Oregon became the 33rd U.S. state in 1859. It is the 9th largest state in the U.S. by size, however it is only the 28th most populated in the country. The size of the state is 98,381 square miles and holds an estimated population of almost 4 million residents. Previously, Oregon's economy benefited from its natural resources such as timber, agriculture and fishing, however, the state strived to make a transition to more manufacturing such as computers and electronics.
Oregon state government is divided in 3 branches . The Oregon legislative branch comprises of the state's senate and house of representatives. Elected officials and offices make up the executive branch and the judicial branch being the supreme court, court of appeals, tax court and circuit courts for each county.
There are 36 counties in Oregon with 476 cities. The state gave counties the power to enact local laws regarding county matters and are also the largest governing entity by size within the state. Services from a county include law enforcement, fire and rescue, tax collections, libraries, prosecutors, treasurer and circuit courts as well as other county offices and functions. Cities are governed by the mayor, city manager and council members, finance, municipal courts, public works and other local needs.
One of Oregon's government duties, local or statewide, is to be and stay transparent to its residents. The Oregon public record law enacted in 1973 gives any member of the public the right to access records from government agencies. Oregon's freedom of information act does not solely provide information regarding the government and its functions, but also provides that all government agencies which hold records are to make their files and records open to the general public. This includes information such as births, deaths and marriages from the Oregon health authority. Any individual can order an Oregon criminal history record checks from the state police and conduct a background check on a resident in that state.
Instant databases add great valuable information to any search or investigation. State and local law enforcement agencies across Oregon offer instant searches to improve public safety. Free search of registered offenders can be searched locally with a county sheriff offices or statewide with the Oregon State Police registry. Lookup the most wanted persons or an inmate held in Oregon prisons instantly from your computer with online access. Government instant databases cover non criminal information through its various agencies. Verification of licensed professionals is accesses with a free and instant databank for anyone to use from the Oregon Secretary of State.
The Oregon municipal court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor, traffic, jury trials for certain cases.
Justice courts hear small claims of up to $2,500, misdemeanors, moving traffic, parking, miscellaneous traffic violations and handles preliminary hearings.
County court has jurisdiction over mental health, estate, adoption, and juvenile cases.
Circuit courts have exclusive tort, contract, real property rights from $751 and up, small claims up to $5,000, adoption, estate, civil appeals, mental health cases, general civil matters and domestic family relations, except adoption. Criminal circuit court has exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, traffic, and juvenile proceedings with jury trials for most case types.
Tax courts hear appeals of administrative agency cases, no jury trials. The Oregon court of appeals maintains mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases, and no discretionary jurisdiction.
The state's supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, administrative agency, disciplinary, and original proceeding cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, answering certified questions from federal courts and original proceeding cases.
Search for felony or misdemeanor criminal charges by requesting records from the Oregon state repository.
- Oregon Criminal Records
Request your own criminal history record or information on another individual.- Federal Bureau of Investigation Portland Office
Information regarding FBI records, name checks.- Oregon Inmates
Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Oregon Dept. of Corrections.- Oregon Sex Offenders
Search the Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System database of registered offenders by name or location.- Oregon Most Wanted
Current posting of fugitives and absconders from the Oregon Dept. of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.- Oregon Public and Criminal Record Expungements
Information and resources to assist in expunging criminal records state and nationwide.
Access arrest records directly from Oregon law enforcement agencies individually. Request information of incidents, charges and details from state and local police departments. Records division contact information and requirements to order official reports.
- Oregon State Police
Law enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Licenses, permits, information and more- Oregon Attorney General
Civil, criminal and appellate courts- Oregon State University Department of Public Safety
Law enforcement, investigations, reports and more- Oregon County Sheriff Arrest Reports
Directory to county Sheriff offices and reports in Oregon.
