Access to Public Records
Multnomah County Purchasing maintains procurement and contract records. Your ability to access these public records follows Oregon State Law (ORS 192) and Multnomah County Administrative Procedure REC-2 (Multnomah County Public Records Disclosure Practice).
According to ORS 192.440, if the estimated fees for your records request are more than $25.00, Purchasing will notify you in writing. We will need your approval to move forward with the request.
How to Submit a Public Records Request
You can submit your request in the following ways:
- Electronically: Use the Multnomah County Public Records Request Center.
- By Mail: Send your request to:
Public Records Request
Multnomah County Purchasing
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 320
Portland, OR 97214
- By Phone: If you need help creating your request, you may call us at 503-988-5111.
To help us process your request efficiently, please include the following information if you know it:
- Sourcing event number and name
- Sourcing event lead (contact person)
- Contract number and supplier name
- Detailed description of records are being requested
- Originating department
Fees, Notification, and Payment
Fees for Public Records Requests cover the costs of fulfilling your request, which include research, retrieval, putting records back into files, duplication, and any other tasks related to responding. Most records requested are already electronic and fulfillment of the request is generally done through the Multnomah County Public Records Request Center.
- Payment Method: We only accept payment by credit or debit card.
- Minimum Processing Fee: All requests will have a minimum $22.61 processing fee. This covers the basic administrative costs of handling your request, such as reviewing it, assigning it to staff, research, and coordinating payment and record transfer.
- Additional Staff Time: If staff need more time to research and retrieve records, this time will be charged based on the individual's hourly rate, in 15-minute increments. This is in addition to the base fee.
- Cost Estimate: After we assess your request, we will provide you with a written estimate of the full cost. This estimate will include costs for retrieval, duplication, scanning, binding, oversized paper, postage, and other related expenses.
- Payment Required in Advance: Payment for the estimated amount is required upfront before we can provide the records. Once payment is received, the records will be provided.
- Printed Copies: $0.25 per side
- Research and Retrieval Charges: Individual staff rate, charged in 15-minute increments.
- Binding, Oversized Paper, and Mail/Shipping Fees: Actual cost incurred.
- Legal Review of Request and/or Records: Determined on a case-by-case basis.
- County Records Management & Archives Review: Determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Charges from Other Multnomah County Departments: Based on the fees of those departments and determined on a case-by-case basis.
- USB Drive (16 GB): Actual cost plus shipping.
- Important Note: This fee schedule is not exhaustive. Each request is unique and will be evaluated individually.
- Fee Waiver or Reduction: The Purchasing Manager or a designated representative may reduce or waive fees if it is determined to be in the public's best interest.
In-Person Records Viewing and Copies
You may view records in person at the Multnomah County Purchasing office by appointment only.
- Scheduling an Appointment: Appointments usually require 24 hours notice so that documents can be retrieved from our off-site storage location. Call us at 503-988-5111 to set up an appointment.
- In-Person Copy Costs: If you request printed copies during an in-person viewing, you will be charged the $22.61 base processing fee, plus $0.25 per page (per side). Payment is required before copies are made.