Cowlitz County Court Records

Records of legal matters in Cowlitz County, including court cases and hearings, are generally called Cowlitz County court records. Some examples include motions, judgments, warrants, rulings, subpoenas, pleadings, and exhibits. The county’s judiciary, including the courts and their officials, oversees the creation and maintenance of the county’s court records. Court records can be stored using various mediums, including audio and video records, written or typed documents, photocopies, electronic files, pictures, and more.

Are Court Records Public in Cowlitz County?

According to the Washington Public Record Act, Cowlitz County court records are classified as public records accessible for viewing and copying by members of the public. However, even though court records are generally considered public records some types of court records are subject to restrictions or complete exceptions from disclosure.

Some examples of records exempted from public access by the Washington Public Record Act include:

• Any court records restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law
• Person information when its disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy
• Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by law enforcement when nondisclosure is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy
• Personal information of children and minors in files maintained by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
• Records maintained by community sexual assault or domestic violence programs
• Records that would identify people who are victims or witnesses of crimes

Note: Records exempted from disclosure may still be obtained via a court order. The exempted bits may be removed or redacted when they are part of a larger record. Further information about exemptions from public access can be obtained from Washington General Rules 31 and RCW (Revised Code of Washington) Sections 42.56.230 to 42.56.480.

Cowlitz County Court Records Search

Record seekers planning a Cowlitz County court record search have some options. They can perform a court record search using any of the following methods.

• Submit a request to the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Courts.
• Visit the Cowlitz County court where the case was heard
• Search online using the Washington Counties Odyssey Online Records Search Portal
• Use the online court case search resources provided by the Washington Court’s website
• Contact any reliable third-party record search website

Cowlitz County Court Records Search by Name

Cowlitz County court records can be searched by name through the Cowlitz County Clerk of the Superior Court. The record seeker must fill out and submit a Request for Court Records form to request a court record. It is important that requesters provide sufficient information for the records to be located.

The completed form should be submitted in person, by email, or by mail to the clerk’s office at:

Cowlitz County Clerk,
312 SW First Avenue, Room 233,
Kelso, WA 98626
Email: clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov

Record seekers will be charged a non-refundable fee of $15, which should be paid before processing. Any fees for copies of the record required will be deducted from this $15 fee. Copies cost $0.50 per page for paper copies, $0.25 per page for digital copies sent by email, and certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Digital requests over 1000 pages will incur an additional $30 clerk service fee. On the form, applicants may indicate if they want their records delivered by email, U.S. mail, or pick up at the clerk's office.

Cowlitz Court court records for Cowlitz County can also be searched using party names online. The Washington Courts Online Case Search Portal allows users to look up court cases using different criteria including the names of involved parties.

Cowlitz County Courts

Washington has several divisions managing court cases at different county levels. Below are the contact details for the courthouses located in Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz County Superior Court
Cowlitz County Hall of Justice
312 SW 1st Avenue,
Kelso, WA 98626
Phone: (360) 577-3016

Cowlitz County Superior Court - Juvenile
Cowlitz County Youth Services Center
1725 1st Avenue,
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: (360) 577-3100
Fax: (360) 414-9280

Cowlitz County District Court
Cowlitz County Hall of Justice
312 SW 1st Avenue, Room 207,
Kelso, WA 98626
Phone: (360) 577-3073
Fax: (360) 577-3132

Cowlitz County District Court Records

In Cowlitz County, the Superior Court has general jurisdiction over most civil and felony criminal cases. This holds except when this jurisdiction is changed by law or given to another court. The next court with limited jurisdiction after the County Superior Court is the County District Court. Listed below are the types of cases heard by the Divisions of the Cowlitz County Superior Court.

• Criminal Cases
• Civil cases
• Domestic/Family law cases
• Juvenile cases
• Probate Cases

To obtain the records generated by any of these cases, record seekers may direct requests to the Cowlitz County Clerk of the Superior Court.

Cowlitz County Criminal Records

Criminal record searches or criminal record history can be obtained by contacting the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The state patrol offers three options for obtaining background checks and criminal histories. Like for Cowlitz County arrest records, requests for criminal history records can be made in person, by mail, or online.

