PORTLAND PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Portland Public Records?

According to the Oregon Public Records Law, Portland public records include all unrestricted information created, obtained, or used by Portland agents. Portland public records may be handwritten, typewritten, printed, photographed, and recorded by other means, including letters, words, pictures, sounds, symbols, or combinations. Not all records in Portland are open to the public. Public officials may restrict certain sections of public records from public view if:

• Providing public access to information would violate personal privacy.
• The information is related to a pending court case.
• The information is related to an ongoing police investigation.
• The information contains private financial data.

Crime Statistics

The Portland City Police Department keeps records of all offenses recorded throughout the year. It updates these records every month and makes them available online. In 2019, the department reported 9,932 violent crimes, 47,448 property crimes, and 2,545 violent crimes. The most reported offense, with 24,587 reports, was larceny-theft. Larceny reports were almost four times as many as motor vehicle theft, the next highest reported crime with 6555 reports. These numbers represent an overall reduction in Portland City’s crime figures over two years. In 2017, the police department reported 8895 violent crimes. However, it also reported 49,118 property crimes, 3.52% higher than 2019’s numbers.

Are Portland Criminal Records Public?

Per the Oregon Public Records Law, Portland Criminal records are in the public domain. Anyone can obtain most criminal records, except for those exempt from public view, like juvenile records. Interested persons may get copies of a criminal record from the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Division. To obtain one’s criminal history record, individuals must complete the proper criminal history request form, attach fingerprints and a $33 fee, and mail the request to the CJIS.

Oregon State Police – CJIS Division
Unit 11,
P.O. Box 4395,
Portland, OR 97208-4395.

To obtain another person’s criminal record, the requester must complete the appropriate criminal history request form, including the following details:

• Individual's Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (if known)
• The individual’s current or last known mailing address
• Name and mailing address of the person or agency making the request.

The fee for obtaining a third-party’s criminal record is $11. Requesters may mail a completed form and payment to:

Billing Customers:

Oregon State Police
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Attn: Open Records
3565 Telstar Ave SE
Salem, OR 97317

Direct Payment Customers:

Oregon State Police
Unit 11
P.O. Box 4395
Portland, OR 97208-4395

How to Obtain Portland Police Reports and Arrest Records

Individuals interested in obtaining police reports and arrest records may get them from the Portland City Police Department. Requests can be submitted online or by mail. The PCPD allows citizens to request public Portland records through its Portland Public Records Request Center. Copies of police reports cost $30 for ten pages and $2 per additional page copied. Interested individuals may also send requests for police reports and arrest records by mail. To do this, requesters may complete this application form, attach a money order for the appropriate fee - payable to the Treasurer, City of Portland - and mail the completed application to:

Portland Police Bureau
Records Division
1111 SW 2nd Ave, Room 1126
Portland, OR 97204

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Portland

Portland City is within Multnomah County, which supervises all individuals convicted of sexual crimes, including those identified as predatory. Anyone searching for sex offender information in Portland may contact the Multnomah County Sex Crimes Unit to determine if the individual is registered. To retrieve information about a registered sex offender, requesters will need to provide the individual’s full name and birthdate (if available). Alternatively, individuals searching for sex offender information in Portland may query the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registry. The register provides offenders classified information as Level 3 (presenting the highest risk of reoffending) only.

How to Find Portland Inmate Records

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office provides information on all inmates residing in its jails, including those in Portland City. Interested parties may find Portland inmate records by searching the Multnomah County Online Inmate Search Page. Researchers must input the inmate’s first and last names and can search the database for inmates booked or released on particular days.

How Do I Visit an inmate in Portland Jail?

