Search Oregon Divorce Decree
Oregon divorce decree records are court documents that end a marriage. The Circuit Court in each of Oregon's 36 counties keeps these files. Each divorce decree holds the final judgment of dissolution along with terms for property, support, and custody. You can search for an Oregon divorce decree online through the state court system or in person at the local courthouse. The Oregon Health Authority also keeps divorce certificates going back to 1925. This page covers how to find, request, and obtain a divorce decree anywhere in Oregon.
Oregon Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Where to Find Oregon Divorce Decree
Oregon has two main sources for a divorce decree. The Circuit Court clerk in each county stores full case files. These files hold the petition, the response, settlement terms, and the signed divorce decree. Court staff can search records and give you copies. Visit the courthouse or call ahead to ask what you need.
The Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics keeps divorce certificates for the whole state. A certificate confirms that a dissolution took place. It lists both names, the date, and the county. The Center for Health Statistics holds records from 1925 to now. You can order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person at their Portland office. The first copy costs $25 in Oregon. Keep in mind that a divorce certificate has less detail than the full divorce decree from the court.
The screenshot below shows the Oregon Health Authority vital records page where you can start an order for a divorce certificate in Oregon.
For the complete divorce decree with all terms and court orders, you must go to the Circuit Court clerk in the county where the case was filed.
Oregon ranked 5th in the nation for divorce rates in 2018 based on Census Bureau data. That means a large number of divorce decree records exist across all 36 counties.
How to Search Divorce Decree in Oregon
Oregon offers several ways to look up a divorce decree. Online access is the fastest. You can search from home at any hour. In-person visits work best when you want certified copies or need to see the full file.
The Oregon eCourt Case Information system gives public access to court records across all 36 counties. Smart Search lets you look up cases by name or case number at no charge. Basic details show up right away. The system shows party names, filing dates, and case status for any divorce decree on file. For copies of the actual documents, you still need to reach out to the county clerk.
You can also use the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network for more detailed access. OJCIN is a paid subscription service. It contains judgment dockets and the official Register of Actions from Oregon courts. Subscriber support is at 1-800-858-9658. The system covers civil, domestic, criminal, and probate cases across all 36 Circuit Courts in Oregon.
To search for a divorce decree in Oregon, you will need:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the dissolution
- County where the case was filed
- Case number if you have it
You can also visit any Circuit Court clerk office in person. Go to the county where the divorce decree was filed. Staff can help you find records and make copies. Most clerks charge $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus copy fees.
Oregon Divorce Decree Documents
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage in Oregon. A judge signs it once the case is done. The decree states the marriage is dissolved. It also covers property, spousal support, and children. This is the most thorough record of a divorce in Oregon. It comes from the Circuit Court clerk in the county where the case was heard.
Under ORS 107.105, the judgment of dissolution must address property division, support, and custody. Every divorce decree in Oregon follows this statute. The decree becomes a permanent record of the Circuit Court. You can request certified copies from the clerk at any time after the case is closed.
A divorce decree in Oregon typically contains:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the petition was filed
- Date the divorce decree was entered
- County and court where it was heard
- Terms of property division and support
Court files may also hold motions, declarations, and other papers from the case. These show the full history of the proceedings in Oregon.
Note: A divorce certificate from the Center for Health Statistics is not the same as a divorce decree from the Circuit Court in Oregon.
Oregon Divorce Decree Laws
Oregon law sets the rules for how a divorce decree is granted. Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must live in Oregon for six months before filing. If the marriage took place in Oregon and one spouse still lives here, the residency rule does not apply. You file in the county where either spouse lives.
Oregon is a no-fault state. Under ORS 107.025, the only ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences. No separation is needed. Either spouse can file. The other spouse cannot block it. There is a 90-day waiting period between filing and when the court can sign the divorce decree. For simple cases where both sides agree, the decree can be entered once that period ends.