In-person requests

Record seekers can make a Criminal History record request based on name and date of birth by submitting a Conviction Criminal History Form in person. The form must be brought in to the state patrol Olympia office located at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia WA 98501.

Mailed Requests

To request a criminal history record by mail, a completed criminal history form must be filled out and mailed along with all applicable fees to:

Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633,
Olympia, WA 98504-2633

Requesters can also submit a full set of fingerprints for a fingerprint-based criminal record check in person or by mail. The Olympia office also offers a fingerprint service for $16 per card. Fingerprinting is also available at any of the various Fingerprint Locations.

Processing a request with just the form costs $32, while fingerprint requests cost $58 per request.

Fees for an in-person request can be paid in cash, check, or credit/debit card, while mailed requests are payable by check, money order, or by completing the Bankcard Authorization Form.

Online Requests

Record seekers can run a background check and immediately access results online using the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) database. There is an $11 fee for an online request payable online using a credit or debit card.

Cowlitz County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Cowlitz County criminal case records can be obtained by contacting the county clerk of the superior court. Criminal record requests from the superior court can be made by completing a Court record request form, which may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. Requesters must make sure to indicate criminal records in the form as the records being requested. Criminal records for cases heard in the district court can be requested by filling out and submitting a district court record request form and submitting it to the district court by fax or email.

Online court record lookups can be made using the Odyssey Online Records Search Portal. The search portal allows users to search for court records by name, date, and case number.

Get Cowlitz County Civil Court Records

Judgments, rulings, motions, claims, rulings, appeals, and settlements are some examples of civil court records maintained in Cowlitz County. Record seekers may obtain Cowlitz County civil court records from the Cowlitz County superior or district court where the case was heard. Civil court records for the county superior court can be obtained by filling out and submitting a records request form. While filling out the form, the request must select civil court records from the case type options. The filled-out form must be mailed or emailed to the clerk’s office at:

Cowlitz County Clerk’s Office
312 SW First Avenue, Room 233
Kelso, WA 98626
Email: clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov

For a record search to be made, requesters must pay a non-refundable $15 search fee. Physical copies of the record will cost $0.50 per page, while digital copies sent via email will cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies of a court record will cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each following page. Record seekers may also pay an additional $30 to expedite their request. Any required copies can be collected by mail, via email, or by pick up at the clerk’s office.

Cowlitz County civil Court records are also available online through the Odyssey Online Records Search Portal. Visitors to the portal may perform a civil court record search online and view or download the results.

Cowlitz County Family Court Records

The Cowlitz County Superior Court has a Domestic division that generally handles Family law cases. Domestic court cases include divorce, annulments, child support, paternity cases, and the like. Records of these cases can be obtained by contacting the Cowlitz County Clerk of the Superior Court.

To obtain the family court record, record seekers must fill out and submit a court record request form. On the form, the request must indicate that domestic records are the record required. The request must also indicate if copies are needed and how they want the copies returned to them. The completed form can be returned to the clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by email.

There are also online options when checking for Cowlitz County Family Court records. Requesters may create an account and log in to the Odyssey Online Records Search Portal, which serves as a repository for court records from all the counties in Washington, including Cowlitz.

Requesters should note that for requests using the form they will be charged a non-refundable $15 deposit. Any subsequent copy fees will be deducted from this initial deposit. Anyone with inquiries may call the County clerk’s office at (360) 577-3016.

Cowlitz County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage and divorce records for Cowlitz County can be obtained by contacting the Cowlitz County Auditor and the county Clerk of the Superior Court, respectively. To obtain a copy of a Cowlitz County marriage record, requesters must submit a request in person or mail a written request to the Auditor’s Office at:

Cowlitz County Auditor
207 N 4th Ave.
Room 206
Kelso, WA 98626

The fee for each certified copy ordered from the Auditor’s office is $3. Marriage records from 1986 to date can also be looked up online using the Auditor’s Public Record Search. Interested parties with any questions can call the auditors at (360) 577-3002.

Divorce records, on the other hand, can be obtained from the Cowlitz County Clerk of the Superior Court. Like other court records, requesters must fill out the court record request form. They must select domestic on the form since divorce records are family court records and then enter details of the divorce.

