Find Clark County Family Court Records

Clark County family court records are filed at the Superior Court and maintained by the County Clerk in Vancouver. The Superior Court handles all family law matters in the county, including dissolution of marriage, child custody and parenting plans, child support, legal separation, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, and minor guardianship. Clark County has a unique electronic filing system for qualifying filers. You can also search Clark County family court records online through the Odyssey Portal or visit the courthouse in person to review files and obtain certified copies.

Clark County Superior Court Clerk

The Clark County Clerk is the official keeper of all Superior Court records, including all family law case files. The clerk's office stores petitions, decrees, parenting plans, child support orders, protection orders, and all other family court documents filed in the county. The main clerk page is at clark.wa.gov/clerk.

The screenshot below shows the Clark County Clerk's official page with office information and services.

The clerk's office processes new filings, issues certified copies of court records, and manages court financial transactions for the Superior Court.

The Clark County Superior Court serves Vancouver and all communities in the county. Under RCW Chapter 26.12, the Superior Court holds full family court jurisdiction. All dissolution, custody, support, and related family law cases for Clark County residents are filed here. The court's official Superior Court page is at clark.wa.gov/courts/superior.

The Superior Court page provides scheduling information, court calendars, and links to forms and local rules for Clark County.

Clark County E-Filing for Family Court Cases

Clark County has its own electronic filing system for Superior Court, which is separate from some other counties in Washington. The e-filing system is not mandatory and is only available to specific types of filers: licensed attorneys, schools, guardians ad litem, and state or government agencies. Self-represented individuals may not use e-filing in Clark County Superior Court. If you are representing yourself, you must file paper documents in person at the courthouse or by US mail.

The screenshot below shows the Clark County e-filing registration and procedures page at clark.wa.gov/clerk/electronic-filing-superior-court.

The e-filing page covers registration steps, document requirements, and payment procedures for qualifying filers.

For attorneys and qualifying filers who use the e-filing system, new family law cases require emailing the Case Information Cover Sheet, a copy of the petition or complaint, and a Confidential Information Form to newefiledcase@clark.wa.gov before filing. Once staff process the submission and issue a case number, the filing fee can be paid. E-filing fees for Clark County are paid by e-check only. The e-filing office number is 564-397-2298, and business hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Important note on family law e-filing in Clark County: court orders signed by a judge cannot be e-filed. They must be submitted in paper form. Per GR 22, family law cases require a sealed cover sheet attached to the original documents, plus a separate copy for the public file. If you do not receive a confirmation email after an e-filing submission, call the e-filing number before resubmitting.

How to Search Clark County Family Court Records

The Washington Courts central search engine at dw.courts.wa.gov is your starting point for a Clark County case lookup. The system covers all Washington court levels and points Clark County Superior Court searches to the Odyssey Portal. The screenshot below shows the central search tool.

Dockets and judgment links may not always display correctly in the central search. For complete Clark County case records, go directly to the Odyssey Portal.

The Odyssey Portal is the primary online access point for Clark County Superior Court cases. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. For cases where documents are publicly accessible, you can view them directly. If you run into a Smart Search problem with a hyphenated case number, try removing the hyphen and entering the digits only, such as 2410 instead of 24-10.

Clark County Family Court Case Types

Clark County Superior Court handles all family law matters for one of the larger counties in Washington. Dissolution of marriage cases are governed by RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state: the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." A mandatory 90-day waiting period applies from the date of service before the court can enter a final order. That waiting period has no exceptions.

Other family court case types in Clark County include parenting plan actions for unmarried parents, child support establishment and modification, domestic violence protection orders, anti-harassment orders, and adoption proceedings. Adoption cases under RCW Chapter 26.33 are sealed and have specific procedures for access. Child abuse and neglect proceedings under RCW Chapter 26.44 may also have restricted public access. For standard dissolution and custody records, most documents are public and can be requested by anyone.

Clark County is a high-volume court system, given the county's population of over 500,000. Vancouver is the primary city in the county, and all family court filings for residents of Vancouver, Camas, Orchards, and other communities in the county go through the Clark County Superior Court.

Filing Fees and Costs in Clark County

Clark County follows Washington State's fee schedule. A dissolution petition costs approximately $314 to file. This amount includes various statutory surcharges. The petitioner pays at filing. The respondent may pay a response fee when filing their answer. Additional costs come up during the case depending on what actions are needed.

Typical additional costs include service of process, certified copy fees for decrees and orders, parenting seminar fees if the case involves minor children, and mediation fees for contested matters. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File a motion and declaration showing your income and financial situation. Download the forms at courts.wa.gov/forms. Receiving public assistance or earning below 200% of the federal poverty level generally qualifies you for a waiver.

Divorce Certificates and Records Requests

Certified divorce certificates for Clark County divorces from 1968 forward are available through the Washington State Department of Health at doh.wa.gov. The fee starts at $25 per copy. No ID or proof of relationship is needed. To order, you need one party's full name, the approximate date of the divorce, and the county where the court finalized it.

The DOH certificate is a one-page document confirming the divorce occurred. It is not the same as the decree. The decree itself contains all the terms of the dissolution and must be obtained from the Clark County Superior Court Clerk. For divorces before January 1, 1968, contact the clerk directly or check the Washington State Digital Archives for historical records. VitalChek orders ship in 3 to 7 business days; mail requests to DOH take 6 to 8 weeks.

Legal Help for Clark County Family Law Matters

Washington Law Help is a free public legal information library for Washington State residents. It covers dissolution, custody, child support, protection orders, and guardianship. Step-by-step guides walk you through the family court process. Resources are available in English and Spanish. The site explains fee waivers, service requirements, and what to expect at hearings.

All official court forms for Clark County family law cases are available for free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Guide & File interactive tool helps you complete forms through a question-and-answer process online. Clark County may have local rule forms in addition to the statewide set. Check with the clerk or look at the local rules posted at the courthouse before you file. Getting the right forms from the start saves time.

For attorneys and legal professionals who need frequent access to case records, JIS-Link provides subscription-based display-only access to Washington court records at $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum.

Cities in Clark County

Clark County includes several large communities in southwest Washington. All family court filings for Clark County residents go through the Clark County Superior Court in Vancouver.

Other communities in Clark County include Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, and Ridgefield. All residents file family court cases at the Clark County Superior Court regardless of which city or unincorporated area they live in.

Nearby Counties

Clark County is in the southwest corner of Washington State. These counties border or are near Clark County. File your case in the county where you reside.