Court records in Clackamas County, Oregon can be searched through several channels. ClackamasCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Clackamas County Circuit Court records page, the Oregon Judicial Department's online search tools, the clerk's office at the courthouse in Oregon City, and public access terminals available on-site during business hours.
Clackamas Court System & Jurisdictions
Oregon uses a unified court system, so Clackamas County does not have separate district, magistrate, or municipal courts. The Clackamas County Circuit Court is the sole trial court of general jurisdiction and handles virtually all case types filed in the county.
Case Types Handled by the Circuit Court
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, and violations occurring within Clackamas County
- Civil cases — contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes, and general civil litigation
- Small claims — civil disputes up to the statutory limit (currently $10,000 under ORS 46.405)
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, modifications, and domestic relations matters
- Probate and guardianship — estates, wills, conservatorships, and guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile — delinquency and dependency cases (access to these records is restricted by statute)
- Traffic and parking — citations, traffic violations, and related infractions
- Protective orders — restraining orders, stalking protective orders, and related filings
If you are unsure which docket to search, start with the circuit court — it is the only trial-level court in the county. Federal cases filed in the Portland area are handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, not the Clackamas County Circuit Court.
Clackamas Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The Oregon Judicial Department provides free online access to court calendars for all circuit courts, including Clackamas County. To look up today's, tomorrow's, or this week's hearings:
- Go to the OJD Records and Calendar Search page.
- Select "Clackamas" from the court location list.
- Search by party name, case number, or date range to find scheduled hearings.
This free tool displays basic calendar information such as hearing date, time, courtroom, case number, and party names. You can also use the Find a Case or Court Record page to locate case-level details.
For more detailed case information — including documents, financial records, and full docket entries — the OJCIN OnLine system (which includes Oregon eCourt Case Information, or OECI) is available by subscription. OJCIN charges access fees and is commonly used by attorneys, title companies, and background screening services.
Note that certain case types — including juvenile, adoption, and some mental health proceedings — may not appear in public calendar searches due to state confidentiality laws.
How to Get a Copy of a Clackamas Court Document
The Clackamas County Circuit Court offers several ways to obtain copies of court documents. The type of copy you need — certified or uncertified — determines the process and cost.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse to request copies. Staff can print documents from the Oregon eCourt system while you wait. Bring the case number if you have it; a party name search is also possible.
By Mail
If you cannot visit the courthouse, you can submit a written request. Complete the Clackamas County Circuit Court Public Records Request form and mail it to the address above. Include the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date, case type) for staff to locate the record. Enclose payment for applicable fees.
Online Viewing
The court provides free access to view records maintained in the Oregon eCourt Information system at the courthouse on public terminals. Basic case information — such as case status, party names, charges, and hearing dates — is also available at no charge through the OJD online search. Downloading or printing full documents online typically requires an OJCIN OnLine subscription.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies — standard photocopies or printouts, suitable for personal reference
- Certified copies — stamped and signed by the court clerk, required for legal proceedings, government filings, and some background checks
Ask the clerk whether a certified copy is necessary for your purpose before paying the higher fee.
Records That May Be Restricted
Certain records are not available to the general public, including:
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Some mental health commitment records
The Clackamas County records inventory maintained by the Oregon State Archives can help locate older or archived records that may no longer be in the court's active electronic system.
Clackamas Court Records Fees & Payment
The Clackamas County Circuit Court charges fees for copies, certifications, and record searches. Fees are set by Oregon statute and the Oregon Judicial Department's Uniform Fee Schedule. The following table reflects standard Oregon circuit court fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 |
| Record search (per name, per year searched) | Varies; contact the clerk |
| Appeal filing or transcript fees | Varies by case type |
| OJCIN OnLine access (subscription) | Set by OJCIN; see OJCIN OnLine |
Accepted Payment Methods
The Clackamas County Circuit Court accepts the following forms of payment:
- Credit or debit card
- Personal check
- Cashier's check
- Money order
Two-party checks are not accepted. If paying by mail, make checks or money orders payable to the Clackamas County Circuit Court. Contact the clerk's office before sending payment to confirm the exact amount, especially for multi-page documents or searches spanning multiple years.
For criminal background checks at the state level, the Oregon State Police Criminal History Records Check program is a separate process with its own fee schedule and is not handled by the circuit court.