Find Family Court Records in Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Kelso. The clerk's office holds dissolution filings, parenting plan orders, custody cases, child support records, and other family law documents. You can search case information online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal or visit the courthouse to request copies. Cowlitz County serves communities along the lower Columbia River corridor including Longview and surrounding areas. If you need a certified copy of a dissolution decree or want to look up a pending case, the county clerk is the right starting point.
Cowlitz County Overview
Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court
The Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court in Kelso keeps all official family court records for the county. This includes dissolution cases, legal separations, parenting plan files, child support orders, protection orders, adoptions, and guardianships. The clerk accepts in-person requests for copies and can process written or mailed requests as well. If you know the case number, the clerk can pull the file right away. Name searches are also possible if you don't have the case number.
You can find contact details and records request information on the official clerk page at co.cowlitz.wa.us/158/Clerk-of-Superior-Court. Municipal and district courts in Cowlitz County maintain separate record systems, so if you need records from those courts, you must contact them directly. For family law matters, Superior Court is where all filings go.
| Office | Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Cowlitz County Hall of Justice 312 SW 1st Avenue Kelso, WA 98626 |
| Phone | (360) 577-3005 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.cowlitz.wa.us/158/Clerk-of-Superior-Court |
The screenshot below shows the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court page, where contact details and records request options are listed.
The county clerk's page is your primary source for information on requesting Cowlitz County family court records in person or by mail.
How to Search Cowlitz County Family Court Records
Start your search at dw.courts.wa.gov, the Washington Courts central case search engine. This site points you to the Odyssey Portal, which holds Cowlitz County Superior Court records. You can search by party name or case number. The system returns docket entries, party names, hearing dates, and case status for non-confidential cases.
The screenshot below shows the Washington Courts central search engine, which connects to Cowlitz County family court records through the Odyssey Portal.
The central search engine at dw.courts.wa.gov is your first stop when searching for Cowlitz County family court case information online.
The Odyssey Portal provides direct access to Cowlitz County Superior Court cases. The Party Name Search with Smart Search is available. If you search by case number, omit any hyphens. The portal displays non-confidential dockets and schedules. Sealed records, cases involving minors, and certain domestic violence matters may be restricted or not visible. For complete case files or certified documents, you need to go through the clerk's office.
The screenshot below shows the Odyssey Portal for searching Cowlitz County Superior Court family court cases.
The Odyssey Portal is the core online tool for looking up Cowlitz County family court case filings and docket activity.
For legal professionals and researchers needing broader access, the subscription-based JIS-Link system provides display-only records from district, municipal, and superior courts statewide. The cost is $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum. Note that legacy records for courts that migrated to newer systems may be incomplete.
Filing Family Court Cases in Cowlitz County
Family court matters in Cowlitz County are governed by Washington State law. Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, custody disputes, parenting plan modifications, child support cases, adoptions, and guardianships all go through Cowlitz County Superior Court. The main statute covering dissolution proceedings is RCW Chapter 26.09. It covers everything from filing requirements to mediation provisions to how courts divide property and set child support.
To file in Cowlitz County, either spouse must be a Washington State resident or stationed here with the military. There is no minimum residency time in the county itself. Washington is a no-fault state; the only basis for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No fault-based arguments are needed or accepted. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons. The other party must be served or can sign a Joinder if they agree with the filing.
Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after service before the dissolution can be finalized. If both parties agree on all terms, they can submit an agreed decree after that period. Contested cases may involve temporary orders, mediation, and hearings. Mediation is common in Cowlitz County family law cases and is required in many situations before going to trial. Special rules apply in cases involving domestic violence, and mediation may be waived in those situations.
Property division follows Washington's community property rules. The court divides property in a just and equitable manner. Anything earned or acquired during the marriage is typically community property. Gifts and inheritances received by one spouse and kept separate may be treated as separate property. Child support in Cowlitz County is calculated using the Washington State Child Support Schedule. Parenting plans must be filed in all cases involving minor children.
Note: Filing fees in Cowlitz County can change. Check with the clerk's office before filing to confirm the current fee schedule.
Cowlitz County Family Court Record Contents
A family court file in Cowlitz County contains all documents filed with the Superior Court during a case. For dissolution cases, this typically includes the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, financial declarations, any proposed settlement agreement, a parenting plan if children are involved, a child support worksheet, and the final Decree of Dissolution. The decree is the official document that ends the marriage and lays out all the terms the court has approved.
Other types of family court records held at the Cowlitz County Clerk's office include legal separation files, custody modification cases, restraining orders, domestic violence protection orders, minor guardianship records, and adoption files. Adoption records are sealed by law under RCW Chapter 26.33 and cannot be accessed by the general public. Most other family court records are public and can be viewed or copied by anyone who makes a proper request.
Key details found in a Cowlitz County dissolution record include:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date the petition was filed and date served
- Community property and debt division
- Parenting plan and residential schedule for minor children
- Child support order and payment terms
- Spousal maintenance if applicable
- Date the decree was entered
Divorce Certificates and Historical Records
The Washington State Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for cases from 1968 onward. These are one-page official documents that confirm a divorce occurred. The fee is $25 per copy. You can order online, by mail, or through VitalChek for expedited service. Mail orders typically take 6 to 8 weeks. The order page is at the DOH vital records site. No proof of identity or relationship is required to order a divorce certificate.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State DOH portal for ordering certified Cowlitz County divorce certificates.
Order a certified Cowlitz County divorce certificate through the DOH vital records portal for cases filed in the county from 1968 to the present.
For records before 1968, you need to contact the Cowlitz County Clerk or search the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives holds historical court records, pre-1968 vital records, and territorial court files. It is searchable by record series and keyword, which makes it useful for genealogical research and older family court cases.
Forms and Legal Resources for Cowlitz County
All statewide family law forms are free on the Washington Courts forms page. This covers dissolution petitions, custody forms, child support worksheets, parenting plans, domestic violence protection order packets, and more. The Guide & File interactive tool helps you fill out forms step by step. Translated forms in several languages are also available. Local Cowlitz County court rules may call for extra forms or steps, so check with the clerk's office if you are unsure what you need.
Washington Law Help provides free guides on nearly every area of family law, from divorce and custody to protection orders, relocation, and child support modification. The site serves all Washington residents and is a good first stop if you need to understand your rights or the process. Courthouse facilitator programs at many courthouses also provide limited free help with forms. Legal aid organizations may provide free representation for low-income individuals in family court cases.
Family court in Cowlitz County also handles matters under RCW Chapter 26.12, which governs family court jurisdiction and structure. This includes rules on guardians ad litem, parenting seminars, and court commissioner duties. If your case involves a guardian ad litem or you are required to attend a parenting seminar, those requirements flow from RCW 26.12.
Cities in Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County includes several communities. All family court filings go through the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso.
Other communities in Cowlitz County include Kelso, Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland. All dissolution and family court cases for the county are handled at Superior Court in Kelso.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Cowlitz County. File in the county where you reside. Check your address if you are not sure which court has jurisdiction over your case.