BEND PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Bend Public Records?

According to the Oregon Public Records and Meetings Law, public records are any records owned, prepared, used, or retained by government entities performing public business. These records can be in every form of recording, including written or typed letters, audio, video, pictures, or any combination of these. Some public records may be classified as confidential and exempted from public view by law. The Oregon Department of Justice provides a list of public record exemptions on its website.

Bend Crime Statistics

The Bend City Police Department submits all its crime statistics data to the FBI who compiles it using their Uniform Crime Reporting system(UCR). According to the FBI UR data between 2018 and 2019, there was a 4.9% reduction in violent crime and a 19.2% reduction in robberies. Assaults, property crime, burglary, and larceny were also reduced by 9.6%, 7.7%, 18.3%, and 7.9% respectively. These forms of data are usually used to determine the crime rates in an area and judge the effectiveness of current crime-fighting strategies.

Are Bend’s criminal records public?

Under the Oregon Public Records and Meeting Law, not all Bend criminal records are public. The public is given limited access to records when the case is still in progress. Some records like criminal history and background checks are all restricted to certain individuals. Depending on the type of record being requested, the requester will need to provide details on the records like:

• Case number
• Name and date of birth of person on the report
• Date and location of the incident
• Reason for requesting the record

How to Obtain Bend Police Reports and Arrest Records

Copies of Bend Public records like police reports and criminal records can be obtained by contacting the records division of the Bend Police Department. Requesters will be required to fill and return the request form to obtain police reports or criminal histories. To obtain police reports the request must fill the appropriate section of the request form and return the form to the police department. Arrest records and reports on ongoing cases will not be released, the price of the report is $20 for the first 10 pages and $0.15 for each additional page. Criminal background checks can be obtained by filling the appropriate section of the request form and returning it to the police department. The cost of a criminal background check is $30 per request. Fees are payable in cash, check, and money order payable at the time of the request. All requests and inquiries can be directed to the records division at:

Bend Police Department
Records Division
555 NE 15th street
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 322-2960
(541) 322-2998

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bend

Bend City Sex offender information can be obtained by visiting the sex offender registry on the Oregon State Police website. The search tool on this website allows users to search for offender information by name, city, county, and zip code. Users can also search for sex offenders in proximity to their area by inputting their current address.

How to Find Bend Inmate Records

Bend City inmate records can be found by visiting the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office website. Bend city jail is a transient jail so inmates are moved to the county jail operated by the sheriff’s office in a few days. The county sheriff’s website provides a link to the current list of inmates housed in the jail. Searchers will be directed to a full list of inmates and will be able to search the list by name to locate the inmate.

How Do I Visit an inmate in Bend Jail?

Bend City jail is a transient holding facility, inmates only remain for a short time before they are transferred hence visits are not allowed. Visitors can visit inmates when they have been transferred to the county jail. Visitation at the Deschutes County Jail is done remotely via stations located in the jail or from a home computer using the Telmate system. There are three ways to book a visitation appointment namely:

• Contact Telmate using their customer service toll-free number (866) 516-0115.

• Log on and book an appointment on the Telmate website.

• Set up a visit on-site at any of the Telmate cash kiosks located at the jail.

Inmates are entitled to two free thirty-minute visits every week. Extra visits and extended-time visits can be purchased via Telmate. Visitation is conducted every day of the week, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. excluding meal hours and formal headcounts. No visits will be allowed between 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Court Records

The Deschutes County Circuit Court is in charge of disseminating Bend court records. It provides access to records of all non-confidential cases heard in the court through its records room. The records room provides records searches and copying services for residents who require court records.

Locations of Courts in Bend

The name and location of the courts in Bend are listed below:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
Deschutes County Courthouse
1100 NW Bond Street,
Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-5300

Deschutes County Juvenile Court
Dennis Maloney Community Justice Center
63360 Britta Street, Building 1,
P.O. Box 6005,
Bend, OR 97708
Phone: (541) 388-6671
Fax: (541) 383-0165

Bend Municipal Court
555 NE 15th Street,
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 388-5572 ext. 9

Are Bend Court Records Public?

