Wasco County Background Check Search
Wasco County has its seat in The Dalles along the Columbia River. Created in 1854, it was once the largest county in the United States. Seventeen other eastern Oregon counties were later carved from its land. A background check here draws from circuit court files, sheriff arrest logs, and state criminal history records. The courthouse at 511 Washington Street dates to 1914 and still holds case records today. You can search these files in person or through online tools that cover all Oregon courts.
Wasco County Quick Facts
Wasco County Court Background Check
The Wasco County Circuit Court sits at 511 Washington Street in The Dalles. Rian Beach serves as the Trial Court Administrator. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, then 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. You can call (541) 506-2700 to ask about case files. Copies cost $0.25 per page, and a certified copy carries a $5 fee. These records form the core of any Wasco County background check.
Wasco County holds a deep place in Oregon history. It was the first county formed east of the Cascades. For years, most of eastern Oregon fell within its borders. The 1914 courthouse is listed as a historic site. Court records stored here stretch back over a century. Under ORS 192.314, all persons have the right to inspect public records held by state and local agencies. This law covers most files used in a Wasco County background check. Staff at the courthouse can help you find cases by name or case number during open hours.
The Wasco County Circuit Court page lists hours, contact details, and links to request records. Below is a view of the court site.
Visit the Wasco County Circuit Court for record details.
The court page shows how to reach the clerk and what steps are needed to pull case files for a background check.
| Court |
Wasco County Circuit Court 511 Washington Street The Dalles, OR 97058 Phone: (541) 506-2700 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| TCA | Rian Beach |
| Fees | $0.25 per page, $5.00 certification |
| Mailing | Wasco County Circuit Court, 511 Washington St STE 305, The Dalles, OR 97058 |
Searching Wasco County Records Online
There are a few ways to run a background check in Wasco County. Online tools let you search court case data from home. You can also visit the courthouse in The Dalles to review full case files. The method you choose depends on the type of records you need and how far back your search goes.
The Oregon eCourt Case Information system covers every circuit court in the state. You can search Wasco County cases by name or case number through this tool. It shows basic data like charges, filing dates, and case status. For deeper records, you may need to ask the court for copies. The Oregon Judicial Department online records page provides links to begin a search of Wasco County background check data. This tool also lets you check court calendars and upcoming hearings. Not every old case is in the online system, so a visit to the 1914 courthouse may still be needed for records from past decades.
The Oregon State Police run a criminal history check program. Under ORS 181A.220, the state keeps a central record of arrests and court outcomes from all counties. You can request a check through the Oregon State Police CJIS Division. This pulls from every county, including Wasco.
Wasco County Sheriff Background Check
The Wasco County Sheriff keeps arrest records, booking data, and incident reports. These files are a key part of many background checks. You can request records by fax at (541) 506-2581 or by mail. Send written requests to Attn: Records Division, 511 Washington Street Suite 102, The Dalles, OR 97058. Include the full name and date of birth of the person you are looking up.
The Sheriff also handles jail records. The Wasco County Jail can be reached at 541-298-1576. For historical jail records, write to Wasco County Sheriff, Att: Jail Records, 511 Washington St Suite #102, The Dalles, OR 97058. Your request should include the inmate name, any known aliases, date of birth, the date range you want searched, and the crime charged. This level of detail helps staff find the right files quickly and keeps your background check on track. Without these details, a request may take longer to process or may come back with no results.
| Sheriff |
Wasco County Sheriff 511 Washington Street Suite 102 The Dalles, OR 97058 Fax: (541) 506-2581 |
|---|---|
| Jail | Phone: 541-298-1576 |
Wasco County Criminal Background Check
Criminal records drive most background checks in Wasco County. In 2024, the county saw 1,655 total criminal offenses and 1,314 arrests. The most common charges were DUI with 185 cases, disorderly conduct at 143, and larceny or theft at 110. These numbers give a sense of the kinds of records you may find when you search.
A criminal background check in Wasco County may show felony and misdemeanor charges, case outcomes, and sentencing details. The court record shows what happened after an arrest. It tells you whether charges led to a conviction or were dismissed. Oregon law gives the public broad access to these files. Most criminal case records are open for review unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Because Wasco County has a long history, records may go back many decades, especially for cases filed at the historic courthouse in The Dalles.
Some records may qualify for expungement. Under ORS 137.225, certain convictions and arrests can be set aside after a waiting period. Once a record is expunged, it will not show up in a standard background check.
- DUI: 185 arrests in 2024
- Disorderly conduct: 143 arrests
- Larceny and theft: 110 arrests
- Total criminal offenses: 1,655
- Total arrests countywide: 1,314
Oregon Statewide Background Check Search
A background check in Wasco County can also draw from state records. The Oregon State Police keep a central criminal history database that covers all 36 counties. This is a strong option when you want a search that goes beyond just Wasco County.
The Oregon Judicial Department records request page explains what records are available and how to ask for them. For Wasco County, a statewide search can fill in gaps left by a local search alone. The state system tracks arrests, charges, and case outcomes reported by law enforcement and courts from every part of Oregon. Under ORS 192.324, agencies may only withhold records when a specific exemption applies. This means most files are open to the public. A statewide search adds depth to a Wasco County background check by pulling data from the rest of the state.
The image below shows the Oregon state records search tool used for background checks across Oregon.
This tool is helpful when someone has lived in more than one county. It pulls records from all circuit courts and law enforcement offices into one view.
Wasco County Record History
Wasco County was created in 1854, making it one of the oldest counties in Oregon. At its peak, it was the largest county in the United States by land area. Over time, 17 other eastern Oregon counties were carved from its original borders. This means that records from the early years of eastern Oregon may be found in Wasco County files. If your background check covers a time before those other counties existed, The Dalles courthouse may hold the records you need.
The current courthouse was built in 1914 and is listed as a historic building. Older paper records may be stored in archives within the building. Court staff can help locate files from past decades. Modern records are in the state online system, but records from the early and mid-1900s may require a visit or a mailed request. The long record history of Wasco County makes it a unique resource for background checks in eastern Oregon.
Nearby Counties
Wasco County borders several other counties in north-central Oregon. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the address tied to the case. Each county court keeps its own files.
A thorough background check may need to cover more than one county if a person has lived in different parts of central or eastern Oregon. Wheeler and Sherman counties to the south and east are smaller and may have records that tie back to Wasco County.