Multnomah County Divorce Filing — Portland-Specific Process and Local Rules

Multnomah County handles more divorce filings than any other county in Oregon, and its local supplementary rules add several Portland-specific wrinkles to the statewide process. If you or your spouse lives in Multnomah County (Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, or unincorporated areas), here's what's different.

Where to File

File at the Multnomah County Circuit Court, located at the Multnomah County Courthouse in downtown Portland. You can file in person at the clerk's office or electronically through the OJD eFile system.

The statewide $301 filing fee applies. Multnomah County may add local surcharges — check the county court website for the current total. Fee waiver and deferral applications follow the same statewide process under ORS 21.682.

Multnomah County Supplementary Local Rules

Every Oregon county publishes annual Supplementary Local Rules (SLR) under Chapter 8 for domestic relations cases. Multnomah's rules affect several aspects of the divorce process:

Parenting education class: Both parents must complete a court-approved parenting class when minor children are involved. Multnomah County's fee is approximately $70 per parent — less than many surrounding counties (Washington County charges around $200). Registration deadlines follow the statewide rule: the petitioner must register within 15 days of filing, the respondent within 30 days of service.

Mediation requirements: Multnomah County has specific rules about mandatory mediation in contested custody cases. The county offers court-connected mediation services, with some free sessions available depending on income and case complexity.

Scheduling and trial procedures: Contested cases in Multnomah County follow the county's specific scheduling order for settlement conferences and trial dates. Given Portland's higher caseload, contested cases may take longer to reach trial than in rural counties.

Filing Path Considerations for Multnomah County

The three statewide filing paths — co-petition, sole petition, and summary dissolution — all work in Multnomah County with no local modifications to eligibility.

Co-petition remains the fastest option. Despite the county's heavier docket, uncontested co-petitions with complete paperwork are typically reviewed by a judge within two to four weeks.

Default cases follow the standard 30-day response window after service. Multnomah County's processing time for default motions varies with docket load — expect one to three weeks for the judge to review and sign.

Contested cases will be assigned to a judge and placed on the county's scheduling track. Multnomah County's domestic relations docket is among the busiest in the state, so expect longer timelines for settlement conferences and trial dates compared to smaller counties.

Service of Process in Portland

For sole petitions, service options in Multnomah County include the county sheriff, private process servers (several agencies operate in the Portland metro area, typically charging $50-$100), or any qualifying individual.

If the respondent can't be located, you file an Ex Parte Motion for Alternative Service with the Multnomah County Circuit Court under ORCP 7D(6). The court may authorize service by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Portland area, email, or social media.

Court Facilitator Services

Multnomah County provides Family Law Facilitator services for self-represented litigants. Facilitators can review your completed forms for administrative completeness and explain local procedures, but they cannot draft documents, give legal opinions, or represent you in court.

Check the Multnomah County Circuit Court website for current hours, appointment availability, and whether drop-in facilitation is offered on specific days.

Local Legal Resources in Portland

• Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service — attorney consultations at reduced initial rates
• The Commons Law Center — legal coaching from $125/hour, sliding scale
• St. Andrew Legal Clinic — sliding-scale family law services, $50 consultations
• Legal Aid Services of Oregon — free help for income-qualifying residents

The Oregon Divorce Filing Process Guide covers both the statewide process and county-specific variations, including Multnomah County's local rules, so your filing is complete the first time you submit it.

See more Oregon guides →