Wasco County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Wasco Public Records?

Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 192.005, public records are any means of information owned, prepared, retained, or used by a political subdivision or state agency to satisfy legal, fiscal, historical, or administrative policies, requirements, or needs. Public records can be in the form of books, maps, papers, photographs, films, recordings, electronically formatted documents, or other documentary materials. It does not include a stock of publications, extra copies of a document preserved only for convenience of reference, unrecorded spoken communication, and messages on voice mail or other telephone message storage and retrieval systems.

Per ORS 192.314, everyone has a right to inspect any public record of a public agency in Oregon, except as otherwise expressly provided by ORS 192.345, 192.338, and 192.355. However, there are some records that cannot be disclosed to the public. For instance, the public cannot obtain the following types of records:

Confidential information which is not required by law to be submitted and can affect the public interest.
Records of the Department of Corrections that can affect the rehabilitation of an offender if disclosed.
Any public information or record whose disclosure is prohibited by federal law or regulations.
Records that reveal that a person is using library materials and personal details of library patrons, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and mail addresses.
Personal identification information of a person under 16 years submitted to the State Fish and Wildlife Commission or the commission's agent to get a permit, tag, or license under the wildlife laws.

Public records can also be made available through some third-party aggregate sites. Record seekers can access extensive information through this non-governmental website because search results are not limited to geographic record availability. Information on third-party websites can be a kick-off point for parties searching for specific or multiple records. Typically, requesters must provide the following information to gain access to these records:

The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
The address of the requestor
A case number or file number (if known)
The location of the document or person involved
The last known or current address of the registrant

Third-party websites offer extensive search services for public records, but the availability of records may vary because they are not government-sponsored.

Wasco County Crime Statistics

The Oregon State Police provided Uniform Crime Reporting Data submitted by law enforcement agencies in the state in 2020. The data revealed that about 7,692 distinct offenses were recorded in Wasco County. The breakdown of the highest offense types includes:

1,312 larceny/theft offenses
1,112 part 3 offenses
697 vandalism
590 traffic crime
456 DUI cases
439 disorderly conduct
288 burglary
269 fraud offenses
253 drug/narcotic offenses
132 intimidation
124 liquor law violations
116 aggravated assault
111 runaway

Are Wasco County Criminal Records Public?

Yes, Wasco County criminal records are public records according to the Oregon Public Records Law. Thus, record seekers are at liberty to obtain a copy of the criminal records of any offender in the County. Criminal records are obtainable at the Oregon State Police’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.

Although criminal records are public records, there are times when they might not be available to the general public. For instance, criminal records can be withheld if such records are part of active criminal investigations, and disclosing them may undermine investigators’ efforts. Also, criminal records will not be disclosed if they put a third party’s safety at risk.

How to Obtain Wasco County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

Wasco County police reports and arrest records are available at the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Requesters can request Wasco County police reports and arrest records by submitting a completed Public Records Request Form to:

Records Division,
Wasco County Sheriff's Office
511 Washington Street, Suite 102,
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 506-2580
Fax: (541) 506-2581
Email: sheriff@co.wasco.or.us

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Wasco County

Per Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 163A, information regarding sex offenders must be accessible to the public by the Oregon State Police. However, sex offender information may be withheld if the offender is under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB).

Wasco County residents can access vital information on Level 3 sex offenders through the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registry Section. Individuals can get information regarding other sex offenders by contacting the Oregon State Police (OSP) at (503) 934-1258 or Sexoffender.Questions@osp.oregon.gov. Another way to obtain information about sex offenders is through the National Sex Offender Public Website, which is a central repository containing details of sex deviants in the United States. Record seekers can find a sex offender by name and location. Using the name option to search for sex violators requires that requestors know the offender's first and last name. By clicking on 'advance' on the homepage, users can search for a sex offender by county, city/town, and zip code. Interested parties may conduct location searches by entering an address, city, state and mile in the appropriate fields.

How to Find Wasco County Inmate Records

Record seekers can find the current Wasco County inmate records list at the Northern Oregon Corrections (NORCOR) website. Inmate records contain the offender’s full name, charges, booking date, bail, and scheduled release.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Wasco County Jail?

Wasco County jail visitations are typically done through videos, both on and off-site, using a video-only system. While off site visitors may connect remotely, on-site visitors may use the service provided in the administration lobby of the building. Remote video visiting is available to family, family, and others without restrictions on the number of visitations. Off-site visitors are typically scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis. To schedule a visitation at Wasco County jail requestors may:

Create a login at the kiosk in the NORCOR Administration.
After creating the login, visitors can proceed to a Tablet in the admin lobby to schedule a visit. The visitor may then double tap the tablet to activate, login using their information and select the option to schedule a visit or "VISIT NOW".

