Search Cowlitz County Court Records

Cowlitz County court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at the Hall of Justice in Kelso, Washington. The clerk's office maintains records for felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate, and mental commitment proceedings filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court. You can request copies in person, submit forms online, or use the statewide Washington Courts case search to find Cowlitz County case information. This page covers the offices, procedures, fees, and tools you need to access court records in Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court

The Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all Superior Court records in the county. The clerk's mission is to protect the integrity and accurately maintain judicial records while serving the public, courts, and legal community in a professional manner. The office handles record keeping for all case types filed in the Superior Court, including felony criminal matters, civil lawsuits, family law, probate, guardianship, and mental or alcohol commitment cases.

The clerk's office is located at the Hall of Justice, 312 SW 1st Ave., Room 233, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone: 360-577-3016. In addition to maintaining records, the clerk's office collects and disburses court-ordered funds, including restitution, child support, court costs, garnishment payments, and trust accounts. A deputy clerk must be present at all court proceedings and prepares Clerk's Minutes as the official record of each hearing. The office also handles jury management for both Superior and District Courts.

The clerk is clear about what it can and cannot do. Per RCW 2.32.090, court staff can provide information but not legal advice. Staff will not take sides in any matter before the court. If you need guidance on court procedures or your legal options, consult a licensed attorney. That said, the office can help you find case information, explain the general filing process, and direct you to the right forms.

Note: Information on the clerk's website is subject to change without notice. Confirm fees, hours, and procedures directly with the office before visiting or submitting a request.

Requesting Copies of Cowlitz County Court Records

The Cowlitz County Clerk provides fillable forms for requesting copies of court documents, pleadings, and recordings. To start a request, download and complete the appropriate form from the clerk's website at co.cowlitz.wa.us/3091/Search-Request-Forms. Submit completed forms by email to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov. The more specific and accurate your request, the faster the clerk can process it. Inaccurate or missing information will delay your request.

For older records that are not yet scanned into the case management system, a non-refundable $15.00 deposit is required before the clerk begins an archival search. Any copy costs are deducted from that deposit. If your digital request totals more than 100 pages, an additional $30.00 clerk service fee applies. Allow at least two weeks from submission for your request to be completed. If you need records sooner than that, you can pay an extra $30.00 to expedite the order.

Delivery options for digital records include a Dropbox link, USB thumb drive, or CD (audio only for recordings). Dropbox links are valid for 14 days. Download and save your files locally before that window closes. If you do not pick up a CD or thumb drive within 14 days, it will be destroyed. A new request and payment are required if that happens. Audio and video recordings of court proceedings require a separate fee and are delivered in a format that plays with the free FTR (For The Record) Desktop program.

Fees for Cowlitz County court records are set under RCW 36.18.016(4) and RCW 36.18.016(11). Copies of court records may not be used for commercial purposes or resold. The clerk's office cannot provide a complete criminal history check; for statewide criminal history, use the Washington State Patrol WATCH system.

Cowlitz County District Court

Cowlitz County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $100,000, traffic infractions, anti-harassment orders, and small claims cases up to $10,000. Cases are filed by the Washington State Patrol, Cowlitz County Sheriff, Cowlitz County Humane Society, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Department of Natural Resources, and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The court is located at the Hall of Justice, 312 SW First Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone: (360) 577-3019.

District Court proceedings are also offered remotely through Zoom for some hearings. Virtual observation for the public is available through Courtroom #8, and a live YouTube stream is active when virtual court is in session. The daily calendar on the court's website shows the correct courtroom for each hearing. Remote appearance links are listed separately from the observation link.

For online case searches covering District Court cases, use the Washington Courts Case Search. The free statewide portal updates daily at 3:00 a.m. and covers all Cowlitz County courts including Superior, District, and Municipal levels.

Cowlitz County Public Records Process

Most Cowlitz County court records are open to the public and accessible through the Clerk's Office. The county's public records process is governed by RCW 42.56 and WAC 44-14 for non-court county records. Court records specifically fall under General Rule 31. Be specific in your request. The more detail you provide about the case, party names, and date range, the more thorough and accurate the search will be.

To determine which department handles the records you need, visit the county's public records information page. The County Clerk Online Request Form is available for Superior Court record requests. Note that Cowlitz 911 records are not on the county records portal. For those, contact the 911 office directly at (360) 577-3078. Each department in the county has its own records custodian, so route your request to the right office to avoid delays.

The Washington State Digital Archives is also a useful tool for searching older Cowlitz County court records electronically. You can look up civil, criminal, domestic, and probate cases that have been digitized. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page with a $1 service charge per document. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page, plus the $1 service charge per document. Have your case number ready before you search, formatted like: 12-2-000011-7.

For a broader statewide search, the Washington Courts Name and Case Search lets you search by party name or case number across all court levels in Washington. Results are reference material only. The official court record stays with the court of record, and copies must be ordered from the clerk's office.

Court Record Access in Washington

Washington court records are presumed public under General Rule 31. The rule requires courts to provide reasonable access to court records at no cost for viewing, while allowing charges for reproduction. Exceptions exist for sealed records, juvenile records, and files restricted by court order, federal law, or state statute. Sealed and confidential records require a court order for access regardless of who is asking.

The county clerk's role and duties are defined in RCW Chapter 36.23. The clerk is the ex-officio clerk of the Superior Court by virtue of the Washington State Constitution. That statute assigns the clerk responsibility for maintaining accurate records, managing court finances, and preserving the integrity of the judicial record. When you request records from the Cowlitz County Clerk, those requests are processed under the standards set by GR 31 and the clerk's obligations under state law.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes Kelso, the county seat, and Longview, the largest city in the county. All court filings go through Cowlitz County Superior Court or District Court at the Hall of Justice in Kelso.

Other communities in Cowlitz County include Kalama, Castle Rock, Woodland, and Rainier. All civil and criminal matters for these communities are handled at the Hall of Justice in Kelso.

Nearby Counties

Cowlitz County is bordered by these Washington counties. If you are unsure which county to file in, your residence address determines the correct court.