Records Policy
NOTICE:
Public Record Inquiries and Submissions will be processed on or after September 2, 2026.
Public Record Inquiries and Submissions:
Under Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.329), standard statutory time limits and response deadlines are temporarily waived or extended if staff members are literally unavailable or if fulfilling the request would unreasonably impede the public body's other necessary core services.
How to file a records request
Many records routinely requested are exempt from the Records Policy. You can obtain these records by calling or visiting the appropriate county department and paying the photocopy fee, currently 25¢ per page. Those records include:
- Assessor’s Office - all standard property assessment printouts, copies of current real property inventory data records, and paper or electronic (CD) copies of tax lot or tax code maps (excluding a request for all tax lot map images).
- Board of Commissioners - copies of minutes, Board orders, ordinances, and meeting tapes.
- County Clerk - all duly recorded documents, including documents recorded in the Commissioners’ Journal, documents found in the County Road Jackets, and marriage licenses.
- County Counsel - copies of minutes, Board orders, ordinances, and meeting tapes.
- Finance and Taxation - all documents generated by the standard PIC system, including voter registration in electronic format, sales information, and tax account information.
- Human Resources - documents
- a) requested from employees who are Human Resources-related
- b) related to background checks
- c) requested from governmental agencies for comparison or example information
- d) requested from candidates for employment.
- Juvenile Division - all juvenile department records as they pertain to youth and families.
- Land Development Services - copies, faxes, photos, or inspection of:
- a) building and septic permit applications, issued permits, and plans;
- b) planning applications, final orders, and ordinances;
- c) tax lot maps or GIS maps; and
- d) all or portions of County codes or ordinances.
- Sheriff’s Office - traffic accident reports and Citizen Crime Reports when there are no suspects.
For all other documents, you must complete a Records Request Form and either fax it to 503-397-7243, e-mail the form to jacyn.normine@columbiacountyor.gov 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.
Research Fees /Staff Time | $49.00 per hour charged in 15 minute increments |
USB Drives | $10.00 ea. in addition to Research Fees / Staff Time |
Photo Copies | $0.25-$2.00 per copy subject to color and size |
Shipping and Handling | Actual Cost |
For cost regarding medical records please see ORS 192.563.
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 you asked for 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.