Public Records Requests

The Oregon Public Records Law (OPRL) allows any person to inspect or request copies of any non-exempt public records. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) uses a service called GovQA to accept and manage records requests. Through GovQA, you can submit, track, pay for, and receive your requested records online.

How do I submit a public records request?

To submit a public records request, go to the Multnomah County Public Records Center portal and click "Submit a Records Request". Then, from the list of county departments, select the Sheriff’s Office. Login using your account information, or if you are new to GovQA, create an account.

Once logged into your GovQA account:

• Click on "Submit a New Request”.
• Choose the type of request or the department related to your inquiry.
• Provide detailed information about the records you’re requesting.
• Review and submit your request.

Do I need an account to submit a public records request?

Yes. Creating an account allows the user to track the status of your requests in real-time, receive notifications about updates, pay for requests, receive records electronically, and access previously requested documents.

How do I create an account?

Visit the Public Records Center portal and select "Login". Select "Create Account" and follow instructions. Fill in your personal information, such as your name, email, and a secure password. Verify your email if prompted, and you’re all set to submit requests.

Can I upload additional documents to support my request?

Yes. During the request submission process, you’ll find an option to upload any supporting files or documents. Ensure they meet the file type and size limitations specified by the portal.

Some data and records are available publicly on the MCSO website. They include:

• Agency policies
• Crime data
• Monthly jail statistics
• PREA compliance reports
• Control event statistics

Various other records may be requested. The records are subject to retention schedules established by the Archives Division of the Secretary of State and Multnomah County Records and Archives.

Type of record – Corrections

• Persons in custody
• Custody status
• List of charges
• Booking photos
• Intake forms
• Adult in custody property
• Facility video (jail, courthouse, building exterior)
• Classification (housing, disciplinary, visitation)
• Jail phone calls
• Jail video calls

Type of record – Law Enforcement

• Investigations
• Warrant packets
• Civil service
• Financial/ contracts
• Agency policies

Type of record – Administrative

• Correspondences
• Employment records
• Personnel investigations

What records does the Sheriff's Office not provide?

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) cannot provide the following records:

• Police reports from other areas: MCSO does not provide police reports for incidents in other cities, like Gresham or Portland. Please check where the incident happened and direct your request to the correct city’s records department.
• Multnomah County Circuit Court records: For court cases such as criminal, civil, divorce, probate, or family matters, you’ll need to request records from the Multnomah County Circuit Court Records Department.
• 911 calls, audio and dispatch logs: For 911 calls, 911 audio or notes from 911 calls or computer-aided dispatch (CAD) logs, contact the  Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC).
• Jail medical or mental health records: These records are handled by the Multnomah County medical records office. You can request them by emailing medical.records.request@multco.us.

How long does it take to receive requested records?

The timeframe for receiving records depends on the complexity of the request, the type of records sought, and the agency’s workload. The OPRL establishes a baseline expectation that governments will complete their responses no later than 15 business days after receiving the request. A public body unable to meet the 15 business-day deadline must notify the requester in writing that the request is still being processed and provide the requester with a reasonable estimated date of completion.

How can I track the status of my request?

After submitting your request, you can log into your account to view and track its status. The portal provides updates on whether:

• Your request is being processed.
• Additional information is needed.
• The records are ready for payment and download.
• You’ll also receive email notifications as the status changes.

The OPRL expressly authorizes public agencies to establish reasonable fees to be reimbursed for the actual costs of making the records available. Actual costs may include materials and mailing expenses, as well as staff time spent locating, reviewing, copying records, or supervising a person’s inspection of original records. You will be notified of estimated fees and costs in advance. Payment is required before the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office will provide the requesting party any records. The fee may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances, if it is determined the release of the information is in the interest of the public and making the record available primarily benefits the general public. 

Fees are set by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners each fiscal year and can be reviewed in the Master Fee Schedule updated annually. 

If you are a crime victim, there is no charge for copies of relevant police reports. However, there may be additional charges for other types of records related to your request.

What payment do you take?

The records technician will let you know what form of payment is accepted. Generally, we accept exact cash, cashier’s check, and check, and in some cases a credit card.

The OPRL is primarily a disclosure law, not a confidentiality law. However, there are some categories of records and information that that may be exempt from disclosure in specific circumstances. If the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office declines to produce a record or certain material within the record, MCSO will notify the requester through the GovQA program and cite the applicable OPRL exemption(s). If the requesting party desires to appeal the decision by the Sheriff’s Office, they may file an appeal with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.