Marion County Divorce Decree Records

Marion County is home to Salem, the state capital of Oregon. The Circuit Court at 100 High Street NE manages all divorce decree records for the county. As part of the 3rd Judicial District, this court handles one of the highest case volumes in the state. Records go back to 1848, making the Marion County archive one of the oldest in Oregon. The city of Salem does not maintain divorce records, so the Circuit Court is the sole source. This guide covers how to search for, request, and obtain divorce decree copies in Marion County.

Marion County Circuit Court Location

The Marion County Circuit Court is located at 100 High St NE in Salem, Oregon 97301. The mailing address is PO Box 12869, Salem, OR 97309. You can reach the court by phone at (503) 588-5105. The court also operates a juvenile facility at 2970 Center St NE and a criminal annex at 4000 Aumsville Highway SE. Divorce and family law cases are handled at the main courthouse on High Street.

The lobby has six public terminals available from 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. These terminals connect to the court database and let you search for case details. Staff are available to help with records requests during the same hours. The courthouse is centrally located in downtown Salem, close to the state capitol building.

The image below shows the Marion County Circuit Court page on the Oregon Judicial Department website.

This portal lists court hours, contact details, and services for the Salem courthouse.

How to Get a Divorce Decree

The Marion County Circuit Court accepts records requests in person, by mail, and by phone. In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring a valid ID and the names of both parties. Use one of the six public terminals to look up the case, then ask staff for copies. The terminals show filing dates, party names, and case status.

Mail requests should go to PO Box 12869, Salem, OR 97309. Include the full names on the divorce, the approximate year of filing, and a check payable to the State of Oregon. Phone requests can be placed at (503) 588-5105. Staff will provide fee details and processing timelines.

Under ORS 107, all Oregon courts must keep dissolution records. The law covers residency requirements, property division, custody, and support. At least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months before filing. Every Marion County divorce decree follows these rules.

Marion County Divorce Decree Archives

Marion County has one of the deepest record archives in the state. Circuit Court records go back to 1848. Divorce records cover the same time span, from 1848 through the present. Records from 1987 onward are in digital format. Files from 1910 to 1987 are stored on microfilm. Older records may be in their original paper form.

The Marion County Records Center at 555 Court Street NE stores much of this archive. The facility spans 17,000 square feet and holds 12,000 cubic feet of records. You can contact the Records Center at 503-588-5225 for questions about archived files. Staff can pull older files upon request, though retrieval may take additional time.

Online Search Tools

Marion County offers several online options for searching court records. The Marion County Case Search Tool is available through the Oregon Judicial Department. You can look up cases by name or case number. The OJCIN system also covers Marion County cases and is available through a subscription.

The Marion County court records page outlines all request methods and fees. The Marion County government records page provides additional context about county record keeping. These online tools help you confirm case details before submitting a formal request.

The following image shows the Marion County records and services page on the county website.

This page lists contact information and record types available through the county.

Salem and Divorce Decree Records

Salem serves as both the Marion County seat and the Oregon state capital. This is worth noting because many people assume the city government maintains divorce records. It does not. The city of Salem has no role in storing or providing divorce decree copies. All requests must go through the Marion County Circuit Court.

State agencies located in Salem, such as the Oregon Vital Records office, do handle some vital event data. Under ORS 432.350, the state tracks divorces statewide. If the Marion County court cannot find an older record, the state office may have it. However, the Circuit Court is the primary source for Marion County cases.

Fees for Marion County Records

Fees at the Marion County Circuit Court follow state guidelines. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Certified copies carry the court seal and serve as legal proof that the document matches the original. Banks, agencies, and attorneys typically require certified copies.

Payment by check or money order is standard for mail requests. Make checks payable to the State of Oregon. In-person payments may also be accepted in cash. Confirm payment methods when you contact the court. Copy fees apply to each page or document, so complex cases with multiple filings will cost more.

Marion County Divorce Decree Tips

Marion County is one of the busiest courts in Oregon. The Salem courthouse sees a high volume of visitors each day. Arrive early for the best experience. Morning hours between 8:00 AM and noon are prime time for records requests. The midday break from noon to 1:00 PM means no service during that hour.

Gather all your details before you visit or call. Full legal names at the time of the divorce are essential. An approximate year or date range helps narrow the search. A case number speeds things up significantly. If you do not have the case number, the public terminals can help you find it.

For historical research, the archive going back to 1848 is a valuable resource. Genealogists and family historians may find records from Oregon's territorial period. The Records Center at 555 Court Street NE can assist with these older requests. Staff are familiar with the archive layout and can point you to the right collection. Allow extra time for retrieval of pre-digital files.