Klickitat County Public Records

Klickitat County public records are held by elected offices in Goldendale, the county seat in South Central Washington. The County Clerk, Auditor, and other departments each maintain their own sets of records open to the public under Washington's Public Records Act. Records include court filings, property instruments, vital records, and government documents. This page covers where to find Klickitat County public records, how to submit a request, and which online tools can help you search.

Klickitat County Superior Court Clerk

The Klickitat County Superior Court Clerk is the official record keeper for all Superior Court cases in the county. Cases include civil suits, criminal felony matters, family law filings, divorce cases, probate, and guardianship proceedings. Certified copies of court orders, judgments, and other court documents are available through the Clerk's office. Staff can help you locate a case and explain what copies cost.

The Clerk's office is in Goldendale. You can call, visit in person, or send a written request by mail. If you write in, include the case number, the full names of the parties, and the exact type of document you need. Certified copies carry higher fees than standard paper copies. The Clerk follows Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1 for court record access, not the Public Records Act.

Requesting Klickitat County Public Records

Non-court government records in Klickitat County are subject to Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Washington Public Records Act. Under RCW 42.56.580, each agency must appoint a public records officer. That officer must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. The response may deliver the records, acknowledge the request with a timeline, seek clarification, or deny the request with a written legal explanation citing the specific exemption.

To submit a request, contact the Klickitat County department that holds the records you need. The county website at klickitatcounty.org has department contacts. Requests can go by mail, email, or in person. Include as much detail as possible: dates, names, case or document numbers, and the type of record. Broad requests take longer to process and may result in higher copying fees.

Paper copies are capped at $0.15 per page under state law. Electronic records usually cost less. You may inspect records in person for free, which lets you review what exists before paying for copies. For large requests, ask for a cost estimate first.

Property and Auditor Records

The Klickitat County Auditor records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property. These recorded documents form the permanent land record for the county. The Auditor also issues marriage licenses and handles elections. Property assessment and parcel data is maintained by the Klickitat County Assessor, which records ownership, values, and property descriptions for all parcels.

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical records from Klickitat County including older court case files and vital records. The archive is free to search and provides a good starting point for older documents that may not be in modern county systems.

The county website is your starting point for reaching the right department and finding forms or instructions for submitting a public records request in Klickitat County.

Online Search Tools

The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov covers Superior Court case data across Washington, including Klickitat County. Search by party name or case number to see case status, docket entries, and hearing dates. This tool is free and does not require registration for basic searches. It is a useful way to confirm a case exists before contacting the Clerk for copies.

For vital records including birth and death certificates, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records handles statewide requests. County-level vital records held by the Auditor cover marriage licenses and older records that predate the state's centralized system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Klickitat County in South Central Washington. Verify which county filed the records you need before making a formal request.