Most of the Bend court records are open to the public. The Deschutes Circuit County Court will provide access to these records. A few types of records are exempted from public view by law and cannot be viewed or requested. Examples of these records include traffic cases, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, and juvenile delinquency cases.

Can you look up a Bend court case online?

Bend Court records can be viewed via several online services operated by the Oregon Judicial Department. The free court records search tool provides access to court calendar information and basic case details for the tax court and circuit courts. The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network(OJCIN) is a low-cost subscription service that provides access to case records from Oregon State Courts. This includes trial, appellate, and tax courts. Residents who pay the subscription fees are allowed to search and view these records.

How to Obtain Bend Civil Court Case Records

Civil court records for Bend city can be obtained from the Deschutes Circuit court. The records file room is in charge of all records and case files. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online on a first-come-first-served basis. Residents must make requests in person at file viewing window number 4 on the first floor of the Deschutes county circuit court at:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
First Floor, File Viewing Window 4
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

Requests in person must be made between 8 a.m. and 12 a.m. from Monday to Friday.

Mailed requests must contain a self-addressed and stamped envelope with the fees along with a written request containing the following information:

• The complete name of the person or persons involved
• The case number or year it was filed
• The specific documents you are requesting (or entire case file)
• How do you want to receive the documents (electronic/emailed copy, or hard copy)
• State whether or not you want each document certified, or just regular copies
• Your name and contact information in case we have questions

Mailed requests should include a check payable to the state of Oregon to cover the fees for any copies. All inquiries and mailed requests should be addressed to:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

The fees for the records are $0.20 per page for electronic copies, $0.25 per page for paper copies. Certification costs $5 per document and 0.25 per page. Online requests can be made by filling the online request form and submitting the online request form found on the court website.

How to Obtain Bend Criminal Court Records

Bend city criminal records can be obtained from the Deschutes County Circuit Court. These records can be obtained in person, online, or by mail. Requests can be made in person by visiting the record viewing windows located at:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
First Floor, File Viewing Window 4
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

Requests can be made via mail by mailing a written request consisting of details of the records being requested to the records departments. Details required include names of people on the case, case number, the year it was filed, and the name and contact details of the requester. Requesters must also indicate what type of copies are being requested and if certification is required. The rewritten request along with a check for the fees payable to the state of Oregon should be mailed to:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

The fee for the records is $0.20 for electronic copies and $0.25 for hard copies while certifying the record will cost $5 per document and $0.25 per page. Online requests can be made by filling and submitting the online records request form available on the circuit court website.

What are Bend Vital Records?

Bend city vital records are the records of the various life events of residents of the city. These records include birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records and can be viewed and obtained from custodians on county and state levels. Oregon is a closed records state hence vital records are only available to the public after a certain amount of time has elapsed. Until then only certain authorized individuals can request these records.

Where and How to Obtain Bend Divorce Records

There are two types of Bend city divorce records available. The Vital Records Office of the Oregon Health Authority issues divorce certificates while divorce decrees can be obtained from the circuit court where the divorce case was heard. To obtain bent divorce decrees, requesters will need to either go to the Deschutes County Circuit Court in person or send in a mailed request. To request in person the request will need to visit the circuit court at:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
First Floor, File Viewing Window 4
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

Mailed requests will involve mailing a written request with all details of the required records like a case number, case participants, and date of the case. The request should also include a check for the fees and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return the copies. All mail requests should be sent to the records department of the circuit court at:

Deschutes County Circuit Court
Attn: File Room Department
1100 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703

The cost of the records is $0.25 per page and certification of the document will cost an additional $5.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Bend

Oregon is a closed record state, hence vital records only become public after a certain amount of time has passed. Marriage records can only be given to certain authorized persons until 50 years have passed since the marriage. The people authorized to receive these records include:

• The couple named on the record
• The registrant’s parents, legal guardians. or spouse (recognized by the state)
• A descendant of either party named on the record (if 18 years and above)
• An attorney, legal representative, or court-approved representative of the couple
• Any government agency (or a third party) with the legal authority to access the record

Records can be obtained by visiting the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office. To obtain a record in person, the requester must bring a complete marriage record request form and fee to:

The Deschutes County Clerk
Deschutes Services Building
1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202
Bend, OR 97703

Marriage records cost $7.75 for the first certified copy and an extra $4 for each additional record ordered at the same.

