Oregon Judicial Department
News & Links
Many of our documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader Software.
File a Case
Filing a case means filing the document that starts the legal process in a court. For a case in a circuit court, that document is usually called a complaint or petition. In most cases, you must pay a filing fee when you file the document that starts the case.
You or your attorney can file documents for you through the mail or in person. Attorneys can file documents online in appeals to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. We call this eFiling.
To file a case, you have three options:
Get an Attorney
Because laws and legal procedures are complex, we recommend that you work with an attorney.
If You Choose to File Your Own Paperwork
You can represent yourself in most cases. People who represent themselves are called “self-represented” or “pro se” (from Latin). Below are links to resources for users who want to learn more about the law and courts or want to represent themselves in a legal matter. Self-help information is not legal advice. Oregon law bans us from offering legal advice to the public.
To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult your own attorney.
Electronic Filing (eFiling)
Currently only Available for Appellate cases. Attorneys who wish to file an appeal to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court can do so online.