Find Family Court Records in Orchards
Orchards family court records are handled entirely by Clark County Superior Court because Orchards is an unincorporated community with no city government or city court of its own, meaning all dissolution, custody, and family law filings for Orchards residents go directly to the Clark County Superior Court Clerk in Vancouver, Washington. You can search records online through the Odyssey portal or visit the courthouse in person to get copies of documents from a case file.
Orchards Overview
Where Orchards Cases Are Filed
Orchards is a census-designated place, not an incorporated city. There is no Orchards city government and no Orchards city court. Because of this, residents file all family law matters directly with Clark County Superior Court. The court is at 1200 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone: 564-397-2150. The mailing address is PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000.
The Clark County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil and family law cases in the county, including dissolution, child custody, parenting plans, child support, spousal maintenance, adoptions, and domestic violence protection orders. The Family Law Annex at 601 West Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, is where many family court hearings are held. The Juvenile Court Division is at 500 W 11th St, Vancouver.
| Court | Clark County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660 |
| Phone | 564-397-2150 |
| Access Records | clark.wa.gov/clerk/access-records |
| Odyssey Portal | odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov |
| Statewide Search | dw.courts.wa.gov |
The clerk's office is on the first floor of the Clark County Courthouse. Public access hours are 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. A computer terminal is available at the courthouse for routine records checks and looking up case numbers before requesting a physical file.
Accessing Clark County Court Records
The Clark County Clerk page at clark.wa.gov/clerk/access-records explains exactly how to get records from the courthouse. Court records are stored in the clerk's office. Documents from 1996 to the present are available through OnBase on public terminals in the lobby. Documents before 1996 may be on microfilm and could involve an extra $30 search fee.
The Clark County Clerk's records page covers in-person access, copy request procedures, OnBase subscriptions, and fee schedules for Orchards residents seeking Superior Court documents.
Copy fees at the clerk's office are: certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per page after that; non-certified copies are 50 cents per page by mail or 25 cents per page by email. For documents from 1996 onward, the clerk can copy files to a CD for 25 cents per page plus $20 for the CD and postage. You can submit a copy request by emailing the Copy Request Form to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov or by visiting in person. To find your case number first, search the Odyssey portal by name or case number.
Some files are confidential and not available to the public, including adoption records. OnBase subscriptions allow attorneys and other professionals to access public file images from 1985 forward at any time, 24/7. Contact the clerk's office for subscription information.
Search Orchards Family Court Records Online
The Odyssey portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the primary online search tool for Clark County Superior Court cases. Orchards residents can search by party name or case number. Smart Search helps when you have only a partial name. Results show docket entries, case status, and party information for cases that are not sealed or confidential. Attorneys can also e-file through this portal.
The e-filing system for Clark County is available to attorneys, schools, guardians ad litem, and government agencies. Self-represented residents of Orchards must file in person at the clerk's office. Attorneys register by emailing a registration form to efilereg@clark.wa.gov and must call 564-397-2298 to pay filing fees before submitting documents electronically.
The Clark County e-filing page at clark.wa.gov/clerk/electronic-filing-superior-court has full registration details and requirements.
The e-filing page covers registration steps, document submission requirements, and payment procedures for attorneys filing Orchards cases at Clark County Superior Court.
Statewide Search for Orchards Court Records
The Washington Courts statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers all courts in the state in one place. If you are not sure which county handled a case, or if you want to check multiple counties at once, this is the right tool. Clark County Superior Court cases appear here, so Orchards family court records will show up in this system.
The central search tool covers all Washington courts; after locating a case there, contact the Clark County Clerk to request copies of actual documents from the file.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a useful source for older Clark County records. Select Superior Court Records and Clark County from the dropdowns. This is especially helpful for historical cases or records that predate the Odyssey system. Some records go back many decades and can be used for genealogy or legal research.
How to File a Family Law Case in Orchards
Orchards residents filing for dissolution follow Washington State law under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove any wrongdoing. The petition simply states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. File the Petition for Dissolution and Summons at Clark County Superior Court. Pay the filing fee at that time. After filing, serve the other party or get them to sign a Joinder agreeing to the case.
Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after service before the court can finalize a dissolution. This applies even if both parties agree on everything. Cases with children require parenting plans and child support calculations under state guidelines. Courts under RCW Chapter 26.12 can appoint guardians ad litem to represent children's interests in contested matters.
Free court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Forms include dissolution petitions, parenting plan templates, financial declarations, and protection order packets. The Guide and File interactive tool walks you through each form. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free self-help guides in multiple languages for Orchards residents who are representing themselves.
Certified Records and Legal Aid
If you need a certified divorce certificate, order it from the Washington Department of Health at doh.wa.gov. Records from 1968 to the present cost $25 per copy. No identification is required. The certificate lists names, date, and county of the decree. VitalChek expedited service is available for an extra fee if you need it faster.
JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov/jislink is a subscription service for attorneys and legal professionals who need frequent court record access. Registration is required. Cost is $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum. The system is down for maintenance daily from 3:00 to 6:00 AM. This is not a tool for general public use, but it is worth knowing if you work in law.
For legal help, Washington Law Help and the Northwest Justice Project both serve Clark County. Northwest Justice Project can be reached at (888) 201-1014 for residents who cannot afford an attorney. The Clark County Bar Association may also have referrals to local family law attorneys in the Vancouver area.
Clark County Family Court Records
Orchards is in Clark County. All family law cases go through Clark County Superior Court. See the county page for full clerk info and resources.
Nearby Cities
Other Clark County cities with family court record pages use the same Clark County Superior Court for all family law matters.