How Do I File Probate in Clackamas County, Oregon?
A step-by-step guide to filing at the Circuit Court—what documents you'll need, where to go, and what happens after you file.
If you're handling probate yourself in Clackamas County, Oregon, you can file at the Circuit Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through Probate, Family Law Self Help, and Jury Services. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
Your Filing Options
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Clackamas County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
- •Self-represented (pro se) filers are exempt from mandatory e-filing. UTCR 21.140 requires only active Oregon State Bar members to e-file; pro se filers may file conventionally on paper or in person.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Factors like estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree can determine if self-filing at the Circuit Court is realistic for your situation.
Self-represented filers may file probate. The Oregon Judicial Department statewide estate/probate forms (including the Simple Estate Affidavit) are accepted in all circuit courts. A Simple Estate Affidavit may be used when the estate is $275,000 or less (real property $200,000 or less, personal property $75,000 or less) and is filed no sooner than 30 days after death.
Get the Clackamas County probate forms →For a detailed cost comparison and filing checklist, see the full Clackamas County Self-Filing Assessment.
Clackamas County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Mandatory Guardian Partners training for non-professional fiduciaries
Nearly all cases require completion of the Guardian Partners non-professional fiduciary class under Supplemental Local Rule 9.076.
SourcePro se competency requirement for fiduciaries
Under Supplemental Local Rule 9.085, unrepresented parties seeking appointment as personal representative or conservator must demonstrate competency.
SourceFiduciary bonding requirement
Court typically requires fiduciaries to carry bonds for the full amount of the assets to be administered plus the annual income expected, or accept asset restrictions instead.
SourceIn-Person Filing
The Circuit Court is located at 1000 Courthouse Road, Oregon City, OR 97045. Phone: 503-655-8447. Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Probate Public Counter: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Phone: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM).
What to Bring
To file at the Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Court Resources
Additional resources, forms, and fee schedules are available on the Circuit Court website.
Court information verified June 2, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Circuit Court in Clackamas County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee (about $591). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
At minimum: petition for probate, application for letters testamentary or of administration, notice to heirs, and an oath for the personal representative. Clackamas County uses the standard Oregon probate forms — the court's website lists the current versions.
Oregon allows informal (unsupervised) probate, which many families handle themselves for simple estates. The Circuit Court in Clackamas County does not require attorney representation. Use the Oregon self-filing assessment to see if your estate qualifies.
Yes. The Circuit Court in Clackamas County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Assets stay locked, creditors can still pursue them, and beneficiaries cannot sell real property or close accounts. After a few years, interested parties can petition to open probate themselves. Waiting rarely helps. Families who set up a revocable living trust ahead of time bypass this problem entirely.
Circuit Court
Clackamas County
1000 Courthouse Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone:
503-655-8447Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Probate Public Counter: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Phone: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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