Oregon Public Records Laws and Regulations

Learn more about which agencies control and provide access to public records in Oregon

Oregon public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as criminal background, immigration status and Oregon vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

State of Oregon public record laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. Laws on Oregon public court records that regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform an Oregon court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.
   

Review the procedures for accessing Oregon public records

Access to Oregon court records and public records covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Oregon is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal court records may also be used to perform an Oregon background check.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Oregon public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records.
Oregon State Police provides specific procedures for accessing public records on individuals under state law. Washington County describes its regulations for providing marriage licenses.

Look for Oregon public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, budget reports and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.
Oregon State Legislature addresses the public access of government records in Chapter 192 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality provides access to a variety of government records under its own set of laws.

• An Oregon public record search is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996 which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

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