Portland Deed Records

Portland deed records are kept at the county level, not by the city. Multnomah County handles all deed recording for Portland properties. The county clerk files deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents at the office on SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland itself maintains building permits, zoning records, and code enforcement files through its Permitting and Development bureau. If you want to search for a deed or look up who owns a piece of land in Portland, start with the Multnomah County recorder. For permits and building plans, use the city tools described on this page.

Multnomah County Deed Records for Portland

In Oregon, cities do not record deeds. That task falls to the county clerk. Portland sits in Multnomah County, so all deed records for Portland properties are filed at the Multnomah County recorder. This office stores deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and other documents that affect land titles. The recorder has kept these records since 1849, and digital index data goes back to 1965.

You can search Portland deed records online through the Multnomah County Digital Research Room. This free tool lets you look up recorded documents by name, date, or document number. Index records from 1965 to the present are available in the system. If you need older records, you must visit the office in person or send a mail request. Copies from the public terminal cost $0.25 per page. Counter copies start at $4 for the first page. Certified copies cost $7.75 for the first page plus $0.25 for each extra page.

The Multnomah County archives hold the oldest deed book in the county, dating from 1849 to 1854. These early records were first kept for Washington County before Multnomah County was formed. To visit the archives, call 503-988-3741 to make an appointment. The county also runs a free Property Recording Alert Service that sends you email alerts when a document is recorded under your name.

Note: Portland properties near county borders may have deed records filed in Clackamas or Washington County instead of Multnomah County.

Portland Property Records and Permits

While deed records stay at the county level, Portland keeps its own set of property records. The city's Permitting and Development bureau manages building permits, land use reviews, code enforcement cases, and zoning documents. These records help you learn what has been built on a property, what permits are active, and whether any code issues exist. They work alongside deed records to give a full picture of a Portland property.

The Portland Permitting and Development public records portal is where you submit formal requests. Plans and applications for permits issued from June 2012 through December 2023 are on PortlandMaps at no cost. For permits outside that window, you need to file a public records request. The minimum fee is $8 per address. Staff may need two weeks or more to fill your request due to workload.

Records you can get from Portland include building permit plans, inspection results, certificates of occupancy, trade permit records, and code violation reports. Commercial building plans are kept for the life of the building. Residential plans are held for two years after work is done. If you need records from before June 2012, a formal request is the only way to get them.

Using PortlandMaps for Deed Research

PortlandMaps is a free tool that puts permit data, property details, and zoning information in one place. You can search by address to find permit history, county assessor data, zoning codes, and more. The site connects to Multnomah County assessor records so you can view property values and tax data without leaving the page. It is a good first stop when researching Portland deed records and property history.

The assessor section on PortlandMaps shows the property ID, owner name, tax details, and assessed values. Keep in mind that assessor data may not match the city's own permit records. Always check both sources when doing Portland property research. The site also links to Multnomah County SAIL, which has survey data and tax maps you can search by address, tax lot number, or plat name.

Portland also provides help guides for using these tools. The PortlandMaps Help Guides page walks you through searching for permits, finding zoning info, and reading assessor data. You can book a 15-minute appointment with a city planner if you need help with zoning or setback questions tied to your deed records search in Portland.

Oregon Deed Recording Rules

Oregon law requires that deeds be recorded with the county clerk in the county where the land sits. Under ORS Chapter 205, the county clerk must keep and preserve all deed and mortgage records. The clerk indexes each document so the public can search by grantor or grantee name. Portland deed records follow these same rules since Multnomah County is the recording authority.

ORS Chapter 93 covers how property transfers work in Oregon. Every deed must state the true price paid for the land. Oregon uses a race-notice recording system. This means an unrecorded deed can be void against a later buyer who paid fair value and recorded first. That is why recording your deed quickly matters for any Portland property transaction.

Oregon does not charge a state transfer tax on real estate sales. Recording fees are set by state law. A basic one-page deed costs about $76 to $87 to record, depending on the county. Fees include a base charge of $5 per page plus amounts for the Oregon Land Information System, Assessment and Taxation fund, and Housing Alliance Tax. Portland property owners pay these fees through Multnomah County.

Portland Public Records Access

Oregon's public records law, found in ORS Chapter 192, gives every person the right to inspect public records. Deed records are public records. You do not need to explain why you want to see them. The county clerk must respond to your request within five business days. If your request is complex, the office will tell you how long it will take and what it will cost.

For Portland city records like building permits and code reports, you can also use the Oregon DOJ public records guidance to learn about your rights. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the county district attorney or the state Attorney General. Most deed records and property documents have no exemptions and are fully open to public review in Portland.

Note: The Oregon State Archives holds historical land records from the territorial period, including donation land claims and early deed records that may relate to Portland properties.

Multnomah County Deed Records

Portland is in Multnomah County. All deed filings go through the Multnomah County recorder. The county handles recordings for Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. For the full county fee schedule, recording requirements, and additional resources, visit the Multnomah County deed records page.

View Multnomah County Deed Records