Lane County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Lane County?
Public records in Lane County are defined according to the Oregon Public Records Law, specifically under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 192.311, which defines a public record 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." Lane County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens pursuant to state law.
The following categories of public records are maintained by various Lane County departments:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Lane County Circuit Court. These include judgments, case filings, and court proceedings.
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Lane County Clerk's Office and Assessor's Office. These documents provide ownership history and property valuation information.
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Lane County are available through the Lane County Vital Records office. Marriage licenses and domestic partnerships are issued by the County Clerk.
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements (assumed business names) are maintained by various county departments.
- Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax payment histories are maintained by the Lane County Assessment and Taxation Department.
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are maintained by the Lane County Elections Division.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Lane County Board of Commissioners meetings, advisory boards, and committees are maintained by the County Clerk.
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records are maintained by the Lane County Finance Department.
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (where permitted by law), and jail records are maintained by the Lane County Sheriff's Office.
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and land use applications are maintained by the Lane County Land Management Division.
Each record type is maintained by the corresponding county department, and requests for specific records should be directed to the appropriate office. The Lane County Public Records Request portal serves as the central point for submitting requests for many county records.
Is Lane County an Open Records County?
Lane County adheres to Oregon's public records laws, which establish a presumption of openness and transparency in government operations. Under the Oregon Public Records Law § 192.314, "every person has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355."
This statutory framework establishes Lane County as an "open records" jurisdiction where public access to government information is the rule rather than the exception. The law specifically states that "the custodian of any public record that a person has a right to inspect shall furnish reasonable opportunities for inspection and examination of the record during usual business hours."
Lane County has implemented specific policies to comply with state sunshine laws. The county's Public Records Request Policy affirms that "it is the policy of Lane County that the public has a right to inspect any public record maintained by the County, consistent with the Oregon Public Records Law."
The county has designated public records officers in each department who are responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with state law. Lane County also maintains an online portal for submitting public records requests, demonstrating its commitment to facilitating public access to government information.
While the county follows the state's presumption of openness, it also adheres to statutory exemptions that protect certain information from disclosure, as outlined in ORS § 192.345 and § 192.355. These exemptions are applied narrowly, with the burden of justifying non-disclosure falling on the county rather than the requestor.
How to Find Public Records in Lane County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Lane County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple access points for public records retrieval:
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Submit an Online Request: Lane County maintains an electronic public records request portal where individuals may submit formal requests. This system allows requestors to specify the records sought and track the status of their requests.
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Visit the Appropriate Department: Many records are available for in-person inspection during regular business hours at the department that maintains them:
- For court records, visit the Lane County Circuit Court
- For property records, visit the Lane County Clerk's Office
- For vital records, visit the Lane County Vital Records Office
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Search Online Databases: Lane County provides several online resources for self-service access:
- Property records and tax information can be searched through the Lane County Assessor's online database
- Court records may be accessed through the Oregon Judicial Department's Oregon eCourt Case Information system
- County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas are available on the county website
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Submit a Written Request: Individuals may submit written public records requests to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- A clear description of the records sought
- The preferred format for receiving the records (electronic or paper)
- Date range of records, if applicable
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Telephone Inquiries: For assistance in locating specific records, individuals may contact the Lane County Public Records Coordinator at 541-682-4203.
When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information sought to facilitate prompt processing. Pursuant to ORS § 192.324, public bodies must acknowledge receipt of public records requests within five business days and complete the request within ten business days, or provide an estimated completion date.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lane County?
Lane County assesses fees for public records in accordance with ORS § 192.324(4), which permits public bodies to establish fees "reasonably calculated to reimburse the public body for the public body's actual cost of making public records available." The current fee structure for Lane County public records is as follows:
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Standard Copying Fees:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white (8.5" x 11")
- Color copies: $1.00 per page
- Large format documents (maps, plans): $5.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
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Staff Time:
- Records search and retrieval: $40.00 per hour (prorated to 15-minute increments)
- Review and redaction: $50.00 per hour for attorney review when necessary
- First 30 minutes of staff time may be provided at no cost for simple requests
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Electronic Records:
- Records provided via email: No additional charge beyond staff time
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- Records provided on USB drive: $10.00 per drive
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Specialized Records:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): $25.00 for first copy, $20.00 for each additional copy ordered at same time
- Marriage licenses: $50.00 application fee
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $7.50 for first page, $0.50 for each additional page
Lane County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) for records requests. Payment is typically required before records are released, though departments may waive this requirement for small fees.
Fee waivers or reductions may be granted when the county determines that releasing the information primarily benefits the general public. Requestors seeking a fee waiver must submit a written statement explaining how disclosure serves the public interest. The county evaluates these requests on a case-by-case basis.
