La Grande Background Check Records
Union County background check records are held by the Circuit Court, Sheriff, Clerk, and Assessor in La Grande. This eastern Oregon county is part of the 10th Judicial District, which it shares with Wallowa County. A background check here can include court records, criminal history, property data, and arrest records. The courthouse was built in 2016 and modeled after the original 1905 building. You can search records online or visit county offices in La Grande during business hours.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Court Records
The Union County Circuit Court is part of the 10th Judicial District, shared with Wallowa County. The court is at 1105 K Avenue in La Grande, Oregon 97850. You can call 541-962-9500 for questions. Court hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. These records form a core part of any background check in Union County.
Judge Thomas B. Powers serves as Presiding Judge. Judge Jared D. Boyd also hears cases in the 10th Judicial District. Under ORS 192.314, every person has the right to inspect any public record in Oregon. This law covers most court records used in a Union County background check. Staff at the courthouse can help you look up cases by name or case number during regular hours.
The courthouse has a drop box that is checked daily at 5:00 PM. Documents placed in the box between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM are treated as received that same day. Items placed after 5:00 PM are stamped for the next business day. This is useful if you need to submit a records request outside of counter hours. The ADA and TCA coordinator is Michelle Leonard, who can be reached at extension 52.
The current courthouse was built in 2016. It was modeled after the original 1905 courthouse that stood on the same site. The design pays tribute to the county's history while providing a modern facility for court operations and public records access.
Both criminal and civil cases are heard at this location. Records from these cases form the foundation of most background checks in Union County.
| Court |
Union County Circuit Court 1105 K Ave La Grande, OR 97850 Phone: (541) 962-9500 |
|---|---|
| Judges | Thomas B. Powers (Presiding), Jared D. Boyd |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm |
| Website | courts.oregon.gov/courts/union |
Union County Clerk Public Records
The Union County Clerk office is led by Clerk Lisa Feik. The office is at 1001 Fourth Street, Suite D, in La Grande, Oregon 97850. You can call 541-963-1006 for questions. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM each day.
Property records are among the most common requests at this office. These documents show ownership history, liens, and other details tied to land and buildings in Union County. E-Recording is available on a business-to-business basis for title companies and other professionals. Documents must be recorded in the county where the property is located. This means Union County property records can only be filed through the Union County Clerk office.
Marriage licenses, elections records, and other public documents are also handled here. Under ORS 192.324, agencies may only withhold records if a specific exemption applies. Most records held by the Union County Clerk are public and open for review. These records can be part of a broader background check in Union County when you need to verify property ownership or personal history.
Union County Sheriff Records
The Union County Sheriff is led by Sheriff Cody Bowen. The office is at 1109 K Avenue in La Grande, Oregon 97850. You can call 541-963-1017 for questions. The Sheriff plays a direct role in local background checks. Arrest records, incident reports, and booking data from this office are often part of a complete background check in Union County.
The Sheriff operates the county jail. An inmate roster is available for public review. There is also an option to send money to inmates. Jail records can add detail to a background check when you need to verify custody status or booking history. The agency handles patrol, investigations, and civil process across Union County.
Records from the Sheriff are public unless a specific exemption applies under Oregon law. You can submit a records request to the office for arrest data and other law enforcement records tied to a background check in Union County. The office is near the courthouse on K Avenue in La Grande, which makes it easy to visit both locations in one trip.
Union County Property Assessment
The Union County Assessor is Cody Vavra. He was elected in 2016 and brings a strong background to the role. He is a Navy veteran and a graduate of Oregon State University. The Assessor office maintains property assessment data for all parcels in Union County.
Online tools include a Property Search and Tax Summary feature. These let you look up property values, tax amounts, and ownership details from home. Property assessment records are public and can be part of a background check when property ownership or value is relevant to your search. The Assessor data covers residential, commercial, and agricultural land across Union County.
How to Search Union County Records
There are several ways to run a background check in Union County. Online tools let you search court data from home. In-person visits give you access to full files.
The Oregon eCourt Case Information system covers all circuit courts in the state, including Union County. You can look up cases by name or case number through this tool. It shows basic data like charges, dates, and case status. The Oregon Judicial Department online records page has links to start your search for Union County background check data. For more detail, you may need to visit the courthouse in La Grande or request copies from the court.
The Oregon State Police run a criminal history program that covers all counties. Under ORS 181A.220, the state keeps a central record of arrests and court outcomes from across Oregon. You can request a state background check through the Oregon State Police CJIS Division. This pulls data from all counties, including Union County, into one report.
Note: Online searches may not show every record, especially older cases not yet added to the state system.
Union County Criminal Background Check
Criminal records are the main focus of most background checks in Union County. The Circuit Court keeps case files for all criminal matters heard in the 10th Judicial District. The Sheriff holds arrest records and booking data from the county jail.
A criminal background check in Union County may reveal felony and misdemeanor charges, case outcomes, sentencing details, and probation terms. The court record shows what happened after an arrest. It tells you whether charges were filed, dismissed, or led to a conviction. Most criminal case files are open for public review unless a judge has ordered them sealed. The county's rural setting in the Grande Ronde Valley means records may include a range of case types tied to the area.
Some records may qualify for expungement. Under ORS 137.225, certain convictions and arrests can be set aside after a waiting period. Once expunged, a record will not appear in a standard background check. This matters when you review Union County results.
What Union County Records Show
Background check results in Union County depend on the sources you use. Criminal case records from the Circuit Court show charges, pleas, outcomes, and sentences. The Sheriff adds arrest data and booking details from the county jail.
The County Clerk holds property records, marriage licenses, and other documents that round out a broader search. The Assessor provides property valuation data with online search tools. A full background check in Union County may draw from all of these sources. Each one adds detail to the overall picture. Civil case records may also appear, including lawsuits, liens, and judgments filed in the county courts. Sealed and expunged records are removed from public results.
- Criminal and civil case records from the Circuit Court
- Arrest records and jail booking data from the Sheriff
- Property records and marriage licenses from the Clerk
- Property valuations from the Assessor
- State criminal history from Oregon State Police
Nearby Counties
Union County borders several other counties in eastern Oregon. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the address tied to the case.
Union and Wallowa counties share the 10th Judicial District. A thorough background check may include searches in more than one county if a person has lived in different parts of eastern Oregon.