Gilliam County Divorce Decree Records

Gilliam County stores divorce decree records at the Circuit Court in Condon, Oregon. This rural county in the Columbia Basin wheat region is one of the least populated in the state. The court operates on limited afternoon hours, so planning ahead is essential. Residents can request copies of a divorce decree in person or by mail. The courthouse at 221 South Oregon Street handles all dissolution filings. This page covers the steps for finding and obtaining divorce decree records in Gilliam County.

Gilliam County Circuit Court

The Gilliam County Circuit Court operates from 221 South Oregon Street in Condon. The court phone number is 541-384-3572. This is a small court with limited hours. The office is open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If you plan to visit, arrive early in the afternoon. Staff handle all requests during this window.

Gilliam County was created on February 25, 1885. It is named after Colonel Cornelius Gilliam. The county seat was originally in Alkali, which later became Arlington. The seat moved to Condon in 1890. Today, Condon remains the hub for all county government services, including the Circuit Court. The surrounding area is known for wheat farming and open land.

Under ORS 107, the Circuit Court maintains all divorce records. This includes the final divorce decree, property settlement terms, and any custody orders. The law requires Oregon residency of at least six months before a divorce can be filed. Gilliam County follows the same rules as every other county in the state.

Note: Court hours in Gilliam County are limited to afternoons only, so plan your visit or call accordingly.

How to Request a Gilliam County Divorce Decree

You can request a divorce decree from the Gilliam County Circuit Court in person or by mail. Both methods work. In-person requests are processed the same day if the file is available. Mail requests take longer due to processing and postal time.

For in-person visits, go to the courthouse at 221 South Oregon Street in Condon between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. The clerk will search the records and pull the case file. You can review the file and order copies on the spot. Payment is expected at the time of the request.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Gilliam County Circuit Court, 221 S Oregon Street, Condon, OR 97823. Include the names on the case, the year of filing, your contact details, and a check payable to the State of Oregon. Specify if you need plain or certified copies. The court will process your request and return the copies by mail.

The image below shows the Gilliam County Circuit Court website.

This site lists the court address, phone number, and available services.

Divorce Decree Fees in Gilliam County

The Gilliam County Circuit Court charges standard fees for record copies. Here is a breakdown of the common charges:

• Regular copy: $3.00 per case plus $0.25 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 per document
• Exemplified copy: $10.00 per document
• FTR audio recording: $10.00 to $11.00

Certified copies include the official court seal. They are valid for legal, government, and financial use. An exemplified copy has additional authentication. It is sometimes needed for use in another state or country. The FTR audio option provides a recording of court proceedings. This can be useful if you need to hear what was said during a hearing. Most people only need a standard or certified copy of the divorce decree.

Gilliam County can also provide electronically certified copies. These come with a red and blue ink seal and can be sent by email. This is a convenient option if you are not near Condon. Ask the clerk about this service when you call or submit your request.

Gilliam County Clerk Office

The Gilliam County Clerk office is at PO Box 427 in Condon. Ellen Wagenaar serves as the county clerk. The phone number is 541-351-9450. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The clerk handles property records, elections, and other county business.

The county clerk does not maintain divorce records. This is a common source of confusion. Marriage licenses and property deeds go through the clerk. Divorce decrees go through the Circuit Court. If you contact the clerk by mistake, they will direct you to the court. Both offices are in Condon and the staff are familiar with the distinction. Direct all divorce decree requests to the Circuit Court at 541-384-3572.

The image below shows the Gilliam County Clerk office page.

The clerk handles property and election records but refers divorce requests to the court.

Online Access to Gilliam County Records

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network lets you search court records from any Oregon county, including Gilliam. You can look up cases by name or case number. The system shows basic details such as filing dates, party names, and case status. It does not provide full document downloads. Use it to confirm a case exists and get the case number before requesting copies.

The Gilliam County court records page on the Oregon Judicial Department website has more information about how to request files. It lists fees, procedures, and forms. This is a useful reference before you contact the court directly. For the actual divorce decree document, you must go through the Gilliam County Circuit Court.

Note: Online tools show case data but not the full divorce decree text. Always contact the court for official copies.

Gilliam County Divorce Decree and State Law

Oregon law provides the rules for every divorce case in the state. ORS 107 sets out the requirements for filing, the process for property division, and the standards for custody. Gilliam County judges follow these statutes in every dissolution case. The law also covers modifications to existing divorce decrees. If terms need to change after the divorce, a motion must be filed with the same court.

Public records access falls under ORS 192.311. Most court records are public. Divorce decrees are generally available to anyone who asks. Some parts of a case may be sealed by the judge. Sealed records require a court order to access. The clerk can tell you if any portion of the file is restricted.

The Oregon Vital Records office also tracks divorces statewide. Under ORS 432.350, the state maintains records of vital events. If the Gilliam County court cannot locate an older file, the state office may have a record on file. This is most common for cases from the early to mid-1900s.

The image below is from the Gilliam County court records section.

This page covers fees, request steps, and links to forms for Gilliam County.

Practical Tips for Gilliam County

Gilliam County is small and rural. The court staff are helpful but limited in number. Here are some things to keep in mind. Call before you visit. The afternoon-only hours mean you have a short window each day. If you need a record fast, an in-person visit during court hours is the best option. For less urgent needs, a mail request works fine.

Have all your details ready before you contact the court. Full legal names, approximate dates, and the type of copy you need will speed things up. If you are unsure about fees, call 541-384-3572 and ask. The clerk can give you an estimate based on the size of the file. Payment by check is the safest method for mail requests. Make checks payable to the State of Oregon.