Rule 5.160.Sealed Documents

Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026

In one sentenceUTCR 5.160 requires a party who wants to file material under seal to move for an order naming the statutory authority, the reasons, and the documents, and then to deliver the sealed material to the clerk with the signed order and the required markings.

Full Text of Rule 5.160

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(1) A party seeking an order to file documents or materials under seal must file a motion with the court that specifies all of the following:

(a) The statutory authority for sealing the documents or materials.

(b) The reasons for protecting the documents or materials from public inspection.

(2) At the direction of the judge hearing the motion, the moving party must submit the documents to the court for in camera review.

(3) The court’s order on the motion may include directions to the clerk’s office to do one of the following:

(a) File the documents or materials, unsealed, in the court file.

(b) File the documents or materials under seal in the court file.

(4) When documents or materials are filed under seal, the filing party must present the clerk with a copy of the signed court order and submit the documents or materials in a sealed envelope marked “SEALED DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS” and with a notation that identifies the case caption and the party making the submission. In addition, all documents ordered to be filed under seal must have the words “FILED UNDER SEAL BY COURT ORDER” located directly below the document title.

End

Plain-English Summary

Court files are open, and UTCR 5.160 treats sealing as an exception a party has to earn. The request comes as a motion that specifies the statutory authority for sealing the documents or materials, the reasons for protecting them from public inspection, and a description of what is to be sealed. A motion that gestures at confidentiality without naming an authority does not meet the rule.

The judge may want to look before deciding. At the direction of the judge hearing the motion, the moving party must submit the documents to the court for in camera review. The order that follows may direct the clerk's office to file the material unsealed in the court file, to file it under seal, or to return it to the moving party unfiled.

If the order allows sealing, the mechanics are exact. The filing party presents the clerk with a copy of the signed court order and submits the material in a sealed envelope marked SEALED DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS, bearing a notation that identifies the case caption and the party making the submission. Every document ordered filed under seal must also carry the words FILED UNDER SEAL BY COURT ORDER directly below the document title. Those markings are what keep sealed material from being handled like the rest of the file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a document under seal in an Oregon circuit court?

Move for an order allowing it. The motion must specify the statutory authority for sealing, the reasons for protecting the material from public inspection, and a description of the documents or materials. Nothing goes under seal without an order.

What has to be in the motion to seal?

The statutory authority for sealing, the reasons for keeping the material from public inspection, and a description of the documents or materials you want sealed. A description general enough that the court cannot tell what is at stake invites denial.

Will the judge review the documents before ruling?

Possibly. At the direction of the judge hearing the motion, the moving party must submit the documents to the court for in camera review. Be ready to produce them on request rather than waiting until the hearing.

What can the court order the clerk to do with the documents?

File them unsealed in the court file, file them under seal in the court file, or return them unfiled to the moving party. The order picks one of those directions for the clerk's office.

How do I label a sealed filing?

Present the clerk with a copy of the signed order and submit the material in a sealed envelope marked SEALED DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS, with a notation identifying the case caption and the party submitting it. Each document ordered sealed also carries the words FILED UNDER SEAL BY COURT ORDER directly below its title.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR 5.160). Prescribed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court (UTCR 1.020). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 12, 2026. · Official source

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