What are Vancouver Public Records?
The Washington Public Records Act describes public records as any record related to the performance of a statutory function or the conduct of government, which is prepared, retained, or used by any government agency. Under the act, public records include pictures, writings, electronically-stored records, emails, magnetic tapes, and other recordings. Regardless, the general public may not view the following:
- Investigative and crime victim details
- Certain health care records
- Some information on domestic violence and rape proceedings or clients
- Some insurance and financial institution records.
- Personal information considered a breach of privacy
Vancouver Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes crime rates information for Vancouver through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2019, the city of Vancouver recorded a total of 5,998 property crimes, including 808 motor vehicle thefts and 888 burglaries. The least common property crime was arson with 36 cases, while the most common was larceny-theft with 4,302 cases. The report also shows that there were 889 violent crimes. With 495 cases, aggravated assault was the most committed violent crime, while murder and nonnegligent manslaughter accounted for the least crimes with 3 cases. Other recorded violent crimes include 185 robberies and 206 rapes.
Are Vancouver Criminal Records Public?
Not all parts of Vancouver criminal records are accessible by the general public. Although anyone may request access to an individual's criminal history information, obtainable records may be restricted. For example, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) allows residents to request criminal history record information, except conviction details and court dispositions.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) also provides statewide criminal history information. Members of the public may request these records but will only receive conviction information and arrests not up to one year old if dispositions are pending.
How to Obtain Vancouver Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Vancouver Police Department issues copies of police reports to city residents through its Police Records Division. Interested parties may access reports online by completing the online request form. Alternatively, download and complete the VPD's request for disclosure form with details of the desired records. Interested parties must also fill in their full names and contact details and specify the preferred method of receiving the record. Persons may receive electronic records by email, inspect the record at the VPD during regular office hours, or receive paper copies by mail at the address filled on the form. Standard paper copies cost 15 cents per page plus postage fees. Large-format copies may require a deposit as reproduction may require the services of a third-party vendor.
Vancouver residents may also visit the VPD in person with a completed copy of the form. Requestors are advised to complete the form with the names of involved parties, case number, offense type, location, and date. Interested parties may attach additional pages to the form if needed. Mail, fax, email, or visit the VPD at:
Vancouver Police Department
Northeast 2800 Stapleton Road
P.O. Box 1995
Vancouver, WA 98668-1995
Phone: (360) 487-7398
Fax: (360) 695-3530
Email: vpdpdr@cityofvancouver.us
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Vancouver
The Vancouver Police Department maintains a list of registered sex offenders. Vancouver sex offenders who appear on the list are Level III sex offenders as these persons are most likely to re-offend. The list displays each offender's full name, age, race, height, hair and eye color, sex, weight, current address, and a booking photograph. The VPD also maintains a list of currently wanted sex offenders.
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs also provides a statewide online database of sex offenders via its Washington Sex Offender Public Registry. Vancouver residents may search for offenders in their immediate area or search by name. The platform also allows interested persons to register for email alerts on sex offenders nearby.
How to Find Vancouver Inmate Records
The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable online jail roster open to the general public. Anyone looking for Vancouver inmate records may search the roster by name, booking date, CFN, and charge information. Each inmate's record includes all the aforementioned, including court date and bail type where applicable.
How Do I Visit an inmate in the Clark County Main Jail?
All visitors must be at least 18 years old and must present valid federal or state identification. The visitor must be on the inmate's current approved visitor list and schedule the visit by contacting the Main Jail or the Jail Work Center, depending on the inmate's current location. Main Jail and Jail Work Center visits are limited to 30 minutes and 1 hour, respectively. Visitations at the Main Jail are allowed on Saturday and Sunday, while Jail Work Center inmates may receive visitors only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Neither facility approves visitors with warrants or court orders of anti-harassment, restraining, or domestic violence. All visitors must dress appropriately. Note that the decision on inappropriateness is at the discretion of the facility's staff.
Inmates may receive visitors on scheduled days only after being in jail for 72 hours. Each inmate may select a maximum of four adults for approval on their visitation list only once a month. Inmates in the Main Jail may select six additional juveniles and a religious visitor. Note that the facility reserves the right to cancel a visit without notice.
Court Records
Part of the Washington Courts, Clark County has a Superior Court, District Court, and Parking Violations Bureau in Vancouver. The Superior Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction and the trial court for all criminal and civil matters involving more than $75,000. The Superior Court may also exercise jurisdiction in other cases, including divorce, probate, juvenile, adoption, and competency matters.
The District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction with authority over misdemeanors, criminal traffic citations, gross misdemeanors, small claims, name changes, and civil cases involving less than $100,000. Under Washington law, the Traffic Violations Bureau is established to assist the court with traffic cases. These courts provide access to court case records and documents in accordance with state statutes.
Locations of Courts in Vancouver
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 West 11th Street
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666
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
Vancouver Parking Violations Bureau
415 West 6th Street
P.O. Box 8995
Vancouver, WA 98668
Are Vancouver Court Records Public?
