Criminal records in Cowlitz County, Washington, can be accessed through several channels. CowlitzCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Washington State Courts online portal, the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office Records Department, and the Washington State Patrol's criminal history repository. The sections below explain how to search, interpret, and request these records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cowlitz County
You can search Cowlitz County criminal records through several methods. To begin any search, you will generally need at least one of the following:
- The individual's full legal name (first and last)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search Options
- CowlitzCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Cowlitz County.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — The statewide portal lets you look up cases in Cowlitz County Superior Court and Cowlitz County District Court by name or case number. Results are reference-only; the official record is maintained by the court of record.
- Washington Courts Case Search — Select "Cowlitz County Superior Court" or "Cowlitz County District Court" from the court dropdown to search by case number or party name.
- WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) — The Washington State Patrol's online tool provides conviction-only criminal history data statewide. Non-conviction records are restricted under the Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97).
- Cowlitz County Jail Roster — View current inmates, charges, and booking details. A separate bookings page shows recent bookings and releases.
- WA DOC Incarcerated Individual Search — Search for individuals currently in state Department of Corrections custody.
- WA DOC Warrant Search — Look up active DOC warrants, including those originating in Cowlitz County.
In Person
Visit the Cowlitz County Clerk of Superior Court office on the second floor of the courthouse in Kelso. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records. For District Court cases filed in Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, or Woodland, contact the Cowlitz County District Court.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court at the address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). For statewide fingerprint-based criminal history checks, submit a request through the Washington State Patrol Criminal History section. The county also accepts public records requests through its Public Records Request process.
Search Cowlitz County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Washington courts use a standardized case number format. Understanding the structure helps you locate the right case quickly.
A typical Cowlitz County Superior Court case number looks like this:
25-1-00123-08
- 25 — The two-digit filing year (2025)
- 1 — The case type code. For criminal cases: 1 = criminal felony. Other codes include 2 (civil), 3 (domestic/family), 5 (juvenile), and others.
- 00123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk
- 08 — The county code. Cowlitz County's code is 08.
District Court case numbers follow a similar pattern but may use different type codes (e.g., codes for misdemeanors or infractions). When searching online, enter the full case number exactly as it appears, including hyphens, to get accurate results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cowlitz County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) section cited in the charging document (e.g., RCW 9A.36.021 for Assault 2nd Degree) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the original charge to a different offense or severity as part of plea negotiations or based on evidence |
| Count Number | Each individual charge in a case is numbered sequentially |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates are scheduled
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations are complete, including sentencing conditions, fines, or probation
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (less common in Washington Superior Court where cases typically proceed by information or indictment)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Monitors compliance with court orders, probation conditions, or treatment programs
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor (with or without prejudice)
- Deferred Prosecution — The defendant enters treatment; charges may be dismissed upon completion (per RCW 10.05)
- Stipulated Order of Continuance — The case is continued and may be dismissed if the defendant meets specified conditions
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cowlitz County
From the Clerk of Superior Court
The Cowlitz County Clerk's Court Records page provides fillable forms for requesting copies of court documents, pleadings, and recordings of courtroom proceedings. To request certified copies:
- Download and complete the appropriate request form from the Court Records page
- Include the case number, party name, and a description of the documents you need
- Submit the form in person, by mail, or as directed on the form
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting records in person
From the Sheriff's Office
The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office Records Department processes background checks for gun purchases and provides support to law enforcement agencies. Contact them directly for law enforcement records or fingerprint-based background checks.
From the Washington State Patrol
For a statewide criminal history record, submit a request through the WSP Criminal History section. Fingerprint-based background checks provide the most complete results. Conviction data is generally available to the public through WATCH; non-conviction information is restricted under the Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97).
From the Department of Corrections
Records related to individuals under DOC supervision can be requested through the DOC Public Records Request process per RCW 42.56.580.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cowlitz County
Fees for criminal record copies in Cowlitz County are set by statute and local fee schedules. The following table summarizes common costs:
| Service | Fee | Authority / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.50 | Per RCW 36.18.016(4) |
| Certified copy fee | $5.00 per document | Per RCW 36.18.016(3) — certification charge in addition to per-page copy costs |
| WATCH online search (conviction history) | $11.00 | Washington State Patrol; paid online at time of search |
| WSP fingerprint-based background check | $12.00–$50.00+ | Varies by purpose (employment, volunteer, licensing); additional FBI fee may apply |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days at the Clerk's office, depending on volume
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for the Clerk's office to process and return copies
- WATCH online searches — Results are typically immediate
- WSP fingerprint-based checks — Processing may take several business days to several weeks depending on the type of check and whether FBI processing is required
- Public records requests — Under Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a request, though the actual production of records may take longer
Contact the Cowlitz County Commonly Requested Records page for guidance on which department handles specific record types and any additional fees that may apply.