For large requests that may incur substantial fees, Lane County provides cost estimates before proceeding with the request, allowing requestors to modify or narrow their request to reduce costs.
Does Lane County Have Free Public Records?
Lane County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. Pursuant to ORS § 192.324, all public records are available for free inspection during normal business hours, provided such inspection does not disrupt regular government operations. No fees may be charged for the right to inspect records in person.
The following records are currently available at no cost:
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Online Resources:
- Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and agendas
- County budget documents and financial reports
- County ordinances and regulations
- Election results and voter pamphlet information
- Public notices and press releases
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In-Person Inspection:
- Property assessment records may be viewed at the Lane County Assessment and Taxation Department
- Land use planning documents may be inspected at the Land Management Division
- Court case indexes may be viewed at the Lane County Circuit Court
- County Commissioner meeting records may be inspected at the County Administration office
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Fee Waiver Eligible Records:
- Records where disclosure is in the public interest may qualify for fee waivers
- Requests from indigent individuals may receive fee waivers on a case-by-case basis
- Small requests requiring minimal staff time (typically under 30 minutes) may have fees waived
The Lane County Clerk's Office maintains public terminals where citizens can search certain records at no cost. Additionally, the Lane County Law Library provides free access to legal resources and some county records for research purposes.
While electronic access to some records is provided free of charge through the county website, requests requiring staff time for search, retrieval, and redaction typically incur fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lane County?
Under Oregon's Public Records Law, specifically ORS § 192.314, "every person" has the right to inspect public records. Lane County adheres to this inclusive standard, allowing broad access to government information with minimal restrictions on who may submit requests.
The following eligibility requirements apply to public records requests in Lane County:
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Residency: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Lane County. Both Oregon residents and non-residents may submit requests.
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Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking vital records (birth/death certificates)
- Requesting records that contain personal identifying information
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Purpose Statement: In most cases, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the records. The county may not deny a request based solely on the requestor's purpose, except in limited circumstances involving commercial solicitation lists.
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Special Categories of Requestors:
- Media representatives have the same access rights as other members of the public
- Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients
- Business entities may request records through authorized representatives
- Government agencies may request records through interagency agreements
When requesting records that contain personal information, different standards may apply:
- Individuals have the right to access their own records held by county departments
- Requests for another person's records may require written authorization from that person
- Records containing protected health information require authorization compliant with HIPAA regulations
- Records pertaining to minors generally require parental/guardian authorization
Lane County processes all requests in accordance with state law, regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, except where specific statutory exemptions apply.
What Records Are Confidential in Lane County?
While Lane County operates under Oregon's presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under state law. These exemptions are primarily defined in ORS § 192.345 (conditional exemptions) and ORS § 192.355 (unconditional exemptions).
The following records are generally considered confidential in Lane County:
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Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Personal contact information for public employees
- Home addresses of certain public officials and law enforcement personnel
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Information that would deprive a person of a fair trial
- Confidential informant identities
- Techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations
- Juvenile offender records (with limited exceptions)
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Court and Legal Records:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Records subject to other legal privileges
- Adoption records (except as provided by ORS § 109.425)
- Child welfare and protective services records
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Personnel and Employment Records:
- Personal information in public employee personnel files
- Disciplinary investigation records (unless final discipline is imposed)
- Medical information and disability accommodation records
- Employee performance evaluations
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Business and Proprietary Information:
- Trade secrets submitted to the county
- Confidential business information provided under assurance of confidentiality
- Certain economic development information
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Security and Infrastructure Information:
- Security plans for public buildings
- Critical infrastructure details
- Emergency response plans
- Information technology security information
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Lane County will redact the exempt information and release the remainder of the record when possible. The county applies a public interest balancing test for conditionally exempt records, weighing whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest protected by the exemption.
All denials of public records requests must cite the specific statutory exemption being applied, and requestors have the right to appeal denials through administrative and judicial processes.
Lane County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lane County Clerk's Recording Office
125 East 8th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4599
Lane County Clerk's Office
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and property documents
- Marriage licenses and domestic partnerships
- Passport application processing (by appointment only)
- Voter registration and elections
- Board of Property Tax Appeals
- County archive management
Additional Contact Information:
Lane County Assessment & Taxation
125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4321
Lane County Assessment & Taxation
Lane County Vital Records
151 West 7th Avenue, Room 320
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4035
Lane County Vital Records
Lane County Circuit Court
125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4020
Lane County Circuit Court
For general inquiries about public records availability, members of the public may contact the Lane County Public Records Coordinator at 541-682-4203 or submit questions through the county's public records request portal.