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office allows friends and family to visit inmates held at the following facilities:

Multnomah County Detention Center Jail
1120 SW Third Ave,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3689

Social Visiting Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. & 4:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Inverness Jail
11540 NE Inverness Drive,
Portland, OR 97220
Phone: (503) 988-5060

In-Person Visiting Hours: Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Video Visiting Social Hours – Inverness Jail Lobby

Monday through Sunday

• 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Remote Visits (at home/off-site)

Monday through Sunday

• 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Inmates may receive a maximum of three social visitors per visit (including children). Each visit lasts for thirty minutes, and inmates may have two visit periods every week. Inmates must put intending visitors on their visiting list before the visit date. Visitors must complete a service request form and submit it to the visiting window in person, along with valid identification. Accepted identification includes:

• State driver’s license
• State ID card
• Military ID card
• Passport

Underage persons may visit inmates. However, they must accompany adults and present documents that prove their relationship to the adult. Acceptable documents include:

• Birth certificate
• Adoption papers
• Court orders indicating child custody
• Notarized permission from the parent or legal guardian of the child

Inmates may also receive visitors through the Inverness Jail’s web-based system. Individuals may visit inmates from their homes or one of the kiosks in the Inverness Jail lobby. All visitors must schedule appointments at least 24 hours ahead. Visits cost $5 and last for twenty minutes each. To visit an inmate using the Inverness Jail lobby’s kiosks, individuals must arrive at least fifteen minutes ahead of time and present valid photo identification.

All visitors (in-person and visiting by video) must dress appropriately in fitted clothes covering sensitive body parts. Prison staff will evict any visitor that is disruptive and suspend future visiting privileges.

Portland Court Records

Portland City is a part of Multnomah County, thus subject to the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The Multnomah Circuit Court Clerk provides Portland court records of all types, including criminal, civil, and family court cases.

Locations of Courts in Portland

US District Court: Portland Division
Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse
1000 S.W. Third Ave.
Portland, OR 97204

Multnomah County Circuit Court
Multnomah County Courthouse
1021 SW 4th Avenue,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3957
Fax: (503) 988-5773

Multnomah County Circuit Court
Justice Center
1120 SW 3rd Avenue,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3641

Multnomah County Circuit Court - East County
East County Courthouse
18480 SE Stark Street,
Portland, OR 97233
Phone: (503) 988-3199

Multnomah County Circuit Court - Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
1401 NE 68th Avenue,
Portland, OR 97213
Phone: (503) 988-3022

Are Portland Court Records Public?

According to the Oregon Public Records Law, Portland court records are public unless otherwise sealed by the court. Interested individuals can get copies of different court records, including civil, criminal, and family court records.

Can You Look Up a Portland Court Case Online?

Individuals interested in getting Portland court cases online may query the statewide Online Record Search Portal, provided by the Oregon Judicial Branch. Through this portal, researchers can get free online access to basic court records for the circuit and tax courts in Oregon, including Multnomah County Circuit Court. However, the portal does not provide records for court cases including, but not limited to:

• Adoption
• Juvenile cases
• Mental health
• Cases falling under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Individuals that require access to court records not provided on the free portal, OJCIN, the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network portal allows registered users to search for a low-cost subscription fee.

How to Obtain Portland Civil Court Case Records

Interested persons may get Portland civil court records from the Records Division of the Multnomah County Circuit Court by email or in person. Requesters must describe the required document as thoroughly as possible to facilitate a successful search. The following information may be helpful:

• Name(s) of the litigants
• Case number
• Name(s) of counsel
• Presiding judge
• Hearing dates

Individuals may also find civil court case records by querying the Online Record Search Portal, provided by the Oregon Judicial Branch.

Multnomah County Circuit Court
Records Department,
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (971) 274-0570

How to Obtain Portland Criminal Court Records

Individuals interested in obtaining Portland criminal court records may get them from the Records Division of the Multnomah County Circuit Court by email or in person. Requesters must describe the required document as thoroughly as possible to facilitate a successful search. The following information may be helpful:

• The convict’s name
• Case number
• Presiding judge
• Hearing dates

Individuals may also find criminal case records by querying the Online Record Search Portal, provided by the Oregon Judicial Branch.

Multnomah County Circuit Court
Records Department,
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (971) 274-0570

What are Portland Vital Records?

