Clatsop County

Clatsop County, Oregon, was established in 1844. It was named after the Clatsop Native American tribe. Covering approximately 1,085 square miles, it is located in the northwestern corner of the state, along the Pacific Coast. The county seat is Astoria. As of July 1, 2023, Clatsop County's population was estimated at 41,102, according to the United States Census Bureau. The county's court system consists of Circuit Court and Municipal Courts.

The Clatsop County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. It typically handles cases that are beyond other courts. Felonies, domestic relations, juvenile matters, misdemeanors, and probate issues are handled by this court. The Circuit Court has specialized divisions for certain types of cases. The Family Court handles cases of separation, child custody, divorce, and child support. The Juvenile Court attends to dependent and delinquent cases, while the Specialty Courts are designed to meet the specific needs of certain offenders in the county. These include drug rehabilitation and mental health issues. The Mediation Court serves as an alternative dispute resolution program to resolve cases rather than involving a judge as an arbitrator. Located in cities like Astoria, Cannon Beach, Gearhart, and Seaside, Clatsop County Municipal Courts hear cases of traffic infractions and violations of city ordinances.

The Clatsop County Clerk is responsible for keeping the county's court records. These records include legal recordings, case filings, marriage licenses, and orders. Certain records, including juvenile case records, adoption, mental health records, as well as cases that fall under the Violence Against Women Act, are exempt from public purview. Publicly available court records in Clatsop County include:

  • Civil records
  • Criminal case records
  • Traffic violation records
  • Probate and estate records

Per state and federal laws, the Oregon Judicial Department provides options to the public to access public records. Members of the public may access court records through an Online Record Search managed by the Oregon Judicial Branch. They may also send a mail or visit the Clatsop County Circuit Court at:

749 Commercial Street

Astoria, OR 97103
Phone: (503) 325-8555

Courthouses in Clatsop County

Clatsop County Circuit Court

Court Name: Clatsop County Circuit Court
Address: 749 Commercial Street, PO Box 835, Astoria, OR 97103

Astoria Municipal Court

Court Name: Astoria Municipal Court
Address: 1095 Duane Street, Astoria, OR 97103

Cannon Beach Municipal Court

Court Name: Cannon Beach Municipal Court
Address: 163 East Gower Street, PO Box 368, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Gearhart Municipal Court

Court Name: Gearhart Municipal Court
Address: 698 Pacific Way, PO Box 2510, Gearhart, OR 97138

Seaside Municipal Court

Court Name: Seaside Municipal Court
Address: 989 Broadway, Seaside, OR 97138