Lewis County Court Records

Lewis County court records are official documents that include information relating to legal proceedings and are generated when people file a case with courts in Lewis County. The legal system in Lewis County depends on the integrity of court records to maintain and ensure equity, fairness, and transparency for those involved. Information typically found in Lewis County Court records includes docket information, court decisions, court orders, pleadings, motions, court transcripts, and case files, such as calendars, case summaries, and reports.

Are Court Records Public in Lewis County?

Yes. Court records in Washington state are regarded as public records and may be accessed by members of the public. The GR 31 - Access to Court Records states that the public has access to all court records unless prohibited by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. However, certain restrictions prevent the public from having access to some documents by law. They include:

• Personal information related to juveniles
• Alcohol and drug treatment records
• Mental illness commitment records
• Adoption records
• Any record that may be used as proof of identification, age, social security number, or any other personal data of an individual
• Paternity records (except final orders)
• Confidential name change records
• Personal information about public agency employees that will violate their right to privacy

Lewis County Court Records Search

Interested people who desire to conduct a general search for court records in Lewis County have the following available options

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

Lewis County Courts

The Lewis County Superior Court is a state trial court of general jurisdiction situated in Lewis County. The Superior Court presides over major criminal cases and civil cases regarding personal relations and real property. This court also hears appeals from state administrative agencies and lesser courts (Lewis County District and Municipal Courts). Cases involving competency, adoption, and probate may also be heard by the Superior Court.

The Lewis County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction, presiding over matters such as criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil and small claims matters, traffic and non-traffic violations, parking infractions, etc.

Meanwhile, the jurisdiction of Municipal Courts in Lewis County is limited to infractions of local ordinances. The court is also involved in enforcing or recovering license penalties or forfeitures imposed by those ordinances. Some Municipal Courts may conduct preliminary hearings and set bail. Courts in Lewis County include:

Lewis County Superior Court
Law and Justice Center
345 West Main Street
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 740-2704
Fax: (360) 748-1639

Lewis County Superior Court - Juvenile
1255 Southwest Pacific Avenue
Chehalis, WA 98532
Mailing:
360 Northwest North Street MS-JUV01
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 740-1178
Fax: (360) 748-2258

Lewis County District Court
Law and Justice Center
345 West Main Street
P.O. Box 600
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 740-1203
Fax: (360) 740-2779

Lewis County District Court - Morton Branch
700 Main Street
Morton, WA 98536
Phone: (360) 496-6020

Centralia Municipal Court
118 West Maple Street
Centralia, WA 98531
Phone: (360) 330-7667
Fax: (360) 330-7668

Chehalis Municipal Court
350 North Market Boulevard
Room 105
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 345-1025
Fax: (360) 345-1050

Napavine Municipal Court
407 Birch Avenue Southwest
P.O. Box 179
Napavine, WA 98565
Phone: (360) 262-9231
Fax: (360) 262-9885

Vader Municipal Court
Winlock City Hall
323 Northeast 1st Street
P.O. Box 777
Winlock, WA 98596
Phone: (360) 785-3811
Fax: (360) 785-4378

Winlock Municipal Court
Winlock City Hall
323 Northeast 1st Street
P.O. Box 777
Winlock, WA 98596
Phone: (360) 785-3811
Fax: (360) 785-4378

Morton Violations Bureau
250 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 1089
Morton, WA 98356
Phone: (360) 496-6881

_Mossyrock Violations Bureau
154 East Main Avenue
P.O. Box 96
Mossyrock, WA 98564
Phone: (360) 983-3300

Pe Ell Violations Bureau
Pe Ell City Hall
P.O. Box 215
Pe Ell, WA 98572
Phone: (360) 291-3543_

Toledo Violations Bureau
130 North 2nd Street
P.O. Box 236
Toledo, WA 98591
Phone: (360) 864-4564
Fax: (360) 864-4566

Lewis County Criminal Records

The public may request and obtain criminal history information for non-criminal justice reasons. Information is, however, limited to conviction details only and arrests less than one year with pending dispositions. Information involving registered sex/kidnapping offenders may also be obtained via this search method.

Registered users may obtain criminal history record information online from the Washington Access to Criminal Records (WATCH) portal managed by the Washington State Patrol. Individuals may also make mail requests by submitting the Request for Conviction Criminal History Form along with the applicable fees to the Identification and Background Check Section. An $11 processing fee is required to carry out a name search. $10 and $58 may be required for an online notary request and a search by fingerprint, respectively.

Mail requests are processed by filling and submitting the request form along with the required fees. Requests may also be made in person by performing a name-based search at:

Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98501.

