Request a Court Record

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As of June 1, 2020, the new Public Records Request portal makes it easier to submit, track and pay for requests online.

Types of public records

Public records include handwritten, typed, photographed, electronic or otherwise recorded words, letters, pictures, sounds, symbols, or combinations of any of these. You must request permission from Court staff prior to the court proceeding . If you intend to use a recording device, you must request permission from Court staff prior to the court proceeding.

These records can be anything created in the course of City business.

Salem is required by law to retain copies of the following case information:

Charging document
Judgment

Fees for records requests

Fees for public records vary depending on the type of request, amount of services, and staff time necessary to complete the request. The Public Records fee schedule lists fees for commonly requested items. Staff will provide an estimate of how much you will be charged. Additional costs for certification will apply.

The City may furnish copies of requested records without charge or at a reduced fee, if the City determines it is in the public interest.

Records request process

Step 1: Submit your request

Once your request is received, staff will determine if a public record exists.

Step 2: Request review

The request will be reviewed to determine the following:

An estimate of the costs necessary to provide the requested records
An estimate of the amount of time needed to provide the requested records
A decision of whether any records are exempt from public disclosure

Step 3: Notification

Staff will contact you and inform you whether your request was accepted or denied, and the costs and time necessary to process your request.

If you wish to proceed at this point, you can pay the fees. No further work on the request will be done until the estimated costs have been prepaid.

Denial of request: If the request is being denied you will receive a written explanation.

Step 4: Payment

Once payment has been received, staff will make the public records ready for inspection. Please note, some public records are not allowed to be removed from City property and may only be inspected.

Step 5: Production or inspection of records

Court staff will contact you and make arrangements for you to inspect the public records, or pick up the copies made for you. If the final cost is different than the estimated amount, the difference must be paid before the records will be released. If you’ve requested to inspect the original public records, City staff, or designee, will be present at all times to supervise the inspection and ensure that no documents are removed, destroyed, or otherwise tampered.

If certified copies were requested, staff will attach the certification to the copies before releasing them.