Clallam County Civil Court Records

Clallam County civil court records are held by the Superior Court Clerk at the courthouse in Port Angeles and can be searched online, in person, or by email request.

Searching Clallam County Civil Records Online

The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the main tool for searching Clallam County civil court records from anywhere. It's free to use. You can search by party name or case number and get case summaries, hearing dates, and a list of documents on file. No login is needed for basic searches.

Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers both Superior Court and District Court records across the state. Use this if you want to check multiple Washington counties at once or if you are unsure where a case was filed.

The Clallam County Auditor also maintains a document search at erecording.clallam.net/recorder/web for recorded documents such as deeds, liens, and other property-related filings. These are separate from court records but are often relevant in civil property disputes.

How to Request Records by Email

Clallam County accepts records requests by email. Send your request to Web_Clerk@ClallamCountyWA.gov. In your email, include the case name, case number if you have it, and a description of the specific documents you need. Staff will respond with information on what is available and what the cost will be before you pay.

This email option is one of the more convenient methods in Washington. You don't have to drive to Port Angeles if you already know what you need. For questions about a specific case or to check if documents are available, the phone number is (360) 417-2250. Staff hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Visiting the Clerk's Office in Person

The Clerk's office is at 223 E. 4th Street, Suite 9, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Public access terminals are available in the office for viewing case records at no cost. If you need copies, staff can print them during your visit. Bring a photo ID and payment if you plan to get copies on the same day.

Payment is accepted by cash, cashier's check, or money order. The office also accepts online payments through LexisNexis for certain requests. The courthouse is in downtown Port Angeles. Street parking is available nearby.

Clallam County Superior Court

Clallam County Superior Court handles civil cases where the amount at stake exceeds $100,000, along with domestic relations cases such as divorce and child custody. Probate and guardianship proceedings go through Superior Court as well. The court also handles felony criminal cases and juvenile matters.

The court is at 223 E. 4th Street, Suite 8, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Main phone is (360) 417-2231. Court records go back to the 1860s, making Clallam one of the older court systems in Washington. Older records may not be available in digital form and may require an in-person search. The Clerk can advise on availability when you call or email.

Local court rules and forms are available on the court's website at clallam.net/superiorcourt. These include forms for self-represented parties in domestic relations, protection orders, and small estate matters. Using the right form can save time when you file.

Clallam County District Courts

Clallam County has two District Court locations. District Court I serves the Port Angeles area at 223 East 4th Street, phone (360) 417-2463. District Court II serves Forks at 502 East Division Street, phone (360) 374-6383.

District Court handles civil cases up to $100,000. Small claims cases top out at $10,000. District Court also handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and protection orders. Public access terminals are available at both locations. Records requests are processed during regular business hours at each courthouse.

Municipal Courts in Clallam County

Three cities in Clallam County operate their own municipal courts. Port Angeles Municipal Court is at 321 East 5th Street, Port Angeles, phone (360) 417-4930. Sequim Municipal Court is at 152 West Cedar Street, Sequim, phone (360) 683-4139. Forks Municipal Court is at 500 East Division Street, Forks, phone (360) 374-2262.

Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations, traffic infractions within city limits, and misdemeanor criminal cases. Civil records from municipal courts are separate from Superior Court files. Contact each municipal court directly to request records from that court.

What Civil Court Records Include

Civil case files in Clallam County contain the full history of each case. A typical file includes the initial complaint or petition, summons, answers and responses from each party, motions, hearings transcripts or orders, and the final judgment. In contract and property disputes, files may also include exhibits such as agreements, deeds, or written correspondence.

Domestic relations records include divorce petitions, parenting plans, child support worksheets, and dissolution decrees. Probate case files contain wills, estate inventories, creditor notices, and final distribution orders. Most civil records are public. Some juvenile matter records and sealed cases are not available without a court order. If you are unsure, call the Clerk before visiting.

Certified copies carry the court's official seal and Deputy Clerk's signature. They are required for certain legal purposes including Social Security Administration requests, Veterans Administration matters, financial institution requirements, and passport or international travel documentation. If you need a certified copy, let the Clerk know when you submit your request so the right format is prepared.

Copy Fees

Paper copies are $0.50 per page. Electronic copies sent by email are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. These are standard Washington court copy fees and apply to most documents available through the Clerk's office.

Payment is by cash, cashier's check, or money order for in-person and mail requests. Online payments go through LexisNexis. If you are not sure of the total cost, ask the Clerk to estimate before you pay.

Legal Framework for Record Access

Washington's General Rule 31 (GR 31) governs public access to court records statewide. Under GR 31, most civil case records are open to any person. Restrictions apply only where a judge has issued a sealing order or where a specific statute limits access, such as in adoption or mental competency proceedings.

The Washington Revised Code, Title 2.32 sets out the duties of court clerks, including record maintenance and fee standards. Clallam County follows these rules as required by state law. The statutes also define what constitutes a public court record and how the Clerk must respond to record requests.

Legal Help in Clallam County

The Olympic Peninsula is served by Northwest Justice Project, which provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. You can apply for services through the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014. They handle civil matters including family law, housing, and benefits cases.

The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral service at wsba.org can help you find a local attorney. Many attorneys on the Olympic Peninsula handle family law, probate, and civil litigation cases. The Clallam County Bar Association may also have local referral resources. A brief consultation can help you decide if you need full representation or just some basic guidance.

Nearby Counties

Clallam County occupies much of the Olympic Peninsula. Jefferson County is the primary neighboring county to the east and south.

• Jefferson County