Lincoln County Public Records Search
Lincoln County public records are kept by elected offices in Davenport, the county seat in Eastern Washington. The County Clerk handles court and probate records going back to 1884, while the Auditor maintains land records, marriage licenses, and vital records dating to the 1880s. This page explains how to find and request Lincoln County public records, what each office holds, and which tools allow free online searches without a formal records request.
Lincoln County Overview
Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk
The Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk is the official keeper of all Superior Court case records in the county, including civil cases, criminal felonies, family law matters, divorce decrees, probate records, and guardianship proceedings. Court records in Lincoln County go back to 1884. Probate records date from 1886. The Clerk's office in Davenport handles certified copy requests for all these records. Divorce decrees are filed with the Superior Court Clerk and are not available from the Auditor's office.
To get copies of court records, contact the Clerk by phone or in writing. Two phone lines serve the office: 509-725-1401 and 509-725-1150. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and the exact documents you want. Certified copies carry fees set by state law. The Clerk's office can give you a cost estimate before you pay.
| Office | Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 Logan Street, P.O. Box 68, Davenport, WA 99122 |
| Phone | 509-725-1401 / 509-725-1150 |
| Website | co.lincoln.wa.us |
Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1 govern access to Superior Court records. These rules, not the Public Records Act, apply to court record requests. Restricted records such as adoption files and sealed cases are not available without a court order.
Lincoln County Auditor Records
The Lincoln County Auditor maintains an extensive collection of public records going back to the county's early days. Land records are available from 1883. Marriage records date from 1884. Birth and death records from 1883 to 1907 are also held by the Auditor, though more recent vital records are maintained by the Washington State Department of Health. These historical records make Lincoln County one of the better-documented rural counties in Eastern Washington for genealogical and legal research.
The Auditor's mailing address is P.O. Box 28, Davenport, WA 99122, and the office can be reached by phone at 509-725-4971. Fax is available at 509-725-0820. Marriage license applications can be submitted by mail with proper notarization. Vehicle tab renewals and other Auditor services are also available online or by mail. The Auditor handles election records and other government documents as part of its regular duties.
| Office | Lincoln County Auditor |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 28, Davenport, WA 99122 |
| Phone | 509-725-4971 |
| Fax | 509-725-0820 |
Birth and death records from 1883 to 1907 are held by the Auditor. For vital records from 1908 forward, contact the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records.
Historical Record Holdings in Lincoln County
Lincoln County holds an unusually complete set of historical records for a rural Eastern Washington county. The breakdown by record type is:
- Birth and Death Records: 1883-1907 (Auditor)
- Marriage Records: From 1884 (Auditor)
- Land Records: From 1883 (Auditor)
- Court Records: From 1884 (Clerk)
- Probate Records: From 1886 (Clerk)
For older records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov indexes many Lincoln County records online. The archive holds over 21 million government documents statewide and is a free resource for genealogical research and legal document searches. Searching the archive first can save time before contacting the county office directly.
The Lincoln County official website provides department contacts and information about county records, services, and offices in Davenport.
The county website is the hub for reaching the Clerk, Auditor, and other departments that maintain Lincoln County public records.
Public Records Request Process
Non-court government records in Lincoln County are subject to Chapter 42.56 RCW, Washington's Public Records Act. Each department appoints a public records officer. Under RCW 42.56.520, the officer must respond within five business days. That response can provide the records, give you an estimated timeline, ask for clarification, or deny the request with a written legal reason citing the specific exemption that applies.
Requests go to the department that maintains the records you need. Contact information is on the Lincoln County website at co.lincoln.wa.us. Be specific about what you need: dates, names, document type, and any case or instrument numbers you have. Paper copies are capped at $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. Electronic copies cost less. You may inspect records in person at no charge before ordering copies.
The Washington State Attorney General's Office at atg.wa.gov/open-government provides free help to people having trouble getting public records from Lincoln County agencies.
Note: Lincoln County is a vote-by-mail state. Election records and ballot materials are maintained by the Lincoln County Auditor and are subject to public disclosure under Chapter 42.56 RCW.
Online Search Tools
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov provides free access to Superior Court case information for Lincoln County. Search by party name or case number. The portal shows case type, status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. It is free and does not require registration for basic searches.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov supplements local records with digitized historical documents from Lincoln County going back to the 1880s. The archive is free and includes older court records, vital records, and land-related documents that may not appear in modern county databases.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Lincoln County in Eastern Washington. Verify which county holds the records you need based on the location of the filing or event.