Jackson County Divorce Decree Records

Jackson County is the sixth most populous county in Oregon with more than 200,000 residents. Founded in 1852, the county spans temperate valleys along the Rogue River and Bear Creek. The region supports over 2,000 acres of wine grapes and more than 100 wineries. Healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism drive the local economy. The Circuit Court in Medford handles all divorce decree cases for Jackson County. The courthouse sits at 100 S. Oakdale in Medford. Residents and researchers can access dissolution records through several methods.

Jackson County Circuit Court

The Jackson County Circuit Court processes all divorce decree filings. The court address is 100 S. Oakdale, Medford, OR 97501. Call 541-776-7171 ext 35027 for questions about records. One key detail for Jackson County: the County Clerk is not the custodian of divorce records. The Circuit Court Clerk holds all dissolution files.

Historical divorce records in Jackson County date back to 1856. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records from 1856 through 1978 in archived format. Cases filed after 1978 are in the current court system. For any divorce decree from Jackson County, start with the Circuit Court Clerk at the Justice Building in Medford.

The Jackson County Circuit Court website shown below has details on services and court hours.

Visit this page to find forms and filing instructions before your trip to the courthouse.

How to Search Jackson County Divorce Decree Files

Jackson County offers a free OJIN terminal at the Justice Building. You can walk in and search for a divorce decree without paying a fee. The terminal is open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. No appointment is needed. Just bring the name of one or both parties.

You can also search from home through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network. Online access requires a paid account. Basic searches show case numbers, party names, and filing dates. For copies of a divorce decree, you need to contact the clerk. The Jackson County records page explains how to make requests.

The Jackson County court records page below walks through the steps for requesting copies.

Follow the instructions on the page to submit a records request by mail or in person.

Jackson County Divorce Decree Filing Process

Filing for a divorce decree in Jackson County starts with a petition. You prepare the paperwork and bring it to the clerk at 100 S. Oakdale. The fee is $287. Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months.

After filing, you serve the other spouse. The only ground for dissolution under ORS 107.025 is irreconcilable differences. A 90-day wait follows service. The court cannot enter a divorce decree before the wait ends. If both sides agree on all terms, the process moves quickly once the wait is over. Contested cases take longer. The judge may hold hearings on property, custody, and support before signing the final decree.

Jackson County has a busy family law docket. With over 200,000 residents, the court sees many dissolution cases each year. Plan for some wait time if your case goes to a hearing.

Jackson County Clerk and Divorce Records

Many people call the Jackson County Clerk first when looking for a divorce decree. However, the Clerk is not the custodian of these records. The Jackson County Clerk divorce records page explains this and directs visitors to the Circuit Court. The Clerk handles marriage licenses and property records but not dissolution files.

The image below shows the Jackson County Clerk page that clarifies where to find divorce decree records.

Save time by going straight to the Circuit Court for any divorce decree request.

For marriage records or property deeds that may relate to a dissolution, the County Clerk can help. Their office is separate from the Circuit Court. Both are in Medford. Check the Jackson County website for addresses and hours of all county offices.

Divorce Decree vs. State Certificate

A divorce decree and a divorce certificate serve different needs. The decree is the court order. It details property splits, custody plans, support, and name changes. The certificate is a one-page summary from the state. It confirms the divorce took place.

Oregon's Center for Health Statistics issues certificates under ORS 432.350. You can order one from the Oregon Vital Records office. The cost is $25. For the full divorce decree with all terms, contact the Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk in Medford.

Jackson County Divorce Decree Contents

A typical divorce decree from Jackson County includes the names of both parties and the date the marriage began. It lists the date the petition was filed and the date the judgment was entered. The decree covers division of property and debts. If children are involved, it sets custody and parenting time. Support obligations appear in the decree as well.

• Names and addresses of both spouses
• Date of marriage and date of filing
• Property and debt division terms
• Custody and parenting time schedule
• Spousal and child support amounts
• Any name restoration orders

Most of the file is public. Anyone can request copies. Some parts may be sealed to protect children or financial details. The clerk can tell you what is available for a given case.

Jackson County Government Resources

The Jackson County government website provides links to all county departments and services.

Use this site to find phone numbers, office addresses, and online services for Jackson County.

The Jackson County Circuit Court homepage has court calendars, self-help forms, and filing guides. Legal Aid Services of Oregon may help low-income residents with family law cases in the Medford area. The Oregon State Bar referral line can match you with a local family law attorney. Court staff in Jackson County can answer general questions about the process but cannot give legal advice.