Get Lewis County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases in Lewis County are presided over by both the Superior Court and District Courts within the county. The Superior Court presides over civil cases, such as disputes over real estate ownership, and matters regarding tax, impost, assessment, toll, and municipal fines. Other civil cases involving debts, damage, or property valued in an amount beyond the limits of District Court jurisdiction are also handled by the Superior Court. District courts preside over civil cases with disputes below $75,000.

Members of the public who desire to obtain a Lewis County civil court record may do so through the following methods

• Superior Court: Open civil court records may be viewed at the Clerk's Office on the 2nd floor of the Law & Justice Center. Photocopies cost $0.5 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and$1 for each additional page. Superior court civil records may also be obtained via the Odyssey online portal.
• District Court: To view or request copies of documents filed in a civil case or obtain a CD recording of a civil hearing, interested persons may fill out and submit the Request to Access Court Records Form. The cost of copies is $0.25 for each page, $5 for certified documents, or $20 for hearings on CD.

Lewis County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Lewis County are considered to be public records. Anyone may order copies of marriage records provided they present the required information. To view or obtain a Lewis County marriage record, interested persons may contact the Lewis County Auditor. One can search for a marriage record online by visiting the Document Search page. Choose “Marriage Certificate” from the drop-down record type, fill in the required information, and click “Search”.

Requests may also be made in person or sent via mail. For a fee of $1 per page, $8 per hour search, and $3 for the certified copy of a marriage record, send a request to

Lewis County Auditor
351 NW North Street
Chehalis, Washington 98532
Phone: (360) 740-1165

Furthermore, the Washington State Archives provides physical and digitized copies of marriage records to record seekers. One can visit the State Archives in person or look up marriage records on the “Search” page of the archives website. To locate a marriage record, choose “marriage record” from the drop-down menu of the “Select Collection” box, and choose Lewis County and a title. Fill in the required information and click on “Search”.

Lewis County Divorce Records

Lewis County divorce records are generally accessible to the general public. One can visit the Superior Court or District Court where the divorce was filed to request divorce records. Requests can be made by filling and submitting the record request form along with the processing fees.

Furthermore, the Washington State Department of Health disseminates certified copies of divorce records to members of the public. To request a divorce certificate, submit a formal application, along with the required information and a $25 base fee.

Lewis Birth and Death Records

The Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Department maintains and disseminates birth and death records (vital records) to requesters. Requests can be made online or in person. The department partners with an independent website to provide Lewis County birth records and death records to registered users online.

Orders can be made in person, from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm at:

Lewis County Public Health
351 Northwest North Street
Chehalis, WA, 98532
Phone: (866) 687-1464
Fax: (844) 941-0783

However, certain requirements need to be met before a request for a birth or death record may be processed:

• Only those who have a direct relationship with the person named on record may obtain a certified birth or death certificate.
• Documentation proving the identity of the requester, and proof of relationship with the subject will be required.
• Birth and death certificates cost $25, with a $5 fee for "same day" pick-up.

Interested persons may also request birth records and death records from the Washington State DOH. Birth and death records from July 1, 1907, to date may be obtained from this state department. Certified copies of birth and death records can only be issued to those who meet certain requirements regarding the subject of the document. Requesters will need to provide a positive ID and paperwork showing a relationship to the subject.

Lewis County Probate Court Records

The Lewis County Superior Court has jurisdiction over probate cases filed in the county. Cases heard include estate, adoption, custody and support, paternity, mental health, and other civil litigation.

All probate court documents generated or submitted to Lewis County Superior Court are docketed, managed, and archived by the Clerk's Office. Public access to open files is available at the Law & Justice Center's second-floor Clerk's Office. Document photocopies can be obtained for $0.50 per page. Certified copies may also be obtained for $5.00 for the first page of a document, and $1.00 for each additional page. Lewis County probate records may also be obtained by contacting the court clerk in person or by mail.

Lewis County Property Records

The Lewis County Assessor's Office maintains and disseminates property records within the county. Interested persons may access property records by contacting the Public Records Center. Registered users may submit a record request via the request portal.

One can also look up property records information by conducting a Lewis County Parcel Search or looking up the Assessor's Parcel Maps. Information typically found in a property records search includes the parcel number, name of the property owner, address, and city.

Lewis County Court Records Online

Several third-party online websites provide Lewis County court records to members of the public. Independently owned websites such as Washingtoncourtrecords.us collate public records from several government organizations and make them available to the general public.

These websites enable record seekers to view or obtain public records conveniently, as searches are generally conducted remotely from any location. However, information obtained from these websites should be vetted as they are not managed by any government agency. While people can typically look up records for free, conducting a comprehensive search may require researchers to pay a fee or subscribe monthly, quarterly, or yearly.