Vancouver Washington Court Records
Vancouver court records are maintained by three courts: Vancouver Municipal Court, Clark County District Court, and Clark County Superior Court. Each court serves a different role, and finding the right court records in Vancouver, Washington depends on the type of case involved. Vancouver Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases and city code violations. Clark County District Court handles civil matters, traffic cases, and misdemeanors for unincorporated areas. Clark County Superior Court handles felonies, family law, and major civil cases. This page covers how to search Vancouver court records and how to request documents from each court.
Vancouver Overview
Vancouver Municipal Court Records
Vancouver Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and municipal code violations within Vancouver city limits. The court is located in Vancouver, WA. For case information, payment options, and hearing schedules, contact the court clerk directly at cityofvancouver.us/municipal-court. Municipal court records requests should be directed to the court clerk.
Municipal courts in Washington are courts of limited jurisdiction. They do not handle felony cases, major civil disputes, family law, or probate matters. If you need information about a case that falls into one of those categories, that case would be in Clark County District Court or Clark County Superior Court, not Vancouver Municipal Court.
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is the best way to start a Vancouver court records search if you are not sure which court holds the case. The tool covers all municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across the state. Results are updated each day at 3:00 a.m. You can search by person name or case number. Results are reference material; copies of documents must be ordered from the appropriate court clerk.
Clark County District Court
Clark County District Court serves Vancouver and the unincorporated areas of Clark County. It is located at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, with a second location at 610 Esther Street. Phone is 564-397-2424. The court handles traffic violations, criminal traffic citations, misdemeanor crimes, civil cases under $100,000, small claims, and name changes. District Court judges are elected to four-year terms.
The Clark County District Court does not handle felonies, family law, or probate matters. Those go to Clark County Superior Court. Copy fees at District Court are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page for certified copies. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page if mailed, or $0.25 per page if emailed. The Public Records Officer handles records requests for District Court matters.
Note: For statewide searches covering Clark County courts, use dw.courts.wa.gov or the Odyssey Portal. Both cover municipal, district, and superior courts across Washington.
Clark County Superior Court Records
Clark County Superior Court is located at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone is 564-397-2150. The court has jurisdiction over felonies, civil cases over $75,000, family law, probate, juvenile, and mental competency cases. Scott G. Weber serves as County Clerk and Cheryl Stone is the Public Records Officer.
Cases can be searched online using the Odyssey case management system at the Clark County Clerk's page. You can search by case number, plaintiff or defendant name, or attorney name and bar ID. The Clerk's Office provides a Copy Request Form that can be downloaded online. Copy costs range from $0.25 to $5 per page depending on format. A $30 search fee may apply when no case number is provided.
Requests can be submitted by mail or email to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov. The mailing address is Clark County Clerk's Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Divorce records can be requested through the County Clerk's Office. Marriage records go through the Auditor's Office. Birth and death records come from Clark County Public Health at 564-397-8092.
Clark County Court Public Records
Most Clark County court records can be viewed online through the Clark County Courts public records page at clarkcountycourt.org. This page explains how to access case information, request copies, and find records for different record types.
Certified copy fees for court records are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page if mailed or $0.25 per page if sent by email. Deeds and recorded documents come from the Clark County Auditor's Office Recording Department, PO Box 5000, Vancouver WA 98666. The auditor and public health office handle records that are separate from the courts but may be relevant to your search.
For records tied to a specific court case, start with the Odyssey system or the statewide case search. For physical copies, contact the Clerk's Office with the case number and the specific documents you need. Most records are processed within a few business days, though complex requests may take longer.
Clark County Court Records
Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County. All felony cases, family law filings, and civil matters above the District Court limit run through Clark County Superior Court. For more information on county courts, online access tools, and record request procedures, visit the Clark County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Vancouver also have court records pages. Each is served by courts operating within Clark County.