Oregon Divorce Records

How to source Divorce Records in Oregon - The granting of divorces is regulated by each individual state where the couple lives. Therefore, it follows that the divorce records are maintained or stored in the state where the divorce was filed and finalized. Divorce records can usually be found at the Prothonotary Office located in the local county courthouse. Although smaller courthouses may not have an office of this type, the divorce records are stored at a different office in the county courthouse.

Any requests for certified copies of divorce records should be made at the county level of each state. Many of the states may also keep a file of each divorce record at the state repository or other central location. However, certified copies cannot be obtained at the state level.

Divorce records are typically filed by the husband�s last name. Therefore, begin your search for any divorce records with the husband�s name. If the county name where the divorce was filed isn�t known, begin your search for the records in any one of three different ways.

� Begin the search at the state repository or central location. Locate the name of the county, and then continue your search at the county level.
� Conduct a search one county at a time. In states with numerous counties, this will take time. Additionally, each county will request a small fee for the search, productive or not.
� Conduct a search on past and current spouses of the individual. Thos type of search will produce a list of names and accompanying addresses. When you have this information, you can get the county location. Continue your search at the county level.

Basic information about the divorced couple is included in their divorce records. The husband�s full name, the wife�s full name including her maiden name, and the name of the county where the divorce took place will be included in the document. The recorded filing date of their divorce, the actual date of their finalized divorce, and a certificate number for identification is included. Several states also include the number of children belonging to the couple under the age of eighteen at the time the divorce was filed.

Do not provide information that is not requested, as it will not aid the search, except in the event of a genealogical search where little information is accessible. Requests for divorce records that include the greatest amount of requested information will generate the best results. With a genealogical search, any information can eventually lead to the information needed to locate divorce files.

Usually it takes between two to ten days to conduct the typical search for current records. Factors that influence this are: the size of the county courthouse, the number of available staff members, the time of year, and the amount of information that is provided. A small fee of five to twenty dollars is requested for this process.

A list of the local county courthouses for Oregon is provided here in alphabetical order.

State of Oregon
Oregon Vital Records
800 NE Oregon Street, Ste 205
PO Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293
Telephone: (503) 731-4108
Recording: (503) 731-4095
Fax: (503) 234-8417