Find Clark County Civil Court Records
Clark County civil court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Vancouver, Washington. Whether you need case filings, judgments, or other civil court documents, you can search online through the Odyssey Portal, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. The clerk's office maintains records for all civil actions filed in Clark County Superior Court, including cases involving sums over $100,000, domestic relations matters, probate, and guardianship proceedings.
Clark County Overview
Clark County Superior Court Clerk
The Clark County Superior Court Clerk's Office is located at the Clark County Courthouse, 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98666. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. You can reach the office by phone at (564) 397-2150, or by fax at (360) 397-6078. For copy requests sent by email, contact the office at copyrequests@clark.wa.gov.
Office hours are 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state and federal holidays. Walk-in visitors can use public access terminals with the OnBase document management system to look up and view civil court records at no charge. If you want paper copies while you are there, bring cash or a card to pay the per-page copy fee.
The Clark County Superior Court handles civil cases involving amounts over $100,000, domestic relations (including dissolution and legal separation), probate and guardianship matters, juvenile proceedings, and felony criminal cases. Civil court records from all of these case types are maintained by the clerk and are generally open to public inspection, subject to the access rules under General Rule 31.
The Clark County Superior Court website provides additional guidance on how to request records. The screenshot below shows the court's public-facing portal.
This page links to the online case search system as well as downloadable forms for copy requests and other clerk services.
How to Request Clark County Civil Court Records
There are several ways to get civil court records from Clark County. In person, you can visit the courthouse during business hours and use the public terminals to search the OnBase database. Staff can pull physical files for you to review in the office. If you know the case number, bring it with you because it speeds things up significantly. If you don't have a case number, the clerk's office can do a name search, but a $30 search fee applies.
For mail requests, write to the Clark County Superior Court Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Include the case number or party name, the specific documents you need, and your contact information. Mail payments must be by cashier's check or money order made out to Clark County Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, or add $2.00 to your payment to cover the handling fee. The office typically processes mail requests within five business days.
Email requests can be sent to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov. For email delivery of documents, you pay the lower electronic copy rate of $0.25 per page. Credit and debit cards are accepted for in-person transactions, though a convenience fee applies. Cash and cashier's checks work without any extra charge.
Note: Mail-in record requests to Clark County Superior Court are typically processed within five business days of receipt.
Search Clark County Civil Court Records Online
Clark County participates in Washington's statewide Odyssey Portal, which gives you online access to civil court records without having to visit the courthouse. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal covers cases filed in Clark County Superior Court and is updated regularly with new filings and case activity.
The screenshot below shows the statewide Washington Courts case search portal, which is another option for searching Clark County civil records online.
This state-level search covers multiple counties and is a good starting point if you're not sure exactly where a case was filed.
For older cases not in Odyssey, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov may have scanned records going back several decades. Not all case types or time periods are available digitally, but it's worth checking before making a trip to the courthouse. The Digital Archives platform is free to use and can be searched by party name or case number.
Attorneys practicing in Clark County can also use the e-filing system to submit documents electronically. Public access to e-filed documents is available through the Odyssey Portal once a case is open and accessible under GR 31.
Log in or search as a guest to look up Clark County case information without a login, though some document viewing features may require registration.
Copy Fees for Clark County Court Records
Clark County follows standard Washington State copy fee rates for civil court records, with a few county-specific additions. Here is what you can expect to pay when ordering copies from the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Standard uncertified physical copies cost $0.50 per page. If you want documents delivered by email in digital format, the rate drops to $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. If you request a records search by the clerk's office and you don't have a case number, a $30.00 non-refundable search fee applies before any copies are pulled.
Payment methods accepted at the Clark County clerk's office include cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Card payments carry a convenience fee set by the county. For mail-in requests, use a cashier's check or money order only since the office does not accept personal checks by mail. Viewing records in person at the public terminals is free; you only pay if you print or request physical copies.
Note: The $30 search fee is non-refundable and applies when no case number is provided with your records request.
Clark County District Court Records
The Clark County District Court handles civil cases involving claims up to $100,000, small claims matters, misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and protection orders. This is separate from the Superior Court. District Court civil court records are also available to the public and are searchable through the Odyssey Portal.
You can reach the Clark County District Court at (564) 397-2380. The District Court website at clark.wa.gov/district-court has information on how to access records, file small claims actions, and request protection orders. If your civil matter involves a smaller dollar amount or a minor dispute, the District Court is likely the right place to start.
The screenshot below shows the District Court website, which includes its own case search and records access options.
Both the Superior Court and District Court are located in Vancouver, making it relatively easy to visit both in the same trip if you need records from both levels.
Note: Clark County District Court uses the Odyssey Portal for online case access, the same system used by Superior Court.
Record Access Rules in Clark County
Access to civil court records in Washington State, including Clark County, is governed by General Rule 31 (GR 31) and General Rule 31.1. These rules are part of the Washington State Court Rules and set out which records are open to the public, which are restricted, and how to request access to sealed or confidential material. GR 31 is not the same as the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), which applies to executive branch agencies. Court records follow their own separate rules.
Most civil court records in Clark County are open to public inspection. This includes case indexes, pleadings, motions, judgments, and orders filed in civil cases. However, some categories of records are restricted or sealed by law. These include adoption proceedings, juvenile non-offender records, mental illness commitment cases, alcohol and drug treatment records, and any case sealed by specific court order. If a record you are looking for does not appear in the online search, it may be sealed or in a restricted category.
If you believe a record should be accessible but you cannot find it, you can contact the clerk's office directly. Staff can tell you whether a record exists and whether access is restricted. If you disagree with an access denial, GR 31 outlines the process for filing a formal challenge. Most routine civil case records are not restricted and can be accessed at the courthouse or online without any special application.
Legal Resources for Clark County
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free legal information and guides in plain language. The site covers civil legal topics including housing, family law, debt, and consumer rights. It also has information on how to represent yourself in civil court if you cannot afford an attorney. Clark County residents can use the site to find local legal aid organizations and self-help resources.
The screenshot below shows the Washington Law Help homepage, which is a useful starting point for anyone navigating the civil court system in Clark County.
This site is maintained by the Northwest Justice Project and is updated regularly with current legal information for Washington residents.
The Washington Courts website offers downloadable court forms at courts.wa.gov/forms. These cover a wide range of civil matters, from small claims to domestic relations. Forms are available in both English and Spanish for many case types.
Using the correct official form helps make sure your filing is accepted by the clerk without delays or rejections.
Cities in Clark County
Clark County includes several cities. The largest city and county seat is Vancouver, which is home to the Superior Court and most county government offices. Camas and Orchards are also located in Clark County. Civil cases filed by residents of these cities are handled by the Clark County Superior Court or District Court depending on the amount in controversy and the type of claim.
Nearby Counties
If your case involves parties or property in neighboring jurisdictions, you may need records from surrounding counties. The counties that border Clark County are listed below.
Clark County shares its southern border with Oregon. Cases filed in Oregon courts are not accessible through Washington's Odyssey Portal and must be requested through the Oregon courts system.