Union County Public Records /Union County Property Records

Union County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Union County in 2026

UnionORRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Union County, Oregon. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, liens, and survey documents. Available record categories may include:

Property deeds and transfer documents
Tax assessment and payment records
Recorded liens and encumbrances
Plat maps and surveyor documents
Mortgage and release records

Property records in Union County may be searched through several official resources maintained by county and state agencies. The primary repositories are the Union County Assessor/Tax Collector, the County Clerk and Recorder's Office, and the Union County Surveyor. Members of the public may access these records online, in person, by mail, or through licensed professionals such as title companies and real estate attorneys.

Online Search Methods:

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Union County Assessor/Tax Collector serves as the primary resource for property assessment and tax information. The property search portal provides free public access with no registration required.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID or account number
By map or GIS location

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Legal description and parcel number
Land use and zoning classification
Assessed value (land and improvements)
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location

How to Search:

Navigate to the Union County property search portal
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
Review the results list returned by the system
Select the specific property to view the full property card
Review assessment data, sales history, and tax information
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search

The County Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the county archivist and the office of origination for property transfers. As stated on the official county website, "The County Recorder is the County Archivist and the office of origination for property transfers. All public records (County Commissioners minutes…) are maintained here." Basic searches are available to the public; fees may apply for document copies.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller)
Grantee name (buyer)
Document type
Recording date range
Instrument number or book and page

Documents Available:

Warranty and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's, judgment, and tax liens
Easements and declarations of restrictions
Plats and surveys
Powers of attorney affecting property
Lis pendens notices

How to Search:

Contact or visit the County Clerk and Recorder's Office directly
Request access to the grantor/grantee index
Enter the name, date range, or document type
Review the results and note the instrument number or book and page
Request document images or certified copies as needed

3. Tax Collector Records

The Union County Assessor/Tax Collector maintains tax billing and payment records for all properties in the county. Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, parcel number, or tax account number to obtain:

Current tax bill amounts
Payment history
Outstanding balances
Exemptions applied
Delinquency status

4. GIS / Mapping System

The Union County Surveyor maintains public land survey monument records and map documentation. Scanned monumentation records for corners that are part of the Public Land Survey System are available online. Members of the public may use these resources to:

View property boundaries and survey monuments
Access map documentation for specific parcels
Review scanned monumentation records
Identify section, township, and range information

In-Person Searches:

Union County Assessor / Tax Collector
1001 4th Street, Suite F
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1002
Assessor / Tax Collector

Union County Clerk and Recorder's Office
1001 4th Street, Suite L
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1006
County Clerk and Recorder's Office

Union County Surveyor
1001 4th Street
La Grande, OR 97850
Union County Surveyor

By Mail Requests:

Members of the public may submit written requests to the County Clerk and Recorder's Office or the Assessor/Tax Collector by mail. Requests should include the property address or parcel number, the type of document or information sought, and a return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.

Through Professionals:

Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests in a property. Real estate attorneys may assist with complex ownership issues, disputed title matters, and legal opinions. Real estate agents may access comparable sales data and property histories as part of their representation services.

Search Tips:

When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats, and consider spelling variations or name changes
When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the Clerk's office or a review of microfilm records may be necessary
Very recent transactions may not yet appear in online systems due to recording processing delays
Verify results using the parcel number or legal description when multiple results are returned

What Is Union County Property Records

Property records in Union County, Oregon, are official documents related to real property — including land and buildings — maintained by county government offices. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing property ownership, documenting transfers, recording encumbrances, and assessing taxes. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 93.710, instruments conveying or encumbering real property must be recorded with the county clerk to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty, quitclaim, and special warranty deeds
Chain of title and ownership history
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Transfer records documenting all conveyances

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax, mechanic's, and judgment liens
Easements and access rights
Restrictions, covenants, and HOA documents
Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and tax bills
Payment history and delinquency records
Exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
Special assessments and millage rates

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Survey documents and metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information
Section, township, and range designations

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Code violations and zoning information
Land use designations

Who Maintains Property Records:

The County Clerk and Recorder's Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Assessor/Tax Collector maintains property valuations, assessment records, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Union County Surveyor maintains public land survey monument records and map documentation. The Oregon Secretary of State's Archives Division also maintains a Union County Records Inventory that catalogs assessment, tax, and delinquent tax records, showing property owner information, descriptions, and values of urban and rural properties.

