Clark County Crime Numbers
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs provide crime statistics for the state and present these data by law enforcement agency. The main law enforcement body in Clark County is the Sheriff's Office. Its crime data are representative of overall crime trend in the county. In 2017, the Clark County Sheriff's Office recorded 3 murders, 52 rapes, 186 aggravated assaults, and 641 simple assaults. Reported incidences of property crimes include 50 robberies, 426 burglaries, 1,377 larceny-thefts, 541 motor vehicle thefts, and 18 arsons.
Compared to crime figures for 2013, the Clark County Sheriff's Office's records show that murder (200%), rape (116.7%), aggravated assault (2.8%), robbery (28.2%), and motor vehicle theft (16.8%) rates were on the rise in 2017. The five-year crime trend for the county also indicates that simple assault (20.8%), burglary (53.4%), larceny-theft (34.2%), and arson (45.5%) rates fell between 2013 and 2017.
Clark County Criminal Records
The Washington State Patrol offers both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks for all the counties in the state. It provides three options for obtaining criminal history reports. The first method is the quickest and delivers unverified reports. Simply run the background check using the search functions on the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) portal. Each record check costs $12 and the fee is payable with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit/debit card.
Users can request verification for the WATCH rapsheet obtained. To do so, roll the right thumbprint of the subject of the report onto the lower right-hand corner of the report. Send this along with a letter explaining the request to:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
Verification is free. You can also request for a notarized letter while searching using the WATCH portal. Each notarized letter costs $10.
The second means of obtaining a Clark County criminal history report is by submitting a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form to:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
Include a check, money order, or a Bankcard Authorization Form (for Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit/debit cards) to cover fees. This name-based background check costs $16. For a fingerprint-based check, send the completed Conviction Criminal History Form along with payment and a fingerprint card rolled with a full set of fingerprints to the postal address above. The fingerprint-based search costs $38.
The third option is an in-person request. Do this by completing the Conviction Criminal History Form at the Olympia office of the Washington State Patrol located at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia WA 98501. The same fees apply as for mailing in your request.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office processes requests for police reports through the county's Public Records Request Portal. Before submitting a request, you must register and create an account. The fee for photocopied copies is 15 cents per page while scanned copies cost 10 cents per page. Electronic records sent by email or other means of electronic delivery cost 5 cents for every 4 attached files.
The Sheriff's Office is responsible for registering sex offenders living in Clark County. It makes identifying information about Level III offenders (high-risk or most likely to re-offend) available to the public. Schools, daycare centers, and businesses that cater to children, women, and vulnerable groups may request information about Level II offenders (moderate risk). The Sheriff's Office only readily releases information about Level I offenders to other law enforcement agencies. Individuals can also obtain nformation about Level I and II offenders but only if the reason for release is deemed justified.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office provides a handy Offender Search tool for residents to find registered sex offenders living in their neighborhoods. Use this resource to search the county's sex offender database by name, zip code, and street address.
There are two jail facilities in Clark County. The Main Street Jail is located at 707 W 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98860. Its contact phone number is (360) 397-2211. The Jail Work Center is at 5197 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver. Its main phone number is (360) 397-2138. The Jail Work Center has a Work Release Building run by the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Washington State Department of Corrections. It is a co-ed housing facility for low-risk offenders that qualify for the Work Release Program.
The Sheriff publishes a regularly updated Inmate Roster on the county government's website to help the public conduct a Clark County Inmate Search and find individuals incarcerated in these facilities.
Friends and family can send money to inmates at these addresses:
Main Jail
Inmate's Name and CFN #
Clark County Jail
P.O. Box 1147
Vancouver, WA 98666-1147
Jail Work Center
Offender's Name and CFN #
Clark County Jail Work Center
P.O. Box 1147
Vancouver, WA 98666-1147
Work Release
County offender
Offender's Name and CFN #
Clark County Work Release
P.O. Box 1147
Vancouver, WA 98666
State offender
Offender's Name and DOC #
Clark County Work Release
P.O. Box 61447
Vancouver, WA 98666
CFN # and DOC # are jail ID numbers. Only checks and money orders are accepted.
Clark County Court Records
Clark County has a Superior Court, a District Court, and four Municipal Courts. The Superior Court is a trial court with general jurisdiction. It hears all felony cases and civil cases involving more than $75,000. This court also has a separate juvenile division. The District Court's jurisdiction includes misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions and violations, and civil suits up to $100,000. The Municipal Courts are located in other towns in the county besides Vancouver, the county seat. Below are the addresses and contact information of these courts:
Clark County Superior Court
Clark County Courthouse
1200 Franklin Street,
P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone: (360) 397-2292
Fax: (360) 397-6099
Clark County Superior Court - Juvenile
Robert L. Harris Juvenile Justice Center
500 W 11th Street,
P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone: (360) 397-2201
Fax: (360) 397-6109
Clark County District Court
Clark County Courthouse
1200 Franklin Street,
P.O. Box 9806, Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone: (360) 397-2424
Fax: (360) 397-6044
Battle Ground Municipal Court
109 SW 1st Street, Suite 272, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 342-5150
Fax: (360) 342-5159
Camas-Washougal Municipal Court
89 C Street, Washougal, WA 98671
Phone: (360) 397-2125
Fax: (360) 759-6529
La Center Municipal Court
109 SW 1st Street, Suite 272, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 342-5150
Fax: (360) 342-5159
Ridgefield Municipal Court
109 SW 1st Street, Suite 272, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 342-5150
Fax: (360) 342-5159
The public can request the records of the Clark County Superior Court at the Court Clerk's Office on the first floor of the courthouse. The office has computer terminals available to the public for quick research, checking records, and finding case numbers. It is also possible to find Superior Court case numbers using the Odyssey Portal for Washington Courts.