- Oregon Vital Records
Request birth and death certificates, marriage records and divorce filings in Oregon.- Oregon Asset Search
Search government agencies open to the public to find assets of companies, corporations, or individuals.- Oregon Business & Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Oregon Secretary of State.- Oregon Death Row Inmates
List of executions and inmates on death row.- Oregon Driving Records
Access online forms from the state DMV to request a drivers license, complete registration and more.- Oregon Genealogy Records
Browse state archives, historical records, and online databases, search Oregon census records to find info about ancestors, family tree and more.- Oregon Judgments and Liens
Find judgments, liens and UCC filings of any individual in Oregon.- Oregon Lawyer Lookup
Verify an attorney's licensing status with the State Bar.- Oregon Missing Children
Search Oregon missing and exploited kids.- Oregon Property Records
Obtain property tax info by contacting the State of Oregon.- Find Oregon Unclaimed Property
Search property and claim status by individual name or business through the state of Oregon.- Oregon Public Records Unit
Public access to criminal history record information- How to Request Public Records
Request records online- Oregon Public Records Meetings Law Info
Public records requests and other resources- Search for a Business Name in the Business Registry Database
Business name search- Oregon Property Tax Information
Information, forms and publications- Personal Income Taxes
Electronic services, tax professionals and more- Oregon Business Taxes
Filing, paying and other corporate tax resources- State Licenses Permits and Registrations Search
Search Oregon License Directory- Oregon State Archives
Trademark Search
Legislative Records
Records Management
Governors Records
Archives Records
State Agency Records
Local Government Records
Adoption Records
Census Records
Land Records
Military Records
Naturalization Records
Probate Records- Uniform Commercial Code Services
View records of UCC filings and statutory liens- Oregon Judgments and Liens
online access to court basic case information for the Oregon circuit courts and the Oregon Tax Court- Unclaimed Property Name Search
Online unclaimed property lookup- Oregon Baby Names
Birth certificates of babies born in Oregon- Oregon Vehicle Information
Car registration and licenses- Oregon Blue Book
Official state directory and fact book- Oregon State Bar Attorney Membership Directory
Look up lawyers statewide- Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse
Missing child index- Oregon Business Development Department
Business and infrastructure needs- Oregon Library Directories
Online list of libraries- Colleges and Workforce Development
Oregon community colleges- Oregon Department of Education
State education and school information- Oregon Department of Aviation Information
Drone registrations, current airport master plans and more- Oregon Maps
Maps online and geographic information- Oregon Census
Oregon demographic information and facts- Economic Census
Economic data by year and publications- Oregon Voter Registration
Voting information and Elections- Oregon Airports
Flights, transportation and more- Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
Business resources and directory- Oregon State Employee Search
Search for current state employees by last name- Oregon Revised Statutes
Oregon law and publications- Oregon State Agency Directory
List of agencies- Oregon Foreclosure information
Department of Consumer and Business Services- Oregon Department of Transportation
Travel resources and public transit- Oregon Department of Forestry
Forest restrictions and closures
Information of the cases in Oregon can be obtained on the net using the state's Judicial Case Information Network for numerous criminal and civil cases. Electronic access is available for filing and paying fees online. Appellate courts allow attorneys authorized to practice law in Oregon to submit documents using the internet. Public view of trials on calendar is open and revised regularly.
- Search for Civil Divorces and Criminal Records
Access to Oregon misdemeanor and felony cases on the internet- Find Your Local Circuit Court
Criminal court, divorces and other civil cases- Oregon Tax Court
Trial and appeal cases involving taxes- Oregon Court of Appeals
Rules, fees and other resources- Oregon Supreme Court
Opinions, calendar and media- Other Courts
Oregon County Courts
Oregon Justice Courts
Oregon Municipal Courts- State of Oregon Law Library
Primary legal information for state government and access to the law- Oregon Bankruptcy Records Search
Conduct a bankruptcy search through public records to find individual or corporate bankruptcy filings.- Oregon Federal Case Search
Search the Oregon Judicial Court system to find information and public records on federal case filings.