Vital records like a divorce decree have special rules under ORS 432.350. Divorce certificates are exempt from public disclosure for 50 years after the date of dissolution. After 50 years, the record may be sent to the Oregon State Archives as a public record. Social Security numbers on any divorce decree must stay private under this law.
The Oregon Attorney General offers guidance on public records law. The Public Records Law has over 450 exemptions. Any person can request records without giving a reason. Public bodies must respond within five business days in Oregon.
Divorce Decree Fees in Oregon
Costs vary based on what you need. Filing a new petition costs $287 in most Oregon counties. The response fee is $256. Getting copies of an existing divorce decree costs less.
The Center for Health Statistics charges $25 for a certified divorce certificate. Rush service through VitalChek costs more. Online orders run about $43. Phone orders are about $45. Mail requests take 3 to 5 weeks to process. In-person requests at 800 NE Oregon Street in Portland may be same-day.
Circuit Court copy fees are standard across Oregon. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost $5.00 per document plus page charges. Some courts charge a $3.00 per-case fee for record retrieval. Fee waivers are available if you show financial hardship, such as income below 125% of the federal poverty level.
Note: Fees can change, so call the court or agency to confirm current costs before requesting an Oregon divorce decree.
Get Copies of Oregon Divorce Decree
You have several options. For the full divorce decree with all terms, go to the Circuit Court clerk in the county where the case was filed. You can visit in person or submit a written request by mail. Bring your ID. Know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search and provide copies for a fee.
For a divorce certificate, order from the Center for Health Statistics. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail to PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050, or in person at 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Include the names of both spouses, the date of dissolution, and the county. Payment goes to OHA/Vital Records. You can also call (971) 673-1190 to order by phone with a credit card.
The Oregon State Archives holds historical divorce decree records over 50 years old. Their Reference Room is at 800 Summer Street NE in Salem. Hours are weekdays 8:15 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4:30 PM. Call (503) 373-0701 to schedule a visit. The Oregon Historical Records Index lets you browse circuit court cases from 1852 to 1921 at no cost.
Wait times vary. Online orders are fastest. Mail requests take weeks. Court requests depend on the workload at that county clerk's office in Oregon.
Are Oregon Divorce Decree Records Public
Court records for a divorce decree are generally public in Oregon. Under the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.311 to 192.478, the public has the right to inspect government records. You do not have to be a party in the case. Anyone can request to see a divorce decree at the courthouse.
Some limits apply. Social Security numbers are always redacted. Financial account numbers may be removed. Details about minor children can be sealed. A party may ask a judge to seal certain parts of their divorce decree. Sealed records are rare in Oregon. Divorce certificates from the state are restricted for 50 years under ORS 432.350. But court records at the Circuit Court are generally open.
Historical Divorce Decree Research
Many Oregon counties have divorce decree records going back to the 1850s. Researchers and genealogists use these records to trace family history. The Family Tree Magazine Oregon Counties guide lists record dates and locations for each county. It shows which records are at the county level and which have been sent to the State Archives.
Historical divorce decree records over 50 years old may be accessed through the Oregon State Archives. The Archives holds records from all 36 counties. Some go back to 1852. Contact them at (503) 373-0701 or email Reference.Archives@sos.oregon.gov to ask about specific counties and time periods.
Legal Help for Divorce in Oregon
Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides free help to people with low income. They handle family law cases across the state. Call (503) 224-4086 to ask about their services. The Oregon State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at (503) 684-3763. They can match you with a family law attorney in your area.
The Oregon Judicial Department at courts.oregon.gov has all the forms and instructions you need to file on your own. Step-by-step guides walk you through the process. All official forms are free to download. The site covers everything from filing the petition to getting the final divorce decree signed by a judge in Oregon.
Browse Oregon Divorce Decree by County
Each county in Oregon has its own Circuit Court that keeps divorce decree records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for dissolution records in that area.
Divorce Decree in Major Oregon Cities
Residents of major cities file for dissolution at their county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce decree records in that area.