Multnomah County Probate Court Records

Multnomah County probate court records are held at the Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon. The court is part of the Fourth Judicial District and handles all estate, trust, and guardianship cases for the county. Residents and legal professionals can search Multnomah County probate records by case number or party name. The court keeps files going back to 1856, though the oldest records are stored at the Oregon State Archives. Whether you need a will, estate inventory, or letters of administration, the Multnomah County courthouse is the place to start your search.

Multnomah Probate Court Overview

The Multnomah County Circuit Court sits in the Fourth Judicial District of Oregon. It is one of 27 judicial districts in the state. The court has four locations: the Central Courthouse, the Justice Center, the Juvenile Justice Center, and the East County Courthouse. Probate matters are handled at the main courthouse at 1200 SW 1st Ave in Portland, OR 97204. You can reach the records department by phone at 971-274-0570 or by email at mul.records@ojd.state.or.us.

Multnomah County probate court records cover a wide range of case types. These include estate cases, wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The court settles legal matters tied to how a person's property is passed on after death. It also oversees cases where a living person can no longer manage their own affairs. Every filing in a Multnomah County probate case becomes part of the public record unless a judge seals it.

Phone hours for the records department are limited. Staff take calls from 8:30 to 10:30 am and 1:30 to 4:30 pm. There is no voicemail on this line. Plan your call during these windows to get help with Multnomah County probate court records.

Search Multnomah Probate Records

You can look up Multnomah County probate court records in several ways. The fastest method is the OJCIN Press Kiosk, which is available at the courthouse for users who subscribe to the service. This tool lets you view case registers and open PDF versions of court documents. You can search by case number, party name, date range, or case type. For broader access, the Multnomah County court records portal explains how to direct your request to the right office.

In-person visits are another option. Records dating through 1983 are on microfilm. You can walk in and research these on site. Records from 1984 and later must be ordered in advance. Bring the case number if you have it, as this speeds up the process. The records department handles requests on a first-come, first-served basis, and response times vary based on volume.

Under Oregon's Public Records Law, any person may inspect or request copies of non-exempt public records. This includes Multnomah County probate court records. You do not need to be a party to the case. To make a formal request, provide the following details:

• Your name and contact information
• Case number or party names
• Date range of the records you need
• Type of copy (regular, certified, or exemplified)
• Preferred delivery method (email, mail, or pickup)

Note: Records from 1984 onward require advance ordering and must be researched on site at the Multnomah County courthouse.

Multnomah County Probate History

Multnomah County probate records stretch back to 1856. The historical records are split between two locations. Files from 1856 to 1900 are kept at the Oregon State Archives. Records from 1900 to the present are at the Circuit Court. This split can make older research a bit more involved, but both sources are open to the public.

The Multnomah County Archives holds additional historical records. Among these are coroner records from 1894 to 1965. These can be useful for genealogists and family researchers. The archives are open for public research and can fill in gaps for probate cases that reference cause of death or estate disputes from that era. Wills in Multnomah County do not have to be recorded under Oregon law. However, historic wills may have been recorded by the Recorder's Office. If a will was part of a probate case, the court records department can help you find it.

For cases filed under ORS 111.055, which governs jurisdiction in probate matters, Multnomah County has authority over estates of persons who lived in the county at the time of death. This has been true since the county was formed, giving Multnomah County one of the longest probate record histories in Oregon.

Probate Records in Multnomah County

A typical probate case file in Multnomah County contains many documents. The petition for probate starts the case. If the person left a will, the original will is included. A death certificate is part of the file as well. The court then issues either Letters Testamentary (when there is a will) or Letters of Administration (when there is no will). These letters give the personal representative the legal power to act on behalf of the estate.

Beyond these core documents, Multnomah County probate court records may also contain an inventory and appraisal of estate assets, notices to creditors and heirs, creditor claims, annual and final accountings, a general judgment of distribution, and closing documents. Guardianship and conservatorship petitions appear in cases that involve a living person who cannot manage their own medical or financial decisions.

The Multnomah Law Library can help you understand the forms and procedures tied to these filings. It offers free access to legal resources and can point you to the right forms for any probate matter in Multnomah County.

Note: Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find specific documents within a Multnomah County probate case file.

Multnomah Court Record Fees

Copy fees apply when you request documents from a Multnomah County probate case. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per page. Exemplified copies, which carry a higher level of court authentication, cost $10.00 per document plus the per-page fee. The filing fee to open a new probate case in Multnomah County starts at $278, as set by ORS 21.170.

Microfilm records may have separate rates. Ask the records department for current pricing. Payment methods and any fee waivers should be confirmed before your visit to the Multnomah County courthouse.

Multnomah County Estate Procedures

Oregon law offers a simplified path for smaller estates. Under ORS 114.515, a Small Estate Affidavit may be used when the total estate value falls within legal limits. This avoids the need for a full probate proceeding in Multnomah County. The affidavit must be filed at least 30 days after the date of death.

For larger or more complex estates, a full probate case is required. The personal representative must file an inventory, notify creditors, pay debts, and distribute the remaining assets according to the will or Oregon's intestacy laws. Each step creates records that become part of the Multnomah County probate court file. These records are open to public inspection unless sealed by court order.

If you are unsure which path applies, consult a licensed attorney. Court staff in Multnomah County are not permitted to advise you on which filing option fits your situation.

Note: Contact the decedent's attorney if you need a copy of a will that was not filed with the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Cities in Multnomah County

All probate cases for residents of Multnomah County are filed at the Circuit Court in Portland. The courthouse serves every city and community in the county.

Other communities in Multnomah County include Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. All probate matters for these areas go through the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

Multnomah County borders several other Oregon counties. If the decedent lived outside Multnomah County at the time of death, you may need to file in a different jurisdiction. Bordering counties include Washington County, Clackamas County, Columbia County, and Hood River County. Check the decedent's last address to confirm which county has jurisdiction over the probate case.