Find Civil Court Records in Skamania County
Skamania County civil court records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Stevenson and are available to the public during regular business hours.
Skamania County Court Quick Facts
- County Seat: Stevenson
- Clerk Phone: (509) 427-3770
- Fax: (509) 427-3777
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Non-Certified Copy: $0.50 per page
- Certified Copy: $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional
- Address: 240 NW Vancouver Avenue, PO Box 790, Stevenson, WA 98648
Skamania County Superior Court Clerk
The Skamania County Clerk keeps all Superior Court records for the county. Civil court records include lawsuits, probate matters, guardianship proceedings, domestic relations cases, and other civil filings. The clerk's office is the starting point for any records request in Skamania County.
Clerk: Grace D. Cross. You can reach the office by phone at (509) 427-3770 or by email at cross@co.skamania.wa.us. The courthouse is at 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson. If you have questions about a specific case, calling ahead before making a trip is wise.
Skamania County shares a judge with Klickitat County. The presiding judge alternates weekly between both county seats. This is common in smaller Washington counties. The court still handles a full range of civil matters including lawsuits, family law cases, probate, and guardianship proceedings.
| Office | Skamania County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 240 NW Vancouver Avenue, PO Box 790 Stevenson, WA 98648 |
| Phone | (509) 427-3770 |
| Fax | (509) 427-3777 |
| cross@co.skamania.wa.us | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
How to Search Skamania County Civil Court Records
Skamania County does not currently have a public online case search portal. Unlike larger counties that use the statewide Odyssey system, Skamania County requires in-person visits or written requests to access civil court records. This is not unusual for smaller counties in Washington.
To search for records, visit the clerk's office in person at 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson during business hours. Bring the name of one or both parties, or a case number if you have it. Staff can look up cases and help you find the right documents. Mail requests are also accepted.
The statewide Washington Courts public case search at dw.courts.wa.gov may have some Skamania County Superior Court case data. It is a free tool and a good first step. For older historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives may hold some county court documents.
What you need to request records:
- Full name of at least one party in the case
- Case number, if available
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Payment for copy fees if requesting document copies
Copy Fees and Payment
Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. Ex parte orders carry a $30.00 fee. Payment can be made in person by debit or credit card at the front counter.
Online payments can be made at skamaniafinepay.com if you have a case number. Phone payments are accepted at (844) 400-8874 with a case number. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to Skamania County Clerk.
Certified copies are required when you need to prove authenticity for legal or financial transactions. For most other purposes, a non-certified copy works fine and costs less.
Types of Civil Records
The Superior Court handles civil lawsuits for money damages when the amount exceeds $100,000. It also handles domestic relations cases such as divorce, legal separation, and child custody matters. Probate, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings are filed here as well.
Most civil court records in Skamania County are open to the public. Sealed records, juvenile records, mental health cases, and adoption files are restricted. Records are governed by Washington Court Rules GR 31 and RCW 2.68.
A typical civil court file contains:
- The original complaint or petition
- Responses filed by the other party
- Motions and supporting documents
- Court orders and judgments
- Final decrees or dismissal orders
District Court
Skamania County District Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is $100,000 or less, small claims cases, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and protection orders. If the case you are looking for involves a smaller dollar amount, it may be at District Court rather than Superior Court. Contact the clerk's office to find out which court has jurisdiction for your case.
Legal Help in Skamania County
Northwest Justice Project provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents across Washington. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn more. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides. Court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. For a private attorney referral, contact the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722.
Cities in Skamania County
Skamania County has no cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for dedicated city pages. All civil court records for residents throughout the county are filed at the Skamania County Superior Court in Stevenson.