Search Union County Bankruptcy Records

Union County bankruptcy records are kept by the federal court in Portland, Oregon. If you need to look up a case filed by a Union County resident, the search starts with the Portland office. Case numbers from this area begin with 3, 4, or 5. You can find these records through online court tools that are free to set up. This page walks through the steps for searching Union County bankruptcy filings, how local courts fit in, and where to get help with the process in this part of eastern Oregon.

Union County Bankruptcy Filing Data

Union County had 28 bankruptcy filings in 2025. That is a modest count for an eastern Oregon county. January 2026 brought two new cases. February 2026 also had two filings. These numbers show steady but low activity in Union County.

All Union County bankruptcy cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon in Portland. The Portland office is at 1050 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 700. Case numbers that start with 3, 4, or 5 belong to this division. La Grande is the seat of Union County, but all bankruptcy filings are processed in the Portland court. This setup is the same for most counties in eastern Oregon.

Note: Union County filing volumes remain lower than the state average due to its rural population base.

Union County Circuit Court

Union County is part of the 10th Judicial District. It shares judges with Wallowa County. The circuit court in La Grande hears local civil and criminal cases. These are state court matters. They do not include federal bankruptcy records. The court is open from 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

You can reach the Union County Circuit Court at 541-962-9500. The administrative contact is Michelle Leonard at extension 52. A drop box is at 1105 K Avenue in La Grande. Staff check this box each day at 5pm. Records are made available on a first-come basis. Kiosk computers are set up in the courthouse for newer case lookups.

The Union County Circuit Court page shows court hours, staff contacts, and services for residents.

Use this court page for local case details, while federal bankruptcy records are found through the Portland court system.

Courts in Union County include the Circuit Court, Elgin Municipal Court, and Island City Justice Court. Each one hears a different type of case. None of them handle federal bankruptcy filings. Those are only at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court level. If you need a local court record, the Union County court website has more details on what each court covers and how to request files.

How to Find Union County Bankruptcy Records

The best tool for finding Union County bankruptcy records is PACER. This is a federal system. It holds all court records, including bankruptcy cases. You can set up an account at no cost. There is a small charge per page for most lookups, but the court waives fees for users who stay under a set amount each quarter.

You can also check filing counts on the Oregon Bankruptcy Court county report. This page shows how many new cases each county had over a given time span. It is a quick way to see Union County filing trends without looking up full case details.

The Union County court records page gives details on how to request local court documents.

Local court records can add context to a bankruptcy search, though the federal records stay in the Portland system.

Union County Bankruptcy Court Process

Filing for bankruptcy in Union County follows federal law. The two main types are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 wipes out most debts. Chapter 13 sets up a plan to pay back what you owe over time. Both types create public records that stay in the court system.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Code governs all cases. The local rules for the Oregon Bankruptcy Court add extra steps for this district. These rules apply the same way in Union County as they do in any other part of Oregon. You should read both sets of rules if you plan to file a case or want to understand the records you find in your search.

Documents can be filed online through the court's electronic system. This is helpful for people in Union County, since the Portland court is far from La Grande. Most attorneys use the online system to submit forms and track case progress without needing to travel.

Note: Union County residents must file bankruptcy through the Portland division, which is roughly 300 miles from La Grande.

Union County Bankruptcy Filing Data

The Oregon Bankruptcy Court county report tracks filing activity for Union County and every other county in the state. Union County had 28 total filings in 2025. In 2026, there were 2 filings in January and 2 in February. These numbers reflect a lower-volume area for bankruptcy cases in Oregon.

The Union County court records page explains how to request state court documents.

State court records cover civil and criminal cases. Federal bankruptcy records are accessed through PACER for Union County.

Legal Help for Union County Residents

If you live in Union County and need help with a bankruptcy case, the Oregon State Bar has a page that explains the basics. It covers who can file, what types of cases exist, and what to expect. The bar also runs a referral service that can match you with a lawyer who handles bankruptcy in eastern Oregon.

Few attorneys practice in La Grande. Most Union County residents work with lawyers based in Boise, Bend, or Portland. Phone and video calls make this work well. The court holds hearings in Portland, so some travel may be needed at key points in the case. Plan for that when you start the process.

Union County Bankruptcy Case Filings

The Oregon Bankruptcy Court tracks filings by county each year. This data is public and easy to access.

Use this report to view Union County filing trends and compare them to other counties across the state.

With 28 filings in 2025 and steady numbers into 2026, Union County shows consistent but low bankruptcy activity. The small volume means each case is easier to find in the system. If you search for a specific Union County record, the limited number of filings works in your favor. The court can process cases from this area without the backlogs that larger counties face.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders Wallowa County to the northeast. They share the 10th Judicial District. Other nearby areas include Baker County and Grant County. All of these file bankruptcy cases through the Portland division. If you are unsure which county a case belongs to, check the address the debtor used at the time of filing.