Clark County Background Check Records
Clark County is home to Vancouver, the largest city in southwest Washington, and runs one of the busiest court systems in the state. A background check here involves multiple agencies: the Sheriff's Office Criminal Records Unit, the County Clerk's court files, and the online jail roster are all separate sources. Each one holds different types of records. This page walks through each office, explains what records they maintain, and tells you how to request the information you need for a Clark County background check.
Clark County Overview
Clark County Sheriff's Office Background Check
The Clark County Sheriff's Office was established in 1849, making it the oldest law enforcement agency in Washington State. Sheriff Chuck E. Atkins leads the office, which is located at 707 West 13th St., Vancouver, WA 98660. Mailing address is P.O. Box 410, Vancouver, WA 98666. Main phone is 564.397.2211. The office provides patrol, investigations, corrections, and civil services for the county.
The Clark County Sheriff's website covers services, public records requests, and the Criminal Records Unit that handles background check processing.
The Sheriff's Office runs several divisions relevant to background checks. Corrections manages the county jail. Civil Services handles court-ordered processes. Investigations covers criminal cases. All of these create records that may appear in a background check. Public records requests can be submitted through the Sheriff's Office website or in person at the office. A Public Records Officer is available to handle formal requests.
| Office | Clark County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 707 West 13th St. Vancouver, WA 98660 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 410, Vancouver, WA 98666 |
| Phone | 564.397.2211 |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/sheriff |
Clark County Criminal Records Unit
The Clark County Criminal Records Unit provides 24-hour support to patrol deputies and processes background checks for the county. Public hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can reach them at 564.397.2211. This unit is a key resource if you need information about outstanding warrants, protection orders, or active criminal cases in Clark County.
The unit enters and maintains information about wanted persons, missing persons, protection orders, and stolen items in state and national databases. This means the data is linked into the Washington State Patrol system and the FBI's National Crime Information Center. When a deputy runs a check during a traffic stop or booking, this is the unit that responds. For public records requests tied to criminal records, this is where you start your inquiry.
The unit also facilitates criminal justice processes with courts and other law enforcement agencies in the region. This includes providing records for court proceedings and ensuring compliance with state and federal record-keeping requirements. Under RCW 10.97, criminal history records are subject to specific privacy protections. Not all records are available to the general public. The scope of what you can access depends on your relationship to the case and the nature of the records involved.
Note: For a statewide criminal history report covering all of Washington, contact the Washington State Patrol directly. The Clark County Criminal Records Unit handles local Clark County records.
Clark County Jail Roster
The Clark County Jail Roster is an online public tool that shows current inmate information updated regularly throughout the day.
The Clark County Jail Roster shows who is currently held at the jail at 707 W 13th Street in Vancouver. Each entry includes the inmate's name, booking date, charges listed, and custody status. Bail and bond information appears for eligible inmates. This is public information and does not require a formal records request to view. The roster is one of the faster ways to check for recent arrests in Clark County.
The jail houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Medical and mental health services are provided on-site. Video visitation is available by appointment. Release dates shown are estimated based on sentence data. The roster reflects real-time custody status, so someone may appear on the roster one day and not the next if they are released or transferred.
Clark County Clerk of Superior Court
The Clark County Clerk's website provides access to court records, copy request procedures, and fee information for the Superior Court in Vancouver.
Scott G. Weber serves as the elected Clark County Clerk. The office is at 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Phone is 564-397-2292. The Clerk maintains all Superior Court records, including criminal felony cases, civil suits, domestic relations filings, and probate matters. The Clerk serves as both Administrator of Court Records and Financial Officer for the Courts.
Court records can be searched through the OnBase system and the Odyssey Portal, both of which are accessible online. Searches can be run by case number, party name, or attorney name. This makes it relatively easy to check for a criminal case or civil judgment without visiting the courthouse in person.
Copy requests can be submitted by email to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified mailed copies are $0.50 per page. Non-certified emailed copies are $0.25 per page. A $30 search fee may apply when requests have no case number. Under RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act, most court records are public and available upon request unless sealed by a judge.
| Office | Clark County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Scott G. Weber |
| Address | 1200 Franklin Street Vancouver, WA 98660 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 |
| Phone | 564-397-2292 |
| Copy Requests Email | copyrequests@clark.wa.gov |
| Certified Copy Fee | $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/clerk |
Washington State Background Check for Clark County
A Clark County background check covers local records, but a full Washington State check requires going through the Washington State Patrol. The WSP holds the statewide criminal history database. You can request your own history online through the WATCH portal for $10, or by written request for $35. A notarized letter costs $35 plus $5. These fees apply to personal history requests. Authorized agencies pay different rates and have direct database access.
For court records across Washington, the Washington Courts Case Search is free and publicly available. It covers Superior and District Court cases statewide. You can use it to search Clark County cases or check records from any other Washington county at the same time. Searches run by name or case number. Results show case type, filing date, party names, and current status.
Clark County also maintains its own online Odyssey portal for Superior Court records. This is the most direct way to search case-level data specific to Clark County without going through the statewide system. Both tools are useful, and using both gives you a more complete picture of any criminal or civil history tied to Clark County.
Cities in Clark County
Clark County includes Vancouver, Camas, Orchards, Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, Ridgefield, and several other communities. All Superior Court filings go through the Clark County courthouse in Vancouver.
Other communities like Battle Ground, Washougal, Ridgefield, and La Center are also part of Clark County. Criminal and civil cases from all of these areas are handled by Clark County Superior and District Courts.
Nearby Counties
Clark County is in southwest Washington. These counties share borders with Clark County. Each has its own court and sheriff records system.