Grant County Divorce Decree Access

Grant County maintains divorce decree records at the Circuit Court in Canyon City, Oregon. This remote eastern Oregon county was incorporated on October 14, 1864. The courthouse at 201 South Humbolt Street holds dissolution records spanning over a century. Grant County is part of the 24th Judicial District, which it shares with Harney County. Residents seeking a copy of a divorce decree can visit the court or send a written request. This page outlines the process for searching and obtaining divorce decree records in Grant County.

Grant County Circuit Court

The Grant County Circuit Court is located at 201 South Humbolt Street, Suite 300, in Canyon City. The phone number is 541-575-1438. Judge Robert S. Raschio presides over this court. The courthouse was completed in 1952 and continues to serve as the center for all court business in the county.

Grant County is part of the 24th Judicial District along with Harney County. This means the judge and some staff split time between the two counties. Court schedules may vary as a result. Call ahead to confirm that the court will be open when you plan to visit. Staff can also tell you if the judge will be in Canyon City or John Day on a given day.

The county was carved from Wasco and Umatilla counties in 1864. Early court records date to that era. The court holds files going back many decades. For very old cases from 1864 to 1923, some records may be at the Oregon State Archives rather than in Canyon City. The Historical Records Index includes Grant County divorce records from 1872 to 1922.

Requesting a Grant County Divorce Decree

There are two main ways to get a divorce decree from Grant County. You can go in person or send a request by mail. Each method has clear steps. Choose the option that works best for your situation.

For in-person visits, go to Suite 300 at 201 South Humbolt Street in Canyon City. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the clerk the names of both parties and the year the divorce was filed. If you have the case number, that speeds up the search. The clerk will pull the file and let you review it. You can then order plain or certified copies. Payment is due at the time of the request.

For mail requests, write to the Grant County Circuit Court at 201 S Humbolt Street, Suite 300, Canyon City, OR 97820. Include the party names, approximate year, your return address, and a check payable to the State of Oregon. State clearly what type of copies you need. The court will process the request and mail your copies back. Mail requests take extra time due to the remote location.

Under ORS 107, the Circuit Court keeps all dissolution records on file. The law sets the rules for filing, property division, support, and custody. Grant County judges follow these statutes in every case.

The image below shows the Grant County Circuit Court website.

This site provides contact details, court schedules, and links to records services.

Divorce Decree Fees in Grant County

Copy fees at the Grant County Circuit Court are set by state guidelines. Standard fees apply for most requests. Certified copies cost more but include the court seal. Here is a summary of typical charges:

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

Certified copies are needed for most legal uses. Banks, government agencies, and other courts usually require the official seal. A plain copy is fine for personal reference. If you are not sure which type you need, check with the agency that asked for the document. The clerk can prepare either type during your visit or in response to a mail request.

For transcript requests, contact Rose Bolyard at 541-473-5171. She coordinates all transcript orders for the Grant County Circuit Court. Transcripts are separate from copy requests and may have different fees and timelines.

Note: Payment by check is preferred for mail requests and should be made payable to the State of Oregon.

Grant County Historical Divorce Records

Grant County has one of the older collections of court records in eastern Oregon. The county was formed in 1864, and records from that era still exist. Divorce records from 1872 to 1922 appear in the Grant County Historical Records Index. These early files provide a look at court activity during the settlement period of the region.

For records from 1864 to 1923, the Oregon State Archives may hold the original files. The archives store historical records from counties across the state. If the Grant County Circuit Court cannot locate an older case, the state archives are the next place to check. You can contact the archives online or by phone to start a search.

More recent records are held at the courthouse in Canyon City. Files from the mid-1900s forward are usually available on request. The 1952 courthouse has storage for decades of case files. Staff can pull records from the archive room during business hours. Older files may take a bit longer to find since they are stored in a different section.

The screenshot below shows the Grant County court records page.

This page covers how to request records, fees, and contact details for the court.

Online Search for Grant County Records

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network covers all circuit courts in the state. You can search Grant County divorce cases by name or case number. The system shows filing dates, party names, and case status. It does not provide document downloads. Use it to find the case number before contacting the court for copies.

The Grant County records page on the Oregon Judicial Department site explains how to make record requests. It lists procedures, fees, and forms. This is a good resource if you want to know the current rules before calling the court. For the actual divorce decree, you must contact the Grant County Circuit Court in Canyon City.

Grant County Divorce Decree and Oregon Law

ORS 107 governs all divorce proceedings in Oregon. It requires at least one spouse to live in the state for six months before filing. The law covers property division, spousal support, and child custody. Grant County judges apply these provisions in every dissolution case. The same rules have been in place for years, though the legislature updates them from time to time.

Oregon's public records law, ORS 192.311, gives the public the right to access most court records. Divorce decrees are generally open records. Some case details may be sealed by the judge for privacy. If a record is sealed, you would need a court order to access it. The clerk can tell you if any part of the file you need is restricted.

The Oregon Vital Records office tracks divorces under ORS 432.350. The state office maintains vital event records going back many years. If the Grant County court cannot find an older divorce decree, the state office is another option. This is especially useful for cases from the early 1900s that may not be in the local court system.

Grant County Clerk Office

The Grant County Clerk office is at 201 South Humbolt Street, Suite 290, in Canyon City. Brenda Percy serves as the county clerk. The office phone is 541-575-1675. The clerk handles property records, elections, and other county matters. Marriage licenses are issued through this office as well.

The county clerk does not maintain divorce records. This is a common point of confusion. Divorce filings are court records, not county clerk records. If you call the clerk about a divorce decree, they will refer you to the Circuit Court upstairs in Suite 300. Both offices are in the same building, which makes it easy if you go to the wrong one by mistake.

Note: For divorce decree requests, always go to the Circuit Court in Suite 300, not the County Clerk in Suite 290.

Tips for Searching in Grant County

Grant County is remote. Canyon City is a small town in eastern Oregon. Visiting in person requires some travel for most people. If you live far away, a mail request is the practical choice. If you are in the area, an in-person visit gives you the fastest results.

Prepare your information before you contact the court. Full legal names, dates, and case numbers all help. The more detail you provide, the quicker the clerk can find the record. If you only have partial information, the clerk may still be able to locate the case, but it could take longer. For cases before 1923, ask the clerk if the record is in Canyon City or at the state archives.