Clallam County Court Records

A Clallam County court record is any document, information, exhibit, or other item that is preserved by a court about a judicial proceeding (Washington Access to Court Records Brochure). It also includes any details in a case management system developed or maintained by the court relevant to a judicial procedure. Court records include indexes, calendars, dockets, orders, decrees, judgments, and minute entries in courtroom proceedings.

Court records aid the legal process by giving an accurate record of events during a legal case, especially in situations where verification of case facts is required. Furthermore, court records help to guarantee that legal proceedings are conducted fairly and objectively.

Are Court Records Public in Clallam County?

Yes. Per the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), public agencies are mandated to make public records available to members of the public for inspection and copying. Also, the GR 31 - Access to Court Records states that the public shall have access to all court records except as restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. Therefore, Clallam County public records, such as court records, may be accessed by interested persons. However, some records are exempt from public view and may not be accessed by the general public (RCW 42.56.230). They include:

• Private records or information involving juveniles
• Adoption records
• Mental illness commitment records
• Paternity records (except final orders)
• Confidential name change records
• Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records
• Personnel records that contain personal information whose disclosure will violate privacy rights.

Clallam County Court Records Search

There are several options for finding public court records in Clallam County. They include:

• The courthouse where the case was filed
• The clerk's office
• Washington State Courts online portal
• Third-party websites.

Clallam County Courts

Cases that are not under the sole jurisdiction of another court fall under the general jurisdiction of Superior Courts. Certain categories of criminal, traffic, and civil cases are within the limited jurisdiction of district courts. Every District Court has a Small Claims division, and some could also have a Violations Bureau or a Municipal division. The following courts can be found in Clallam County:

Clallam County Superior Court
223 East 4th Street
Suite 9
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 417-2231

Clallam County Superior Court - Juvenile
1912 West 18th Street
Port Angeles, WA 98363
Phone: (360) 417-2282
Fax: (360) 457-4875

Clallam County District Court I
223 East 4th Street
Suite 10
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 417-2560

Clallam County District Court II
502 East Division Street
Forks, WA 98331
Phone: (360) 374-6383
Fax: (360) 374-2100

Clallam County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Clallam County, which are maintained by law enforcement agencies, are deemed to be public records under the Public Records Act. The Washington State Patrol maintains and disseminates both Clallam County arrest records and criminal history records online through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) online portal. Background check requests can also be made in person by submitting a name and date of birth or by submitting a full set of fingerprints for a fee of $32 and $58, respectively. Record seekers can also fill out and submit a Request Form by mail.

Get Clallam County Civil Court Records

The Clallam County Superior Court Clerk generates, maintains, and disseminates all civil court records of the superior court. Civil court records from the District and Superior Courts are available upon request directly from the Courts and are subject to disclosure under the General Rules.

To obtain a civil court record from the superior court, one may search the Electronic Court Records page. Records can only be searched by “Cause Number,” which may be obtained by performing a name search on the Washington Courts website. Charges include $0.25 for non-certified records and a $2.60 convenience fee for official payments.

Certified and non-certified copies of civil court records may be obtained from the clerk's office in person. Certified copies may not be obtained electronically. Certified copies may also be obtained by contacting the clerk's office by email and in writing. Furthermore, interested persons may search for civil court case records by name, number, and date using the Washington Courts case search tool.

Clallam County Marriage Records

Clallam County marriage records are considered to be public records and may be obtained by the general public. The Clallam County Auditor records, maintains, and disseminates marriage records to record seekers. Clallam County marriage certificates may be obtained from the Auditor's office in person. Record seekers may be required to provide a fee.

Interested persons may also obtain unofficial copies at the Document Search online service provided by the Auditor's office for free. To search, choose “Marriage” from the “Document Type” drop-down menu on the right side of the page, fill in the required information, and click on “Search”.

Alternatively, one may contact the Washington State Department of Health for marriage records from 1968. Each copy of a marriage record costs $25.

Clallam County Divorce Records

Divorce records are documents indicating that two individuals got divorced on a specified date and may describe the terms of the divorce. Anyone seeking information on divorce decrees may contact the Clallam County Clerk of Superior Court in person during working hours at:

Clerk of Superior Court
223 East 4th Street
Suite 9
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 417-2231

Divorce records can also be obtained through the Washington State Department of Health. The department maintains divorce records from 1968 to the present in Washington. Requesters may obtain a certified copy of a divorce record for a $25 fee. Requests can be made in person, via phone, online, or by mail.

Clallam County Birth and Death Records

The Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the maintenance and dissemination of the Clallam County birth records and death records. Members of the public may request a birth or death record and may visit any of the public health offices during the scheduled days and hours. However, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested can receive a certified copy.

• Birth Records: Requests can be made in person, via phone, or online. Interested persons seeking a Clallam County birth certificate will need to provide any of the Acceptable Proofs of Identity. For certified copies, fill out the Forks-Clallam County or the Port Angeles-Clallam County Certified Birth Certificate Application for Washington State-certified birth certificates issued between 1907 and the present. Certified copies cost $25, and same-day expedited service is available for walk-ins only, for an additional fee of $10. An additional fee of $5 will be required to complete mail requests.
• Death Records: Requests can be made in person, via phone, or online. Requesters may be required to provide any of the Acceptable Proofs of Identity. For certified copies, interested persons may fill out the Port Angeles - Clallam County or Forks - Clallam County Death Certificate Application. Certified copies cost $25, and same-day expedited service is offered for a $10 fee for walk-in customers. To complete mail requests, there will be an extra $5 cost.

One can also make an Informational Copy of birth and death records request. Alternatively, one can contact the Washington State Department of Health for certified birth certificates before 1907, and for Certified death certificates from July 1, 1907 to December 31.

Birth and death certificates supply a variety of data essential for national surveillance, study findings, and public health prevention and intervention efforts.

Clallam County Probate Court Records

The primary responsibility of the Clallam County Superior Court Clerk's Office is to file and index all documents submitted to the Family Court and Superior Courts of Clallam County. Records such as Probate Court records are filed and maintained by the court clerk. Probate court records are generated and relate to the handling of the estate of a recently deceased person. Examples include case files, registers of actions, will books, insanity record books, final decrees of distribution of estates, and others.

Anyone who wishes to obtain probate court records may search the OnBase Document Access provided by the Superior Court. Records are only searchable by cause number. A cause number can be located by doing a name search on the Washington Court website. Alternatively, visit the court clerk's office to request probate records.

Clallam County Property Records

The Clallam County Assessor is responsible for appraising all taxable and real property within Clallam County. Anyone may access Clallam County property records by making a request at the public records office or conducting a property search. Search type includes owner name, property address, account number, and DBA.

Clallam County Assessor’s Office
223 East 4th Street
Suite 2
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 417-2400

Clallam County Court Records Online

Public access to Clallam County court data is available via several third-party websites. Members of the public can access public documents from several government agencies by visiting independently operated websites like Washingtoncourtrecords.us.

Anyone with access to the internet can easily conduct court records search via these websites remotely and conveniently. The standard parameter for searches on these websites is a first and last name, making them easy to use. However, persons looking to narrow down the search may provide more information. Basic searches carried out via this method usually come at no cost, but comprehensive searches may require making a paid subscription.

Although third-party websites are quick and easy to use, information obtained from these sources may be incomplete or not up to date. Users are advised to verify information obtained from third-party websites with official organizations.