Washington County, Oregon: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Washington County Circuit Court - Small Claims in Hillsboro. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: see the fee table. Claims up to $10,000. Oregon return time: 31 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,746. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Washington County Circuit Court - Small Claims
City	Hillsboro
Address	145 NE 2nd Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Phone	503-846-8888
Hours	Monday thru Friday:; 8:00am - 12:00pm \| 1:00pm - 5:00pm; Excluding Legal Holidays
Statewide filing fee	$57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000
E-filing	Yes, see filing page
Small claims limit	$10,000 (statewide small claims department only)
State deposit return deadline	31 calendar days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord. 31 calendar days after the earliest of waiver of abandoned-property process, removal of the dwelling/home from the space, storage/disposition under ORS 90.425/90.675, or sale under those statutes. Applies when: security deposit or prepaid rent secures a tenancy for a space for a manufactured dwelling or floating home the tenant owns and occupies, and the dwelling or home is abandoned.
Time limit to sue	6 years
Deposit statute	ORS 90.300

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $10,000 (statewide small claims department only).

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Details of the return rules

Oregon statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
Deposit return	31 days	after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord
security deposit or prepaid rent secures a tenancy for a space for a manufactured dwelling or floating home the tenant owns and occupies, and the dwelling or home is abandoned	31 days	after the earliest of waiver of abandoned-property process, removal of the dwelling/home from the space, storage/disposition under ORS 90.425/90.675, or sale under those statutes

Oregon return rule: 31 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Washington County Circuit Court - Small Claims. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Washington County.
The Oregon business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Oregon Secretary of State (check the link; report an error if it is wrong)

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Washington County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$1,543	$1,543	$3,086	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$1,746	$1,746	$3,492	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$2,208	$2,208	$4,416	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$2,662	$2,662	$5,324	Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Washington County compare with other Oregon counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,746: rank 1 of 36 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 39.1% of households rent in Washington County.

Washington County two-bedroom rent $1,746, rank 1 of 36 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Washington County	$1,746
Multnomah County	$1,688
Clackamas County	$1,681
Deschutes County	$1,556
Benton County	$1,376
Marion County	$1,338

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 36 of 36 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Washington County

Banks
Beaverton
Cornelius
Durham
Forest Grove
Gaston
Hillsboro
King City
Lake Oswego
North Plains
Portland
Rivergrove
Sherwood
Tigard
Tualatin
Wilsonville

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

Oregon Law Center - Eviction Defense Project: Free legal help for eligible low-income tenants facing eviction throughout Oregon, regardless of immigration status. Normally requires an eviction court case number; Multnomah County tenants may also seek help with termination notices before a case is filed.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Washington County?

Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000.

Where do I file a deposit claim in Washington County?

Washington County Circuit Court - Small Claims is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.