Josephine County Dissolution Records
Josephine County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Court in Grants Pass. This southern Oregon county was created from Jackson County in 1856 and has a long history of court records. Residents who want to search for dissolution cases or get copies of court documents can visit the courthouse, call the clerk, or submit a written request. The county seat is Grants Pass, and all dissolution of marriage filings for Josephine County go through the Circuit Court located there.
Josephine County Quick Facts
Josephine County Circuit Court
The Josephine County Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. The courthouse is at 510 NW 5th Street in Grants Pass. You can reach the court by phone at (541) 476-2309 or by fax at (541) 474-5246. The information and cashier windows are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The court closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM.
Staff at the clerk window can help you search for dissolution cases, request copies, or file new papers. If you need the court to research a case for you, be aware that staff research is billed at $40 per hour in 15-minute increments after the first 30 minutes. For simple lookups, there is usually no charge. The courthouse also has a law library available for public use.
The Josephine County Circuit Court website has calendars, forms, and contact details for the court.
Visit the Josephine County Circuit Court page for more information. You can also view court calendars online.
| Court |
Josephine County Circuit Court 510 NW 5th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 Phone: (541) 476-2309 Fax: (541) 474-5246 |
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| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
Search Josephine County Dissolution Of Marriage Cases
There are several ways to find dissolution of marriage records in Josephine County. The most direct method is to visit the courthouse in Grants Pass. Give the clerk the name of one party and a rough date range. They will search the index and pull the file if one exists. You can also call (541) 476-2309 for basic case information over the phone.
Online, the Oregon eCourt Case Information system provides free basic searches across all circuit courts in Oregon. This includes Josephine County. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The system shows filing dates, case types, and status. For copies of the actual court documents, contact the Josephine County clerk. The OJCIN subscription service offers deeper access to court records for those who need frequent searches.
When requesting copies, you will need to provide enough information for the clerk to locate the right case. Helpful details include:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Approximate year of filing
- Case number if known
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Josephine County
Josephine County was incorporated on January 22, 1856, as a split from Jackson County. The court has handled dissolution cases since the county's early years. Today, the process follows Oregon state law. You file a petition with the Circuit Court clerk in Grants Pass and pay a filing fee of about $301. The petition states that irreconcilable differences exist, which is the sole ground for dissolution under ORS 107.025.
Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months before filing. If the marriage took place in Oregon and one spouse still resides here, the six-month rule does not apply. After filing, the other spouse must be served with the dissolution papers. Proof of service goes into the court file.
Oregon requires a 90-day waiting period from the date of filing. The court cannot enter a final judgment until the waiting period runs. If both spouses agree on everything, the dissolution can be finalized soon after the 90 days end. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings. The final judgment of dissolution becomes a permanent public record at the Josephine County courthouse.
Josephine County Historical Dissolution Records
The Oregon State Archives holds historical records from Josephine County. Divorce records cover two time spans: 1925 to 1949 and 1959 to 1978. Circuit court dissolution records date from 1958 to 1981. If you need a record from one of these periods, the Archives is a good place to look.
Check the Oregon State Archives Josephine County listing for a full inventory. You can also call the Archives at (503) 373-0701 for assistance with older records.
Under ORS 432.350, vital records over 50 years old have different access rules. This affects dissolution certificates from the Oregon Health Authority but not court records. Case files at the Josephine County courthouse or at the Archives remain public. The court follows the Oregon Public Records Law when handling access requests.
Josephine County Clerk and Other Offices
The Josephine County Clerk is at 500 NW 6th Street, Department 1, in Grants Pass. The phone number is (541) 474-5240. This office handles marriage licenses, property records, and elections. It is a separate office from the Circuit Court clerk. If you need a marriage record to pair with a dissolution filing, this is the office to contact.
The Josephine County official website provides access to county departments and public information.
Visit co.josephine.or.us for more about county services and departments.
The Grants Pass Branch of the Josephine County Library is located at 200 NW C Street and can be reached at (541) 476-0571. While the library does not hold court records, it may have resources that help you understand the dissolution process or find legal forms. The courthouse itself has a law library for public use during court hours.
What Josephine County Dissolution Records Show
A dissolution of marriage case file in Josephine County holds several types of documents. The petition opens the case. It names the parties and states the grounds. The response comes from the other spouse. Stipulated agreements, motions, and orders may also be part of the file.
The general judgment of dissolution is the main document. It ends the marriage and lays out the terms. A judgment typically includes the names of both parties, the date of marriage, the date the judgment was entered, property division, and any custody or support provisions. If a name change was requested, that appears in the judgment too.
Dissolution records in Josephine County are public under ORS 192.311 to 192.478. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some sealed portions may not be available, but the vast majority of the file is open to the public. The clerk can provide plain or certified copies of any document in the file.
Dissolution Of Marriage Certificates
The Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics issues dissolution certificates. These are short documents that confirm a dissolution happened. They list names, date, and county. They do not contain the terms of the judgment.
Certificates cost $25 per copy. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail to PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050, or in person at 800 NE Oregon Street in Portland. The office has records from 1925 to the present. For a Josephine County case, the certificate will name Josephine County as the filing location. If you need the full judgment with all terms, contact the Josephine County Circuit Court clerk.
Legal Resources in Josephine County
People who need help with a dissolution case in Josephine County have a few options. Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides free help to those who qualify based on income. The Oregon State Bar referral service at 1-800-452-7636 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Grants Pass area.
The Oregon Judicial Department has forms and step-by-step instructions for people who want to handle their own dissolution at courts.oregon.gov. These forms are the same across all Oregon counties. Court staff in Josephine County can help you pick the right forms, but they cannot give you legal advice. If you are unsure about your rights or your options, speak with an attorney.
Nearby Counties
Josephine County borders Jackson County, Douglas County, and Curry County. It also shares a border with California to the south. If you are not sure which county has jurisdiction over your dissolution case, check the address where you live. You must file in the correct county for the court to handle your case.