Portland Bankruptcy Records
Portland is the hub for bankruptcy records in Oregon. The main office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court sits in downtown Portland. It serves as the primary point for all federal bankruptcy filings in the state. Residents search Portland bankruptcy records through PACER, CM/ECF, and in-person visits to the courthouse. Multnomah County had the most filings of any county in 2025. Case numbers from the Portland office start with 3, 4, or 5. This page covers how to find and search Portland bankruptcy records.
Portland Bankruptcy Court Office
The Portland office is the main location for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon. Chief Judge Peter C. McKittrick leads the court. Kirsten S. Wilkinson serves as Clerk of Court. The office is at 1050 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 700. You can call at 503-326-1500. A toll-free line is also open at (800) 726-2227.
This office handles bankruptcy records for Portland and the northern part of the state. Case numbers that start with 3, 4, or 5 come from this division. The court provides access through PACER, CM/ECF, and ePOC. These tools let you look up case filings, track docket activity, and get copies of court orders. Portland residents use this office more than any other in Oregon because Multnomah County leads the state in filing volume.
Note: The Portland office also has a toll-free number at (800) 726-2227 for those calling from outside the metro area.
Multnomah County Bankruptcy Filings
Portland sits in Multnomah County. In 2025, Multnomah County had 1,361 bankruptcy filings. That is the most of any county in Oregon. January 2026 had 109 new cases. February 2026 saw 125. These numbers show a strong and steady pace of new filings in the Portland area.
The high volume reflects Portland's large base of over 650,000 residents. It is the biggest city in Oregon and the county seat. Economic shifts and cost of living in Portland drive many of these filings. The Oregon Bankruptcy Court county report breaks down filings by month and county, so you can track trends for Portland and Multnomah County over time.
The Portland Auditor's Office works to keep government open and transparent in Portland.
The Auditor's Office oversees public accountability and open government for Portland city records.
How to Search Portland Bankruptcy Records
The best way to find Portland bankruptcy records is through PACER. It is the federal lookup tool for all court filings. You set up a free account. Then you search by name, case number, or date. Fees are small per page. Low-use accounts may qualify for a fee waiver each quarter.
Portland case numbers begin with 3, 4, or 5. When you search on PACER, pick the Oregon district and then look for those prefixes. The system holds petitions, schedules, motions, and orders. Most files are in PDF form. You can save or print them from your own home or office. CM/ECF is the filing system used by the court. It links to PACER for public access to Portland bankruptcy records.
The Multnomah County Circuit Court handles state-level matters in Portland.
State and federal courts are separate systems, but both serve Portland residents.
You can also visit the Portland office in person at 1050 SW 6th Avenue to search bankruptcy records. Staff can help with case lookups. Bring a valid ID. The office is open on weekdays. Call ahead at 503-326-1500 to confirm hours before your visit to the Portland bankruptcy court office.
Note: Portland bankruptcy records are federal documents and do not appear in the Oregon state court system.
Portland Circuit Court Records
The Multnomah County Circuit Court is part of the 4th Judicial District. It has 47 judges. The Central Courthouse is at 1021 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. Phone is 503-988-3957. Barbara Marcille serves as Court Administrator.
This court does not handle bankruptcy cases. Those go through the federal system. But the circuit court keeps records that may relate to a bankruptcy case. Property disputes, liens, and other civil matters filed at the state level in Portland can overlap with a federal bankruptcy filing. The circuit court uses Oregon's eCourt system for online access to state records.
The OJD Online Services portal provides tools for Portland residents. OJCIN OnLine lets you search state court records. The OJD Records and Calendar Search gives access to scheduling data. eFiling, ePay, and iForms are also available through this portal.
The OJD Online Services page covers all digital tools for Oregon court records.
Use this portal to access state court records that may connect to a Portland bankruptcy case.
Portland Archives and Public Records
The Portland Auditor's Office ensures open and accountable city government. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person visits are Tuesday through Thursday at City Hall, Room 130. Mail goes to PO Box 9072, Portland, OR 97207. The Ombudsman office investigates complaints about city services.
The Archives and Records Management Division runs the Portland Archives and Records Center. It holds city documents going back decades. While bankruptcy records are federal, city records from Portland can help provide context for research. Property records, code violations, and permits are among the items stored by the city.
The Portland Archives and Records Center holds decades of city documents.
City archives can support broader research alongside Portland bankruptcy records.
Bankruptcy Law and Portland Cases
All Portland bankruptcy cases follow federal law. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code sets the rules. The local rules of the Oregon Bankruptcy Court add steps that apply in this district. Both sets of rules shape how Portland cases move through the system.
Common filing types in Portland include:
- Chapter 7 for liquidation of debts
- Chapter 13 for repayment plans
- Chapter 11 for business reorganization
- Chapter 12 for farm and fishing operations
Each type creates a different set of records. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 make up most Portland filings. The records for each case include the petition, schedules of assets and debts, the meeting of creditors notice, and any orders from the court. Discharge orders close most cases. All of these documents are part of the Portland bankruptcy record and are available through PACER.
Portland Bankruptcy Legal Aid
Free help with bankruptcy in Portland is available. Legal Aid can be reached at (503) 224-4086. They serve low-income residents of Portland and Multnomah County. The Oregon State Bar bankruptcy page has general information on the process and what to expect when filing.
The OJD ePay system lets you pay state court fees online. There is a $1.50 processing fee per transaction. While ePay covers state court fees, it is a useful tool for Portland residents who have both state and federal court matters to handle.
Note: Legal Aid provides free bankruptcy clinics for Portland residents who meet income guidelines.
Multnomah County Bankruptcy Records
Portland is in Multnomah County. All bankruptcy filings for Portland go through the federal court system in the Portland office. For more on Multnomah County filing trends, court resources, and related records, visit the full Multnomah County bankruptcy records page.