Legal Framework:

Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 205.130, county clerks are required to record all instruments presented for recording that meet statutory requirements. Oregon's recording statutes establish a race-notice system, meaning that a subsequent purchaser who records first and has no notice of a prior unrecorded interest takes priority. This framework ensures that the public recording system provides constructive notice to all parties dealing with real property in Union County.

Are Property Records Public Information in Union County?

Property records in Union County are public information. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.311 et seq., Oregon's Public Records Law, public records are open to inspection by any person unless a specific exemption applies. Property records maintained by the County Clerk, Assessor, and Tax Collector do not fall within any recognized exemption and are therefore freely accessible to any member of the public, regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Oregon Public Records Law (ORS § 192.311 et seq.)
Oregon recording statutes (ORS Chapter 93 and ORS Chapter 205)
Common law tradition of public land records
Constructive notice principles requiring public availability

Why Property Records Are Public:

The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership enables accountability in taxation, prevents fraudulent transfers, and supports the integrity of the real estate marketplace. The recording system provides constructive notice — meaning that any person dealing with real property is presumed to have knowledge of all recorded instruments, whether or not they have actually reviewed them. This principle underpins the entire system of title insurance, mortgage lending, and real estate transactions.

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment history
Property characteristics (size, age, improvements)
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and survey documents

Privacy Considerations:

Certain personal information within recorded documents is subject to redaction under Oregon law. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from documents before they are made available for public inspection. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under Oregon's Address Confidentiality Program. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; members of the public should contact the Assessor's office directly regarding the specific policies applicable to such applications.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any person may access property records in Union County. There is no residency requirement, ownership requirement, or requirement to state a business purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

The use of public property records for commercial purposes — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title searches, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under Oregon law. Commercial data aggregators may compile and resell public property record information. However, anti-harassment laws remain applicable, and the use of public records for any illegal purpose is prohibited.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Union County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges applicable in Union County:

Copy and Certification Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$3.75 per document (first page) + $0.25 per additional page
Recording a new document (first page)	$87.00
Recording (each additional page)	$5.00
Online document viewing	Free (basic search)

Inspection of records at the Clerk's office or Assessor's office is free of charge
Online access to the property search portal and assessment data is provided at no cost
Copies of tax bills and assessment summaries may be obtained at standard per-page rates
Certified copies of recorded instruments are available from the County Clerk and Recorder's Office upon payment of the applicable fee
Payment is accepted in person by cash, check, or money order; contact the respective office to confirm currently accepted payment methods for mail requests
Fee waivers are not broadly available for standard property record requests; members of the public with questions about fee waiver eligibility should contact the County Clerk's office directly

Recording fees in Oregon are governed by ORS § 205.320, which establishes the schedule of fees that county clerks may charge for recording instruments and providing copies. Oregon also imposes a document transfer tax at the state level; members of the public engaged in property transactions should consult with a licensed real estate professional or attorney regarding applicable transfer taxes.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Online property search and assessment data via the county portal
In-person inspection of records at county offices
Basic grantor/grantee index searches
Online survey monument records via the Union County Surveyor's website

What's Included in a Union County Property Record?

A complete property record in Union County encompasses information drawn from multiple county offices, including the Assessor/Tax Collector, the County Clerk and Recorder, and the Surveyor. The following categories of information are maintained as part of the official property record.

Ownership Information:

Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners on the deed, the type of ownership (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate), the acquisition date, the deed instrument number or book and page reference, and the mailing address on file for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership information, including chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references, is also maintained.

Property Identification:

Each parcel is identified by a site address, mailing address (if different), legal description (including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and section, township, and range designations), parcel ID or account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers.

Physical Characteristics:

Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, depth, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and additional features such as garage spaces, pools, porches, fireplaces, heating and cooling systems, and water and sewer source.

