Columbia County Court Records

Court records consist of several legal documents, including facts on criminal proceedings, civil disputes, family-related matters, marriage and divorce records, and probate details on estates and wills. Generally, requesters seeking court records, including Columbia County arrest records, may obtain them from their custodians unless otherwise stated by relevant state laws. Attorneys and scholars use case records to confirm previous court rulings, perform criminal history checks, and support legal research.

Are Court Records Public in Columbia County?

Yes. The Oregon Public Records Law (OPRL) guarantees the public's right to inspect and receive court records during business hours unless otherwise stated by state law. Although the OPRL grants public access to most court records, some documents may be lawfully restricted to protect personal privacy, the integrity of pending investigations, and the confidentiality of sensitive information. These exemptions may include sealed records, confidential personnel information, investigatory files, and the identities of informants.

Columbia County Court Records Search

There are several resources available to requesters seeking Columbia County court records. The Oregon Judicial Department provides a free online search tool to access basic case information from various courts, including Columbia County Circuit Court. The fee-based Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN Online) provides comprehensive access to case documents and judgment dockets from Oregon State Courts. Inquirers may also request court documents by phone, email, mail, or in person at the Columbia County Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

Columbia County Courts

The Oregon trial court system includes Circuit Courts, County Courts, Municipal Courts, Justice Courts, and Tax Court. The addresses of some of the courts that comprise the Columbia County court system are as follows:

Columbia County Circuit Court
230 Strand Street, St.
Helens, OR 97051
Phone: (503) 397-2327
Fax: (503) 397-3226

Clatskanie Municipal Court
95 South Nehalem Street,
P.O. Box 9,
Clatskanie, OR 97016
Phone: (503) 728-3011
Fax: (503) 728-2143

Vernonia Justice Court
1001 Bridge Street,
P.O. Box 128,
Vernonia, OR 97064
Phone: (503) 429-2441

Columbia County Criminal and Civil Records

In Columbia County, record searchers seeking criminal and civil court records in the county may avail themselves of the following resources:

OJD Records and Calendar Search: The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) offers users a free online service to access court calendars and basic case information from Oregon courts.

OJCIN OnLine: This subscription-based service provides access to comprehensive court case details from Oregon circuit courts. The platform enables requesters to look up criminal (including misdemeanor and felony) civil, small claims, tax, and domestic cases. This service may also allow users to access Columbia County arrest records when conducting criminal case searches.

Online and In-Person Requests: Criminal, civil, and arrest records may also be requested directly from the Columbia County Circuit Court records department via phone, email, mail, or in-person visits. Depending on the volume and type of records requested, such requests are usually completed within 5–10 business days.

The contact details of the Columbia County Circuit Court is as follows:

230 Strand Street
Saint Helens, OR 97051
Phone: (503) 397-2327
Email: Columbia.General@ojd.state.or.us

Columbia County Marriage Records

Eligible requesters may access Columbia County marriage certificates from the Oregon Health Authority Authority (OHA), Center for Health Statistics. This agency maintains and issues certified copies of marriage certificates for weddings that take place in the state.

The cost of searching for a Columbus County marriage certificate and an initial copy is $25.00. Each extra copy ordered also costs $25.00. The applicant should submit a check or money order payable to the OHA/Vital Records. Cash is not accepted, and fees are non-refundable.

Requesters wishing to mail their marriage record requests must complete the Marriage Certificate Order Form. The completed application form, a photocopy of the applicant's valid photo ID, and a $25.00 check or money must be mailed to the following address:

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

In-Person: In addition to the $25.00 fee for the record search and first certificate, requesters must also pay a $3.00 identity authentication fee for in-person services. Applicants must submit all necessary fees and documents to the Oregon Vital Records Office at:

Portland State Office Building
800 NE Oregon Street
Portland, OR 97232

Columbia County Divorce Records

The Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Statistics manages Columbia County divorce records. The cost of searching for a Columbus County divorce record and an initial copy is $25.00. Each extra copy ordered costs $25.00. Eligible requesters must submit a check or money order payable to the "OHA/Vital Records". Cash is not accepted, and fees are non-refundable.

Those wishing to acquire divorce records by mail request must download and complete the divorce order form. Subsequently, the completed application form, a photocopy of the applicant's valid photo ID, and a $25.00 check or money must be mailed to the Oregon Vital Records Office at the foregoing address.

Columbia Birth Records

Requesters seeking Columbia County birth records may obtain these documents from the Oregon Vital Records Office. To obtain a birth certificate, an applicant must complete and sign a birth order form, include the applicable payment, and provide a copy of their current ID. The Vital Records Office provides a computer-issued certificate (short form) and a full image certificate (long form) for $25 each. Eligible requesters may order any of the two types of certificates by mail or drop box from the Oregon Vital Records Office.

Columbia Death Records

In Columbia County, eligible requesters who have completed a death order form, included the necessary fee ($25.00), and a copy of their current ID may submit their request packet to the following address:

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

Columbia County Probate Court Records

In Columbia County, the Circuit Court handles probate matters such as overseeing the administration of a deceased person's estate, safeguarding wills, and appointing guardians and conservators for people who need them. Interested persons who wish to obtain Columbia County probate records may visit or mail the Columbia County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the following address:

Columbia County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
230 Strand Street, St.
Helens, OR 97051
Phone: (503) 397-2327

Columbia County Property Records

Individuals in Columbia County may obtain property records via the Property Search Online and Columbia County Web Maps search tool on the County Assessor's Office website. Using search criteria such as address, owner name, or parcel number, visitors may access property-related data on the platform. These include ownership information, property descriptions, assessment data, current and historical property tax information, deeds, and liens.

This information is useful for purposes such as confirming property ownership, understanding property value for tax assessments, and resolving legal disputes related to property boundaries and ownership rights.

Columbia County Court Records Online

Third-party online databases such as oregoncourtrecords.us could be a helpful option for accessing public Columbia County court records. They offer a user-friendly link where interested persons may search specific cases by entering essential details such as case numbers, party names, or dates. These platforms usually allow visitors to inspect and download court records straight from their website, saving time and effort. Nonetheless, such sites act independently of any government agency and, as such, may contain inaccurate or false information.