Common Questions About Clark County Court Records
How do I search Clark County Superior Court records?
Use the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. The Clark County Clerk's Access to Records page directs users there. You can search by case number, a person's name in Last First order, or a business name. Results may show a case summary, calendar entries, and a list of filed documents. Anonymous users see public case information that is not sealed or confidential, but documents do not display unless you register and the County Clerk grants elevated access. Full details are on the Clark County court records page.
How do I get copies of Superior Court documents?
Submit a copy request to the Clark County Clerk in person, by mail, or by email at copyrequests@clark.wa.gov. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each added page per document. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page if mailed or $0.25 per page if emailed. Archived records on pre-1996 microfilm may add a $30 search fee on top of copy costs. You can review the full schedule on the County Clerk page.
Where is Clark County Superior Court?
Superior Court is at the Clark County Courthouse, 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660-2812. The phone number is 564-397-2150. The building is a five-story 1941 Art Deco and Art Moderne courthouse listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington Heritage Register in 2014. The County Clerk, the Law Library, and the Family Court Facilitator are also in this building. More information is on the Superior Court page.
What does Superior Court handle?
Superior Court is Clark County's court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, dissolution and domestic cases, probate, guardianship, adoption, paternity, mental illness proceedings, dependency, juvenile offender cases, appeals and reviews, writs, injunctions, and interpleaders. The County Clerk keeps all Superior Court records. For a breakdown of Superior Court case types and departments, see the Clark County Superior Court page.
Where is Clark County District Court?
District Court moved to 210 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 on February 2, 2026. The phone number is 564-397-2424. Office hours and phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phones close from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. If you have a hearing in District Court, confirm your room before you go. The traffic court records page has more on District Court procedures.
What does District Court handle?
District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, traffic citations and infractions, small claims, civil filings, name changes, protection orders, legal financial obligations, and related proceedings. It does not hear felony cases. Those go to Superior Court. District Court moved to its new 210 E. 13th Street building in 2026, so check the address before your visit. The traffic court records page covers District Court traffic cases in detail.
Are Clark County court records public?
Many are, but not all. Court rule GR 31 controls public access to court records and sets a policy that favors access while protecting personal identifiers. Confidential and sealed records stay closed. Adoption files, some juvenile records, mental health commitment records, alcohol and drug treatment commitment records, and any file sealed by court order are not public. Court rule GR 22 further restricts some family, protection order, and guardianship materials. Read the full framework on the Clark County public records page.
Can I view documents online in Odyssey?
Anonymous public users in Odyssey can see public case information only. Documents do not appear to unregistered users. Registered users with access authorized through the County Clerk may view public documents in counties that use Odyssey document management. Clark County also offers an OnBase subscription for public images from 1985 forward. If you need a specific document and do not have registered access, contact the County Clerk to request a copy. See the court records page for the copy request process.
How do I find my case number?
Search Odyssey by party name, business name, or a known case number. The Clark County Clerk also has a public terminal at the courthouse for routine record checks, including locating and verifying a cause or case number. For a written criminal verification, mail the Clerk with the person's name, date of birth, approximate offense date, possible charge, a $5 fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. See the court dockets page for more on reading case numbers.
How do I search the Clark County jail roster?
Use the Clark County Jail Roster page on the official county website. The roster lists each person's CFN, name, book date, location code, release date, and charges. A filter lets you narrow by book date. The roster does not show mugshots, bond amounts, statute numbers, detailed housing location, arresting agency, or upcoming court dates. For step-by-step instructions and a full field breakdown, see the Clark County inmate records page.
What is a CFN?
CFN stands for Control File Number. It is the jail ID number assigned to each person booked into the Clark County Jail. The number appears on the Jail Roster and must be included on any incoming digital mail so staff can route it to the right person. If you are trying to contact someone in custody, you need their CFN. More information on how CFNs work in the mail and visitation process is on the inmate records page.
How do I check recent releases from the Clark County Jail?
Use the Jail Services Recent Releases page on the Clark County website. It shows CFN, name, book date, release date, and status. Status entries show as RELEASED or PENDING. If you need general custody information and cannot find it online, call the 24-hour information line at 564-397-4996. For more on the recent releases tool and how to set up release notifications, see the released inmates page.
How do I post bail at the Clark County Jail?
