Search Oregon Divorce Records
Oregon divorce records, officially called dissolution of marriage records, are public documents maintained by the Circuit Court in each of the 36 counties and by the Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics. County circuit courts hold the complete case files including the petition, response, and final judgment of dissolution. The state vital records office keeps divorce certificates dating back to 1925. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses throughout Oregon.
Oregon Divorce Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Oregon Divorce Records
Oregon has two main sources for divorce records. The Circuit Court in each county stores the full case files for every dissolution of marriage granted in that jurisdiction. These files include the petition for dissolution, the response from the other spouse, any settlement agreements, and the general judgment of dissolution signed by the judge. The court clerk in each county keeps these records and can supply copies. You can visit the courthouse in person or look up some case information through Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI).
The Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics maintains divorce certificates statewide. A certified copy of the divorce record from the state confirms that a dissolution took place and includes basic details: the names of both spouses, the date of the judgment, and the county where it was entered. The Center for Health Statistics holds records for dissolutions from 1925 to the present. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at their Portland office. Certified copies cost $25 for the first copy in Oregon.
Note: Divorce certificates from the Center for Health Statistics contain less detail than full court records from the Circuit Court clerk in Oregon.
How to Search Divorce Records in Oregon
Oregon provides multiple ways to look up divorce records. Online access is the fastest option for most searches. You can search from home at any hour. In-person visits work best when you need certified copies or want to examine the complete case file. Both options are available to anyone in Oregon.
Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) gives access to circuit court records across all 36 counties in Oregon. You can search by party name or case number to locate dissolution cases. The system charges a small fee for access, and you can view case information including party names, filing dates, and case status. For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the county court clerk or visit the courthouse. Go to courts.oregon.gov to begin your search in Oregon.
To search divorce records through OECI, you need the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the dissolution filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any Circuit Court clerk office in Oregon. Go to the county where the dissolution was filed. Staff can help you locate records and provide copies. Most clerks charge a per-page fee for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce certificates from the state, submit your request to the Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050. Rush processing is available for an additional fee in Oregon.
Types of Divorce Records in Oregon
Oregon divorce records include several categories of documents. The general judgment of dissolution is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is resolved. The judgment states the marriage is dissolved and typically addresses property division, spousal support, and parenting arrangements. This is the most thorough divorce record available in Oregon. It comes from the Circuit Court clerk in the county where the case was heard.
The divorce certificate is a shorter document from the Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics. A certificate verifies that a dissolution took place but does not spell out the terms of the settlement. Many people need a certificate for purposes like changing their name, remarrying, or updating other legal documents in Oregon. You can get a certificate online, by mail, or in person from the Center for Health Statistics in Portland.
Divorce records in Oregon typically contain the following:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the petition for dissolution was filed
- Date the dissolution was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the dissolution
- Terms of property division if included
Court case files may also contain motions, declarations, and other papers filed during the proceedings. These show the full history of the dissolution case in Oregon. You can get copies of any document in a case file from the Circuit Court clerk.
Oregon Divorce Laws and Rules
Oregon law governs the rules for obtaining a dissolution of marriage. These laws determine how long the process takes and what records are generated. The Oregon Legislature has established specific rules for residency, grounds, property division, and support. You must follow these rules to file for dissolution in Oregon.
Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Oregon for at least six months before filing for dissolution. If the marriage took place in Oregon and one spouse still lives here, the residency requirement does not apply. You file in the county where either spouse resides. There is also a mandatory 90-day waiting period between filing and the earliest the judgment can be entered in Oregon.
Oregon is a purely no-fault divorce state. ORS 107.025 provides that the only ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences between the parties that have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage. There is no separation period required before filing. Either spouse can file for dissolution at any time, and the other spouse cannot block it. Property division, spousal support, and child custody are addressed within the same case in Oregon.
Oregon does not require a separation period before filing, but there is a 90-day waiting period after the petition is filed before the court can enter a judgment. For uncontested cases where both sides agree on all terms, the dissolution can be finalized once the 90 days have passed. The court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or use of marital property while the case is pending in Oregon.
Oregon follows equitable distribution principles for property division. Under ORS 107.105, the court divides marital property in a manner that is just and proper. The judge considers factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and the economic circumstances of each party. Oregon courts generally presume an equal division of marital assets unless fairness requires otherwise.
Divorce Record Fees in Oregon
Fees vary depending on what you need and where you obtain it in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics charges $25 for a certified copy of a divorce record. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $25 as well. Rush processing is available for an extra fee. Online orders can be placed through the VitalChek website.
Circuit Courts charge their own fees for dissolution cases and records in Oregon. Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage costs $287 in most counties. Getting copies of existing divorce records costs less. Most clerks charge per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones at any court in Oregon.
Fee waivers and deferrals are available for people who cannot afford the filing fees in Oregon. You can apply by completing a fee waiver or deferral application. You must demonstrate financial hardship, such as receiving public assistance or having income below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. The court will review your application and determine if you qualify for a fee waiver in Oregon.
Note: Filing fees and copy fees can change, so contact the court or agency to confirm current costs in Oregon.
How to Get Copies of Oregon Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records in Oregon through several channels. For divorce certificates from the Center for Health Statistics, you have three main options. First, order online through the VitalChek website, which is the fastest method. Second, mail your request to the Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050 with the names of both spouses, the date of dissolution, the county, and your payment. Third, visit the office in person at 800 NE Oregon Street in Portland where walk-in service is available during business hours in Oregon.
For full dissolution judgments and case files, go to the Circuit Court clerk in the county where the dissolution was filed in Oregon. You can request copies in person or call ahead to find out what you need. Some courts accept mail requests for copies. You will need to know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search the records and provide copies for a fee in Oregon.
Wait times vary by method and location in Oregon. Online orders through VitalChek are typically processed within a few business days. Mail requests to the state take several weeks. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office in Oregon.
Legal Help for Divorce in Oregon
Several organizations offer help with divorce cases in Oregon. Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides free legal assistance to people with low income. They handle family law cases including dissolution across the state. Call the helpline at (503) 224-4086 to ask about their services. Their website at lasoregon.org has information on getting legal help with divorce in Oregon.
The Oregon State Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney in Oregon. Call (503) 684-3763 or 1-800-452-7636 to get connected with a family law lawyer. They can match you with an attorney in your area who handles dissolution cases in Oregon.
The Oregon Judicial Department at courts.oregon.gov offers forms and instructions for people who want to file on their own. You can find step-by-step guides for handling your own dissolution case in Oregon. The site also has links to legal resources across the state. The court system provides all the official forms you need to file for dissolution in Oregon, including the petition, response, and other required papers.
Are Divorce Records Public in Oregon
Yes, divorce records are generally public in Oregon. Under the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.311 to 192.478, the public has the right to inspect government records. This applies to dissolution records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. The records are available to anyone who requests them in Oregon.
Some restrictions apply to what you can see in divorce records in Oregon. Certain details may be redacted from public copies. These include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children. A party can also ask the court to seal specific documents in their dissolution case. A judge may seal records if the person shows good cause. Sealed dissolution records are uncommon in Oregon.
Note: Divorce certificates from the Center for Health Statistics may have some access restrictions, but court records at the Circuit Court clerk offices are generally open to the public in Oregon.
Browse Oregon Divorce Records by County
Each county in Oregon has its own Circuit Court that keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for dissolution records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Oregon Cities
Residents of major cities file for dissolution at their county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.