Lewis County Court Records Search
WashingtonStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on WashingtonStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Lewis County sits in the southwestern portion of Washington State, with the city of Chehalis serving as the county seat. The county’s court system processes thousands of cases annually across multiple courts, including a Superior Court of general jurisdiction, a District Court of limited jurisdiction, and several municipal courts spread throughout the county’s communities. Navigating these courts to find case information, obtain copies of documents, or verify a legal record requires knowing which office handles what type of case and how each court provides public access. This guide explains the practical steps for locating and requesting court records throughout Lewis County.
Residents and researchers looking for court records in Washington can begin by consulting official court resources, including clerk’s offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, and various online search tools maintained at the state level. WashingtonStateCourts.us may assist users in identifying publicly available case information across Washington’s court system, including links to statewide search portals and court directories.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lewis County?
The method for looking up a case in Lewis County depends on which court handled the matter. Lewis County operates two primary trial courts — the Superior Court and the District Court — along with municipal courts in Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine, and Winlock. The type of case determines which court’s records you need to search.
Online Search Options
For Superior Court records, the Odyssey Portal provides a free online search tool. Users can look up Lewis County Superior Court cases by party name, case number, or hearing date. Basic case information such as filing dates, case type, parties, and hearing schedules is available without a subscription. A paid subscription tier through the Odyssey Portal allows registered users to view all case information and non-sealed documents for cases in which they are a party. Registration details, forms, and the Odyssey Portal User Guide are available through the Lewis County Clerk’s website.
For District Court records, Washington State’s free re:SearchWA portal covers courts of limited jurisdiction statewide, including the Lewis County District Court. Users can search by name, case number, or date.
The statewide Name and Case Search tool operated by Washington Courts also allows searches across municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts. Results are updated every 24 hours.
In-Person Access
Open case files at the Superior Court are available for public review at the Clerk’s Office on the 2nd floor of the Law & Justice Center. District Court records can be viewed on the 3rd floor of the same building. The key court locations are:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis County Superior Court | 345 West Main Street, Fl 4, Chehalis, WA 98532 | (360) 740-1333 |
| Lewis County Clerk’s Office | 345 West Main Street (2nd floor), Chehalis, WA 98532 | (360) 740-2704 |
| Lewis County District Court | 345 West Main Street, Fl 3, Chehalis, WA 98532 | (360) 740-1203 |
| Lewis County District Court – Morton Branch | 700 Main Street, Morton, WA 98536 | (360) 496-6020 |
District Court Service Hours:
- Front Counter (Monday–Thursday): 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Front Counter (Friday): 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Phone Hours (Monday–Friday): 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Closed 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM daily
Mail and Email Requests
For Superior Court records, submit the Records Request Form to the Clerk’s Office by email at clerkrecords@lewiscountywa.gov. Copies of video-recorded proceedings on CD can be ordered using the Clerk’s CD Request Form at a cost of $25 per CD.
For District Court records, submit the Court Records Request form by mail or fax to (360) 740-2779. Audio recordings of District Court hearings can also be ordered through the digital content ordering portal operated by For The Record.
Payments for Superior Court copies can be made online through the Clerk’s Point & Pay portal or by calling (866) 923-6534. The payment confirmation number must be provided to the Clerk’s Office before copies are released. For additional information, contact the Records Clerk at (360) 740-2756.
Are Court Records Public in Lewis County?
Washington law establishes broad public access to court records. Under GR 31 – Access to Court Records, the public has the right to access all court records unless access is restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. This rule applies to both case records — documents related to in-court proceedings — and administrative records related to court management.
Despite this general presumption of openness, GR 31 identifies specific categories of information that are restricted from public access:
- Personal information related to juveniles
- Alcohol and drug treatment records
- Mental illness commitment records
- Adoption records
- Records containing Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft
- Paternity records (except final orders)
- Confidential name change records
- Personal information about public agency employees where disclosure would violate privacy rights
The Lewis County District Court maintains its own Administrative Records Policy and Procedures consistent with GR 31.1, which governs how the court handles requests for administrative records. A court may also seal records by order in individual cases when warranted. Anyone seeking access to sealed or otherwise restricted records must petition the court and demonstrate a legal basis for disclosure.
Information about the broader framework for court record access is outlined in the Washington Courts Access to Court Records Brochure.
Lewis County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lewis County are divided among the Superior Court, District Court, and municipal courts based on the severity of the offense. Felonies and serious criminal matters are tried in the Superior Court. Misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic-related criminal offenses fall under the District Court’s jurisdiction. Municipal courts handle violations of local city ordinances.
Searching Criminal Case Records
To look up a specific criminal case, the online search tools described above — the Odyssey Portal for Superior Court cases and re:SearchWA for District Court cases — provide case status, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. The statewide Name and Case Search tool also indexes criminal cases across all court levels.
Criminal History Checks
The Lewis County courts cannot provide a complete criminal history report. For comprehensive conviction records, the Washington State Patrol operates the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) online portal. Key details about WATCH searches:
- Online name search fee: $11 per name (payable by credit or debit card)
- Mail request fee: $32 per name, submitted using the Request for Conviction Criminal History Form to the Identification and Background Check Section
- Fingerprint-based search fee: $58
WATCH results are limited to conviction records and arrests less than one year old with pending dispositions. Information about registered sex and kidnapping offenders may also appear. In-person name-based searches can be conducted at:
Washington State Patrol
Address: Helen Sommers Building, 106 11th Avenue SW, Olympia, WA 98501
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office processes public records requests for incident reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement documents. Requests can be submitted using the Public Records Request Form, by emailing publicrecords@lewiscountywa.gov, or by calling (360) 740-2674. Requests may also be filed through the county’s online public records portal.