Anyone can view Clark County court records, under the supervision of employees of the Clerk's Office, from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Make request for copies in person or by mail. Use the Copy Request Form to request court records. You may also make your request online by submitting this form by email to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov or order copies via ClerksePass.
The Clerk charges 50 cents per page for non-certified paper copies of court records. Electronic copies sent by email or CD cost 25 cents per page. Include a $20 fee for CD and postage when selecting this option. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per page for subsequent pages. Cash and credit/debit card payments are accepted.
To request criminal case files, first obtain a case number from the Odyssey Portal. Include this in a written request along with the names and date of birth of the subject of the criminal case; criminal charge; and approximate date of the offense. Send the request along with a $5 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Attn: Criminal Department
Clark County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Juvenile records are not public records and are only available to parties involved in the recorded juvenile cases and their legal representatives. These records are available at the satellite office of the Court Clerk located on the second floor of the Robert L. Harris Juvenile Justice Center.
To request the records of the Clark County District Court, download and complete a Court Records Request Form. Submit this in person to:
Clark County Courthouse
Ground Floor
1200 Franklin Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Alternatively, send it by mail to:
Clark County District Court
P.O. Box 9806
Vancouver, WA 98666-8806
Fax and email submissions are also accepted. Send the completed form by fax to (360) 397-6044 or by email to district.courtrecords@clark.wa.gov. The court charges a $20 research fee as well as 5 cents per page for non-certified copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per page for subsequent pages.
Visit or contact the Municipal Courts in Clark County to request for their records.
Clark County Vital Records
The County Clerk maintains all divorce records for Clark County. To obtain copies of your divorce decree, send an email request to countyclerk@clark.wa.gov.
Clark County provides certified copies of marriage records through its partnership with the Washington State Digital Archives. The public can request copies on the organization's website or visit:
Clark County Public Service Center
1300 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Joint Lobby
Vancouver, WA 98660
This office opens to the public from Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It accepts payments made with cash, check, and debit/credit card (convenience fee applies).It is also possible to submit a request for certified copies of marriage certificate by mail. Download and complete a Request for Certified Copy Form and mail it to:
Attn: Marriage License Department
Clark County Auditor's Office
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666
Include a check or money order covering fees as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope. Make the check or money order payable to Clark County Auditor. The fee for non-certified copies of marriage records is $1 per page. Certified copies cost $3 for the first page and then $1 for each additional page. Cash is accepted for in-person requests.
Clark County Vital Records offers birth and death certificates upon request. You can obtain these vital records by visiting the office at:
Clark County Vital Records
1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd.
Building #17,4th Floor Suite 419
Vancouver, WA 98661
The office opens between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday business hours are between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Each certificate costs $20. You can pay with cash, debit card, or VISA/MasterCard credit card.
The Vital Records office also accepts requests sent by mail. Send a completed birth or death application to:
Clark County Vital Records
P.O. Box 9825
Vancouver, WA 98666-8825
Include card payment details for copy and shipping fees. In addition to the $20 fee for each certificate, Clark County Vital Records also charges $5 to send the certificate by US Mail. For expedited shipping, you can choose between UPS' $15 3-day shipping and $40 next business day delivery.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Clark County?
Per the Washington Public Records Act, all interested persons may access Clark County property records. The county record custodian must comply with the law by providing interested persons with viewing access or copies of these records. Although all property records are considered public, RCW 42.56.070 (8) states that obtain information may not be used for commercial purposes. Receiving a Clark County property record suggests that the requestor does not intend to use it for a commercial purpose, either directly or through a third party.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Clark County
The Clark County Auditor's Office keeps records of all recorded property since September 1998 and provides copies to interested persons. Record seekers may request in person or by mail. To order a Clark County property record by mail, parties should fill the Request for Certified Copy form. Completing the form requires a recording number, the name recorded on the document, document type, and the requestor's daytime phone number. Each uncertified copy costs $1 per page. Certified copies cost $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Mail requests are payable by checks made out to the "Clark County Auditor." A request should include the completed form, payment, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Mail requests should be submitted to the:
Clark County Auditor's Office
Attn: Recording Department
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Requestors may also visit the Auditor's Office for in-person requests and pay with cash. These requests are entertained at the:
Clark County Auditor's Office
Recording Department
1300 Franklin St
2nd Floor
Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone: (564) 397-2208
Fax: (564) 397-2137
Email: recording@clark.wa.gov
How to Look Up Clark County Property Records
The Clark County Assessor's Office allows interested parties to research real property records on its Property Information Center. Users must provide a house number, street name, partial address, complete address, tax account number, or parcel number to conduct a Clark County Property Search. The Clark County Auditor's Office also maintains an online repository of recorded documents. Searchers may find recorded documents by providing a name, grantor, and grantee. Optional search information includes a recording number, excise number, parcel number, document title, and dates.
Location of Clark County Property Appraisers
Clark County Assessor's Office
1300 Franklin Street
2nd Floor
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564) 397-2391
Fax: (360) 397-6046
Email: assessor@clark.wa.gov
