Locating Records

Resources for records that are frequently requested and where they may be located, both within and outside of Multnomah County.

Police, Jail, and Court Records

Court Records - Multnomah County does not hold these records. Court Records are available through the Multnomah County Circuit Court, a division of the Oregon Judicial Department. Instructions on ordering copies

Criminal History Records - Multnomah County does not hold these records. Copies of Criminal Court Records can be ordered through the Multnomah County Circuit Court, a division of the Oregon Judicial Department. General Criminal History Records for Multnomah County residents are held by the Oregon State Police. Requests for criminal histories, including requests as part of a background check, may be requested through their Public Records Unit.

Police, Jail and Court Records - including Police Records, links to the Sheriff's Office, and information about criminal history records and traffic tickets.

Bankruptcy Records - Bankruptcy records are not held by Multnomah County. Records of bankruptcies filed by residents of Multnomah County are held by the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of OregonDetailed instructions on ordering copies.

Property Records

Property Ownership Information - How to find the owner of a property in Multnomah County. See our section on House and Property History for information on locating records related to the house or property rather than owner.

Property Tax Records 

Land Use Records

Permits Records - Advice on finding building permits, certificates of occupancy, and land use records.

Survey Records

Vital Records

Adoption Records - How to research adoption records in Oregon, including the Oregon Adoption Registry, and pre-adoption birth records.

Birth Records - How to research birth records in the State or Oregon, including early City of Portland birth records. All birth records have a 100 year access restriction.

Death Records - How to research death records, and obtain both certified and non-certified copies. All death records are subject to a 50 year access restriction.

Divorce Records - How to research divorce decrees and divorce certificates in Multnomah County. Divorce certificates have a 50 year access restriction.

Name Change Records - How to find name change records, as a result of marriage or domestic partnership, divorce, naturalization, or as a result of court petition.

Naturalization Records

Marriage and Domestic Partnership Records - How to obtain both certified and non-certified copies of marriage records and copies of domestic partnership records. These records have a 50 year access restriction.

Historic Records and Archives

Foreclosures - The Tax Title Program has information about tax-foreclosed properties currently for sale by Multnomah County. Note:  Multnomah County does not keep a comprehensive list of loan foreclosures.  Loan foreclosures can be researched property-by-property in the Division of Assessment Recording and Taxation’s public research room

House and Property History - Some helpful tips on getting started in this faceted area of research. See Property Ownership Information for details on finding information on the current or past owner of a property rather than for information on the house or property itself.

Recording Documents - These records are available at Recording, a division of the Department of Assessment, Recording, and Taxation, and include easements, deeds, mortgages, property titles, and military discharges. Recording documents can be useful when researching House and Property History or Property Ownership Information.

Transportation Records

RealID Documents

RealID Documents - Resources to help you find the documents you may need when preparing to get a RealID. 

Last reviewed December 10, 2024