Find Public Records in Lewis County

Lewis County public records are maintained by several offices in Chehalis, the county seat in Southwest Washington. The County Clerk holds court records, while the Auditor maintains recorded property documents and vital records. Other county departments keep administrative and government records open under Washington's Public Records Act. This page explains how to search and obtain Lewis County public records, which offices to contact, and what free online tools are available.

Lewis County Superior Court Clerk Records

The Lewis County Superior Court Clerk maintains official records for all Superior Court cases filed in the county. Cases include civil matters, criminal felonies, family law, divorce proceedings, probate, and guardianship. Certified copies of court orders, decrees, and case documents are available through the Clerk's office in Chehalis. Staff can help you locate a case and explain the process for obtaining copies.

Requests can be made by phone, in person, or by mail. Mail requests should include the case number, full names of the parties involved, and the specific documents you need. Being as precise as possible helps staff process your request faster. Certified copies cost more than standard copies. Standard paper copies follow state rate limits. Access to court records is governed by Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1, not the Public Records Act.

Restricted records such as adoption files and dependency cases are not available to the general public. The Clerk can tell you whether a specific record is restricted and what steps are needed to access it.

Lewis County Auditor Records

The Lewis County Auditor records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. These documents form the permanent land record. The Auditor also issues marriage licenses and processes other vital record functions at the county level. The Auditor's mailing address is P.O. Box 29, Chehalis, WA 98532.

Recorded documents are part of the public record once filed with the Auditor. Older documents may require an in-person visit to search. More recent recordings may be available through an online index. The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov also holds historical Lewis County records that can supplement what is available through local offices.

Veterans can file DD-214 discharge papers with the Lewis County Auditor at no charge, and free certified copies are available to veterans upon request.

Lewis County Public Records Request Process

Lewis County government records outside the courts are subject to Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Washington Public Records Act. Each department appoints a public records officer responsible for responding to requests and overseeing compliance. Under RCW 42.56.520, the officer must respond within five business days. That response can deliver the records, provide a timeline for a larger request, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial with the specific legal exemption cited.

To request Lewis County public records, contact the department that maintains the records you need. The Lewis County website at lewiscountywa.gov lists contacts for each department. Requests can be submitted by mail, email, or in person. Include enough detail to identify what you need: dates, names, case numbers, and the type of record. A vague request may result in delays or a request for clarification before processing begins.

Copying fees are capped at $0.15 per page for paper copies under RCW 42.56.120. Electronic records typically cost less. You may inspect records in person at no charge before deciding what to copy. For large requests, ask for a fee estimate upfront.

The county website is your starting point for reaching the right office, whether you need court records from the Clerk, land records from the Auditor, or other county documents.

Online Tools for Lewis County Records

The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov provides free online access to Superior Court case information for Lewis County. Search by name or case number to view case type, status, parties, docket entries, and hearing dates. This tool does not require registration for basic searches and is updated regularly.

The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical records from Lewis County. Older court case files, vital records, and government documents from the county are indexed and searchable. The archive holds over 21 million records statewide and is free to use. It is especially useful for genealogical research or for finding documents that predate modern electronic systems.

For vital records statewide, the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records handles birth and death certificate requests. County-level vital records held by the Lewis County Auditor cover marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lewis County in Southwest Washington. Confirm which county holds the records you need based on where the event occurred or where the case was filed.