Deschutes County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Deschutes County?

Public records in Deschutes County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of conducting public business. Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 192, these records are generally available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Deschutes County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and property tax information maintained by the Deschutes County Assessor and Deschutes County Clerk
Vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses (restricted access)
Court records including civil and criminal case files through the Deschutes County Circuit Court
Land use and planning documents, including permits, zoning records, and development applications
County Commission meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Financial records including budgets, expenditures, and contracts
Election records including voter registration data and election results
Law enforcement records from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
Public health records and statistics from Deschutes County Health and Human Services
Geographic Information System (GIS) data accessible through the Deschutes County GIS & Property Lookup (DIAL)
Business licenses and registrations
Environmental records including air and water quality reports

Is Deschutes County an Open Records County?

Deschutes County operates as an open records jurisdiction in accordance with the Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.311 to 192.478). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records are public and accessible to citizens, with certain defined exceptions. The county's commitment to transparency is formalized in its Public Records Policy, which states: "Deschutes County recognizes that the Oregon Public Records Law is primarily a disclosure law, not a confidentiality law."

The Oregon Public Records Act establishes that public bodies must:

Respond to public records requests "as soon as practicable and without unreasonable delay"
Provide reasonable opportunity to inspect or copy public records during normal business hours
Provide copies of public records upon request (fees may apply)
Cite specific statutory exemptions when denying access to records

Deschutes County has implemented a centralized public records request portal to streamline the process for citizens seeking access to government information. Additionally, the county maintains an Open Data Portal where numerous datasets are proactively published for public use without requiring a formal records request.

How Do I Find Public Records in Deschutes County in 2025

Members of the public may access Deschutes County records through several established channels. The county has modernized its records systems for 2025, offering multiple pathways to obtain public information:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Deschutes County Open Data Portal, which provides self-service access to GIS data, property records, and other frequently requested information. The Deschutes County GIS & Property Lookup (DIAL) system offers comprehensive property information.
Public Records Request Portal: For records not available online, individuals may submit formal requests through the Deschutes County Public Records Portal. Requesters must:
- Provide contact information
- Describe the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Indicate preferred format for receiving records
- Submit the request electronically or in person
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit specific county departments during regular business hours:
- For property records: Deschutes County Assessor's Office or County Clerk's Recording Division
- For court records: Deschutes County Circuit Court
- For law enforcement records: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
Legal Research: The Deschutes County Law Library provides access to legal resources, including county ordinances and regulations.
Specialized Databases: Certain records are accessible through state-level systems, including the Oregon Judicial Branch for court records and the Oregon Secretary of State for business registrations.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Deschutes County?

Deschutes County assesses fees for public records in accordance with ORS 192.324(4), which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees to recover actual costs for fulfilling records requests. The fee structure for 2025 is as follows:

Standard copying fees: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Color copies: $1.00 per page
Large format documents: $5.00 per page for maps and other oversized documents
Electronic records: $10.00 per CD/DVD or $5.00 for email delivery of electronic files
Staff time: $40.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time (first 30 minutes are free)
Attorney review: $150.00 per hour when legal review is required to identify exempt information

For specialized records, specific fees apply:

Property records: $7.75 per document for recorded documents from the County Clerk's Office
GIS data: Varies by dataset, with fee schedules available through the County Assessor's Office
Vital records: $25.00 for first copy of birth or death certificate, $20.00 for each additional copy

Pursuant to county policy, fee waivers or reductions may be granted when the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public. Requesters seeking a fee waiver must submit a written statement explaining how disclosure serves the public interest.

Does Deschutes County Have Free Public Records?

Deschutes County provides certain public records at no cost to requesters. The following records are available without fees:

Records available through the Deschutes County Open Data Portal, including GIS layers, election results, and budget information
Basic property information through the Deschutes County GIS & Property Lookup (DIAL) system
County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
County ordinances and resolutions
Public notices and press releases
Records requests requiring less than 30 minutes of staff time to fulfill
Records viewed in person without requiring copies (inspection only)

Additionally, the following agencies provide free access to specific records:

The Deschutes County Clerk offers free public inspection of voter registration records (personal information redacted)
The Deschutes County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office publishes certain crime statistics and jail rosters online at no cost
The Deschutes County Health and Human Services department provides free public health statistics and reports

Who Can Request Public Records In Deschutes County?

Under Oregon's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Deschutes County. The term "person" is broadly defined in ORS 192.311(3) to include:

Individual citizens (regardless of residency status)
Corporations and business entities
Associations and organizations
Representatives of news media
Public interest groups
Government agencies and officials
Legal representatives acting on behalf of clients

Requesters are not required to:

Provide identification (though contact information is necessary)
State the purpose of their request
Demonstrate a "need to know" or direct interest in the records
Be an Oregon resident or Deschutes County resident

However, certain records with restricted access may require verification of identity or legal authority to access. For example, vital records such as birth certificates typically require proof of relationship or legal interest. Additionally, pursuant to ORS 192.355, some requesters may have enhanced access rights, such as individuals seeking their own personal information or legal representatives with proper authorization.

What Records Are Confidential In Deschutes County?

Deschutes County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions specified in ORS 192.345 and 192.355. These records are not subject to public disclosure unless a compelling public interest requires disclosure. Confidential records include:

Personal privacy information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information
Personnel records including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal contact information
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office or other law enforcement agencies
Juvenile court records, except as specified in ORS 419A.255
Certain health records maintained by Deschutes County Health and Human Services protected under HIPAA
Attorney-client privileged communications
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Security information related to critical infrastructure
Records sealed by court order
Confidential information submitted during executive sessions of the County Commission
Certain victim information in criminal cases
Records where disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy
Information related to public safety plans and vulnerability assessments

The county evaluates each records request individually to determine if exemptions apply. When records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact exempt information and release the remainder when feasible.

Deschutes County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Deschutes County Clerk's Office - Recording Division
1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 102
Bend, OR 97703
(541) 388-6124
Deschutes County Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Recording Division of the Deschutes County Clerk's Office serves as the official repository for real property records and other official documents. Services provided include:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property-related documents
Marriage license applications and recording of marriage certificates
Passport application processing (by appointment only)
Certified copies of recorded documents
Notary public registrations
Military discharge recordings (DD-214)
Mining claim recordings

Documents may be submitted for recording in person during regular business hours or by mail. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (additional fee applies) for payment of recording fees. Electronic recording (e-recording) services are available through approved vendors for title companies and other frequent filers.