Full bail for all charges must be paid before release. Bail can be paid at the Clark County Courthouse during normal business hours or at Clark County Jail Records after hours. A licensed bail bond company can also post bail. Some charges carry no bail and cannot be released before court proceedings. For a complete overview of how bail works, see the inmate records page.
How long does it take to get out after bail is paid?
The Main Jail guideline says bail posted or fines paid usually leads to release within 2 to 4 hours after payment clears. Court releases processed from 8:00 a.m. to noon may happen in the late afternoon. Releases from noon to 5:00 p.m. may occur in the early evening. These are guidelines only. Security needs, order in the facility, and after-hours processing can all delay release. The inmate records page has the full bail process.
How do I visit someone in the Clark County Jail?
An inmate must be in custody for at least 72 hours before visits are allowed. In-person visiting is conducted online only. One visitor at a time may use the lobby kiosk at the jail. At-home video visits use the GettingOut/GTL platform and require you to create an account. Video visits are prearranged and may carry a fee. See the inmate records page for scheduling details and the GettingOut setup process.
How do I send mail to a Clark County inmate?
Personal mail is digitally delivered through kiosks and tablets. Do not send mail directly to the Clark County Jail. Mail sent to the jail is returned. Instead, send it to the scanning vendor: Clark County Jail, WA, Inmate's Name and CFN, PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. The sender's full name and return address are required on every piece. For money on an inmate account, use the Main Jail lobby kiosk or the Access Corrections service. Full details are on the inmate records page.
Does Clark County publish active warrants online?
No official public active-warrant list or search was found. The Clark County Sheriff Criminal Records and Warrants unit enters wanted persons and related data into state and national databases. Public hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone is 564-397-2211. If you have a tip on a wanted subject, press option 3 when you call. For a full overview of how warrant records work in Clark County, see the warrant records page.
Who handles marriage licenses in Clark County?
The Clark County Auditor issues marriage licenses. Both applicants must be 18 or older. You must apply at least 3 days before the ceremony. The ceremony must take place in Washington. Once complete, the signed certificate must be returned. The license is valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period ends. For the full application process and what to bring, see the County Auditor page or the marriage and divorce records page.
What is the Clark County marriage license fee?
Effective July 27, 2025, the Clark County marriage license fee is $172. You can pay with cash, a debit or credit card (a convenience fee applies), a cashier's check, or a money order. Personal checks are not accepted. The fee is non-refundable once paid. Full fee details and payment options are on the marriage and divorce records page.
Who handles divorce records in Clark County?
Divorce and dissolution records are Superior Court records. The County Clerk keeps them. To search for a dissolution case, use the Odyssey Portal or visit the Clerk's office in person at the courthouse. Copies can be requested by email, mail, or in person. Some confidential family-law materials may be restricted under GR 22. The marriage and divorce records page explains how to find and request these files.
How do I get Clark County probate records?
Search Odyssey by case number, the estate or party name, or case type 4 (Probate/Guardianship). The County Clerk maintains probate files. Public terminals at the courthouse let you check case information in person, and copy requests go to the Clerk. Probate files from 1985 forward may also be available through an OnBase subscription if the records are public. Full guidance is on the probate records page.
How do I get a Washington state criminal history report?
Use WSP WATCH, the Washington State Patrol's official internet source for criminal history conviction records. The site is at watch.wsp.wa.gov. An online name and date-of-birth search costs $11. A notary request costs $15. WATCH is separate from the Odyssey court case search. It covers statewide conviction records, not just Clark County. For local Clark County arrest and criminal court information, see the arrest records page.
How do I request District Court records?
Clark County District Court offers four ways to submit a records request. You can come in person to 210 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. You can mail a request to PO Box 9806, Vancouver, WA 98666-8806. You can fax a request to 564-397-6044. Or you can email district.courtrecords@clark.wa.gov. Copy fees and staff research time charges apply. For traffic citation records in particular, see the traffic court records page.
Washington Courts Self-Help Resources
The Washington Courts self-help portal, available at courts.wa.gov/self-help, is the official state resource for people navigating court records on their own. It covers how to use Odyssey, how to find a court location, and how to understand what different case records mean.
That guide confirms that Clark County Superior Court cases are searched through Odyssey and that the complete record, including any documents, comes from the office where the case was filed.
Still Have Questions?
The right starting point depends on what you need. For case searches, copies, and certified documents, contact the County Clerk. For access rules and public records requests outside the courts, see public records. Browse the topic pages for more depth: court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records. You can also call the County Clerk at 564-397-2292, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.