Cowlitz County Court Records
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Cowlitz County sits in southwestern Washington along the Columbia River, with its county seat in Kelso. The county's court system runs through two main trial courts—Superior Court and District Court—both headquartered at the Cowlitz County Hall of Justice. Superior Court has broad jurisdiction over felony criminal matters, civil lawsuits, family law, probate, guardianships, adoptions, and appeals from lower courts. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil protection orders. A separate Juvenile Court, operating as a department of Superior Court, is located in Longview. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all Superior Court case files, while the District Court keeps its own records independently.
You can search for Cowlitz County court records through the Clerk of Superior Court office, the District Court clerk window, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online databases maintained by the state judiciary. WashingtonStateCourts.us may also help you locate publicly available court case information across the state. The Washington Courts website and the county's own portals are the most reliable places to start any records search.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cowlitz County?
Cowlitz County court cases can be located online, in person, by mail, or by email. The right method depends on which court handled the case and the type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- The Odyssey Online Records Search Portal lets you look up Superior Court cases in Cowlitz County by party name, case number, or date. Some advanced features require account registration through the Clerk's Office.
- The Washington Courts statewide case search covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across the state. Results are updated daily.
- The Auditor's Public Record Search gives you access to recorded documents including marriage certificates, deeds, and liens from 1986 forward.
In-Person and Mail Requests
To request copies of documents from a Superior Court case file, complete the Case Document & Pleading Request Form and submit it in person, by mail, or by email to the Clerk's Office:
Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court
Address: 312 SW First Avenue, Room 233, Kelso, WA 98626
Phone: (360) 577-3016
Email: clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For District Court records, submit the District Court records request form by fax or email to the District Court office:
Cowlitz County District Court
Address: 312 SW 1st Avenue, Room 207, Kelso, WA 98626
Phone: (360) 577-3073
Fax: (360) 577-3132
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fees for Superior Court Record Requests
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Archival search deposit (non-refundable) | $15.00 |
| Paper copies | $0.50 per page |
| Digital copies (emailed) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies – first page | $5.00 |
| Certified copies – each additional page | $1.00 |
| Clerk service fee (digital requests over 100 pages) | $30.00 |
| Expedited processing | $30.00 |
Copy costs are deducted from the $15.00 deposit. Fees are assessed under RCW 36.18.016. Completed requests typically take a minimum of two weeks. Dropbox links for digital deliveries expire after 14 days.
Are Court Records Public in Cowlitz County?
Under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56), court records in Cowlitz County are generally public and available for inspection and copying. That broad right of access covers civil filings, criminal dockets, probate proceedings, judgments, and most other court documents.
Certain categories are restricted or exempt from disclosure. General Rule 31, adopted by the Washington Supreme Court, governs public access to court records statewide and establishes that the public may access all court records except those restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. Specific restrictions include:
- Sealed records — Files sealed by court order are not available for public inspection unless the court lifts the seal.
- Juvenile proceedings — Records of juvenile offender matters and dependency cases are confidential under Washington law.
- Adoption records — Sealed upon finalization.
- Mental health commitment files — Protected by statutory privacy provisions.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other data whose release would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy.
- Law enforcement investigative records — When nondisclosure is essential to effective law enforcement or to protect an individual's safety or privacy (RCW 42.56.230–42.56.480).
- Domestic violence and sexual assault program records — Records maintained by community programs serving victims.
- Children's records — Personal information in files maintained by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
When exempt material appears within an otherwise public document, the Clerk's Office may redact the protected portions and release the remainder. If you believe you need access to restricted records, you can petition the court for an order of disclosure.
Cowlitz County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Cowlitz County are prosecuted in Superior Court, and the resulting records—charging documents, arraignment minutes, plea agreements, trial transcripts, judgments, and sentencing orders—are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases are handled in District Court. Criminal case records from both courts can be located through the Odyssey portal or the statewide court case search.
Requesting Criminal Court Documents
To get copies of criminal case documents from Superior Court, complete the Case Document & Pleading Request Form, select the criminal case type, and submit it to the Clerk's Office with the $15.00 search deposit. For District Court criminal records, use the District Court records request form and submit it by fax or email.
The Clerk's Office cannot provide a complete criminal history or background check. For statewide criminal history information, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) offers three request methods:
- Online — Use the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system. Fee: $11.00 per name search, payable by credit or debit card. Results are available immediately.
- By mail — Complete the Conviction Criminal History Request Form and mail it with a $32.00 fee (check, money order, or completed Bankcard Authorization Form) to: Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section, P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633.
- In person — Bring the completed form and $32.00 to the WSP Olympia office at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501. Fingerprint-based requests cost $58.00.
Sheriff's Office Records
Arrest reports and incident reports generated by the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office can be requested through the Sheriff's public records portal. The Records Division is at 312 SW 1st Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626, and can be reached at (360) 577-3095. Copies of reports 30 pages or longer are subject to a fee of $0.15 per page for paper or $0.10 per page for scanned materials, plus actual postage.
Cowlitz County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Cowlitz County is divided between Superior Court and District Court based on the nature and value of the claim. Superior Court handles lawsuits involving real property, contract disputes, personal injury, unlawful detainers, and appeals from administrative agencies. District Court has jurisdiction over small claims and certain civil protection order petitions.