Sealing and Expungement
Individuals seeking to seal, vacate, or expunge criminal records in Lewis County may find guidance and resources through the Washington Law Help website, which provides self-help information on the eligibility requirements and procedures for clearing criminal records under Washington law.
Lewis County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Lewis County are heard by either the Superior Court or the District Court, depending on the dollar amount and nature of the claim. The Superior Court handles civil cases involving real property disputes, claims exceeding the District Court’s monetary limit, tax matters, and cases in equity. The District Court presides over civil cases with claims below $75,000, small claims matters, unlawful detainer (eviction) actions, and certain enforcement proceedings.
Obtaining Superior Court Civil Records
Open civil case files are available for public review at the Clerk’s Office on the 2nd floor of the Law & Justice Center. Copy and certification fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 (first page) + $1.00 per additional page |
| Video proceedings on CD | $25.00 |
Superior Court civil records can also be searched through the Odyssey Portal. Filing a new civil case in Superior Court costs $290, per RCW 36.18. A minor filing carries a $50 fee. Foreign judgment filings and judicial review filings are also $290 each. The Clerk’s Office accepts filings electronically through its eFiling system; no additional fee is charged for the eFiling service itself, though standard filing fees and ecommerce transaction fees apply. The full fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
Obtaining District Court Civil Records
District Court civil records can be requested by submitting the Court Records Request form. Fees for District Court records:
- Copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified documents: $5.00
- Hearing recordings on CD: $20.00
Requests may be mailed to the Lewis County District Court at 345 West Main Street, P.O. Box 600, Chehalis, WA 98532, or faxed to (360) 740-2779.
Court forms for both Superior Court and District Court civil matters — including small claims forms and general civil filings — can be obtained through the Lewis County Clerk’s court forms page or through the Washington Courts website.
Lewis County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Lewis County fall primarily under the Superior Court’s jurisdiction. The Superior Court handles divorce, legal separation, child custody and parenting plan disputes, child support, paternity actions, adoption proceedings, and guardianship of minors. The Juvenile Court division of the Superior Court addresses matters involving juvenile offenders and dependency.
Lewis County Superior Court – Juvenile Division
Address: 1255 SW Pacific Avenue, Chehalis, WA 98532
Mailing: 360 NW North Street, MS-JUV01, Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 740-1178
Fax: (360) 748-2258
Domestic Case Filing Fees
Domestic relations filings in Superior Court follow the fee schedule established under RCW 36.18. These fees are published on the Clerk’s fee schedule page. Certified copies of domestic case orders follow the standard rate of $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Confidentiality Restrictions
Family court records carry heightened confidentiality protections in several areas. Adoption records are sealed and are not available for public inspection under Washington law. Paternity records are restricted, with only final orders accessible to the public. Juvenile dependency and offender records are confidential and protected from general disclosure. Mental health records connected to family proceedings — such as involuntary commitment evaluations — are similarly restricted under GR 31.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Lewis County are issued by the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. Applications can be completed Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. The marriage license fee is $172.00. Both applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued identification and payment in cash or check. An online marriage application option is also available through the Auditor’s Office website.
Copies of recorded marriage certificates can be searched and obtained through the Auditor’s Document Search portal. Select “Marriage Certificate” from the record type dropdown to search by name. In-person or mail requests can be directed to:
Lewis County Auditor
Address: 351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: (360) 740-1165
Copy fees through the Auditor’s Office are $1 per page, with an $8 per hour search fee and $3 for a certified copy of a marriage record.
The Washington State Digital Archives also maintains digitized marriage records for Lewis County dating back to 1854. Users can search these records online through the Archives’ search page by selecting “marriage record” from the collection menu and specifying Lewis County.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees filed in Lewis County can be obtained from the Superior Court Clerk’s Office where the case was heard. The Washington State Department of Health also issues certified copies of divorce certificates for a base fee of $25.
Birth and Death Records
Though not court records, birth and death certificates are sometimes relevant in family law proceedings. The Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Department issues certified copies of vital records. In-person requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, at 351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532. Phone: (866) 687-1464 Only individuals with a direct relationship to the person named on the record may obtain certified copies. Birth and death certificates cost $25, with an additional $5 for same-day pickup. The Washington State Department of Health also provides birth records and death records dating from July 1, 1907 onward.
Lewis County Probate Court Records
Probate cases in Lewis County are adjudicated by the Superior Court. The Clerk’s Office dockets, maintains, and archives all probate documents filed with the court. The types of matters handled under the probate umbrella include estate administration, will contests, appointment of personal representatives, conservatorships, guardianships of incapacitated persons, and mental health commitment proceedings.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched online through the Odyssey Portal. Open probate files may also be reviewed in person at the Clerk’s Office on the 2nd floor of the Law & Justice Center during regular business hours.
Obtaining Copies
The fee structure for probate document copies mirrors the standard Superior Court rates:
- Photocopies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Certified copies must include the entire document
To request copies by email, submit the completed Records Request Form to clerkrecords@lewiscountywa.gov. Payments can be processed online or by phone at (866) 923-6534, and the confirmation number must be provided to the Clerk’s Office before records are released.
Filing Fees
Probate filing fees are governed by RCW 36.18 and are listed on the Clerk’s fee schedule. These fees must generally be paid in advance except by state and county agencies per RCW 36.18.060.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Petitions for guardianship or conservatorship of an incapacitated adult are filed in the Superior Court. These proceedings typically involve appointment of a guardian ad litem, medical evaluations, and court hearings. Some records related to mental health evaluations and competency determinations may be restricted from public access under GR 31. Individuals who need to file or access guardianship records should contact the Clerk’s Office at (360) 740-2704 for guidance on procedures and required forms.