Valuation Information:

Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, and the assessment year. Historical values for prior years are maintained, enabling review of value trends over time. Agricultural classification information is included where applicable.

Tax Information:

Tax records include the current year tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, city or municipality, and special districts), due dates, payment status, and discount information. Tax payment history for prior years is also maintained, along with any delinquency history.

Exemptions Applied:

Exemption records identify all exemptions applied to a parcel, which may include homestead, senior, disability, veteran, widow or widower, agricultural, conservation, and historic preservation exemptions, along with the applicable exemption application dates.

Sales History:

Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, sale types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, divorce transfer, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, qualified or unqualified sale designation, and documentary stamp amounts.

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded encumbrances include current mortgages (with lender names, recording dates, book and page references, and original mortgage amounts), tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, code enforcement liens, easements, restrictions and covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens notices.

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water, and other taxing districts), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, and flood zone designation (FEMA) are included in the regulatory portion of the property record.

Maps and Images:

Visual information available through the county's systems includes property photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches, and historical aerials where available. The Union County Surveyor maintains scanned monumentation records and map documentation for public land survey corners.

What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at recording)
Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded documents
Interior photographs
Social Security numbers (redacted under Oregon law)
Private agreements not submitted for recording
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
Confidential exemption application details

How Long Does Union County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Union County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments arises from their essential role in establishing chain of title and providing constructive notice to all parties dealing with real property. No recorded instrument affecting title to real property is subject to destruction.

Legal Basis for Retention:

Oregon's records retention requirements for county clerks are established under ORS Chapter 205 and the Oregon Secretary of State's records retention schedules. The Union County Records Inventory maintained by the Oregon Secretary of State's Archives Division documents the categories of records held by Union County and their retention status. As noted in that inventory, assessment, tax, and delinquent tax records are labeled as rolls, lists, or summaries and show property owner information, descriptions, and values of urban and rural properties.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions and releases, lien records, plats and surveys, easements, restrictions and covenants, declarations, and other instruments affecting title are maintained permanently by the County Clerk and Recorder's Office. These records date back to the formation of Union County and, in some cases, to the territorial period. Plat maps, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are similarly retained without expiration.

Format and Storage:

Historical records in Union County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of creation:

Very old records: Handwritten ledgers and bound books
Early-to-mid twentieth century: Typed entries in record books
Mid-twentieth century onward: Microfilm
Recent records: Digital scans and electronic document management systems

All formats are maintained at the County Clerk and Recorder's Office, with climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm records and backup systems for digital records.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Time Period	Availability
Recent records (last 20+ years)	Typically available online
Moderate age (20–50 years)	May be online; microfilm available in person
Historical (50+ years)	In-person access; original books or microfilm
Very old (100+ years)	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Property Appraiser Assessment Records:

Current and historical assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently by the Assessor/Tax Collector. Recent years of assessment history are accessible through the online property search portal. Historical assessments are available at the Assessor's office.

Tax Collector Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years in most Oregon counties. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution.

Chain of Title:

The unbroken chain of title — documenting every transfer of a property from the original land grant to the present — is the foundation of the recording system. Title searches in Oregon review a minimum of the past thirty to sixty years, though a full abstract may extend back to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create title defects that must be resolved before a property can be conveyed with clear title.

Accessing Historical Records:

Members of the public seeking historical records that are not available online should contact the County Clerk and Recorder's Office directly. Staff can retrieve records from storage, including original books and microfilm. For very old records, advance notice may be helpful to allow staff to locate and retrieve materials. Standard copy fees apply to historical records.

Union County Clerk and Recorder's Office
1001 4th Street, Suite L
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1006
County Clerk and Recorder's Office

Union County Assessor / Tax Collector
1001 4th Street, Suite F
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1002
Assessor / Tax Collector

How To Find Liens on Property in Union County?

Liens on property in Union County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the County Clerk and Recorder's Office. A lien is a legal claim against a property that must be satisfied before the property can be transferred with clear title. Common types of liens recorded in Union County include judgment liens, mechanic's liens, federal and state tax liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens.

