Washington County Public Records /Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Washington County in 2026

WashingtonORRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Washington County, Oregon. Members of the public may find dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, case numbers, party names, and related court documents. Available record categories may include court case files, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records vary depending on the case, filing date, and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Washington County may be searched through official resources including the Washington County Circuit Court, the Oregon Judicial Department's online case search portal, Oregon Vital Records, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The following sections outline each available search method in detail.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Oregon Judicial Department maintains an online case search tool that allows members of the public to find a case or court record across Oregon's circuit courts, including Washington County. This is the most common method for locating dissolution of marriage cases. Basic case information — including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries — is available at no charge. Obtaining copies of actual documents may require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Oregon Judicial Department's statewide portal consolidates case information across all Oregon circuit courts. Members of the public may search by party name or case number to locate dissolution proceedings filed in Washington County or any other Oregon jurisdiction. The portal provides consolidated docket information and is accessible without registration for general public searches.

3. State Vital Records

Oregon's Office of Vital Records, administered by the Oregon Health Authority, maintains divorce and dissolution records as part of the state's vital statistics system. Members of the public may order divorce and dissolution of domestic partnership records directly through the state vital records office. These records provide certified documentation of the dissolution event and are distinct from the full court case file maintained by the circuit court.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Washington County Circuit Court

Washington County Circuit Court — Records Department
Justice Services Building (JSB), Public Records Review Room
150 N 1st Avenue, Rm. 110J, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: (503) 846-8888
Washington County Court Records

Members of the public may visit the Records Department during regular business hours to search case files, view documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals. Staff assistance is available for locating case information. Visitors are advised to bring the full names of both parties and, if known, the approximate date of the dissolution filing.

Oregon Health Authority — Vital Records
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 225, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-1190
Oregon Vital Records

By Mail

Written Request — Washington County Circuit Court Records Department

Mail requests to:
Washington County Circuit Court — Records Department
150 N 1st Avenue, Rm. 110J
Hillsboro, OR 97124

Written requests should include:

Full names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of dissolution
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents

Processing time for mailed requests is subject to current court workload and may range from one to three weeks.

By Phone

Limited Information Available by Phone

Washington County Circuit Court Records Department: (503) 846-8888

By telephone, court staff may confirm:

Whether a case exists in the system
The assigned case number
Current case status
Filing date

Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information subject to confidentiality restrictions by telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Oregon may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through appropriate legal channels, and obtain certified copies. The Oregon State Bar's lawyer referral service may assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel for complex record retrieval matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of dissolution
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Washington County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Oregon law, a dissolution of marriage petition is filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a dissolution record should confirm the county of residence at the time of the proceeding. Searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not appropriate unless one or both parties also resided there at the time of filing.

Oregon's residency requirement, established under ORS § 107.075, requires that at least one party be a resident of Oregon at the time the petition is filed. There is no minimum duration of residency specified in the statute for dissolution filings.

Time Considerations

Recent Dissolutions:

Records may not appear in the online system immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Court staff can confirm whether a judgment has been entered even if the record is not yet fully indexed online

Older Dissolutions:

Cases filed prior to electronic filing implementation may exist only in paper format
Archived cases may require additional retrieval time
Not all historical records have been digitized; in-person or mail requests may be necessary

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county — the dissolution may have been filed in a different Oregon county
Name variations — search under both married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records stored in physical archives
Case sealed or subject to confidentiality restrictions

Next Steps:

Contact the Washington County Circuit Court Records Department at (503) 846-8888
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check Oregon Vital Records for a dissolution certificate
Consult a licensed Oregon attorney for assistance with sealed or difficult-to-locate records

What Are Washington County Divorce Records?

Washington County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Washington County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the court's permanent case files and are maintained by the Clerk of Court as public records subject to applicable confidentiality provisions under Oregon law.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of a dissolution proceeding, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans, if minor children are involved
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings, if prepared
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree of Dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Spousal support obligations, if any
Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Washington County Circuit Court Records Department and serve as the primary legal document for purposes such as remarriage, name changes, and property transfers.

Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Dissolution records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change applications with government agencies
Documenting property transfers and title changes
Providing evidence of support obligations for enforcement proceedings
Supporting immigration and naturalization applications
Facilitating Social Security benefit determinations
Assisting genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of dissolution case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Oregon Health Authority's Office of Vital Records maintains dissolution certificates as part of the state's vital statistics system, offering an alternative source for certified proof of dissolution. The Washington County Records Inventory maintained by the Oregon Secretary of State provides additional context regarding county-level record holdings and retention schedules.

Legal Framework

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Oregon are governed by ORS § 107.025, which establishes irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as the sole ground for dissolution. Oregon's Public Records Law, codified at ORS § 192.311 et seq., establishes the presumption that court records are open to public inspection, subject to specific statutory exemptions protecting sensitive personal information.

Are Washington County Divorce Records Public?

Dissolution of marriage records filed in Washington County are public court records under Oregon law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within dissolution case files are subject to restriction or redaction under Oregon statutes and court rules.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and calendar entries
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents under Oregon court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be restricted in certain circumstances
Schools attended by children
Medical and psychological evaluation records pertaining to children
Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Mediation communications are confidential under ORS § 36.220 and are not part of the public court record

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a dissolution case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may support sealing include documented domestic violence, abuse allegations, high-profile cases where public access poses a safety risk, and confidential settlement terms incorporated by reference rather than filed in full.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor Category	Level of Access
General Public	Public documents, docket entries, final decree
Parties to the Case	Full access to own case file, including restricted documents
Licensed Attorneys	Case file access; sealed documents by motion
Law Enforcement	Statutory access to relevant records
Researchers and Media	Public portions; sealed records require court order

Restrictions on Use:

Members of the public who obtain dissolution records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background verification, genealogical research, news reporting protected by the First Amendment, and academic research.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted dissolution records must file a motion with the Washington County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court applies a balancing test weighing the requestor's interest against the privacy interests of the affected parties. Certain government entities, including child protective services and law enforcement agencies, hold statutory access rights that do not require a court motion.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Washington County?

