Union County Public Records Search
Union County public records are kept at the courthouse in La Grande, the county seat in northeastern Oregon. The county clerk office records property documents and maintains official filings for Union County. Court records, sheriff reports, and tax information are also available through separate county offices. Whether you need a deed, a court filing, or property tax data, Union County staff can help you find it. This page explains how to search for and request public records from Union County offices.
Union County Clerk Office
The Union County Clerk records and stores property documents, liens, and other official records. The office is at 1001 Fourth Street, Suite D in La Grande. You can call (541) 963-1006 or fax (541) 963-1013. Staff can assist with records searches, copy requests, and general questions about documents on file in Union County.
Visit the Union County Clerk website for forms, hours, and service details.
The clerk office handles all recorded documents for Union County. This includes deeds, mortgages, trust deeds, liens, easements, and other instruments that affect real property. Marriage licenses are also issued through this office. When you need a copy of a recorded document, the clerk can search by name, recording number, or date to find what you are looking for. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours at the La Grande office.
| Office |
Union County Clerk 1001 Fourth Street, Suite D La Grande, OR 97850 Phone: (541) 963-1006 Fax: (541) 963-1013 |
|---|---|
| Website | union-county.org/clerk |
Union County Property Records
Property records in Union County include deeds, mortgages, trust deeds, and liens. Each document gets recorded with the clerk and assigned a unique number. These records create a chain of title that shows every ownership change for a parcel. Union County has a mix of city lots in La Grande, farm land in the Grande Ronde Valley, and timber parcels in the surrounding mountains.
A deed search in Union County reveals who owns a piece of land and how it was acquired. Warranty deeds, bargain and sale deeds, and quitclaim deeds are all common in the recorded documents. Mortgages and trust deeds show loans against property. When a loan is paid off, a reconveyance or satisfaction is filed to clear the lien from the title. Easements grant rights to use another person's land for a specific purpose, like a road or utility line. All of these documents are on file at the Union County Clerk office.
Note: Contact the Union County Clerk to confirm copy fees and processing times before submitting a large records request.
Union County Sheriff Records
The Union County Sheriff office is at 1106 K Avenue in La Grande. For non-emergency matters, call (541) 963-1017. The sheriff provides law enforcement services across Union County. Incident reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement documents are maintained by this office.
Visit the Union County Sheriff website for contact information and services.
Some law enforcement records in Union County are public under Oregon law. Others may be exempt from disclosure if they involve ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or sensitive personal data. Contact the sheriff office to ask what records are available. You can submit a formal public records request for specific documents held by the Union County Sheriff.
Union County Court Records
The Union County Circuit Court is at 1001 Fourth St. in La Grande. The court phone number is (541) 963-1016. Civil, criminal, and family law cases all generate court records that are stored at the courthouse. Most of these records are open to the public under Oregon law.
You can search for court records online through the Oregon eCourt Case Information system. Search by name or case number to find cases filed in Union County. The system covers all Oregon circuit courts.
Visit the Union County Circuit Court website for filing information, hours, and court forms. In-person visits to the courthouse let you review full case files and request certified copies of judgments and orders. Older case files may only be on paper and not in the electronic system. The court clerk can help you locate what you need in Union County.
Union County Assessor and Tax Records
The Union County Assessor determines the value of all real property in the county. Assessment records show the assessed value, real market value, and tax amount for each parcel. These records are public. You can access property tax information through the Union County website.
Tax records in Union County show annual amounts owed, payment history, and any delinquent balances. The assessor office works with the tax collector to keep these records current. Property tax data is useful when buying or selling land, checking for liens, or appealing an assessment. If you think your property value is set too high, you can appeal to the Union County Board of Property Tax Appeals. The assessor office can explain the appeal process and deadlines.
How to Search Union County Records
There are several ways to access public records in Union County. The best method depends on what type of record you need and where you are located.
- In person at the clerk office in La Grande
- Oregon eCourt for circuit court case records
- Phone or fax to the clerk office
- County website for assessor and tax information
- Mail requests for copies of recorded documents
Under the Oregon Public Records Law, most government documents in Union County are available for public inspection. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The county must respond to your request in a reasonable time. Fees may apply for copies and staff research time. Most property records, court filings, and meeting minutes are open to the public in Union County.
Oregon Records Law and Union County
The Oregon Department of Justice oversees public records law for the entire state. Union County offices must follow these rules when they get records requests. Anyone can request records from Union County. You do not have to live in the county or even in Oregon to ask for public documents.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, certain law enforcement documents, and records about minors may be restricted in full or in part. If Union County denies your request, they must tell you which exemption applies. You have the right to appeal the decision through the district attorney or the Oregon Attorney General.
The Oregon State Archives is a good resource for historical Union County records. Old documents that are no longer stored at the courthouse may have been transferred to the state archives for long-term preservation. The Oregon Health Authority handles birth and death certificates for all counties in the state.
Nearby Counties
Union County borders Wallowa County, Baker County, Grant County, and Umatilla County. The county seat is La Grande, located in the Grande Ronde Valley. If you need records from a neighboring county, reach out to that county clerk directly. Each county in Oregon keeps its own separate set of recorded documents and court records.