Step-by-Step Search Process:

Search the County Clerk and Recorder's Index: Contact or visit the County Clerk and Recorder's Office and request a search of the grantor/grantee index under the property owner's name. Liens are indexed under the name of the debtor (the property owner), so searching by owner name is the most reliable method.
Search the Assessor's Records: The Assessor/Tax Collector maintains records of property tax delinquencies and tax liens. Members of the public may search the online property portal or contact the office directly to determine whether any outstanding tax obligations are associated with a specific parcel.
Search Federal Tax Lien Records: Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county clerk under Oregon law. These liens appear in the grantor/grantee index and may also be searched through the IRS lien search system.
Search Oregon State Tax Liens: Oregon Department of Revenue tax liens are filed with the county clerk in the county where the property is located. These liens are indexed and searchable through the Clerk's records.
Search Court Judgment Records: Judgment liens arise from court judgments and are docketed with the circuit court. Members of the public may search judgment records through the Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system or by contacting the Union County Circuit Court.
Request a Title Search: For a comprehensive lien search, members of the public may engage a licensed title company to conduct a full title search. Title companies search all recorded instruments, including liens, encumbrances, easements, and restrictions, and provide a title commitment identifying all matters of record.

Union County Circuit Court
1001 4th Street
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1011

Key Points Regarding Liens:

All recorded liens are public information and accessible to any member of the public
Liens must be recorded to be enforceable against subsequent purchasers under Oregon's race-notice recording system
A lien release or satisfaction must also be recorded to remove the lien from the public record
Unrecorded liens (such as certain federal tax liens not yet filed with the county) may not appear in a standard county records search
The presence of a lien does not necessarily mean the lien is currently enforceable; releases, satisfactions, and expiration of judgment liens should be verified

What Is Property Owner Rule in Union County?

The property owner rule in Union County, Oregon, refers to the body of state law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Oregon follows general common law principles of property ownership, supplemented by state statutes and local ordinances.

Establishment of Ownership:

Under Oregon law, ownership of real property is established by a recorded deed. Pursuant to ORS § 93.020, a conveyance of real property must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and acknowledged before a notary public to be eligible for recording. Recording the deed with the County Clerk and Recorder's Office provides constructive notice of the transfer to all subsequent parties.

Forms of Ownership:

Oregon law recognizes several forms of real property ownership:

Individual ownership: A single person holds title in their own name
Joint tenancy: Two or more persons hold title with right of survivorship; upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant(s) take the deceased's interest automatically
Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests in the property; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death rather than to the co-owners
Tenancy by the entirety: Oregon does not recognize tenancy by the entirety; married couples typically hold property as joint tenants or tenants in common
Trust ownership: Property held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, with the trustee holding legal title on behalf of the beneficiaries
Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities may own real property in Oregon

Rights and Obligations of Property Owners:

Property owners in Union County hold the right to use, enjoy, and transfer their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, easements, and other encumbrances of record. Property owners are obligated to pay property taxes assessed by the Assessor/Tax Collector. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the imposition of a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax foreclosure proceeding under Oregon law.

Adverse Possession:

Oregon law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person may acquire title to real property through open, notorious, continuous, hostile, and exclusive possession for a statutory period. Members of the public with questions regarding adverse possession claims should consult a licensed Oregon real estate attorney.

Homestead Protections:

Oregon does not provide an unlimited homestead exemption from creditors' claims. However, Oregon law provides a homestead exemption of up to $40,000 for a single owner or $50,000 for joint owners in a bankruptcy proceeding, protecting a portion of the equity in a primary residence from certain creditor claims.

Local Regulations:

Property use in Union County is subject to the Union County Zoning Ordinance and the comprehensive land use plan adopted pursuant to Oregon's statewide land use planning program. The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission establishes statewide planning goals that all Oregon counties, including Union County, must incorporate into their local land use regulations. Members of the public with questions about specific zoning classifications or permitted uses should contact the Union County Planning Department.

Union County Planning Department
1001 4th Street
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 963-1001
Union County