Clark County, Washington State Court Records
The court system in Clark County generates a broad spectrum of official files and documents throughout the life of civil and criminal cases. Collectively referred to as Clark County court records, these materials include initial filings, summonses, motions, protective orders, witness testimony, and final judgments.
Court records serve as official chronicles of the legal process and an authoritative reference for future proceedings, background checks, or genealogical research, among other purposes.
In Clark County, the court records custodian varies by case type and court of origin.
- The Clark County Clerk is the primary custodian of the Superior Court and oversees records for felony cases, civil disputes exceeding $100,000, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters.
- The District Court Administrator handles District Court records, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil matters below $100,000.
These records frequently intersect with and incorporate external public records. For instance, local law enforcement arrest logs may be heavily referenced in a criminal felony file, and vital records from Clark County Public Health are often submitted as evidence in family and probate court cases.
Are Clark County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under the WashingtonPublic Records Act (PRA), the public has a presumed right to inspect and copy most government documents. The right of access to court files in particular is provided by Wash. Gen. R. 31. Under this directive, individuals have the authority to access various categories of case records, including civil disputes, criminal proceedings, and general family law actions, without needing to provide a specific reason or prove a direct legal interest.
Interestingly, subsection (a) of the same rule states that access to court records is not absolute but must instead be balanced against reasonable expectations of privacy. Subsection (e) requires the mandatory redaction of personal identifiers, namely, social security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers. Other laws and court rules automatically seal or restrict access to entire case categories, such as juvenile dependency proceedings, adoption files, and mental health commitment records.
What Information is Available in Clark County Court Records?
Depending on the specific type of case and its current status, a typical Clark County court record will generally include the following information:
- Case number and official case title
- Names of plaintiffs, defendants, and representing attorneys
- Assigned judge and court division
- Register of actions or case docket
- Initiating documents (such as civil complaints, petitions, or criminal indictments)
- Filed evidence and discovery materials
- Scheduled hearing dates and times
- Court decisions, judicial orders, judgments, and final sentencing details
Clark County Court Records Search
Searching for court records in Clark County requires identifying the court that handled the case and choosing the appropriate request method. The county provides several online portals alongside traditional mail, email, and in-person options.
Online Access
Clark County uses a combination of state systems and county databases to provide the public with digital access to court records.
- Superior Court Case Management System: This is the official statewide case search system used by the Clark County Superior Court. It enables the public to search for civil, criminal, or family law cases by name or case number to view court calendars, case summaries, and a list of filed documents. This portal has an advanced search with comprehensive filters such as party name, case status, booking number, filing dates, and location.
- Washington Courts Name Search: This search portal allows users to locate cases associated with a person’s name. Users will need to specify a first and last name (a middle name is optional). The portal provides the court where the case occurred, the name of the person, the case number, and court information, which displays the most recent entry date. Docket information may be available for Superior Court cases, though not for matters filed in District or Municipal Court.
- Clerk’s Document Imaging System: The Clark County Clerk maintains this portal for legal professionals and individuals requiring frequent access to court records. This subscription-based document repository provides 24/7 access to electronic records for both the District and Superior Courts. The database features civil, probate, criminal, juvenile, and domestic files dating back to 1985. Individuals can call (564) 397-2298 for access inquiries.
- Daily Court Dockets: For persons looking for the latest hearing schedules, the county publishes upcoming dockets for free on the Superior Court and District Courtwebpages.
In-Person Access
Individuals who prefer to inspect documents or request copies in person can visit a courthouse terminal or public records window at the respective courts:
- Superior Court: Clark County Courthouse, 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.
- District Court: 210 East 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.
Copy Requests
The public can also order copies of electronic case documents by mail or email from the corresponding court’s records department by submitting the appropriate records request form, along with statutory payment if applicable. Mailed requests must include a cashier’s check or money order and an envelope of appropriate size.
Details for Superior Court (felony cases, civil cases over $100,000, and matters involving juvenile offenders, probate, divorce, and adoptions) requests:
- Records Request Form
- Mailing Address: Clark County Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
- Email Address: copyrequests@clark.wa.gov
A $30 research fee typically applies where the requester does not supply a case number.
