Camas Public Records

Camas public records are available through the City Clerk's office and the Camas Police Department in Clark County. Camas is a city on the Columbia River east of Vancouver with roughly 27,000 residents. The city handles its own government documents and police records separately from Clark County. Camas and neighboring Washougal share a municipal court. This page covers how to request Camas public records, what the City Clerk handles, how police records are accessed, and where to find Clark County records that serve Camas residents.

Camas City Public Records

The Camas City Clerk's office handles public records requests for general city government documents. You can find the public records request link on the main navigation of the city's website at cityofcamas.us under Government, then City Clerk, then Public Records. The City Clerk's office serves as the official custodian of city records and coordinates requests across city departments.

The Camas official website provides access to the public records request form and department contacts.

The Camas website navigation includes a direct link to Public Records under the City Clerk section. Use that link to find the request form and contact information for the Clerk's office.

Camas city records include City Council meeting minutes and agendas, ordinances, resolutions, permits, land use applications, contracts, budgets, and administrative documents. Under RCW 42.56, the city must respond within five business days by providing the records, giving a timeline, asking for clarification, or issuing a written denial with the legal basis.

Camas Police Department Records

The Camas Police Department maintains its own records system separate from the City Clerk. Police records including incident reports, collision reports, and arrest records are handled through the Police Department. Submit police records requests directly to the Camas Police Department. Include the incident date, location, any case or report numbers you have, and the names of parties involved.

Law enforcement records may be exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240 if nondisclosure is essential to an active investigation. The department must still respond within five business days to acknowledge the request or issue a written denial with the specific legal reason.

Camas Washougal Municipal Court

Camas and Washougal share the Camas Washougal Municipal Court. This court handles city ordinance violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil matters within the cities' jurisdictions. Municipal court records are not subject to the Public Records Act. They are governed by Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1. Contact the Municipal Court directly for case files and court documents.

For felony criminal cases, family law, civil litigation, and probate that involve Camas residents, those matters are filed at Clark County Superior Court in Vancouver, not in the Municipal Court.

Clark County Records for Camas Residents

Records held at the county level include Clark County Superior Court filings, property records, recorded deeds and mortgages, and Sheriff's Office records. Camas sits in Clark County. For records from the Superior Court, the county recording office, or county law enforcement, contact Clark County directly rather than submitting a request to the City of Camas.

Visit the Clark County public records page for county-level contacts, online tools, and request portals serving Camas residents.

Online Search Tools for Camas Records

The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides access to Clark County Superior Court case information. Search by name or case number without a login or fee. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from Clark County including older court files and government documents, all free to search.

For vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health. For AG ombudsman help with denied records, call (360) 570-3418 or email AGOOmbuds@atg.wa.gov.

Nearby Washington Cities

These cities are near Camas in the Columbia River area. Each maintains its own public records separate from county records.