Completed forms can be returned to the clerk's office in person, by mail, or by emailing the form to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov. For the clerk’s office to perform a record search, there will be a non-refundable fee of $15. Regular copies of court records will cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies will cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Copy fees will be deducted from the $15 initial deposit.

Cowlitz Birth and Death Records

Birth and Death records for Cowlitz County in Washington can be obtained from the Cowlitz County Department of Health and Human Services. In Washington, birth and death records only become public after 100 years and 25 years, respectively. Until such time, only certain eligible individuals, such as immediate family and legal representatives, may request these records. When ordering these records, requesters must show proof of identity and eligibility before their request is accepted.

Two types of birth and death records are offered in Washington: certified and noncertified records. Non-certified copies are not issued on official certified paper with security features and so cannot be used for any legal purposes. It may contain a watermark stating “informational only. Cannot be used for legal purposes”. Ordering non-certified copies does not require.

Interested parties will need to obtain and fill out a Certified Birth Certificate Application(English or Spanish) or a Certified Death Certificate Application(English or Spanish). The form can be submitted in person during a walk-in visit or by mailing it to:

Cowlitz County Health Department
1952 9th Avenue,
Longview, WA 98632

During requests, requesters must show acceptable Proof of Identity and Eligibility. If the request is sent by mail, these documents should be included with the form and correct fees.

Non-certified copies can be obtained by filling out a Birth/Death non-certified information copy order form and submitting it the same way.

Birth and death records from Cowlitz County cost $25 per copy. Payment for mailed orders is accepted in a check or money order made payable to the Cowlitz County Health Department included with the mailed documents. Payment using cash or credit/debit cards is also accepted during walk-in requests.

Cowlitz County Probate Court Records

Cowlitz County Probate court records describe the records of court cases concerning estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and other protective agreements. In Cowlitz County, such cases are heard in the Cowlitz County Superior Court. In turn, probate court records can be obtained by contacting the Cowlitz county clerk of the superior court.

Obtaining probate court records in Cowlitz County starts with obtaining and filling out the court record request form. In the case type options select Probate/Guardianship and then enter the details of the record required such as the case number. The complete form may now be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. The form should be submitted along with the initial $15 search fee deposit. Fees for any copies required will also be deducted from this deposit.

Interested parties also have the option to search for probate records online using the Odyssey Court Record Search website. Users can search for court records using names, case numbers, parties involved, and other criteria using the smart search option. It should be noted that visitors may need to create an account on the website to access some advanced functions.

Cowlitz County Property Records

Cowlitz County Property records contain details of property characteristics and transactions in the county. This includes records of ownership, assessments, deeds, liens, plats, mortgages, and other property-related records. In Cowlitz County, the County Auditor and the County Assessor serve as the custodians of various property records.

Property records maintained by the Cowlitz County Assessor include records of property valuations, transactions, ownership, and characteristics. Record seekers can access such records by visiting the county assessor’s office at 207 N 4th Ave, Room 203, Kelso, WA 98626. Requesters can also mail a written request containing the property address, parcel number, and what records are required to the above address.

It is recommended that requesters contact the office ahead of their request at (360) 577-3010 or email assessor@co.cowlitz.wa.us and inquire about available records and copy fees. Property records can also be searched online using the Assessor's Property Information Search page. Property information can be looked up by address, parcel number, and property ID.

The Cowlitz County Auditor will provide access to the recorded property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Interested parties can obtain such records by visiting the auditor’s office in person or mailing a written request containing the description of the property and what records are required. Visits and written mail should be directed to the auditor's office at:

Cowlitz County Auditor
207 N 4th Ave, Room 107,
Kelso, WA 98626

For further information about property records and any corresponding search and copy fees, record seekers may call the office at (360) 577-3002.

Cowlitz County Court Records Online

Online court record lookups can be made using the Odyssey Online Records Search Portal. The search portal allows users to search for court records by name, date, and case number. Individuals interested in obtaining Cowlitz County court records may also find success using third-party websites such as Washingtoncourtrecords.us. Operated independently of any government agency, third-party sites may provide a quick, convenient way to look up court records. Such platforms typically provide their customers with user-friendly interfaces and easy-to-use search criteria, including names, case numbers, and dates. However, these websites are not official government resources. As such, their information may not always be up-to-date or accurate.