Offenders at Wasco County jail have free visiting time that visitors can use by choosing the option of the offender paying for the visit. The offender can then choose to apply the free minutes toward the visit. This free visiting time is usually 60 minutes per week which is always reactivated every Monday. It is important to note that unused free minutes do not roll over to the next week.

Off-site and additional visiting beyond the free minutes cost about. 25 cents a minute. Before scheduling, all video visitation payments must be made using the verified Friends & Family phone number/account. Available visiting times differ throughout the jail due to classifications and housing units. For instance, visitors need to notify NORCOR Staff at least 2 hours before the visit before they can visit an inmate in a segregation unit (300 or 700 block). Minors can only visit inmates in the company of their parents or legal guardians.

Court Records

The court systems available in Wasco County are the circuit court and municipal court. A circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction where all criminal and civil matters like a felony, collection, misdemeanor, personal injury, traffic, probate, and juvenile are tried. A municipal court is a court with limited jurisdiction that has authority over matters like misdemeanor crimes or petty offenses. Wasco County courts are located at:

Wasco County Circuit Court
511 Washington Street
P.O. Box 1400
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 506-2700

The Dalles Municipal Court
313 Court Street,
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 296-5481

Are Wasco County Court Records Public?

Yes, Wasco County court records are public. According to the Oregon Public Records Law, everyone in Wasco County has the right to inspect any public record of a public agency. However, records containing confidential or sensitive information are not available to the general public.

How to Obtain Wasco County Civil Court Case Records

Record seekers can obtain Wasco County civil court case records from Wasco County Circuit Court. Interested parties must provide applications containing civil court case details, including names, charge information, court dates, and other related details. All requests can be submitted by mail or in-person alongside the necessary application fees to:

Wasco County Circuit Court
511 Washington Street
P.O. Box 1400
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 506-2700

How to Obtain Wasco County Criminal Court Records

Requestors can request Wasco County criminal court records from the Wasco County Circuit Court. Interested persons must be willing to provide specific information such as names, charge details, dates, and the court’s final disposition. Some criminal court records may be unavailable to the general public for confidential or sensitive reasons. Also, individuals would need a court order to access sealed court records. Record seekers can apply for criminal court records by mail or in-person. They must submit requests with the necessary application fees to:

Wasco County Circuit Court
511 Washington Street
P.O. Box 1400
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 506-2700

What are Wasco County Vital Records?

Wasco County's vital records are reports of death, live birth, fetal death, marriage, divorce, declaration of domestic partnership, and related data that have been accepted for registration and incorporated into the official records of the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. Record seekers can get vital records from the Oregon Vital Records office, known as the Center for Health Statistics (CHS), in accordance with the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) and Administrative Rule. There are different ways requesters can get vital records in Wasco County:

Internet: Individuals can order vital records online through vendors provided by the Oregon vital records office. Online orders cost a $43.25 nonrefundable fee for the first record and $25.00 for each additional copy of the same record. $25.00 will be charged for a different record as part of a group order, and payment must be made by credit/debit card.
Telephone: Individuals can call (888) 896-4988 to order vital records. This order costs a nonrefundable fee of $25 for one record search and $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Payment must be made by credit/debit card only.
Regular mail: Interested persons are to download the Vital Record Order Forms and mail them to the Oregon Vital Records Office. Record seekers sending a mail request must include a photocopy of their IDs or alternative documents, the reason for needing the record, and their signatures. A mail-order costs a nonrefundable fee of $25 for one record search and about $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Payments can be made via money order or check, cash payments are not allowed.
Rush mail: Records seekers must download the Vital Record Order Forms and mail them to the Oregon Vital Records Office using any overnight delivery service. Ordering vital records through rush mail costs a nonrefundable fee of $25 for one record search and a $25 fee for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Payments can be made via money order.
Drop box: Submit the Vital Record Order Forms alongside the necessary fees and required documents in a sealed envelope in the drop box at the Oregon State Office Building. The necessary fees include a nonrefundable $25 fee for one record search and $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Payments must be made by money order or check; cash payments are not allowed.
In-person: Interested persons must schedule an appointment online before going to the Oregon Vital Records Office. Appointments usually take 30 minutes, and individuals are expected to check-in 5 minutes before their appointment. Early arrivals may have to wait outside the building until their scheduled appointment, and late arrivals may be asked to reschedule. In-person applicants must pay a nonrefundable fee of $28 for one record search and $25 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously. Payments can be made by cash, check/ money order, and debit/credit card.

