Search Multnomah County Bankruptcy Records
Multnomah County has the highest bankruptcy filing volume in Oregon. The main office for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court sits right in Portland, the county seat. You can search Multnomah County bankruptcy records online through federal court tools. Case data includes filings, docket entries, and discharge orders. Records are public and stay in the system for years after a case closes. This page covers how to look up bankruptcy records in Multnomah County and what resources are available to residents.
Multnomah County Filing Numbers
Multnomah County leads all Oregon counties in bankruptcy filings. In 2025, there were 1,361 total filings. That is by far the highest in the state. January 2026 saw 109 new cases. February 2026 brought 125 more. These numbers reflect the large population of over 800,000 residents in Multnomah County.
All cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon. The Portland office is the main office for the entire district. It is not just a branch. Chief Judge Peter C. McKittrick oversees operations. Clerk Kirsten S. Wilkinson manages the court staff. Case numbers begin with 3, 4, or 5 for the Portland Division. You can reach the court at 503-326-1500 or toll-free at (800) 726-2227.
The court provides access through PACER, CM/ECF, and ePOC systems. These tools let you search records, file documents, and receive notices on Multnomah County bankruptcy cases.
Multnomah County Circuit Court Records
The 4th Judicial District serves Multnomah County. It is the largest circuit court in Oregon with 47 judges. Court Administrator Barbara Marcille runs day-to-day operations. The court has four locations: Central Courthouse, Justice Center, Juvenile Justice Center, and East County Courthouse. The main courthouse is at 1021 SW Fourth Ave, Portland, OR 97204. You can call 503-988-3957. An accessible entrance is on SW 5th Ave at SW Salmon.
Circuit court records in Multnomah County are separate from federal bankruptcy records. State court files cover civil, criminal, and family law matters. The OJCIN system allows searches by record number, case number, warrant number, citation number, attorney, business name, party name, judge, case type, date, and status. This is a state system. It does not include bankruptcy filings, which are federal.
The Multnomah County Circuit Court website has details on court services and locations.
Use this site for state court records. Federal bankruptcy records are accessed through separate systems.
Note: Multnomah County Circuit Court handles state cases only, not federal bankruptcy filings.
How to Search Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the main tool for finding Multnomah County bankruptcy records. It covers every federal court in the country. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. The system shows docket entries, filed documents, and case status. You need a free account. A small per-page fee applies, but many users stay under the quarterly waiver limit.
The Oregon Judicial Department also offers free basic case lookups through its online records search. This system covers state circuit court cases in Multnomah County. For federal bankruptcy searches, PACER remains the right choice since those records are held by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
The Multnomah County court records page offers access to case information at the state level.
Cross-checking state court records with federal bankruptcy data can provide a fuller picture of a person's legal history in Multnomah County.
Multnomah County Bankruptcy Case Types
Bankruptcy cases from Multnomah County fall under Title 11 of the U.S. Code. The most common are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Given the high volume of filings, Multnomah County sees a wide range of case types each year.
Chapter 7 cases clear most debts through liquidation. A trustee reviews assets and may sell property to pay creditors. These cases close faster than other types. Chapter 13 sets up a payment plan that lasts three to five years. Both types create detailed court records. Chapter 11 filings from Portland businesses also appear in Multnomah County records. These involve corporate reorganization and tend to have large, complex docket entries.
- Chapter 7 liquidation cases
- Chapter 13 wage earner repayment plans
- Chapter 11 business reorganizations
- Adversary proceedings within cases
- Motions for relief from automatic stay
The local court rules for the District of Oregon add procedures beyond the federal code. Attorneys filing Multnomah County bankruptcy cases must follow both sets of rules. The court posts all local rules on its website for review.
Multnomah Bankruptcy Court Filings
The Oregon Bankruptcy Court publishes county-level reports that show filing activity across the state.
This report breaks down filings by county and time period, making it easy to track Multnomah County trends.
With over 1,300 filings in 2025 alone, Multnomah County produces more bankruptcy records than any other county in Oregon. The high volume means the court stays busy. Processing times may be longer than in rural counties. If you are searching for a specific case, having the case number or exact debtor name speeds things up.
Legal Resources in Multnomah County
Multnomah County residents have access to several bankruptcy resources. Legal Aid offers a bankruptcy clinic. Call (503) 224-4086 for help. This clinic serves Multnomah County residents who need guidance on the filing process and their options.
The Oregon State Bar provides public info on bankruptcy law. Their site covers the basics and offers a lawyer referral service. Portland has many bankruptcy attorneys. Most Multnomah County filers work with local lawyers who know the Portland court well. The court is right in Portland, so hearings and meetings are easy to attend in person.
Residents of Portland and Gresham make up most of the Multnomah County filing volume. Both cities are within the same judicial district and file through the same federal court office.
Note: Legal Aid at (503) 224-4086 provides bankruptcy assistance to qualifying Multnomah County residents.
Nearby Counties
Multnomah County borders Clackamas County, Washington County, and Columbia County in Oregon. Clark County, Washington is across the Columbia River. If a debtor lived in a neighboring county when they filed, their case would be tied to that county instead. All Oregon counties file through the same bankruptcy court, but case reports list the debtor's county of residence at the time of filing.