Lewis County Court Records Lookup

Lewis County court records are kept by the County Clerk at the Law and Justice Center in Chehalis. You can search case files online, in person, or by mail to find criminal, civil, family law, and probate records from Lewis County Superior Court and District Court.

Lewis County Clerk of Superior Court

The Lewis County Clerk serves as the administrative and financial officer of the Superior Court. Scott Tinney holds the position of County Clerk, an elected role set by Washington State Constitution Article IV, Section 26. The Clerk's Office dockets, maintains, and archives all documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court. Staff can help you find case files, get copies of documents, and review records on-site during business hours.

The office is located on the 2nd floor of the Law and Justice Center. You can visit in person, send a written request, or email a records request form. For questions about records, call the Records Clerk directly at 360-740-2756. For general clerk inquiries, the main line is (360) 740-2704.

How to Search Lewis County Court Records

Lewis County court records can be found online, in person at the courthouse, or by submitting a written request. The method you pick depends on what you need. Online searches work best for basic case details. In-person visits let you look at the full file and get copies right away.

The statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search is the quickest free way to look up cases. It covers Lewis County Superior Court, District Court, and any municipal court records in the county. Search by name or case number. Results include case type, party names, and hearing dates. The database updates every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. so it may not show the latest activity on a case.

The Odyssey Portal provides another option for Lewis County Superior Court records. Registered subscribers can view case information and non-sealed documents for cases in which they are a party. Registration requires a form and payment through Point and Pay. Once set up, you can access the portal 24 hours a day. Email the payment confirmation number to marni.larson@lewiscountywa.gov to complete access setup.

To search records in person, go to the 2nd floor of the Law and Justice Center at 345 West Main Street in Chehalis. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring a photo ID. Open case files can be reviewed on-site at no charge. Copies cost extra. A fillable Records Request Form is available online at the Clerk's website; completed forms go to clerkrecords@lewiscountywa.gov.

Note: The Clerk's Office cannot provide a full criminal history or record check. For statewide criminal history, visit watch.wsp.wa.gov through the Washington State Patrol.

Types of Lewis County Court Records

The Lewis County Clerk maintains records for every case filed in Superior Court. Different case types have different access rules. Most are open to the public, but some are confidential by law.

Case types that are open to public review include adult criminal matters, civil lawsuits, dissolution cases, probate and guardianship files, and juvenile offender cases not sealed by the court. These records can be viewed at the Clerk's Office or searched online through state tools. Photocopies of documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page per document. Copies of video recorded proceedings are available on CD for $25. Payments can be made online or by calling 866-923-6534.

Confidential case types include adoptions, paternity matters, mental illness cases, and juvenile dependency matters. These files are not available to the general public. Access requires a court order or proof of a direct interest in the case. If you are a party to a sealed or confidential case, contact the Clerk's Office for guidance on how to request access.

Under Washington law, the County Clerk's Office is part of the judiciary and is NOT subject to the Public Records Act under RCW 42.56. Court records are governed by court rules, not the Public Records Act. Many records are still open, but the process is handled through the Clerk's Office directly, not through the county's general public records office.

Lewis County Superior Court

Lewis County Superior Court is a general jurisdiction trial court. It handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate, guardianship, and appeals from lower courts. Three judges preside: Judge J. Andrew Toynbee in Department 1, Judge Paul A. Strophy in Department 2, and Judge Joely A. Yeager in Department 3. The court is located on the 4th floor of the Law and Justice Center.

The court address is 345 West Main Street, Chehalis, WA 98532, 4th Floor. Phone: (360) 740-1333. The Superior Court website at lewiscountywa.gov/offices/superior-court posts updated Webex links for virtual hearings, free legal clinic schedules, and emergency court orders. The Administrative Office of the Courts also runs a separate webpage for litigants without lawyers, which lists forms and self-help guides.

Court records are governed by General Rule 31, which sets the standards for access to court records in Washington State. That rule covers what is public, what can be sealed, and how requests should be handled. The Clerk processes all GR 31 requests.

Lewis County District Court

Lewis County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims, traffic infractions, and small claims matters. It sits on the 3rd floor of the Law and Justice Center at the same address as the Superior Court. Two judges serve the court: Hon. R.W. Buzzard and Hon. Wade S. Samuelson.

Front counter hours run Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone service is available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For fine payments, a 24-hour automated system is available at 1-844-534-9281. The Payment Call Center can be reached at 1-888-891-6064 on weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. District Court records are searchable through the Washington Courts public search tool.

Note: For records involving criminal history searches statewide, you must go through the Washington State Patrol WATCH system at watch.wsp.wa.gov, not the District Court.

Lewis County Court Fees and Copies

Lewis County follows the state fee schedule for court filings and copies. The fee structure covers civil, domestic, probate, paternity, criminal, juvenile, appeals, and miscellaneous case types. Fees must be paid in advance unless you are the state or county, which are vouchered under RCW 36.23.

Copy fees are straightforward. Plain photocopies run $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. CD copies of video recorded proceedings are $25 each. New legislation added a $50 surcharge to most Superior Court filing fees effective July 27, 2025. Check the fee schedule page at lewiscountywa.gov/offices/clerk/fee-schedule for the most current amounts before you file or request copies.

Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford to pay. You need to file a motion and declaration with the court. Washington Courts forms are available online to help with this process. If you qualify based on income or receipt of public benefits, the court can waive filing fees.

Legal Resources in Lewis County

Several resources can help people who need to navigate Lewis County court records or court proceedings. The Superior Court website posts dates for free legal clinics in the fall and winter. These are good for people who don't have a lawyer and need basic guidance on court forms and procedures.

Lewis County Juvenile Court provides services for youth in the court system and is located separately at 1255 SW Pacific Avenue, Chehalis. That facility includes a detention unit, probation services, and diversion programs. Contact is through the main county offices at the mailing address of 360 NW North St., MSJUV01, Chehalis, WA 98532.

For sealing, vacating, or expunging criminal records, the Washington Law Help website has step-by-step guides. The Washington State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can connect you with a local attorney. WashingtonLawHelp.org offers self-help materials covering many case types handled in Lewis County courts.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lewis County. If you need court records from a neighboring area, each county has its own clerk and court system.