How to Request Court Records
Most court records are open to the public unless they are marked confidential or sealed. Our staff manages these records and can help you get copies if needed.
You can request copies in the following ways:
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In person: Visit the courthouse during business hours.
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Online: Fill out the Records Request Form
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Requests are processed in the order we receive them.
- Most requests are completed within 10 business days.
- Newer case records can be viewed at the courthouse using lobby kiosks.
- Older paper files can be retrieved upon request if they haven't been scanned in yet.
Before submitting a request, please read the information below to make sure you have everything you need.
Requesting Copies in Person
You can request copies of court records by visiting us at:
Columbia County Circuit Court
230 Strand Street
St. Helens, OR 97051
Requesting Copies Online
To request copies online, please fill out our Records Request Form:
Before you request copies: If you are asking for copies of documents because you need to give them to another agency, ask them what kind of copy they need - regular, certified, or exemplified.
Regular Copy
A regular copy is a copy of the original document filed in a case. It can be sent to you as a paper copy or electronically.
Certified Copy
A certified copy is a copy of a court document that is has been verified by the court - it is stamped with the court's seal and the clerk's signature. It can be sent to you as a paper copy or electronically (digitally).
Use this if you need to show your document to a third party, such as: Social Security, Secretary of State, Estate and Probate purposes
You should check with the third party before requesting a certified copy to see if they require a paper or electronic certification.
If your document is stapled, don't remove it. The certification becomes invalid if you do.
Electronic certified copies must be printed in color.
Exemplified Copy (3-Way Certificate)
This is a special type of certified copy you can get if you need to file a copy in another state or country. It can be sent to you as a paper copy or electronically (digitally).
It's signed by the Court Adminstrator, a judge, and then again by the Court Administrator.
You should check with the agency before requesting an exemplified copy to see if they require a paper or electronic copy.
Exemplified copies must be printed in color.
Court hearing recordings can be listened to using a system called For the Record (FTR). You will need the free FTR player, which you can download from fortherecord.com (webpage)
- Note: The FTR Player is not currently compatible with Apple (Mac) computers.
Available Options
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CD (Compact Disc)
- You can choose to have the CD mailed to you or pick it up at the court where the hearing took place.
- CDs can hold a limited amount of hearing time. If the hearing is long, you may recieve more than one CD.
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Digital (Email Delivery)
- You can request to receive the audio recording by email.
- This option is only available in a digital format and requieres the FTR Player to listen.
Document Types
For additional fee information, please visit State Court Filing Fees (webpage).
Paper Documents
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| Standard Copy $3.00 per case request + $0.25 per page |
| Certified Copy $5.00 + $0.25 per page |
Exemplified Copy $10.00 + $0.25 per page
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Electronic Documents
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Standard Copy $3.00 per case request
| | Certified Copy $5.00 per request | Exemplified Copy $10.00 per case request
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| Microfilm Document $0.45 per page
| | Certified and exemplified copies delivered electronically must be printed in color |
Audio Hearings
| Electronic recording $10 per records request
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Delivery Costs
| | Mailed Actual cost of mailing | | CD $1.00 | | Emailed No additional charge | Other media Actual cost of media
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Payments must be made in full prior to processing your request
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By Email
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All types of copies can be sent by email.
Certified and exemplified copies will be digitally stamped and signed.
You must print them in color if you are giving it to a third party.
Check with the third party first to see if they will accept a digital copy.
By Mail
In-Person Pickup
- You can pick up your copies at the court your filed your copy request.
- The court will contact you when your copies are ready.
- Certified and exemplified copies are stamped and signed in ink.
- If the document is more than one page, it will be stapled.
Pickup at Another Court Location
- You can ask to pickup your documents at a different court.
- The original court will send an electronically certified copy to the other court location.
- The copy will be printed and ready for pickup.
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Important: