Douglas County Divorce Decree Guide

Douglas County divorce decree records are maintained at the Circuit Court in Roseburg, Oregon. The county was created on January 7, 1852, and has a long history of court records. The courthouse at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue handles all dissolution of marriage cases. Residents and former residents can request copies of their divorce decree by visiting the court or sending a letter. Court staff are available during business hours to help with searches and copy requests. This page explains how to access divorce decree records in Douglas County.

Douglas County Circuit Court

The Douglas County Circuit Court sits at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg. The courthouse was built in 1929 with additions made in 1956 and 1977. It remains the center for all court filings in the county. The main phone number is 541-957-2470. Court hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Christina Parazoo serves as the court administrator and can be reached at 541-957-2409. Belinda Osborne handles ADA-related needs. The court staff assist with divorce decree requests, case searches, and general questions. If you plan to visit, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will search for your case by name or case number.

Douglas County is named after Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The county has deep roots in southern Oregon history. Court records here go back well over a century. Older records may be stored in archive formats. Staff can tell you if a specific case is available on site or if it needs to be pulled from storage.

The image below shows the Douglas County Circuit Court website.

This page lists court contact details, hours, and links to records services.

Obtaining a Divorce Decree in Douglas County

Getting a copy of a divorce decree from Douglas County is straightforward. You can visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request. Both options work well, though in-person visits are typically faster.

For in-person requests, go to the clerk window at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue. Bring your ID. Provide the names of both parties on the case. If you know the case number, share that too. The clerk will look up the file and can print copies for you. Payment is due when you pick up the copies. Checks should be payable to the State of Oregon.

Mail requests should be sent to the Douglas County Circuit Court at the Roseburg address. Include a letter with the party names, approximate year of the divorce, your return address, and payment. The court will process the request and send copies by return mail. Allow extra time for processing and mail delivery.

Under ORS 107, all Oregon courts must maintain dissolution records. This means the Douglas County Circuit Court keeps every divorce decree on file. The law also sets the rules for residency, property division, and support. Judges in Roseburg apply these provisions in all dissolution cases.

Note: The Douglas County Clerk at (541) 672-3311 handles marriage records but does not maintain divorce records.

Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Fees for copies at the Douglas County Circuit Court follow state guidelines. Standard copies and certified copies each have their own rates. Here is a summary of the most common fees:

• Plain copy: $0.25 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 per document
• New divorce filing fee: $287

Certified copies carry the court seal and signature of the clerk. They are required for most legal proceedings, government filings, and financial transactions. A plain copy works for personal reference. The clerk can prepare either type during your visit. For mail requests, specify which type you need in your letter.

Douglas County Records Online

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network provides online access to court case data. You can search Douglas County divorce cases by name or case number. The system displays basic case details including filing dates, party names, and current status. It does not let you download full documents. Use it to find the case number before you request a copy from the court.

The Douglas County court records page on the Oregon Judicial Department website has details about how to request records. It covers fees, procedures, and what to include in a request. This is a good place to start if you want to know the current rules before calling or visiting.

Oregon Law and Douglas County Divorce Decree

Oregon statutes control how divorce cases proceed in every county. ORS 107 requires at least one party to reside in the state for six months before filing. The statute also covers grounds for dissolution. Oregon is a no-fault state, which means a spouse does not need to prove wrongdoing. The court only needs to find that there are irreconcilable differences.

Public records access is governed by ORS 192.311. This law gives the public the right to inspect court records, including divorce decrees. Most records are open. Some documents may be sealed for privacy. Financial statements, child welfare reports, and certain exhibits are more likely to be restricted. The court clerk can tell you if any part of the file you need has been sealed.

The Oregon Vital Records office tracks statewide divorce data under ORS 432.350. If you cannot locate a divorce decree through the Douglas County court, the state office may have a record. This is most helpful for cases that are decades old. The vital records office can issue its own copies, though they differ from court copies.

Douglas County Courthouse History

The Douglas County Courthouse has served Roseburg since 1929. The original building was designed in a classic government style common to that era. Additions in 1956 expanded the court's space. Another round of work in 1977 added more room for records and offices. Today, the building houses both the Circuit Court and related offices.

Court records from Douglas County date back to the 1850s. Older files may be in different formats. Handwritten records from the 1800s and early 1900s are sometimes harder to read. Staff can help you interpret older documents. If a record is too old or fragile to copy, the court may offer alternative access such as a digital scan.

Note: For very old records from the mid-1800s, the Oregon State Archives may be a better source than the local court.

Helpful Tips for Douglas County Searches

A few practical steps can make your search easier. Know the full legal names used at the time of the divorce. Last names may have changed since then. Have a rough date range for when the case was filed. The more details you can provide, the faster the clerk can find the file.

Decide ahead of time if you need a certified or plain copy. Certified copies cost more but are needed for legal and official use. Plain copies are fine for personal records. If you are not sure which type you need, ask the agency or office that requested the document. They can tell you if a certified copy is required.

If the case is recent, the OJCIN system may show case details online. Older cases may not be in the online system. For those, a phone call or visit to the courthouse is the best approach. Staff at 541-957-2470 are happy to help.