Portland vital records are official documents that mark important life events that happen in the city. Vital records include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and divorce decrees. Interested persons may obtain vital records by submitting requests to the custodian department or agency.

Where and How to Obtain Portland Divorce Records

The Multnomah County Circuit Court holds divorce decrees dating back to the 1850s. Individuals who require Portland divorce records may submit requests in person or write to the Circuit Court's Dissolution of Marriage Records Unit. Researchers may walk in to obtain divorce decrees dating through 1983 but must order records dated 1984 and later in advance or research them on site. Researchers will be able to inspect any divorce decree if unsealed. Interested individuals may contact the office of Dissolution of Marriage Records at (971) 274-0570 for more information about ordering copies of divorce decrees.

Multnomah County Circuit Court
Records Department,
1200 SW 1st Avenue,
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (971) 274-0570

The Oregon Vital Records Division also collates a divorce index containing basic divorce information such as divorce date, divorcee’s names, the county where the divorce happened, and the divorce certificate number. Interested parties can find the Oregon Vital Records Division divorce indexes, one from 1946 - 1970 and the other from 1961-2008, provided by the Multnomah County Central Library.

Where and How to Find Portland Marriage Records

Interested persons seeking certified copies of Portland marriage records may obtain them from the Multnomah County Marriage License Section in person or by mail. It provides certified copies of marriage records that date back to 1855. Requesters may pay for certified copies by cash, check, or card. The price for certified copies is $7.75 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Individuals requesting records by mail must fill out this certified copy request form, attach a money order for the fee, and send the completed application to:

Multnomah County Marriage License Office
Attn: Marriage Licenses
P.O. Box 2716
Portland, OR 97208-2716

The Multnomah County Marriage License Section also collates basic information from marriage records such as the couple’s names, the date, and county where they married and makes these records available in the Oregon Vital Records Marriage Index, provided by the Multnomah County Central Library.

Where and How to Find Portland Birth Records

Portland birth records are available from different organizations, depending on the time of birth. Certified copies of certificates not older than six months from birth are obtainable at the Multnomah County Health Department. These records are not public property and are only accessible by immediate family members, legal representatives, or government agencies. Requests for certified copies of birth records must contain:

• Full name on the record
• Date of birth
• Hospital and county of birth
• Mother’s full maiden name
• Return name and address
• Phone number
• Proof of eligibility

The Multnomah County Health Department charges $25 per copy. Requesters may make requests by completing a Birth Certificate Request Form, attaching a money order payable to Vital Records, and mailing the completed package to:

Multnomah County Health Department
Vital Records
847 N.E. 19th Ave, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (503) 988-3745

Portland birth records older than six months from birth are available at the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. Requesters may order records online or by telephone through an authorized third party. The cost of ordering birth certificates online is $43.25, while telephone orders cost $44.95. Individuals may also walk in to order birth certificates. The cost of a record search and single certificate is $28, while additional copies cost $25 each.

Oregon Vital Statistics
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232

Where and How to Find Portland Death Records

Portland death records are available from different organizations, depending on the time of birth. Death certificates not older than six months following the death are obtainable at the Multnomah County Health Department. These records are not in the public domain and are only accessible by the deceased’s immediate family members, legal representatives, or government agencies. Requests for certified copies of death records must contain:

• Full name on the record
• Date of death
• Return name and address
• Phone number
• Proof of eligibility

The Multnomah County Health Department charges $25 per copy. Requesters may make requests by completing a Death Certificate Request Form, attaching a money order payable to Vital Records, and mailing the completed package to:

Multnomah County Health Department
Vital Records
847 N.E. 19th Ave, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (503) 988-3745

Portland death records older than six months from death are available at the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. Requesters may order records online or by telephone through an authorized third party. The cost of ordering death certificates online is $43.25, while telephone orders cost $44.95. Individuals may also walk in to order death certificates. The cost of a record search and single certificate is $28, while additional copies cost $25 each.

Oregon Vital Statistics
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232