Cowlitz County Public Records

Cowlitz County public records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk, Auditor, Sheriff, and other elected offices located at the Hall of Justice in Kelso. This page explains how to find and request public records from Cowlitz County, which agencies hold which records, what fees apply, and how to access court case files and property documents.

Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk

The Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk keeps all case records for the Superior Court. That covers civil matters, criminal felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and juvenile cases. The Clerk's mission is to protect the integrity of judicial records while serving the public, courts, and legal community in an efficient and professional manner. The office also collects and disburses funds for restitution, child support, trust accounts, garnishments, and court fees.

You can search Cowlitz County court cases through the Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal using Odyssey Code No. 08. The portal shows case status, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates. For document images, certified copies, or older cases not in the online system, contact the Clerk's office directly at the address below. The general email is clerk@cowlitzwa.gov. Sheryl Moul handles records at 360-577-3016 extension 8302.

The Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk portal provides fillable search request forms you can complete and send by email.

Submit the completed form to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov. Let the office know in your email if the matter is indigent, as that may affect fee handling.

Court record fees at the Cowlitz County Clerk are specific. There is a non-refundable $15 search fee per request. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Paper copies mailed to you are $0.50 per page. Digital copies sent by email are $0.25 per page. For digital requests over 1,000 pages, an extra $30 clerk service fee applies. Research requiring extensive staff time costs $20 per hour. Payment is required before records are released.

Cowlitz County court records are not subject to the Washington Public Records Act. Courts operate under Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1. Those rules still provide public access to most court files, but the process is handled directly through the Clerk's office rather than through the county's general public records process.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Records

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Records Unit maintains all reports taken by the Sheriff's Office. Records include criminal offense reports, auto collision reports, traffic citations, arrest records, and missing persons reports. The computerized system allows staff to access current records quickly. You can submit a records request online, by mail, or in person.

Fees for Sheriff records are $0.15 per page for copies and $0.10 per page for scanned documents. Reports 30 pages or longer trigger copying fees. Postage is charged at actual cost for mailed records. The Records Unit also processes concealed pistol license applications and provides copies of reports for insurance claims. Some law enforcement records are exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240 if nondisclosure is essential to an active investigation.

Note that 911 records are not available through the online portal. Direct those requests to (360) 577-3078 by phone.

How to Request Cowlitz County Public Records

For general county government records that are not court files or Sheriff reports, Cowlitz County follows RCW 42.56, the Washington Public Records Act. The county's public records request procedures are outlined at co.cowlitz.wa.us/548. Each county department has a designated records coordinator. You can submit a request online, by mail, or in person.

The county must respond within five business days. That response will either provide the records, give a timeline for large requests, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial with the specific legal reason for withholding. Standard copy fees follow state guidelines at $0.15 per page. Color copies are $0.25 per page. Electronic records are $0.10 per page scanned.

The Cowlitz County public records request page is your starting point for non-court county documents.

The page includes the county's records policies under RCW 42.56 and WAC 44-14 and lists the correct contact for each record type.

Cowlitz County District Court

Cowlitz County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil matters, protection orders, and small claims. Cases are filed by the Washington State Patrol, Cowlitz County Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies. The District Court is at 312 SW 1st Avenue, 1st Floor, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone is 360-577-3102. Fine payments can be made online through the court's payment system.

Property and Recording Records

The Cowlitz County Auditor handles recorded land documents. That includes deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges, maps, surveys, and marriage licenses. The Auditor also issues process server licenses. The recording index and many document images are available online.

The Cowlitz County Recording office maintains the permanent land record for the county. Standard copies are $0.15 per page for black and white. Color copies are $0.25 per page. Electronic records are $0.10 per page scanned and $0.05 for every four electronic files. Custom IT work may carry additional service charges.

The Recording/Auditor portal lets you search the index of recorded documents and view maps, plats, and surveys online.

Many recorded documents are available as digital images through the Auditor's online system without a formal records request.

Online Search Tools

The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal is the main tool for searching Cowlitz County court cases online. Use Odyssey Code No. 08 to filter to Cowlitz County. Search by name or case number. The portal shows case summaries, party names, docket entries, and status. For document images or certified copies, follow up with the Clerk's office.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from Cowlitz County and across the state. Older court filings, property records, and archived government documents are searchable there for free. The Digital Archives hold over 21 million records and are a good starting point for research on older cases or historical documents.

For vital records including birth and death certificates, contact the Washington State Department of Health. Marriage licenses are issued by the Cowlitz County Auditor locally.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, and Woodland, among other communities. Longview has its own city-level public records separate from county records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cowlitz County. If you need records from an event that occurred near the county line, check which side it fell on before submitting your request.