Resource
Resources to help researchers find local records and information outside of the Portland City Archives collections.
The Portland City Archives have records created by or for City government. We have thousands of records, but sometimes researchers need suggestions for resources outside of the City Archives. The list below is based on questions from researchers and member of the public.
View our City Archives Research Guides for help searching within the City Archives.
City of Portland
- Permitting & Development Records, (503) 823-7300
- Includes code enforcement records, land use review records, permit records, liquor license and cannabis business records, and more.
- Police Records, 503-823-0756
- Public records requests, towing and impoundment, traffic citations, and more.
- Historic Resources & Preservation, historic.resources@portlandoregon.gov
- Historic Resource Inventory
- StreetsPDX
- Includes information of street types, right of way, city street project updates, and more.
Multnomah County
- Archives (503) 988-3741
- Divorce Records
- Assessment & Taxation
- Election Results and Historical Information
- Library Reference Desk (503) 988-5123
- Recorder's Office
- Oregonian Collection with Historical Archives
- Property Ownership Information
- Researching your House and Property
- Researching your Family History
State of Oregon
- Archives (503) 373-0701
- ODOT History Center (971) 701-0709
- Oregon Blue Book
- Vital Records (971) 673-1190
- Oregon counties hold birth and death certificates that occurred in Oregon for the first 6 months, then the records transfer to the State of Oregon. Marriage and divorce certificates that occurred in Oregon are held with the State. The state office has birth and death records dating from July, 1903; marriage records from 1906 and divorce certificates (not decrees) from 1925.
Other Institutions & Tools
- Albina Music Trust
- Architectural Heritage Center (503) 231-7264
- Archives West
- Chamber of Commerce (503) 224-8684
- Don't Shoot PDX
- Genealogical Forum of Oregon (503) 963-1932
- Historic Oregon Newspapers
- Metro Archives & Special Collections, (503) 979-1740
- NARA Online Public Access search
- National Archives 1-866-272-6272
- Oregon Black Pioneers, (503) 420-7728
- Oregon Historical Society (503) 222-1741
- Oregon Queer History Collective
- Port of Portland (503) 415-6640
- PSU Population Center (503) 725-3922
- PSU Archives Digital Gallery
- US Army Corp of Engineers - Portland District
- US Army Corp of Engineers Digital Library
- Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research, SAA
- Vanport Mosaic