Multnomah County Divorce Records

Multnomah County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court clerk in Portland. Multnomah County is the most populous county in Oregon with over 800,000 residents. The Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Multnomah County. The county seat is Portland, and the courthouse complex serves the entire county.

Multnomah County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court clerk maintains all divorce records in Multnomah County. This office handles case filings, stores court files, and provides copies of dissolution judgments. Staff can help you find both old and recent cases. The courthouse is located in downtown Portland.

The Multnomah County Courthouse serves the entire county from one location. This includes Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Multnomah County are filed here. The clerk can search dissolution records and provide copies for you. Call ahead to confirm hours and what you need to bring when visiting Multnomah County.

How to Search Multnomah County Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records in Multnomah County online or in person. The method you choose depends on what you need. Online searches work well for basic case details. In-person visits let you review the full file and get certified copies right away. Both methods give you access to dissolution records going back many years in Multnomah County.

Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) provides access to circuit court records across all counties, including Multnomah County. You can search by party name or case number to find dissolution cases. The system charges a small access fee for detailed case information. For copies of actual documents, contact the county court clerk or visit the courthouse. Go to courts.oregon.gov to begin your search for Multnomah County dissolution records.

To search divorce records in Multnomah County, you need the following:

• Full name of one or both spouses
• Year the dissolution was filed
• Case number if you have it

You can also search in person at the clerk office in Multnomah County. Go to 1021 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID with you. The clerk can search by name or case number. Older records may take more time to locate. You can also submit a public records request for records at the Multnomah County clerk office.

Multnomah County Divorce Fees

Multnomah County follows the standard Oregon fee schedule for dissolution cases and records. The cost to file a new petition for dissolution is $287 in Multnomah County. Fees can change, so call the clerk to confirm current rates before you file in Multnomah County.

The main fees for dissolution in Multnomah County are:

• File a petition for dissolution: $287.00
• Response filing fee: $256.00
• Motion filing fee: varies
• Certified copy of judgment: varies
• Service of process fee: varies

Service fees also apply when you file for dissolution in Multnomah County. You must serve the other spouse with the dissolution papers. You can use the Multnomah County Sheriff for service, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Copy fees depend on the number of pages, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver or deferral by completing the appropriate form with the court in Multnomah County.

Divorce Filing Process in Multnomah County

Filing for dissolution in Multnomah County follows the process set by Oregon law. Each step creates records that become part of your case file. The Circuit Court clerk keeps all these documents at the courthouse. You can get copies of any paper in your case file once it is filed in Multnomah County.

First, you file a petition for dissolution of marriage with the Circuit Court clerk in Multnomah County. You pay the $287 filing fee at this time. The clerk assigns you a case number. Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have been an Oregon resident for six months before filing, unless the marriage took place in Oregon and one spouse still lives here. If you live in Multnomah County, you file here.

Next, you serve your spouse with the dissolution papers. You can use the Multnomah County Sheriff, a private process server, or other methods allowed under Oregon law. Proof of service goes in the court file. Under ORS 107.025, the only ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences. There is a mandatory 90-day waiting period between filing and when the judgment can be entered. For uncontested cases where both sides agree on all terms, the dissolution can be finalized after the 90-day period. The general judgment of dissolution ends the marriage and becomes part of the public record in Multnomah County.

Note: Claims for property division and spousal support should be addressed in the petition or response in Multnomah County. Oregon courts handle all related issues within the same dissolution case.

What Multnomah County Divorce Records Contain

Divorce records in Multnomah County include many types of documents. The petition for dissolution of marriage is the first document filed. It states the grounds for dissolution under ORS 107.025 and what the petitioner seeks. The response is filed by the other spouse. A settlement agreement or stipulated judgment shows what the parties agreed to on property, children, and support. All of these are part of the court record in Multnomah County.

The general judgment of dissolution is the main document most people need from Multnomah County. This is the court order that dissolves the marriage. Certified copies of the judgment are often needed for legal matters like changing your name or selling property. You can get certified copies from the Circuit Court clerk in Multnomah County.

A dissolution record in Multnomah County typically shows:

• Names and addresses of both parties
• Date of marriage and separation
• Grounds for dissolution
• Date the petition was filed
• Date the judgment was entered
• Name restoration if requested

Multnomah County dissolution records are generally public under the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.311 to 192.478. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some details about children or finances may be sealed or redacted in public copies, but most of the file is accessible to the public in Multnomah County.

Divorce Certificates in Multnomah County

The Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics issues divorce certificates as an alternative to court records in Multnomah County. A certificate is a shorter document that confirms a dissolution took place. It shows the names, date, and county but not the full terms of any settlement. Many people need a certificate for purposes like changing their name or getting remarried in Multnomah County.

You can get a divorce certificate by ordering online through VitalChek, by mailing a request to the Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050, or by visiting the office in person at 800 NE Oregon Street in Portland. The fee is $25 per certified copy. The office has records for dissolutions from 1925 to the present day in Oregon.

For the full general judgment of dissolution with all the terms, go to the Circuit Court clerk in Multnomah County. Most legal matters require the judgment, not just a certificate.

Legal Help for Divorce in Multnomah County

Several organizations offer help with dissolution cases in Multnomah County. Some provide free legal assistance to people who qualify based on income. Others offer a first consultation at a reduced rate. These resources can help you understand dissolution law, fill out forms, or find a lawyer in Multnomah County.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon serves Multnomah County through their Portland office. They provide free legal help to people with low income. Call the helpline at (503) 224-4086 to ask about help with dissolution in Multnomah County. The Oregon State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at (503) 684-3763 or 1-800-452-7636. They can match you with a family law attorney who handles dissolution cases in Multnomah County.

The Oregon Judicial Department at courts.oregon.gov has all the court forms you need to file for dissolution in Multnomah County, along with instructions for self-represented litigants. The Multnomah County courthouse also has a Family Law Self-Help Center that can assist with form selection and filing procedures.

Related Records in Multnomah County

Other offices in Multnomah County keep records that may connect to dissolution cases. The Multnomah County Clerk handles marriage licenses and certificates. You may need a marriage record to prove the marriage before the dissolution. The County Clerk also handles property records including deeds that often change hands after a dissolution in Multnomah County. Visit multco.us for more on these records.

The Multnomah County court also deals with matters that involve children in dissolution cases. This includes child support enforcement, custody modifications, and restraining orders. For child support questions in Multnomah County, contact the Oregon Child Support Program at 1-800-850-0228. The Multnomah County Circuit Court handles estate matters that may intersect with dissolution proceedings in Multnomah County.

Cities in Multnomah County

Multnomah County has several municipalities. All of them file dissolution cases at the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland. The courthouse serves the entire county from one location.

Other municipalities in Multnomah County include Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. All of these file dissolution cases at the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

Multnomah County borders several other Oregon counties. If you are not sure which county handles your dissolution case, check the address where you live. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction over your case.