Details for District Court (gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, civil cases below $100,000, small claims, and traffic infractions) requests:
- Court Records & Courtroom Recording Requests
- Mailing Address: Clark County District Court, PO Box 9806, Vancouver, WA 98666-8806
- Email Address: district.courtrecords@clark.wa.gov
- Fax Line: (564) 397-6044
A $20 search fee may apply for large or intensive requests.
Fees for Court Records in Clark County
The costs for copies of court are established by Washington state statutes, including Wash. Rev. Code § 36.18, and local court schedules.
- Plain copy: 50 cents per page for a physical or mailed copy and 25 cents for an emailed copy
- Certified copy: $5 (first page) and $1 for every subsequent page
- Exemplified copy: $20 per document
- Audio recordings: $20 per CD or secure link
- Research fee: $30 for the Superior Court and $20 for the District Court
Vital record fees:
- Birthanddeath records: $38.50 for the first copy and $25 for a subsequent copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage records: $3 for a certified copy and $1 for a plain record
Clark County Courthouse Locations
Below is the contact information and location for each primary court and municipal branch in Clark County:
Clark County Superior Court
1200 Franklin Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564) 397-2150
Clark County District Court
210 East 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564) 397-2424
(Also serves as the municipal court for Vancouver and Yacolt)
500 West 11th Street
Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone: (564) 397-2201
(Handles juvenile criminal offenses, dependency cases, and at-risk youth petitions.)
Camas-Washougal Municipal Court
89 C Street
Washougal, WA 98671
Phone: (564) 397-2125
(Handles local municipal ordinance violations and misdemeanors for Camas and Washougal.)
109 Southwest 1st Street
Suite 272
Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 342-5150
(Handles local municipal ordinance violations and misdemeanors for Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and La Center.)
Criminal Records Access in Clark County
Official statewide criminal history checks are exclusively managed by the Washington State Patrol (WSP), which operates the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system. Per Wash. Rev. Code § 10.97.050, the public can utilize the online WATCH portal to request and receive state-level conviction records and pending arrest information for a standard processing fee.
The public can seek records of individual criminal proceedings from the local court systems. The various official portals and record request forms allow users to search Superior and District Court databases by name or case number. Individuals can also use dedicated courthouse terminals to search nonconfidential criminal case files in person.
One can contact a local arresting agency, such as the Clark County Sheriff’s Office or local police departments, through a formal records request or direct visit to inquire about recent or historic arrest information.
Clark County Probate Records
Clark County probate records document the legal distribution of a deceased person’s assets and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Managed by the County Clerk, these estate records detail the administration of trusts, adult and minor guardianships, and conservatorships. They reveal how assets and responsibilities were legally transferred.
When accessing these records, researchers will typically encounter wills and probate filings, including small estate affidavits, letters testamentary, lists of heirs, and final estate inventories. The majority of these documents are open to the public, but Washington law imposes strict confidentiality on certain sensitive matters, such as protective proceedings or conservatorships under the Uniform Guardianship Act.
The public can search for and access basic probate information using either the statewide online portals or the County Clerk’s subscription-based system. To view pre-1985 files or inspect complete case details, individuals may need to visit the Clerk’s office in person or submit a formal copy request by mail.
Clark County Family Court Records
Clark County family court records detail domestic relations cases, including divorce, child custody, parentage, child support, relocations, and adoption proceedings. They are among the Superior Court records managed by the County Clerk. Most family law filings are accessible to the public, but some cases, such as adoption under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.33.330 is strictly confidential to protect the family.
Individuals can look up family court information by case number or party name through the Superior Court’s statewide portal and view case summaries or lists of filed documents. Meanwhile, the County Clerk’s online database provides digital images of public files dating back to 1985 and can be accessed via a paid subscription or freely through the courthouse terminals.
To obtain certified or plain copies of family court documents, requesters should submit a standard Copy Request Form in person, by mail, or by email to the County Clerk’s office. Certified copies cost $5 for the first (initial) page and $1 for each extra page, while plain copies cost 50 or 25 cents, depending on the request method.
Federal Court Records in Clark County
Federal court records for legal matters originating in Clark County fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, which handles civil and criminal federal cases through its Tacoma Division.
The public can access most federal records through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, which allows registered users to search case dockets and download filings for a waive-able per-page fee.
To use the public computer terminals or obtain certified copies, people can visit the Clerk of Court or send direct mail requests to
U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office
1717 Pacific Avenue
Room 3100
Tacoma, WA 98402-3200
Phone: (253) 882-3800