How to Search Clackamas County Court Records
Court records for Clackamas County are searched through the Oregon Judicial Department. The free tool is OJD Online Records Search at webportal.courts.oregon.gov. It covers all 36 circuit courts and the Tax Court. The search is free but limited. OJD says the data is not the official register under ORS 7.020 and should not be used for a background check.
The local court page is the best starting point because it links to the same statewide portal and lists the courthouse hours.
The Clackamas Circuit Court records page spells out viewing rules and copy fees.
It also warns that files from before December 2015 sit off site and need a few days' notice.
Before you start a search, gather a name or a case number. Then work through the portal:
- Open OJD Online Records Search and accept the disclaimer.
- Choose Smart Search.
- Enter a record number, or a name in Last, First Middle Suffix format.
- Use Advanced Filtering Options to narrow by court, case type, file date, or judge.
- Open a result, then request a copy through the Records Center for the full file.
Clackamas County Court Records Search Fields
Smart Search hides most of its power behind one button. The main box takes a name or a record number. Open Advanced Filtering Options and a full panel appears. The table maps each field so you can search with intent, not guesswork.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record Number or Name | Text | Yes for a broad search | Name in Last, First Middle Suffix format |
| Filter by Location | Dropdown | No | Court or county; options load by script |
| Filter by Search Type | Dropdown | No | Party Name, Nickname, Business Name, Sounds Like |
| Include | Checkboxes | No | Cases, Judgments, Warrants |
| Filter by Case Type | Dropdown | No | Narrows by case category |
| File Date Start / End | Date | No | Limits by filing date |
| Filter by Judicial Officer | Dropdown | No | Judge or officer assigned |
To search a company, set Filter by Search Type to Business Name. For the official register and full documents, you need OJCIN or a courthouse terminal, which the court dockets page explains further.
Types of Clackamas County Court Records
The Circuit Court hears most case types in the county. Each one leaves a paper trail. The Justice Court adds traffic, small claims, and eviction files. Knowing the category points you to the right search and the right office.
Common record types include:
- Civil records - lawsuits, contracts, and money disputes, plus small claims up to $10,000.
- Criminal records - felony and misdemeanor cases, with charges, pleas, and judgments.
- Family records - divorce, custody, support, and protective orders.
- Probate records - estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts.
- Traffic and violation records - tickets handled mostly by the Justice Court.
- Juvenile records - delinquency and dependency files, which are restricted by law.
What Clackamas County Court Records Show
A court file is a record of every step in a case. It names the parties, lists each filing, and records what the judge decided. The fields below appear in most Clackamas County court records, though the exact mix depends on the case type.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Case Number | The court's unique ID for the case |
| Court / Location | Circuit, Justice, municipal, appellate, or Tax Court |
| Case Type | Criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, or traffic |
| Parties | Plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, or personal representative |
| Register of Actions | The dated list of motions, hearings, and orders |
| Disposition | How a charge or case ended |
| Judgment | The final order, money award, or sentence |
| Financial Fields | Fees, fines, restitution, and security release |
Sensitive items are redacted. Social security numbers, financial accounts, minor names, and protected addresses do not appear in a public record.
Public Access Framework for Clackamas County Court Records
Oregon generally favors public access to nonexempt government records. The main public records law is ORS Chapter 192. Court files, though, have their own access rules under ORS Chapter 7 and court procedure, so being a public record does not always mean open online. The official court file is the register under ORS 7.020, which the free portal is not.
You can read court records and files under the search and examination provisions of ORS Chapter 7, subject to sealing and confidentiality limits.
Anyone may request copies, though fees for copying, staff time, and redaction can apply.
Note: The free Online Records Search shows limited data and is not the official ORS 7.020 register, so confirm anything important with the court.
Records That Are Sealed or Confidential in Clackamas County
Several case types are not open to the general public. Juvenile records fall under ORS 419A.255. Child abuse records are confidential under ORS 419B.035. Adoption files follow ORS Chapter 109. Mental health commitments, grand jury material, and sealed criminal records are also restricted.
Oregon also lets people set aside eligible criminal records under ORS 137.225. Once a record is set aside, it is sealed and treated, for many purposes, as if the event never happened. To view a sealed file, you usually must be a party or have a court order. Court staff cannot give legal advice, so many people speak with a lawyer before they petition.
In-Person Court Record Requests
You can view and copy records at the courthouse. Files from December 4, 2015 forward are at public viewing stations on the first floor. Older files are off site, so call at least three days ahead. The same first-floor Public Service Center handles records and jury reporting.
The statewide OJD records request form works if you cannot come to the courthouse.
Include the case name, case number, and the exact documents you want, and note which copies need certification.
Circuit Court Records Center
1000 Courthouse Rd., Room 1060
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-655-8447, option 7
Counter: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The court records team also supports jurors who report to the same building, as the Clackamas jury page shows.
Jury assembly is on the second floor, while records viewing stays on the first.
Clackamas County Court Records Copy Fees
Copy fees are set and modest. The Records Center charges per page, with add-on fees to certify or exemplify. Larger jobs can carry staff-time charges. Payment is due when the work is complete.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Regular copy per page | $0.25 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 plus per-page charge |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00 plus per-page charge |
| Staff time / actual costs | May apply to large or complex requests |
The court takes cards, personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and in-person cash. Do not mail cash. Two-party checks are not accepted.
Older Clackamas County Court Files
The court draws a hard line at December 4, 2015. Documents filed on or after that date can be viewed at the first-floor public stations. Records from before December 2015 are not kept at the courthouse. They sit in off-site storage. To see one, call the records team at least three days ahead so staff can pull the file in time.
This matters most for older divorce, probate, and civil cases. Clackamas joined the Oregon eCourt system in 2015, which is why the modern, viewable record set starts there. If you need a decades-old case, plan for the extra wait and confirm the case number before you call.