Hood River, while the Cascade Locks Police Department operates in Cascade Locks. These agencies work together to address major crimes and ensure public safety across Hood River County. The sheriff's office handles rural and unincorporated areas, while city departments focus on urban law enforcement within their respective jurisdictions.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Hood River County Sheriff's Office, located at 1281 Eugene Street, Hood River, OR 97031, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Hood River County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at https://www.co.hood-river.or.us/sheriff. The agency operates Hood River County Adult Jail, a 31-bed facility housing pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup information is available by calling the jail at or visiting the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours.

• Citizens may submit written public records requests to Hood River County Sheriff's Office to obtain arrest reports, booking logs, and incident reports.
• Processing fees may apply for copying and staff time exceeding certain thresholds.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through public records requests, though the Sheriff's Office does not maintain an online searchable mugshot database.
• Response time for public records requests typically ranges from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity and volume of records sought.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Hood River County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Hood River County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Residents can request background checks through the Oregon State Police, which provides full criminal history reports. The Oregon Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for accessing statewide criminal records. Hood River County's criminal records system ensures transparency and public safety by maintaining detailed documentation of criminal activities.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Hood River County are maintained by Hood River County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office directly. The records are subject to the Oregon Public Records Law, which ensures public access to government documents. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.

Jail & Inmate Records

Hood River County Jail, located in the city of Hood River, is the primary detention facility for Hood River County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup services are available through the sheriff's office, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and guidelines for visitors.

• The bond and bail process in Oregon allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail administration.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Hood River County are taken and retained by Hood River County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or online databases. While the sheriff's website may provide access to recent mugshots, third-party services may also offer search capabilities. Oregon does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can request removal from private websites under certain conditions.

Hood River County Circuit Court, part of Oregon's Seventh Judicial District, is located at 309 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031, and handles all civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters within Hood River County. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Oregon Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $10,000, divorce and custody matters, probate and estate administration, and appeals from lower courts.

• The Oregon Judicial Department maintains the Oregon eCourt Case Information system (OECI) at https://www.courts.oregon.gov, which provides online access to case records for a fee of $6.50 per search.
• Not all documents filed with the court are available online; some sealed records, juvenile matters, and certain family law documents have restricted access.
• Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, while uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page.

Hood River County County Clerk's Office, located at 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031, is the official repository for land records and documents affecting real property in Hood River County. The office can be reached at and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Recorder maintains deed records, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (including mechanics liens, judgment liens, and tax liens), easements, plat maps, subdivision records, and property surveys.

• Hood River County participates in the Oregon Land Records System and provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription service at https://www.co.hood-river.or.us/recorder.
• Recording fees for new documents are $60 for the first page and $5 for each additional page for most instruments.
• Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.

Vital records for Hood River County, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both Hood River County Clerk's Office at 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031, and the Oregon Vital Records Office, a division of the Oregon Health Authority. Birth certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk for births that occurred in Hood River County. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if the record is found, while mail requests take approximately two to three weeks.
• Death certificates are similarly available through the County Clerk's Office for deaths occurring in Hood River County, with the same fee structure of $25 per certified copy.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Hood River County Clerk's Office with a fee of $60, and the license is valid for 60 days from issuance.
• Marriage certificates (certified copies of the recorded marriage) cost $25.
• The State Vital Records Office charges $25 per certified copy and offers expedited processing for an additional fee.

Business licensing and registration in Hood River County involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Hood River County Clerk's Office at 601 State Street, handles registration of assumed business names (DBAs or "doing business as" names) and certain local business filings. The fee for registering an assumed business name in Hood River County is approximately $50, and registrations must be renewed every two years.

• However, businesses must register for other state obligations including income tax withholding if they have employees.
• Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.

Elections in Hood River County are administered by Hood River County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, located at 601 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031. The office can be contacted through the office’s website, and election information is available at https://www.co.hood-river.or.us/clerk. Oregon conducts elections entirely by mail, with ballots mailed to all registered voters approximately 18 days before each election.

• The deadline to register to vote for an election is 21 days before Election Day.
• Citizens can request copies of election records, voter history, and precinct data under Oregon's Public Records Law (ORS 192.311-192.478) by submitting a written request to the County Clerk.

Hood River County's economy is characterized by a diverse mix of agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, and increasingly, professional services and technology. Agriculture remains foundational, with the Hood River Valley recognized as one of the premier fruit-growing regions in the United States. Hood River County produces significant quantities of pears, apples, cherries, and wine grapes, with fruit orchards covering approximately 15,000 acres.

• Median household income in Hood River County is approximately $68,000, somewhat above the Oregon state median.

Court Records: Yes: Online (OECI) | Property: Yes: Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Only | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State Registry) | Elections: Yes: Online Results & Registration | Overall Score: 7/10, Hood River County provides good digital access to property, court, and election records, though jail rosters and vital records require direct contact.

Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Hood River County, Oregon.