Wasco County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Wasco County in 2026

Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government activities, property transactions, court proceedings, and vital events in Wasco County, Oregon may access a range of official records through county and state agencies. WascoRecords.us provides a directory of resources to assist individuals in locating relevant public records maintained by Wasco County government offices. The records accessible through official channels may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Land use, zoning, and planning documents
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and fictitious name registrations

Records may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at county facilities, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access: The Wasco County official website provides access to recorded documents, property information, and select administrative records. The Wasco County Circuit Court maintains an online portal through the Oregon Judicial Department for case information. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through the Oregon eCourt case information system.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Wasco County Clerk's Office at 511 Washington Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to inspect or request copies of recorded documents. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved to facilitate efficient retrieval.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Wasco County Clerk's Office at 511 Washington Street, The Dalles, OR 97058. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.329, public bodies are required to respond to public records requests within five business days.

Phone/Email: The Wasco County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (541) 506-2530. The Wasco County Circuit Court Records Division may be contacted at (541) 506-2700.

What Are Public Records in Wasco County?

Public records in Wasco County are defined under Oregon law as any writing that contains information relating to the conduct of the public's business, prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public body regardless of physical form or characteristics. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.311, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by state and local government agencies.

The following record types are maintained by Wasco County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Wasco County Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk / Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Oregon Health Authority / County Clerk
Business licenses and fictitious names	County Clerk
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Clerk / Board of Commissioners
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office Records Division
Land use and zoning records	Planning Department

The Wasco County Records Inventory maintained by the Oregon Secretary of State provides a comprehensive catalog of historical county records, including circuit court records inventoried through 1983. Property recording functions are administered through the County Clerk's recording division, which accepts and indexes documents affecting title to real property in the county.

Is Wasco County an Open Records County?

Wasco County operates in full compliance with Oregon's public records laws, which establish a strong presumption in favor of public disclosure. Under the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS § 192.311–192.478, all public records are open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies. The law applies to all public bodies within the state, including county governments, circuit courts, and law enforcement agencies.

As stated by the Oregon Attorney General's office, "Oregon's Public Records Law reflects the state's commitment to open government and the public's right to know about the activities of their government." The law places the burden of justifying nondisclosure on the public body, not on the requestor.

The Wasco County Sheriff's Office Records Division affirms this commitment, stating that the office "is committed to providing public access to records in a manner that is consistent with the Oregon Public Records Law." County-specific policies align with state sunshine laws and do not impose additional restrictions beyond those authorized by statute.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Wasco County?

The cost to obtain public records in Wasco County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under Oregon law, public bodies may charge fees reasonably calculated to reimburse actual costs of making records available.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Fee Type	Amount
Document copies (paper)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies of recorded documents	$3.75 per document (first page) + $0.25 per additional page
Vital record certified copies (state-issued)	$25.00 per copy
Electronic copies	Varies by record type and volume
Search/staff time fees	May apply for extensive requests

Inspection of public records at a public counter is available at no charge in most cases.
Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
The County Clerk's Office accepts payment by cash, check, and credit/debit card.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, pursuant to ORS § 192.440.
Court record copy fees are set by the Oregon Judicial Department and may differ from county administrative fees.

Does Wasco County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at designated county offices during regular business hours. Oregon law establishes that the right to inspect public records does not require payment of a fee; charges apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

Wasco County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect recorded documents, election records, and meeting minutes at the public counter without charge.
Oregon eCourt Case Information System: Basic case information for Wasco County Circuit Court records is accessible online at no cost through the Oregon Judicial Department's public portal.
Oregon Secretary of State Archives: The Wasco County Records Inventory provides free online access to historical county record descriptions and finding aids.
Oregon Health Authority: Select vital records information is available through the Oregon Vital Records and Certificates portal; certified copies carry a statutory fee, but informational access is available at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public retain the right to view records in person without cost, while requests for physical or certified copies are subject to applicable fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Wasco County?

Any person may request public records in Wasco County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Oregon's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Under ORS § 192.314, every person has the right to inspect any public record of a public body in Oregon.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Oregon residents or Wasco County residents.
Identification: Public bodies may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of inspecting public records, except in limited circumstances involving records with restricted access.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request for most public records.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal criminal history or vital records) may be required to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure.
Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative materials, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Wasco County?

Not all government records in Wasco County are subject to public disclosure. Oregon law enumerates specific categories of exempt records under ORS § 192.345 and ORS § 192.355, which authorize public bodies to withhold certain information from public inspection.

The following categories of records are exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Oregon law.
Ongoing criminal investigations: Records compiled for criminal law enforcement purposes that would interfere with an active investigation are exempt.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Oregon health privacy statutes are exempt.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are exempt.

When a public body withholds a record, it is required to identify the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Oregon law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the interest in confidentiality.

Wasco County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Wasco County Clerk and Recorder
511 Washington Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
(541) 506-2530
Wasco County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Additional Offices:

Wasco County Circuit Court – Records Division
511 Washington Street, Room 304
The Dalles, OR 97058
(541) 506-2700
Wasco County Circuit Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wasco County Sheriff's Office – Records Division
201 Court Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
(541) 506-2600
Records Division – Wasco County Sheriff's Office