Vancouver residents have a right to inspect and obtain copies of most court records. However, this right of access is not absolute. Under varying circumstances, courts may order records sealed if the records contain private or sensitive information. In addition, juvenile and adoption records are not available to the public.
Can You Look up a Vancouver Court Case Online?
The Washington Courts provide access to Vancouver court records through its Odyssey Portal. The portal has a smart search function that residents may use to find records by name or record number. Requestors may further filter records by location, case status, date, and judicial officer. The portal also allows interested persons to search for court hearings and specify a date range.
How to Obtain Vancouver Civil Court Case Records
Residents may obtain Vancouver civil court records from the Clerk's Office at the Clark County Courthouse. The courthouse has computer terminals available to the public for routine record checks and persons looking to verify case or cause numbers. Between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on any weekday, residents may visit the courthouse to use the public terminals. Vancouver court records are also requestable by mail and in person.
To order, complete and download the request form with details of the requested record, case number, and names of involved parties. Include the requestor's full name, request date, and contact details. Residents may choose to receive physical, certified, or email copies. Paper copies cost 50 cents per page, while email copies cost 25 cents per page. Each certified copy costs $5 for the first page and $1 for each subsequent page. Where there is no case number, the Clerk's Office may charge a $30 search fee. Requestors may also choose to pick up the records in person.
Enclose the form with a money order, law firm check, or cashier's check for the applicable amount, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Send the documents using the following information:
Clark County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Phone: (564) 397-2292 (Civil Department)
Email: copyrequests@clark.wa.gov
How to Obtain Vancouver Criminal Court Records
The Clerk's Office receives requests for Vancouver criminal court records by mail. Interested persons may send written requests which include the following information:
- Last, first, and middle names of the individual
- Date of birth
- Any available personal identifiers
- Approximate offense date
- Possible criminal charge
Each request for a specified person costs $5 for copies of records that date back to 1979. Note that there may be extra costs depending on the record and number of copies. Also, the Clerk's Office may charge an additional $30 fee for records earlier than 1979. Send the written request and payment to:
Clark County Clerk's Office
Attention: Criminal Department
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Phone: (564) 397-2295 (Criminal Department)
What are Vancouver Vital Records?
Vancouver vital records contain information on life events that take place in the city. This includes records of all deaths, marriages, births, and divorces. Vancouver vital records are obtainable by filling the required request forms or sending written requests to the record custodians.
Where and How to Obtain Vancouver Divorce Records
The Clark County Clerk maintains copies of Vancouver divorce records. Interested persons may obtain copies by sending written requests or visiting the clerk in person. The written request should contain the divorced parties' full names, date of divorce, and any available information. Send the request to the Clerk's Office, or visit using the following information:
Physical Address:
Clark County Clerk
1200 Franklin Street
Vancouver, WA 98660-5000
Phone: (564) 397-2292
Mailing Address:
Clark County Clerk
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Vancouver
Residents may obtain Vancouver marriage records from the Clark County Auditor's Office for copies recorded since 1890. The Auditor's Office entertains requests by mail, in person, and online. The first page of a certified copy costs $3, and each additional page costs $1. Non-certified copies cost $1 per page. Certified and non-certified copies are public records accessible by all requestors.
To request by mail, complete an application form with the names of both spouses, date of marriage, and contact information. Enclose the form with a money order or check and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Send the documents to:
Clark County Auditor's Office
Attention: Marriage License Department
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666
Requesters may also visit in person at:
Clark County Public Service Center
1300 Franklin Street
2nd Floor Joint Lobby
Vancouver, WA 98660
Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
An in-person requestor may pay in cash or via a debit or credit card. Card transactions may incur additional fees for convenience. Vancouver residents may also use the online request function provided by the Washington State Archives.
Where and How to Find Vancouver Birth Records
The Clark County Public Health Office provides interested persons with copies of Vancouver birth records. Residents may request birth records since 1907 by mail or in person. To order by mail, complete the birth certificate application form, filling it with information on the individual named on the record and the requestor's contact details. Each certificate costs $20. The Public Health Office offers options for shipping as available on the form at varying prices. Mail orders are payable by money order, check, and cards from Visa and Mastercard. Send the completed form and payment information to:
Clark County Vital Records
P.O. Box 9825
Vancouver, WA 98666-8825
Applicants may also visit the following address to order in-person:
Clark County Vital Records
1601 East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Building #17
4th Floor
Suite 419
Vancouver, WA 98661
Where and How to Find Vancouver Death Records
The Clark County Public Health Office issues copies of Vancouver death records to interested persons. The Public Health Officer issues copies of death records since 2002 to mail and in-person requestors. Complete the death certificate application form and enclose it with payment for $20 plus payment for the preferred shipping method as provided on the form. Payment is acceptable via money order, check, and cards from Mastercard or Visa. Alternatively, request in person at:
Clark County Vital Records
1601 East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Building #17
4th Floor
Suite 419
Vancouver, WA 98661
Starting January 1, 2021, a new vital records law will go into effect in Washington. Under the new law, access to birth and death records is restricted to persons with documents to prove specific relationships with the individual named on the certificate. The cost of a certificate will also increase to $25.