Filing Fees – Superior Court Civil Cases
The Cowlitz County Clerk publishes a detailed fee schedule updated as of June 2026. Selected civil filing fees include:
| Filing Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil case (filing + judicial surcharge + archive surcharge) | $290.00 |
| Counterclaim / cross-claim / third-party claim | $290.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $290.00 |
| Residential unlawful detainer initial complaint (filing + surcharges) | $135.00 |
| Residential unlawful detainer full fee after answer/show cause | $247.00 |
| Commercial unlawful detainer | $290.00 |
| Civil protection order (anti-harassment) | $53.00 |
| Abstract of judgment filing | $20.00 |
| Jury demand – 6-member jury | $125.00 |
| Jury demand – 12-member jury | $250.00 |
All fees must be paid in advance by cash, cashier's check, law firm check, or money order. No refunds are issued.
Small Claims – District Court
The District Court provides small claims forms on its website, including a filing form, counterclaim form, transcript of judgment form, and return of service form. Small claims hearings are conducted at the Hall of Justice in Kelso.
Obtaining Civil Case Records
Civil records from either court can be requested using the procedures described above—submit the appropriate request form to the Clerk of Superior Court or the District Court clerk, with the applicable fees. Civil case records are also searchable through the Odyssey portal and the statewide case search tool.
Cowlitz County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Cowlitz County are handled by the Domestic Division of Superior Court. That covers dissolutions of marriage (divorce), legal separations, child custody and parenting plan disputes, child support actions, paternity cases, domestic violence protection orders, and adoptions. Superior Court Commissioners regularly hear family law motions, dependency cases, and domestic violence petitions.
Filing Fees – Domestic Cases
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution (divorce), legal separation, or validity of marriage | $364.00 |
| Custody / parenting plan (new domestic case) | $310.00 |
| Paternity | $310.00 |
| Adoption | $310.00 |
| Modification of existing Cowlitz County decree | $56.00 |
| Modification of out-of-county decree | $310.00 |
| Termination of parental rights | $310.00 |
These totals include the base filing fee, judicial surcharge, facilitator fee, and archive surcharge. A separate $20.00 courthouse facilitator appointment fee applies for half-hour sessions. Filing fees are waived for certain case types, including domestic violence protection orders, UIFSA interstate support actions filed by the state, and child support petitions filed by the Department of Social and Health Services.
Requesting Family Court Records
Family law case documents are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be requested via the Case Document & Pleading Request Form—select Domestic as the case type. The same $15.00 archival search fee and copy rates apply. Records are also searchable through the Odyssey portal. For questions about family court files, call the Clerk's Office at (360) 577-3016.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Cowlitz County are issued by the County Auditor. The current license fee is $172.00, payable by cash, check, debit/credit card, or money order. Applications can be made in person at the Auditor's Office (207 N. 4th Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626) Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by mail using the Marriage Application form. A three-day waiting period applies after issuance, and the license must be used within 60 days.
Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates cost $3.00 each and can be obtained using the Marriage Certificate Copy Request Form. Marriage records from 1986 forward are also searchable through the Auditor's online search and the Washington State Digital Archives.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are issued by the Cowlitz County Department of Health and Human Services at 1952 9th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632. Each certified copy costs $25.00. Applicants must complete the appropriate application form—available in English and Spanish for births, and in English and Spanish for deaths—and provide acceptable proof of identity and eligibility. Under Washington law, birth records become fully public after 100 years and death records after 25 years; before those thresholds, only qualified individuals—such as immediate family members and legal representatives—may obtain certified copies.
Cowlitz County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in Cowlitz County fall under Superior Court jurisdiction. Washington does not have a separate probate court—all estate administrations, will filings, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianship proceedings are filed and heard in Superior Court, with records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Filing Fees – Probate and Related Cases
| Case Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate (probate) filing + surcharges | $290.00 |
| Guardianship / conservatorship (adult or emergency) | $290.00 |
| Guardianship (minor) – no fee if proposed guardian is a relative | $290.00 |
| Registration of trust | $290.00 |
| Petition contesting will or trust | $290.00 |
| Non-probate notice to creditors | $290.00 |
| Filing will only (no probate contemplated) | $20.00 |
| Will repository filing (before death) | $20.00 |
| Issuance of Letters of Administration / Testamentary (includes one issued copy) | $5.00 |
| Additional issued copies of Letters | $5.00 each |
| Non-judicial binding agreement (TEDRA) within existing case | $20.00 |
Guardianship filing fees are waived when estate assets are less than $3,000.00 (RCW 11.88.030(3)).
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate case records are searchable through the Odyssey Online Records Search Portal using the case number or names of the parties. To obtain copies of probate documents, complete the Case Document & Pleading Request Form, select Probate/Guardianship as the case type, and submit it to the Clerk's Office at 312 SW First Avenue, Room 233, Kelso, WA 98626, or email it to clerksearchrequests@cowlitzwa.gov. The standard $15.00 archival search deposit and per-page copy fees apply.
Guardianship and conservatorship files may contain confidential reports—such as court-ordered evaluations and competency assessments—that are not available for public inspection without a court order. Will repository filings made before death are also sealed until the testator's death is reported to the court. Estate administration records, including inventories, accountings, and closing documents, are generally public once filed.