The Washington County Circuit Court charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of dissolution records. Current fees applicable to court record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Copies of court documents (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree or judgment	$5.00 per document
Certification fee (per document)	$5.00
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies
Search fee	No separate search fee currently assessed

Fees for dissolution certificates obtained through the Oregon Health Authority's Office of Vital Records differ from court copy fees. The state vital records office currently charges $25.00 for the first certified copy of a dissolution certificate and $25.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Accepted payment methods at the Washington County Circuit Court Records Department include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Payment methods accepted by the Oregon Vital Records office include credit card, check, and money order for mail orders, and credit or debit card for in-person requests.

Fee waiver provisions may apply in limited circumstances. Parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waived or reduced copy fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request to the court clerk at the time of the records request.

Inspection of public court records at the courthouse public access terminals does not require payment of a copy fee. Copy fees apply only when the requestor obtains physical or electronic copies of documents.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Washington County

A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Washington County Circuit Court contains the following categories of documents:

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the ground for dissolution (irretrievable breakdown under Oregon law), information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The Response or Answer states the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, and any counterpetition for relief.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, marital assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all marital liabilities.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and valuations
Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other obligations
Real property appraisals
Business valuations and expert reports

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
Child support calculation worksheet reflecting both parties' incomes, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Custody evaluation reports, if ordered by the court
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed

Support Documents:

Spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and expense analysis supporting support determinations

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential and not filed)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the proceeding
Final Judgment of Dissolution containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division awards, support orders, custody and parenting time provisions, and any name restoration order
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement accounts were divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody, parenting time, or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement orders
Income deduction orders for support enforcement

Miscellaneous Documents:

Proof of service of the initial petition and summons
Notices of hearings and depositions
Certificates of service for all filings

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public copies)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence documentation (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Trade secret information in business valuations

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Washington County

Proof of dissolution of marriage in Washington County is obtained through two primary official channels: the Washington County Circuit Court and the Oregon Health Authority's Office of Vital Records.

Certified Copy of Final Decree — Washington County Circuit Court

The most comprehensive proof of dissolution is a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution issued by the Washington County Circuit Court. Members of the public may obtain this document by:

Visiting the Records Department in person at the Justice Services Building, 150 N 1st Avenue, Rm. 110J, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the required identifying information and payment
Using the public access terminals at the courthouse to identify the case number before requesting a certified copy

The current certification fee is $5.00 per document. Requestors should provide the full names of both parties and the approximate filing date to facilitate retrieval.

Dissolution Certificate — Oregon Vital Records

Members of the public may also obtain a certified dissolution certificate through the Oregon Health Authority's Office of Vital Records. This document serves as official proof of the dissolution event and is accepted for purposes such as remarriage applications, name changes with the Social Security Administration, and passport applications. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online through the state vital records portal.

Oregon Health Authority — Office of Vital Records
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 225, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-1190
Order Divorce / Dissolution of Domestic Partnership Records

Members of the public who are uncertain whether a dissolution was finalized may use the Oregon Judicial Department's online tool to find a case or court record and confirm the case status before requesting certified copies.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Washington County?

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Washington County are presumptively public under Oregon's Public Records Law; however, specific portions of a case file may be made confidential by court order or by operation of statute.

Sealed by Court Order: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court will grant such a motion only upon a demonstrated showing of good cause, such as documented safety concerns, domestic violence, or the presence of highly sensitive personal information whose disclosure would cause substantial harm disproportionate to the public interest in access.
Statutory Confidentiality: Mediation communications are confidential by operation of ORS § 36.220 and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public. Mental health and substance abuse treatment records incorporated into case files are subject to federal and state privacy protections.
Automatic Redactions: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain identifying information pertaining to minor children are redacted from publicly accessible copies as a matter of standard court practice, regardless of whether a sealing order has been entered.
Domestic Violence Protections: In cases involving domestic violence, the court may restrict public access to addresses, contact information, and other details that could compromise the safety of a protected party.
Confidential Settlements: Settlement terms that the parties wish to keep private may be incorporated by reference into the final judgment rather than filed in full, limiting the detail available in the public record.

The presumption of public access to court records is strong under Oregon law, and sealing orders are granted on a case-by-case basis following judicial review.

How Long Does Washington County Keep Divorce Records?

Washington County Circuit Court dissolution records are subject to retention schedules established under Oregon law and the policies of the Oregon Judicial Department. Retention periods vary by record type.

Final Judgments of Dissolution: Permanent retention. Final decrees and judgments in dissolution cases are maintained permanently by the Washington County Circuit Court and are not subject to destruction.
Complete Case Files: Dissolution case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case under current Oregon court records retention schedules. Many case files are retained for significantly longer periods or permanently.
Archived Records: Cases filed prior to the implementation of electronic filing systems exist in paper format and may be stored in physical archives. Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional processing time and advance notice to court staff.
Post-Judgment Modification Records: Orders modifying custody, support, or other provisions of a dissolution judgment are filed in the original case and are subject to the same retention schedule as the underlying case file.
Vital Records Dissolution Certificates: The Oregon Health Authority retains dissolution certificates as part of the state's permanent vital statistics records. These records do not expire and remain available for certified copy requests indefinitely.
Digitization Status: Not all historical dissolution records have been converted to electronic format. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Washington County Circuit Court Records Department directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.

The Washington County Records Inventory maintained by the Oregon Secretary of State provides additional information regarding county-level record retention schedules and archival holdings.