Find Civil Court Records in Lincoln County

Lincoln County civil court records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Davenport, with records going back to 1911 and online access available through the Washington State Odyssey Portal.

Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk

The Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk maintains all official court records for the county. The clerk's office is located at 319 S. Jefferson Street in Davenport and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Lincoln County is a smaller rural county, so the office staff is limited. It is a good idea to call or email before visiting to confirm staff availability.

For general clerk inquiries and document requests, email the clerk at eclerk@co.lincoln.wa.us. Transcript requests and questions about court proceedings should be directed to the Court Administrator at rlhills@co.lincoln.wa.us. Mail requests are also accepted at the Davenport address.

Lincoln County's records go back to 1911, which is notable for a county of its size. If you need historical records from before 1996, those will not be in the online system. You must contact the clerk directly to access older paper records. Staff can help determine if the file you need exists and what it will take to retrieve it.

Keep in mind that court staff can provide factual information about case files and tell you what documents are on file, but they cannot give legal advice or interpret what records mean for your situation. For legal guidance, see the resources section at the bottom of this page.

How to Search Lincoln County Civil Court Records

Lincoln County participates in the Washington State Odyssey Portal, which gives public access to civil court case information online. This is the easiest way to start a search.

• Odyssey Portal: odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov - search by party name or case number. Free for basic public lookups.
• Washington Courts Public Search: dw.courts.wa.gov - statewide index covering Superior Court and District Court cases.

The Odyssey Portal shows case status, party names, filing dates, and listed documents. It covers records from 1996 forward. For cases filed before that date, contact the clerk directly.

In-person access is available during regular business hours. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse. If you visit, bring the names of the parties involved or any case number you have. Staff can assist with basic searches during your visit.

Mail requests are accepted. Send your written request to the clerk at 319 S. Jefferson Street, Davenport, WA 99122. Include the case name, case number if known, and the specific documents you need. Include payment or ask for a cost estimate first.

Lincoln County District Court

Lincoln County also has a District Court that handles smaller civil claims up to $100,000. This includes small claims cases, minor civil disputes, and traffic matters. District Court records are separate from Superior Court records. If you are not sure which court handled a case, the statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov is a good place to check both systems at once.

For direct questions about District Court records, contact the Lincoln County courthouse. Staff can direct you to the right office for the type of case you are researching.

Types of Civil Records Held by Lincoln County

Lincoln County Superior Court handles all major civil case types. These are the records most people look for:

• Civil Lawsuits: Contract disputes, property damage claims, debt collection actions, and other civil cases where the claim exceeds $100,000.
• Domestic Relations: Divorce cases, legal separation, child custody and support, parenting plan modifications, and paternity actions.
• Probate: Estate administration following a death, probate of wills, and related filings such as letters of administration.
• Guardianship: Court appointments of guardians for minors or adults who cannot manage their own affairs.
• Protection Orders: Domestic violence protection orders, anti-harassment orders, and similar civil protective filings.
• Name Changes: Petitions to change a legal name are civil cases and are part of the public record.
• Juvenile Dependency: Cases involving child welfare, dependency findings, and related proceedings.

Most civil cases in Superior Court are public records. Some cases may be sealed by court order. Sealed records will not appear in online searches. If you believe a case exists but cannot find it, call or email the clerk's office to ask.

Copy Fees and Records Requests

Lincoln County uses the standard Washington State fee schedule for court record copies. Here is what to expect:

• Standard paper copies: $0.50 per page
• Electronic copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, then $1.00 for each additional page
• Research fee: $30.00 per hour, charged after the first free hour of staff research time

The research fee applies when staff must spend significant time searching through records on your behalf. For a simple lookup of a known case, you likely will not be charged the research fee. If the search is complex or involves very old records, the fee may apply. Ask the clerk ahead of time if you are unsure.

You can request records in person, by mail, or by emailing eclerk@co.lincoln.wa.us. Payment must accompany mail requests, or you can call first to confirm the cost. The clerk does not provide copies by email fax for certified documents.

Legal Help and Resources

The Lincoln County clerk's office cannot give legal advice. If you need help with a civil legal matter, these free and low-cost resources serve the region:

• Northwest Justice Project: Free civil legal aid for qualifying low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org.
• Washington Law Help: Plain-language guides on civil law topics at washingtonlawhelp.org.
• Washington Courts Forms: Official forms for civil, family law, and probate cases at courts.wa.gov/forms.
• Lincoln County Superior Court: lincolncountywa.gov/Superior-Court
• Lincoln County Clerk: lincolncountywa.gov/County-Clerk

Northwest Justice Project serves Eastern Washington and may have staff familiar with Lincoln County courts. Washington Law Help covers topics like divorce, eviction, name changes, and restraining orders in plain English. Both are good starting points if you do not yet have a lawyer.

Cities in Lincoln County

No cities in Lincoln County meet the population threshold for a dedicated civil court records page. Davenport is the county seat where the Superior Court Clerk's office is located. All civil court filings for residents across Lincoln County are handled through the Davenport courthouse.

Nearby Counties