Records Requests

Court records include any document, information, exhibit, or other thing that is maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding and any information in a case management system created or prepared by the court that is related to a judicial proceeding.

Examples of court records are: an index, calendar, docket, order, decree, judgment, or minute entry in a courtroom proceeding.

add Court Records Request

Court Records Request Form

Some categories of court records the public cannot access include:

• Police reports
• Mental illness commitment records
• Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records
• Court records sealed by judicial order

Clark County District Court’s retention schedule is as follows:

• 3 years for closed criminal, civil and infraction cases
• 10 years for domestic violence and driving while intoxicated-related cases
• 10 years for open civil cases with judgments

*Once the retention period has passed, the cases are destroyed.
**If you are looking for information not related to a case filed with Clark County District Court or Court Administrative records, please visit the Clark County website for Public Records Requests.

Request Forms can be submitted:

In Person to: Clark County District Court,1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

Mailed to: Clark County District Court, PO Box 9806, Vancouver, WA 98666-8806

Fax to: (564) 397-6044

District Court – Courtroom Recording Request

Courtroom proceedings are electronically recorded and stored. District Court is not a court of record; which means that recordings are only available for 5 (five) years, from the hearing date.

add Courtroom Recording Request

To Purchase a Courtroom Recording (also called a Copy of the Record):

• When requesting a copy of the record, you will need the hearing date(s), the name of the defendant, and the case number

2. Complete the Point & Pay online payment process. Click here to pay online.

1. Select CD/Link, fill in the case name and the amount of $20.00
2. Click "Add Item"
3. Enter your payment information and Continue
4. Review your order and Submit
   *Once you complete this section, you will receive an email confirmation of payment

3. Email request form and proof of payment to: Cnty.DISTCTRecordingReques@clark.wa.gov

• Whether you are requesting a secure link to be emailed or a disc to be mailed, you must pay the $20 fee in advance

Technical Information

To play secure links

• Secure links provided can be played directly from the Cerberus Web Client; however, it will only be available for 3 weeks
• You can download the media and associated logs to your own device
  • We recommend playing recordings in VLC Media player

  To play discs

  The following Computer Requirements for playing your court recording disc:

  • Windows XP or newer
  • VLC Media Player or other media software
  • Speakers for computer
  • WILL NOT PLAY IN DVD PLAYER OR BOOM BOX
  • Recordings are available on disc or secure link only (they cannot be emailed or uploaded to a dropbox)

  The following recordings are not available in District Court:
  Please contact the appropriate agency which maintains these records for copies

  • Superior Court recordings are available through Superior Court Administration (Link)
  • Body cam or dash cam footage is available through the law enforcement agency that created the recordings:
    • Washington State Patrol
    • Vancouver Police Department

    *Once the retention period has passed, the recordings are destroyed

    **If you are looking for PAPER records or information not related to a case filed with Clark County District Court or Court Administrative records, please visit the Clark County website for Public Records Requests

    Administrative Public Records Request

    Clark County District Court is committed to openness, transparency, and the promise that the public should have reasonable access to administrative public records.

    Effective January 1, 2016, General Rule 31.1: Access to Administrative Records:

    • Confirms the right of the public to examine administrative records of the judicial branch.
    • Establishes procedures for requesting records and guidelines for those responding to requests.

    add Administrative Public Records Request

    Requests for records of Clark County District Court will be coordinated by the District Court public records officer. All requests must be in writing. A request form for these records is available for your convenience:

    District Court Administrative Public Records Request Form (PDF–fillable)

    For requests handled by District Court, the public records officer will send you a response within five (5) business days of submitting your request. The response will acknowledge your request with one or more of the following:

    • Requested records provided
    • Anticipated date of arrival
    • Expected costs required to proceed
    • Further clarification required
    • Explanation for non-disclosable records

    As part of your records request, District Court is unable to:

    • Answer general requests for information
    • Answer questions involving general research or compiling of information
    • Perform legal research
    • Create a record if a record does not currently exist

    *Before submitting your request, please review Exemptions to understand which records are specifically exempted under court rule, statute, or case law.

    Administrative records requests can be submitted by mail, fax, email or in person:

    Clark County District Court
    PO Box 9806
    Vancouver, WA 98666-8806

    Clark County Courthouse
    Ground Floor
    1200 Franklin Street
    Vancouver, WA 98660
    Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm