Public Records Research

Burnside Bridge plaque

The Recorder's Office maintains the public research room for certain Multnomah County, Oregon records. Among those records are Military Discharges (DD 214). On June 24, 2009, a bill went into law, requiring non-disclosure of military records. Because military records are co-mingled with all other records in public research, access to all records between the years 1964-2001 will be restricted until further notice. The microfiche index and the internal, on-line index will still be available for research. Our staff will be available to assist with review of or copies of specific documents.

When mailing a request for copies, please include the document number and the year of recording. If you are requesting a copy of a current deed and do not have the reference number, please submit the street address or tax account number, and the names of all interested parties. We do not accept telephone requests nor do we fax copies of documents.

  • Standard copies are $4 for the first page and $.25 for each additional page, within the same document.
  • Certified copies are $7.75 for the first page and $.25 for each additional page within the document. Most deeds are one page. Other documents, such as mortgages and trust deeds, may have several pages. If you are unsure, please contact us. We cannot process your request without the correct payment. There is no charge for certified copies of military discharges.

When you come to our office, the staff will assist you with your research by getting you started using the equipment and locating your record. 

Record types

  • Bankruptcy Records (see Court Related Matters)
  • Births
  • Court Related Matters
  • DD-214's
  • Deaths
  • Divorces (see Court Related Matters)
  • Land Records
  • Marriage Records
  • Military Discharges
  • Probate (see Court Related Matters)
  • Property Tax Information

Types of records

  • Land records back to 1850: Because Oregon City was the territorial capitol of Oregon, land records prior to 1850 (indices and microfilm) for Multnomah County are in Clackamas County. To research land records from 1850 forward, a legal description is necessary. (Old addresses may not work since many addresses and street names have changed.) Multnomah County has grantor-grantee indexes that are alphabetical and by year of recording. Consolidated indexes are available from 1974 forward.
  • Property tax records, including characteristics for residential and some commercial structures, current and past tax rolls, sales, and owners indexes.
  • Property Characteristic cards are available from 1994 to current.
  • Marriage record indexes between 1924 through 1980. Please call 503-988-3326 (Press 0) for marriage records.

To research marriage records, go to the License Counter in Suite 175 of the Multnomah Building. Copies of Marriage Licenses are available for purchase at this counter.

Births and deaths only (within the first 6 months)
Multnomah County Vital Records
3653 SE 34th Ave
Portland, OR 
503-988-3745
vitals@multco.us
Hours
Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm

Note: County Vital Records has no affiliation with court records or divorce decrees.

Births and deaths (over six months old)
Mailing Address:
Oregon Vital Records
PO Box 14050
Portland, OR 97203
To order by phone: 971-673-1190

Court-related matters
Divorces or Judgments: 503-988-3022
Probate: 503-988-3022
Bankruptcy: 503-326-1500

Documents

Online copy request form