Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County maintains divorce records through the Circuit Court in Hillsboro. This is Oregon's second most populous county. Originally called Tuality County, the name changed in 1849. The first courthouse was a log cabin built in 1853. Today, the 20th Judicial District handles all dissolution of marriage cases for Washington County. Divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court, not the county clerk. Residents of Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and all other cities in the county file here.

Washington County Circuit Court Records

Trial Court Administrator Richard E. Moellmer runs the Washington County Circuit Court. The main courthouse is at 145 NE 2nd Avenue in Hillsboro. The records department is in the Justice Services Building at 150 N 1st Avenue. Court hours are 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM on weekdays. The main phone is 503-846-8888. ADA access is at 503-846-8767.

The Washington County Circuit Court keeps all divorce records for the county. The records review room is in Room 110J on the first floor of the Justice Services Building. You can view case files there during business hours. Staff can help you locate divorce records and order copies.

Washington County Divorce Record Costs

Washington County has a clear fee schedule for divorce record copies. Plain copies cost 25 cents per page. A certified copy is $5 plus the per-page charge. An exemplified copy runs $10 plus the page fee. These fees apply at the Justice Services Building records window in Hillsboro.

You can also request divorce records electronically from the Washington County records department. An electronic request costs $3 per case for a regular copy. An electronic certified copy is $5 per case. These options save you a trip to Hillsboro when you need Washington County divorce records.

• Plain copy: 25 cents per page
• Certified copy: $5 plus 25 cents per page
• Exemplified copy: $10 plus 25 cents per page
• Electronic request: $3 per case
• Electronic certified: $5 per case

Note: Fees can change, so call 503-846-8888 to confirm current rates before you submit a request for Washington County divorce records.

How to File for Divorce in Washington County

You start by filing a petition at the Circuit Court clerk window in Hillsboro. Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months. Washington County residents who meet this rule file at the Hillsboro courthouse. The filing fee is $287.

Oregon uses only one ground for divorce. ORS 107.025 states that irreconcilable differences is the sole basis. No fault needs to be shown. After filing, you serve the other spouse. The 90-day waiting period then begins. ORS 107.065 requires the petition to list both names, the date of marriage, children, and what the petitioner seeks.

The Washington County divorce information page provides local guidance on the filing process. The general judgment of dissolution ends the marriage. Under ORS 107.105, the court can divide property, set support, and decide custody. This judgment becomes a permanent part of the Washington County court record.

Search Washington County Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records online through Oregon eCourt. The system is called OJCIN. Visit courts.oregon.gov to search by name or case number. A small fee applies for detailed case results. This covers recent Washington County cases in the electronic system.

For in-person searches, go to Room 110J in the Justice Services Building at 150 N 1st Avenue in Hillsboro. Bring the name of at least one spouse. Staff can pull the file. You can review it in the records review room and request copies. Older records may take more time to locate.

The records department also takes requests by mail. Write to Washington County Circuit Court, 145 NE 2nd Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Include as much detail as you can about the case. The clerk will search and mail back copies with a bill for fees. Washington County divorce records are public under ORS 192.311 to 192.478.

Historical Divorce Records in Washington County

Washington County has divorce case files from 1863 to 1942. These fill 13.5 cubic feet of archived storage. Marriage records from 1850 to 1875 also survive. The county was originally called Tuality County. It became Washington County on September 3, 1849. The Oregon State Archives keeps an inventory of these historical records.

Early divorce files contain handwritten petitions and court orders. They name both spouses and state the grounds and terms. Genealogy researchers and historians use these records to trace families in Washington County. Some older files may be at the state archives in Salem rather than the Hillsboro courthouse.

Washington County Dissolution Certificates

The Oregon Health Authority issues divorce certificates for all counties. A certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce took place. It shows names, date, and county. The fee is $25 per certified copy. Records go back to 1925.

Order through VitalChek online or by mail to PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050. Under ORS 432.350, the Washington County clerk reports each dissolution to the state. For the full judgment with property and custody terms, contact the Circuit Court records department in Hillsboro. The response process is governed by ORS 107.115.

Legal Resources in Washington County

Free divorce forms are at courts.oregon.gov. These work in all Oregon courts, including Washington County. The Oregon Judicial Department also offers a family law guide at courts.oregon.gov.

The Oregon State Bar lawyer referral service is at 503-684-3763. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the Hillsboro area. Legal Aid Services of Oregon helps low-income residents with divorce matters. Washington County is well served by local attorneys who handle dissolution cases regularly.

Note: The court staff in Hillsboro cannot give legal advice but can help with filing procedures for Washington County divorce cases.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County includes many cities and towns. All of them file divorce cases at the Circuit Court in Hillsboro. The courthouse serves the entire county from one location.

Other communities in Washington County include Tualatin, Sherwood, Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Aloha. All dissolution cases for these areas go through the Washington County Circuit Court in Hillsboro.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders several other Oregon counties. Check the address where you lived when filing to ensure you file in the correct county.