Find Washington County Probate Records

Washington County probate court records are managed by the Circuit Court in Hillsboro, Oregon. This court handles all estate cases, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, and trust proceedings for the county. You can search Washington County probate records online through the Oregon eCourt system or visit the courthouse in person. The Probate Department processes filings and provides copies of court documents. Washington County has a long legal history as one of Oregon's original counties, with court records going back to the 1840s.

Washington County Circuit Court

The Washington County Circuit Court is located at 145 NE 2nd Ave in Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. You can reach them by phone at 503-846-8888. All probate matters in Washington County go through this court. There is no separate county court for probate. The Circuit Court has full jurisdiction over estates, protective proceedings, and trust cases.

Washington County was originally called Tuality County when it was formed in 1846 from the Oregon Territory's Tuality District. The name changed to Washington County in 1849. Boundary lines shifted until 1855, when the county took the shape it holds today. The first courthouse was a log cabin on a 40-acre plot near what is now NW 253rd Avenue. Over 150 years of service, the courthouse has moved and been rebuilt, but it still stands as the center of justice in Washington County.

The Probate Department in Washington County handles a broad range of cases. These include estate cases, affidavits of claiming successors, protective proceedings such as guardianship and conservatorship, name and sex change cases, trust proceedings, and other general probate matters. Record seekers can request case file copies by filling out an online web form through the court.

Search Washington County Probate Court Records

There are multiple ways to search for Washington County probate court records. The Oregon eCourt Case Information system lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or date range. The Washington County Law Library offers a dedicated OECI terminal for free public use, courtesy of the Circuit Court. This is one of the best ways to search probate records without paying a subscription fee.

The Law Library sits at 111 NE Lincoln St, Suite 250-L, in Hillsboro. It is open to the public and offers much more than case lookups. The library has four legal databases: LexisNexis, HeinOnline, Oregon State BarBooks, and Westlaw. You can use these to research probate law, review statutes, or study past case decisions. Copies cost $0.10 per page at the library, and scanning is free. A private meeting room is also available for legal consultations.

If you cannot visit in person, you can mail a records request with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include the case number or party names, the date range, and what documents you need. Washington County courts process requests and send copies back by mail.

Washington County Probate Fees

Filing fees for a new probate case in Washington County start at $278 under ORS 21.170. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 plus $0.25 per page for certified copies. The Washington County recording office charges $86 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page when recording documents. This rate took effect in August 2025.

If there is not enough space on a recorded page, you may be charged an extra page fee. Always check current rates before submitting filings or record requests to Washington County.

Note: The Law Library offers copies at $0.10 per page, which is less than the standard court copy fee for Washington County records.

Probate Court Records in Washington County

Washington County probate court records span many case types. Estate cases are the most common. These involve transferring a deceased person's property to heirs after debts are paid. The process typically starts with a petition for probate, followed by the appointment of a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, depending on whether the decedent left a will.

Protective proceedings are another significant part of the Washington County probate docket. A guardianship is set up for a person who can no longer make medical decisions. A conservatorship covers financial decisions. Both types require court oversight and generate records that are part of the public file. Trust cases also fall under probate jurisdiction in Washington County. These involve disputes over trust terms or the appointment and removal of trustees.

Oregon law provides a Small Estate Affidavit option under ORS 114.515. This lets smaller estates avoid a full probate proceeding. The affidavit can only be filed 30 days or more after the date of death. It is a simpler and faster path for qualifying estates in Washington County.

Washington County Legal Resources

The Washington County Law Library is a key resource for anyone dealing with probate court records. The library provides free access to its print and digital collection. This covers statutes, case law, subject treatises, and historic Oregon legislative materials. The LexisNexis Digital Library lets you access ebooks from anywhere, with a checkout period of three days. You can also place holds and keep notes on what you read.

Under ORS 111.055, probate jurisdiction lies in the county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death. If the person lived in Washington County, the Circuit Court in Hillsboro handles the case. For estates with property in multiple counties, the primary case stays in the county of domicile.

Washington County courts also handle marital affairs, civil litigation, and criminal cases. The probate department is just one division of a busy court system that serves over 600,000 residents.

Note: Court staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can direct you to the correct forms and filing procedures for Washington County probate matters.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County includes several major cities. All probate cases for residents of these cities are filed at the Circuit Court in Hillsboro.

Other communities like Aloha, Tualatin, Sherwood, and Forest Grove also fall under Washington County's probate jurisdiction.

Nearby Counties

Washington County shares borders with several Oregon counties. If the decedent lived in a neighboring county, probate must be filed there instead. Bordering counties include Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Columbia County, Yamhill County, and Tillamook County. Verify the decedent's last address to determine which court has jurisdiction.