Cowlitz County Criminal Records

Cowlitz County criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the county's Superior Court and District Court, both located in Kelso. If you need to search for a criminal case in Cowlitz County, the County Clerk maintains all Superior Court case files while the District Court holds records for lower-level offenses. You can look up cases online through the statewide Washington Courts portal or visit the courthouse in person. This guide covers how to find Cowlitz County criminal records, who keeps them, what they contain, and what other tools are available for searching conviction history and inmate information.

Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk

The Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all felony criminal case files in the county. Every felony charge filed in Cowlitz County goes through Superior Court, and the clerk's office stores those records permanently. This includes case documents, sentencing orders, judgment and sentence forms, and all related filings. Staff can help you search for a case by name or case number. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person at their office in Kelso.

The clerk's office is at 1725 Allen Street, Suite 103, Kelso, WA 98626. You can reach them by phone at (360) 577-3016. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Most records requests are processed within five business days. You can also submit a records request through the online form on their website at co.cowlitz.wa.us/158/Clerk-of-Superior-Court.

The Superior Court handles Class A, B, and C felonies along with certain serious misdemeanors that are charged alongside felonies. If you are searching for a felony case in Cowlitz County, this is the right office. Records go back many decades for older closed cases.

The clerk's office online portal lets you submit records requests and find case information without a trip to the courthouse.

Cowlitz County District Court

The Cowlitz County District Court handles criminal cases below the felony level. This includes gross misdemeanors, simple misdemeanors, and traffic infractions. The court also handles civil cases up to $100,000 and small claims. If you are searching for a Cowlitz County criminal record that involves a misdemeanor charge, you need the District Court, not the Superior Court.

District Court records for Cowlitz County are also searchable through the statewide Washington Courts portal. In person, the court is at 1725 Allen Street, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone is (360) 577-3086. The District Court serves cases filed by the Washington State Patrol, the County Sheriff, and other law enforcement agencies operating in Cowlitz County.

The District Court website at co.cowlitz.wa.us/186/District-Court has more information on filing, case lookup, and court schedules for misdemeanor criminal matters in Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff handles patrol, investigations, and operates the county jail. Arrest records and booking information generated by the Sheriff's Office are part of the county's criminal records system. Jail roster information may be available online or by contacting the jail directly.

For public records requests from the Sheriff's Office, Cowlitz County maintains a central public records portal. You can submit a request through the county's online system at co.cowlitz.wa.us/548/Public-Records-Request-Process. This covers requests for incident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement records held by county departments. Under RCW 42.56, most law enforcement records are public with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or protected information.

The county's public records request system lets you request records from any Cowlitz County department, including the Sheriff's Office and jail, through a single online form.

Cowlitz Criminal Records Online Search

The best starting point for an online search of Cowlitz County criminal records is the Washington State Courts case search portal at dw.courts.wa.gov. This free tool covers Superior Court, District Court, and municipal court cases from counties across the state. You can search by name, case number, attorney, or judicial officer. Results show case numbers, party names, filing dates, charge information, and case status.

The statewide portal does not include full document images. It shows docket entries and hearing schedules. To get actual documents, you need to contact the clerk's office directly. The portal is useful for confirming whether a case exists and getting the case number before you make a formal request.

Note: The courts portal pulls data from multiple court systems. Not all courts update records in real time, so recent filings may have a short delay before appearing.

WATCH: Washington Criminal History Checks

The Washington Access to Criminal History system, known as WATCH, is run by the Washington State Patrol. It gives you access to statewide conviction records for any individual by name and date of birth. A WATCH search costs $11 and runs immediately online. You get results within seconds at watch.wsp.wa.gov.

WATCH results can show one of several outcomes: no record found, no exact match, a candidate list of possible matches, or a full conviction RAP sheet. The RAP sheet lists all Washington State criminal convictions, adverse findings, and arrests less than one year old without final disposition. It also notes sex offender registration status and Department of Corrections information. WATCH does not include out-of-state convictions.

For a more thorough search, the Washington State Patrol also accepts mail-in requests. A name and date of birth search by mail costs $32, and a fingerprint-based check costs $58. Fingerprint checks are more accurate because they match a physical record rather than just a name. Mail requests go to WSP Identification and Criminal History Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633. More information is at wsp.wa.gov/crime/criminal-history.

Cowlitz County Jail and Inmate Records

For people currently incarcerated in a Washington State prison, the Department of Corrections offers a free online search tool. You can look up inmates by name or DOC number at doc.wa.gov/records/incarcerated-data-search. Results show the person's age, location, and custody status. Major state facilities include Monroe Correctional Complex and Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

For records held by the DOC on individuals who have been released, the DOC Public Disclosure Unit handles those requests. Contact them at publicdisclosureunit@doc1.wa.gov or by phone at (360) 725-8213. Printed copies cost 15 cents per page and electronic copies cost 10 cents per page.

Sex Offender Registry in Cowlitz County

Washington uses a three-level risk classification system for registered sex offenders. Level I offenders pose a low risk and their information is not published on the public registry. Level II and Level III offenders are listed publicly. The Washington Sex Offender Public Registry is managed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs at waspc.org/sex-offender-information. The public searchable database is at wasor.org.

In Cowlitz County, the Sheriff's Office manages offender registration. Under RCW 9A.44.130, registered offenders must report to the Sheriff within three business days of release, address changes, or employment changes. Failure to register is a criminal offense under RCW 9A.44.132. Level III offenders in Cowlitz County may be subject to active community notification, meaning the public is proactively alerted when a high-risk offender moves into an area.

How to Request Cowlitz County Criminal Records

There are three ways to request criminal records from Cowlitz County courts. You can go in person, submit a written mail request, or use the online records request portal. Each method has its own timeline. In-person visits are the fastest for simple lookups. Mail and online requests take up to five business days for the clerk to process.

For court records, contact the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court or District Court depending on the type of case. Bring or include the full name of the person, approximate filing year, and case number if you have it. For law enforcement records like arrest reports, use the county's public records portal. The Washington Courts forms page at courts.wa.gov/forms has request forms you can download.

Washington's public records law, RCW Chapter 42.56, gives the public a right to access most government records. Criminal court records are generally open. Some exceptions apply under the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW Chapter 10.97. Non-conviction data like arrests without charges is restricted to criminal justice agencies and is not available to the general public.

Privacy and Access Rules for Criminal Records

Washington State law sets clear boundaries on what criminal record information is public and what is restricted. The Criminal Records Privacy Act under RCW 10.97 governs how criminal history record information is collected, stored, and shared. Conviction records are public. Non-conviction records, meaning arrests where no charge was filed or where the case ended in acquittal or dismissal, are restricted. Only criminal justice agencies can see non-conviction data.

The Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 applies to all government records, including those held by the courts and Sheriff's Office. Agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days. They can either provide the records, deny the request with a legal basis, or give you a timeline for producing them. Records tied to active investigations or juvenile cases may be withheld or redacted.

Note: Juvenile criminal records in Washington have separate privacy protections and are not available to the general public in most cases.

Cities in Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County includes several communities. All felony criminal cases from across the county go through the Superior Court in Kelso.

Other communities in Cowlitz County include Castle Rock, Kalama, Woodland, and Kelso. Criminal cases from all of these areas are handled by the Cowlitz County Superior Court and District Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cowlitz County. If you are not sure which county holds a particular criminal case, check the address where the offense occurred or where the defendant resided at the time of filing.