Jefferson County Court Records

Jefferson County court records are legal documents generated by the court in a particular criminal or civil case. They include records or documents submitted to the court and maintained by the court clerk in any civil, traffic, or criminal proceeding in any Jefferson County court.

Court records contain case information and are stored in the Oregon or Jefferson County case management system. They typically include docket entries, files, exhibits, pleadings, orders, decrees, judgments, transcripts, witness statements, expert testimony, and other information. Court records provide an accurate recording of a legal proceeding and serve as public evidence to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency. It is also useful for subsequent appellate proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Jefferson County?

Yes. The Oregon Public Records Law describes public records as any written material or document that contains information relating to the conduct of public business, including court records, land records, and official documents prepared, owned, or in custody of a public body. In Jefferson County, every person has the right to inspect court records regardless of form or characteristics (OR Rev Stat § 192.410).

Requesters need not be residents of Jefferson County or the United States to exercise the right to freedom of information in Oregon. The right to access and inspect records in custody of state agencies/public bodies applies to all persons regardless of their intent or identity, except where the record is exempt from public disclosure.

Information may be exempt from public disclosure for a plethora of reasons. Oftentimes, it's due to the nature and sensitivity of the record and to prevent unwarranted interference with law enforcement investigations, a person's safety and privacy, and to protect confidential informants and victims of crime. Court records may also be exempt from public disclosure following a court order or provisions in federal or state laws. However, the Jefferson court clerks are mandated to separate exempt information from nonexempt information in a public record and make the nonexempt court records available for public inspection (OR Rev Stat § 192.338).

Jefferson County Records Search

Interested persons may conduct a Jefferson County court record search at the following locations:

• The originating courthouse
• The relevant county court clerk's office
• Oregon Judicial Branch Records and Calendar Search
• Oregon Judicial Case Information Network
• Third-party court record search sites.

Jefferson County Courts

The Jefferson County Court system consists of a circuit court and two municipal courts. Please find listed below the addresses and contact information of the courts in Jefferson County:

Jefferson County Circuit Court
129 SW E Street, Suite 101
Madras, OR 97741
Phone: (541) 475-3317
Fax: (541) 447-5116

Madras Municipal Court
125 SW E Street,
Madras, OR 97741
Phone: (541) 475-2424

Metolius Municipal Court
636 Jefferson Avenue
Metolius, OR 97741
Phone: (541) 546-5533

Jefferson County Criminal and Civil Records

In Jefferson County, civil court records are documents on legal disputes involving individuals, organizations, and private parties. Civil cases often relate to contractual disputes, torts, divorce and separation, employment and workplace relations (unlawful termination), landlord/tenant disputes, property settlement, personal injury, medical negligence, defamation, child custody, adoption, wrongful arrests, and others. Jefferson Criminal records, on the other hand, are concerned with arrests, warrants, criminal charges, and convictions for felony or misdemeanor offenses, or deposition of charges.

Members of the public can obtain copies of Jefferson County civil and criminal records at the court that decided the case in question. Individuals may visit the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's office to inspect or request copies of civil or criminal court records. The Circuit Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Researchers may utilize public access terminals at the court clerk's office to look up case information as needed. The Clerk shall charge copying and certification fees where necessary to fulfil requests for copies of court records.

Additionally, it is possible to mail a Court Records Request form to the Jefferson County circuit court. It is advised to call ahead to confirm if any fees are involved and the correct mode of payment. Mail requests shall include the sender's name, address, contact information, party name, case number, preferred mode of receipt (if available), and a money order or check containing necessary processing fees. Furthermore, interested persons may also request audio copies of civil or criminal court proceedings by completing and submitting the Jefferson Audio Copy Request Form.

Jefferson County Marriage Records

Individuals may obtain a copy of their marriage license from the Jefferson County Clerk's Office. To request a copy of Jefferson County Marriage Records, complete the Marriage License Copy Request form and submit it to the address below. Marriage records cost $7.75 per certified copy and $4.00 for regular copies.

Jefferson County Clerk's Office
66 SE D Street, Suite C
Madras, OR 97741
Phone: (541) 475-4451

Jefferson County Divorce Records

Access to Divorce Records or Dissolution of Oregon Registered Partnership Records (ORDP) records is restricted until 50 years from the date of the divorce or dissolution. Any person who wishes to order a Jefferson County divorce record must be eligible to do so (with proof) and complete the application process. According to the Oregon Health Authority, the individuals named in the record, such as parents, step/grandparents, spouses, registered domestic partners, legal guardians, authorised representatives, and government representatives, are all eligible applicants.

Jefferson County divorce records may be ordered online, by phone call, by dropbox, by mail, or in-person request to the Office of Vital Records. Applicants must submit their order forms, a copy of a valid ID, and a $25 search and processing fee (per record).

Oregon Vital Records
800 NE Oregon Street
Portland OR 97232.

The standard processing time for vital records is 8-10 weeks.

Jefferson County Birth Records

Jefferson County Birth Records are vital records in the custody of the State Office of Vital Records. Similar to divorce records, Oregon birth and death certificates are only available to the record owner, their parents (including step parents and grandparents), spouses, registered domestic partners, legal guardians, authorised representatives, and government representatives. Birth certificates may be computer-issued/short form certificates ($25) or full image/long form certificates ($30).

Applicants must be above 15 years of age to request copies of their birth certificate. Jefferson County birth certificates may be ordered online, by Phone: ((971) 673-1190), by mail, dropbox, or in person at the Oregon Vital Records Office.

Jefferson County Death Records

Death records in Jefferson County are not public records. They are restricted to the deceased's parents, grandparents, stepparents, siblings, children, grandchildren, spouse, registered parents, funeral service practitioners, beneficiaries or trustees, legal/authorized representatives, and an individual with Notarized permission to pick up the certificate. Like other vital records, applicants can order Jefferson County Death Records online ($47.50), by Phone: ($49.50), in person ($28), or by mail ($25) through the Oregon Vital Statistics/Oregon Health Authority.

Jefferson County Probate Court Records

Jefferson County probate court records are court documents on the administration of estates, wills, trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, and adoption cases. The Jefferson County circuit court has jurisdiction over all probate matters in the county. Researchers may obtain probate records from the circuit court clerk's office or online at the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network or the OJD Circuit Courts Records Search website.

Jefferson County Property Records

The Jefferson County Clerk keeps official records of all real property records, such as titles, liens, mortgages, deeds of assignments, trust property, and others. Requests for Copies of Jefferson County property records can be made via phone call, fax, e-mail, or in person. Complete and submit the Public Records Request Form, including the correct fees payable to the Jefferson County Clerk.

Jefferson County Court Records Online

Third-party online search websites like Oregoncourtrecords.us are helpful resources for finding Jefferson County court records. These sources provide information on civil and criminal court records in all Jefferson County Courts and other surrounding jurisdictions. Users can search for and download case dockets and court records quickly. While using a third-party site offers faster processing times, the results obtained may not be as comprehensive and accurate as official records.