All vital record applicants in Wasco County must submit a valid or alternative ID. The identification requirements include but are not limited to:

Driver's license
Permanent Resident Card with photo
Passport
US Armed Services ID Card with photo
Citizen ID with photo

Where and How to Obtain Wasco County Divorce Records

A divorce record is a legal document that provides evidence that a married couple has legally and officially dissolved their marriage. In Wasco County, divorce records typically include divorce decrees and divorce certificates. Divorce decrees are court documents that contain information about the divorce case, including spousal and child support, custody, visitation, property division, and other information. Both certified and uncertified copies of divorce decrees are available at the Wasco County Circuit Court.

On the other hand, a divorce certificate does not include all the information contained in the decree but may be used as proof of divorce. Access to divorce records is restricted to the divorced parties, immediate family members, legal representatives, and government agencies. Divorce records have a 50 years access restriction. Requesters should be ready to provide the following information:

The wife and husband's full name at birth
Date and place of divorce
Name of the requestor and relationship with the divorced parties
Requestor's signature if ordering by mail

Divorce certificates can be obtained online, by telephone at (888) 896-4988, by mail, in-person, by rush mail, and by drop box. Mail applicants are required to submit a completed Divorce Record Order Form in English or Spanish to:

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

In-person applicants are required to schedule appointments and check-in early on the first floor of the vital records office at:

Oregon Vital Records
Portland State Office Building
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97232

Where and How to Get Public Wasco County Marriage Records

Individuals can get marriage records from the Oregon Vital Records Office. These records are only accessible to the couples whose names are on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and government agencies. Marriage records have a 50 years access restriction. Requestors should be ready to provide the following information:

The bride and groom's full name at birth
Date and place of marriage
Name of the requestor and relationship with the couples.
Requestor's signature if ordering by mail

Marriage records can be obtained online, by telephone at (888) 896-4988, mail, in-person, rush mail, and dropbox. Mail applicants are required to submit a completed Marriage Record Order Form in English or Spanish to the Oregon Vital Records office. Record seekers who wish to apply in person are required to schedule appointments and check-in early on the first floor of the vital records office.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Wasco County

Per ORS 192.314, everyone has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in Oregon. Hence, all marriage records in Wasco County are considered public.

Where and How to Find Wasco County Birth Records

Individuals can find birth records at the Oregon Vital Records Office. According to ORS 432.380, only the record owner, immediate family members, legal representatives, and government agencies qualify to access birth records. Birth certificates in Wasco County have a 100 years access restriction. Requesters are to provide the following information while requesting birth certificates:

Full name of the person on the birth record
Date and place of birth
Father's full name
Mother's full maiden name
The reason for ordering the record
Requester's signature if ordering by mail

Birth records can be obtained online, by telephone at (888) 896-4988, by mail, in-person, by rush mail, and by drop box. Request seekers must submit an approved proof of identification alongside the necessary fees while applying for birth certificates in Wasco County. Mail applicants are required to submit a completed Birth Record Order Form in English or Spanish. Any individual who wants to apply for a birth certificate in person should schedule an appointment and check in early on the first floor of the vital records office.

Where and How to Find Wasco County Death Records

Record seekers can find certified copies of death certificates of deaths that occurred within the past 6 months at their local health departments. However, death certificates of deaths that occurred after 6 months can be obtained from the Oregon Vital Records Office. The Oregon Vital Records Office has records of deaths from 1978 to date. Per ORS 432.380, the decedent's death records can only be assessed by immediate family members, government agencies, legal representatives, and individuals with a personal or property right. Death certificates in Wasco County have a 50 years access restriction. Requesters are to provide the following information while requesting death certificates:

Full name of the decedent
Date and place of death
Decedent's date of birth
Requestor's name and relationship to the decedent
Requestor's signature if ordering by mail

Interested parties can request death certificates online, by telephone at (888) 896-4988, by mail, in-person, by rush mail, and by drop box. Individuals must submit applications alongside a valid ID and application fees. Mail applicants are required to submit a completed Death Record Order Form in English or Spanish. In-person applicants are required to schedule appointments and check-in early on the first floor of the vital records office.