Wahkiakum County Court Docket Records
Wahkiakum County court docket records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Wahkiakum County Courthouse in Cathlamet, Washington. As one of the smallest counties in Washington by population, Wahkiakum schedules its court proceedings on specific days of the month rather than daily. Both the Superior Court and District Court hold their dockets on set schedules, so contacting the court before you visit is essential. This page explains how to find case filings, search court dockets online, and get copies of court records from this small southwest Washington county.
Wahkiakum County Overview
Wahkiakum County Superior Court Clerk
Both the Wahkiakum County Superior Court and the Superior Court Clerk's Office are located at the Wahkiakum County Courthouse, 64 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a lunch closure from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. You can reach the clerk at 360-795-3558 for questions about a specific hearing date or time.
The County Clerk is an elected position and serves as the ex officio clerk of the court. The Clerk must be present at every court session to establish an independent record of proceedings through official minutes, which are available to the public. The Clerk also receives and preserves all exhibits entered by the parties. Quasi-judicial functions include reviewing court documents for errors, issuing letters testamentary, warrants of arrest, orders of sale, writs of execution, garnishment, attachments, restitution, and establishing judgments.
The Clerk's Office keeps permanent records for all Superior Court case types: felony criminal, civil lawsuits, family law, probates and guardianships, and mental and alcohol commitment cases. The criminal docket is held twice monthly at 9:30 a.m. Before making an in-person trip for a court appearance or document request, call 360-795-3558 to confirm the schedule and whether the specific records you need are available.
| Courthouse Address | 64 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 360-795-3558 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m.) |
| Criminal Docket | Twice monthly at 9:30 a.m. |
Wahkiakum County District Court Schedule
The Wahkiakum County District Court also operates at the Cathlamet courthouse. You can reach District Court at 360-795-3461. Like the Superior Court, the District Court holds its dockets on a monthly rather than weekly basis. The criminal docket meets twice monthly at 9:00 a.m. The civil docket is held once monthly at 2:15 p.m. Traffic matters are heard once monthly at 1:30 p.m. The show cause docket also meets once monthly at 9:00 a.m.
Filing fees for electronically filed cases must be paid online. Hand-delivered filings are accepted during office hours. An after-hours drop box is available outside the exterior night entry door. Filings may also be emailed to the District Court, and you will receive a reply email confirming receipt. Ex Parte Orders are accepted in person or by email. Court services at the District Court level include misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000.
For the most accurate and up-to-date court date information, contact District Court at 360-795-3461 or use the Washington Courts DW Case Search to look up your case and confirm the next scheduled hearing. The statewide DW portal updates approximately 24 hours after court clerks enter new information.
Search Wahkiakum County Court Dockets Online
For Wahkiakum County Superior Court docket searches, use the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. This statewide system lets you search cases by party name or case number and view public case information including docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Smart Search requires a name entry and CAPTCHA verification. The portal provides public access at no cost for basic case lookups.
The Washington Courts DW Case Search is also useful for finding Wahkiakum County District Court cases. This free tool searches across municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts statewide. It updates daily and covers case types, party names, and court locations. Keep in mind that the DW portal does not guarantee accuracy or current information. Always contact the court of record to verify before relying on what you find online.
Wahkiakum County is small enough that some case types and older files may not be fully digitized. If you are looking for older records or a specific document that is not appearing in an online search, call the clerk at 360-795-3558. Staff can confirm whether the record exists and whether it can be copied or viewed in person. Certified copies of court documents typically run $5 per document plus $1 per page under standard Washington court rules.
Small County Court Access Tips
Wahkiakum County's small size comes with practical differences compared to larger counties. Dockets run on monthly schedules rather than daily. This means if you miss your court date or need to file something close to a hearing, time matters more. Contact the clerk's office as early as possible to confirm deadlines and available hearing slots. The staff are typically easier to reach directly than in larger county systems, and a brief phone call can save a wasted trip.
Court records in Wahkiakum County are public under Washington Court Rules and RCW 2.68, with exceptions for juvenile records, mental health files, and sealed cases. If you are unsure whether a record is public, the clerk's office can tell you what is accessible without you having to file a formal request first. For Superior Court matters, the clerk's presence at every hearing means there is always a complete official record.
The statewide Washington Courts case search is a good first step for looking up any Wahkiakum County case before calling or visiting the courthouse. If the online search does not return what you need, the Cathlamet courthouse at 64 Main Street is the next step. Advance contact is recommended given the limited daily staffing for a county this size.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal covers Wahkiakum County Superior Court cases through the statewide Smart Search system.
The Washington Courts system provides the primary online access tools for searching Wahkiakum County court docket records, including the statewide case search and Odyssey Portal.
Cities in Wahkiakum County
Wahkiakum County is one of Washington's smallest counties. No cities within the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All court cases are handled through the county court system at the Cathlamet courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Wahkiakum County sits at the mouth of the Columbia River in southwest Washington. Use the links below to find court docket information for neighboring counties.