Where and How to Find Bend Birth Records

Birth records for Bend City can be obtained on the state and county level by eligible persons. As Oregon is a closed state, birth records only become public 100 years after the birth occurred. These records can be obtained on the county and state levels from the Deschutes County Clerk and the Vital Records Office of the Oregon Health Authority.

Obtaining Copies of Bend Birth Certificates

Until 100 years have passed Bend birth records are only accessible by certain authorized individuals listed below:

• The registrant on the record
• Parents listed on the record
• Legal guardians with documented proof of legal guardianship
• Step-parent (if married to a parent listed on the record and child is under age 18)
• Registered spouse or domestic partner
• Paternal or Maternal grandparents
• Siblings if aged 18 years or older
• Children of the registrant if aged 18 or older
• Legal representative and government agents (with documentation of who they represent and reason for order)
• Any in-eligible person with notarized paperwork from any eligible person

The records can be obtained by submitting a completed birth certificate application and a valid government photo ID to the Deschutes County Clerk's office at:

2577 NE Courtney Drive,
Bend, OR 97701

The price for each certified copy is $25 and if the certificate is available it will be ready in three working days. Payment is accepted in cash, check, and money order but no cash should be sent through the mail. Card payments can be processed at the office or over the office phone at (541) 322-7498

Where and How to Find Bend Death Records

Due to Oregon’s status as a closed record state, Bend city death records are issued to eligible individuals until 50 years after the death occurred. A list of these eligible individuals is given below:

• Current spouse of deceased on the record
• Parents of deceased on the record
• Any children of deceased (over 18 years of age)
• Grandparents of deceased (short form only unless additional documentation provided to support ordering a long-form)
• Grandchildren of the deceased (short form only unless additional documentation provided to support ordering a long-form)
• Siblings of the deceased
• Domestic partner who is registered by the state
• Legal guardian (with documentation of legal guardianship)
• Next of kin (with a notarized document stating they are next of kin)
• Government agency (with documentation and reason for order)
• Legal representative of an immediate family member (with documentation of who they represent and reason for order)
• Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person
• Companies or places of employment paying death benefits (long form only)
• Funeral home representative (for the first 2 years after the date of event)

Death records for deaths during the last six months in Deschutes County are available for request from the county clerk in person or by mail. To request death records, residents will need to fill the death certificate application and submit it in person or by mail to the County Clerk at the:

Deschutes County Clerk’s Office.
2577 NE Courtney Drive,
Bend, OR 97701

Requesters by mail must accurately fill the mailing label attached to the application form as this will be used to return the copies. The price for the record is $25 per certified copy. Payment is accepted in cash, cheque, or money order made payable to the Deschutes County Vital Records,

Death records and birth records can also be obtained from the Vital Records Office of the Oregon Health Authority. The records can be ordered by mail or in person. Residents can order by coming in person to the office at 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland. Orders are made using the self-service kiosks located at the office. Requesters will be screened at the kiosk using their date of birth and social security number so the requester must provide a valid ID.

To order by mail, requesters must mail a completed death certificate or birth certificate application with a photocopy of their valid photo ID to the:

Oregon Vital Records,
P.O. Box 14050,
Portland, OR 97293-0050

Requesters must send the appropriate fee and a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of the records. Payment can be made in cash, money order, checks, and debit and credit cards. Requesters should not send cash by mail. The cost of the records is $25 per certificate and orders in person will incur another $3 for the screening. Orders in person are completed in 30 minutes to an hour while mailed requests take between 3 to 5 weeks.