Find Civil Court Records in Chelan County
Chelan County civil court records are kept by the County Clerk at the courthouse in Wenatchee and are accessible online, in person, or by mail.
Chelan County Court Quick Facts
- County Seat: Wenatchee
- County Clerk: Martin D. Young
- Superior Court Address: 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801
- Superior Court Phone: (509) 667-6380
- Superior Court Fax: (509) 667-6611
- Clerk Email: superiorcourt.clerk@co.chelan.wa.us
- District Court: 350 Orondo Avenue, 4th Floor, Wenatchee, WA 98801
- District Court Phone: (509) 667-6600
- Non-Certified Copies: $0.50 per page
- Electronic Copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified Copies: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional
- Online Access: Free through Odyssey Portal
Searching Chelan County Civil Records Online
The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the primary tool for searching civil court records in Chelan County without visiting the courthouse. The portal is free to use. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show the case type, filing date, parties involved, and a list of documents filed in the case. The portal is available at all hours.
Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers Superior Court and District Court records statewide, including Chelan County. This is useful if you are not sure which county a case was filed in, or if you want to check multiple counties at once.
The Washington State Digital Archives also holds historical Chelan County Superior Court records going back to 1882. Case files from 1882 through 1977 are available for civil, criminal, divorce, and probate matters. Naturalization records from 1906 to 1974 are also included. Some records such as adoption, dependency, and mental competency files are restricted. You can reach the Northwest Branch of the archives at (360) 650-3125 or by email at nwbrancharchives@sos.wa.gov.
In-Person Access at the Courthouse
The Chelan County Clerk's office is on the fifth floor at 350 Orondo Avenue in Wenatchee. Staff can help you locate case files if you have a name or case number. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse for viewing records at no charge.
If you need paper copies, bring cash or a check. The standard rate is $0.50 per page for non-certified copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. The Clerk's email is superiorcourt.clerk@co.chelan.wa.us, and the fax is (509) 667-6611. Both are useful if you want to confirm record availability before making the trip.
Requesting Records by Mail or Email
You can submit record requests by email to superiorcourt.clerk@co.chelan.wa.us. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and the specific documents you want. For District Court records, send email requests to DistrictCourt.Clerk@co.chelan.wa.us or fax to (509) 667-6456.
For mail requests, address your letter to the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk, 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Describe what you need in enough detail that staff can locate the file. Include payment or ask for a fee estimate before sending payment. Turnaround time for mail requests is typically a few business days, though complex requests may take longer.
Chelan County Superior Court
Superior Court in Chelan County handles civil cases where the amount at stake exceeds $100,000. Domestic relations matters, including divorce, separation, and parenting plans, are also filed here. Probate and guardianship cases go through Superior Court, along with felony criminal matters and appeals from District Court.
The court is at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Phone is (509) 667-6380. The Juvenile Court is located separately at 316 Washington Street, Suite 202, Wenatchee, and can be reached at (509) 667-6350. Court records have been maintained since 1882, giving Chelan County one of the longer accessible historical records among Washington counties.
Chelan County District Court
District Court handles civil cases where the amount at issue does not exceed $100,000. Small claims cases are capped at $10,000 and allow parties to represent themselves. District Court also handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic infractions, and protection orders.
The District Court is on the fourth floor at 350 Orondo Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Phone is (509) 667-6600. Judges Allen F. Blackmon and Jon M. Volyn preside. Court Administrator Lea Garner handles administrative matters. Records requests to District Court can be sent by email to DistrictCourt.Clerk@co.chelan.wa.us.
What Civil Court Records Include
Civil court records in Chelan County document the full course of a legal dispute. Files typically contain the initial complaint or petition, responses from the opposing party, motions filed during the case, court orders, and the final judgment. In contract disputes and property cases, records may include evidence exhibits and expert reports.
Domestic relations files include dissolution decrees, parenting plans, child support orders, and modification requests. Probate records document wills, estate inventories, creditor claims, and final distribution orders. Most civil records are public unless a judge has sealed them. Adoption files and some juvenile records are restricted by law.
Historical records going back to 1882 are accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives. These older files document civil disputes, property matters, and probate cases from Chelan County's early years. They can be useful for genealogy research or historical property title work.
Copy Fees
Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Electronic copies sent by email are $0.25 per page. Certified copies, which carry the court's official seal, cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. These fees apply at both Superior Court and District Court.
Online access through the Odyssey Portal is free. You can view case summaries and document indexes without any charge. To get actual document copies, you need to go through the Clerk's office or submit a records request with payment.
Legal Framework
Washington court records are governed by General Rule 31 (GR 31), which sets access standards for all courts in the state. Most civil case documents are open to the public. Exceptions exist for sealed cases, records involving minors, and certain sensitive matters where privacy interests outweigh public access.
The Washington Revised Code, Title 2.32 covers the duties of court clerks, including how records must be kept and what fees can be charged for copies. These statutes apply uniformly to all Washington counties, including Chelan.
Legal Help in Chelan County
Columbia Legal Services provides civil legal assistance to low-income residents in eastern Washington, including Chelan County. Visit columbialegal.org or call their main office for eligibility information. Northwest Justice Project offers free civil legal help through the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
The Washington State Bar Association's lawyer referral service at wsba.org can connect you with an attorney who handles the type of civil matter you are dealing with. Many attorneys in the Wenatchee area handle civil litigation, family law, and probate matters. A short consultation can help you understand whether you need full representation or just some guidance.
Cities in Chelan County
Wenatchee is the largest city in Chelan County and has its own civil court records page with city-specific information.
Other communities in the county include East Wenatchee (in Douglas County), Cashmere, Leavenworth, and Chelan. These smaller cities are served by the same Chelan County courts.