Many records routinely requested are exempt from the Public Records Policy. You can obtain these records merely by calling or stopping by the appropriate county department and paying the photocopy cost, which is currently 25¢ per page. Those records include:
For all other documents, you must complete a Public Records Request Form and either fax it to 503-397-7243, e-mail the form to Jacyn Normine or mail the form to the Custodian of the Records, 230 Strand, Room 331, St. Helens, OR 97051 (503-397-4322).
The Custodian of Records will forward your request to the correct department(s). The department(s) will advise the Custodian of the estimated cost involved in responding to the request. (For the costs involved in a public records request, see Fee Schedule).
The Custodian of Records will contact you with the estimated cost, which must be paid before the county proceeds any further with your request. You can elect not to pay the estimated cost and withdraw your request.
Once the estimated cost has been paid by you, the department will proceed to prepare the records for inspection and/or copying.
The department will then send the records to the Custodian of Records, who will contact you to schedule a time for inspection of the records, advise you that the records can be picked up and inform you of the final cost involved in responding to your request. If the cost is more than the estimated cost you paid, you will be required to pay the balance before inspecting or picking up the records. If the final cost is less than the estimated cost, a refund will be made.
In some circumstances, your request may be denied because the records requested are exempt from disclosure under Oregon law. In that event, the Custodian of Records will forward a written denial of the request. This denial can be appealed to the District Attorney for reconsideration by using the Denial Form.