Clark County Court Records

Clark County court records cover civil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile cases filed in the county's Superior Court and District Court in Vancouver. You can search Clark County court records online through the Odyssey Portal or visit the clerk's office at 1200 Franklin Street to request copies in person. The county serves over 500,000 residents in southwest Washington and handles one of the busiest court dockets in the state. Whether you need a certified copy of a judgment, want to check an active case, or need to find older filed documents, this guide walks you through each option.

Clark County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clark County Clerk is an elected official whose office maintains all Superior Court records for the county. The clerk's duties are set by both state statute and local court rules. Staff handles copy requests, family law instructions, protection orders, and e-file support. The office is the central hub for accessing case files in Clark County.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. Counter hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a noon closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you need to meet with the facilitator, you must schedule in person since phone scheduling is not available. The facilitator office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and also closes at noon. Plan ahead if you need same-day help with documents.

Copy requests for records such as judgments, case dockets, and filed pleadings can be submitted online or in person at the courthouse. The clerk's website also has a daily case location tool called "Where's My Case" for tracking Superior Court cases. Court calendars and cancellation notices are updated at clark.wa.gov/clerk.

The Clark County Clerk's page at clark.wa.gov/clerk includes links to the Odyssey Portal for Superior Court case searches, fee schedules, and instructions for common records requests. If you are searching for an older case not yet scanned into the digital system, you may need to contact the clerk's office directly to check availability.

The site is regularly updated with docket changes and court calendar closures for the current year. Always check before making a special trip to the courthouse.

Clark County Superior Court Records

Clark County Superior Court handles the most serious and complex cases in the county. This includes felony criminal matters, civil lawsuits, family law cases, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The Presiding Judge is Hon. Derek J. Vanderwood. Court Administrator Pamela Hartman Beyer oversees the day-to-day operations of the court. The Superior Court sits at 1200 Franklin Street in Vancouver, with a phone number of 564-397-2150.

Superior Court records for Clark County are available online through the Odyssey Portal. The portal lets you search by case number or party name. Free registration is required to use the Smart Search feature. Document images may require a fee to download. The portal updates data daily and covers Clark County Superior Court among 37 counties statewide. Some case types are restricted from online viewing under General Rule 31, particularly sealed and juvenile matters.

You can also use the statewide Washington Courts Case Search to look up Clark County cases filed in Superior, District, or Municipal Court. The site updates every 24 hours and is free to use. It does not provide document copies, but it shows party names, case types, docket entries, and hearing dates. For certified copies of judgments or complete case files, contact the clerk's office directly.

Remote trial and hearing access is available for some proceedings via Zoom. Check the court's website for the current calendar and Zoom links before you plan to attend a hearing remotely.

Clark County District Court

Clark County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims. The court has five judges and one commissioner. The District Court was recently relocated. As of February 2, 2026, the new address is 210 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. If you have an older record showing the previous address, note the move when visiting. Phone the court or check the website before going in person.

District Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Court Administration opens at 8:15 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Cases filed by the Washington State Patrol, Cowlitz County Sheriff, and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife may appear in this court. Online fine payment and ticket response options are available through the court's website at clark.wa.gov/district-court. LiveChat, phone, and email customer service are offered for common questions.

Interpreter services and ADA accommodations are available at District Court upon request. Make sure to give the court advance notice if you need either service for a hearing.

Clark County Juvenile Court Records

The Clark County Juvenile Court is a division of the Superior Court. It handles delinquency, dependency, and truancy matters for minors. The court is located at 500 W 11th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, with a mailing address of PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666. Phone: 564-397-2201. Commissioner Jill Sasser oversees juvenile proceedings; Administrator Christine Simonsmeier manages the court's operations.

Juvenile court records in Washington are restricted. Access requires authorization under state law and General Rule 31. Most juvenile records are not publicly viewable through the Odyssey Portal or the statewide case search. If you have a legal need to access a juvenile record, contact the Clark County Juvenile Court clerk or consult with an attorney familiar with Washington juvenile law.

The Juvenile Court facility also includes a detention center. Probation services and Becca program information are listed on the court's website at clark.wa.gov/juvenile-court.

How to Access Clark County Court Records

There are three main ways to get Clark County court records: online portals, in-person visits, and written requests. Each method works best in different situations. Online tools are great for finding basic case information quickly. In-person visits let you review the full case file and get certified copies on the spot. Written requests work when you know exactly what you need and don't need it right away.

For online searches, start with the Odyssey Portal for Superior Court records. You can search by party name or case number. Free registration is required. The portal shows case summaries, docket entries, and public documents. Some documents require a small fee to download. For a broader statewide search, the Washington Courts Name and Case Search covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across all 39 counties. Data updates daily at 3:00 a.m.

Washington court records are governed by General Rule 31, which presumes public access to court records with narrow exceptions for sealed files, juvenile records, and certain sensitive filings. The underlying statutory framework for public records access comes from RCW 42.56, and county clerk duties are set out in RCW Chapter 36.23. Courts are not subject to the Public Records Act directly, but GR 31 provides comparable access rights for judicial records.

If you need historical Clark County records not available online, the Washington State Digital Archives is another option. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page plus a $1 service charge per document. Certified copies run $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus the $1 service charge. After you pay, certified copy orders go to the clerk's office for preparation and mailing.

Note: When searching the Digital Archives, have your Superior Court case number ready in this format: 12-2-000011-7.

Clark County Auditor and Related Records

The Clark County Auditor's office handles marriage records, recorded documents, real property records, and UCC filings. These are separate from court records maintained by the clerk's office. The Recording Department provides an online search for documents recorded since 1990. Certified copies of marriage licenses and recorded documents are available for a fee. The auditor can be reached at (564) 397-2241 or AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov.

Note that as of early 2026, the Joint Lobby at the auditor's office is closed for renovations. Contact the auditor by phone or email until renovations are complete.

Cities in Clark County

Clark County includes several cities and communities, all served by the Clark County Superior Court and District Court in Vancouver.

Other communities in Clark County include Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, Ridgefield, and Yacolt. All court filings for these areas go through the Clark County Superior Court or District Court system in Vancouver.

Nearby Counties

Clark County borders these Washington counties to the north and east. If you are unsure which court handles your case, your county of residence determines where you file.

Clark County also shares a border with Oregon to the south along the Columbia River. Oregon cases are filed in Oregon state courts and are not accessible through Washington court systems.