Cowlitz County, Washington Records
Cowlitz County, Washington (Map It) was created on April 21, 1854 as an Original county. The county was named for the Cowlitz, an Indian tribe. The Cowlitz River was an early avenue of transportation to the Puget Sound region and on each end of the river there took place one of the two conventions that petitioned the U.S. government for Washington's territorial status, the Cowlitz Convention in 1851 and the Monticello Convention in 1852. Today the county produces and ships timber products, meals and agricultural products. Its port facilities on the Columbia River are continually growing in capacity. .
Cowlitz County is bordered by Lewis County (north), Skamania County (east), Clark County (south), Columbia County, Oregon (southwest), Wahkiakum County (west).
Cowlitz County Cities and Towns include Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Woodland.
A Map of Cowlitz County, Washington contains detailed information about roads and boundaries, these maps may include rural communities, churches, and cemeteries.
Cowlitz County, Washington Courthouse Records
Cowlitz County, WA Courthouse
The Cowlitz County Courthouse is located in Kelso, Washington. Past county seats were Monticello (1854-1865), Freeport (1865-1872), Kalama (1872-1922). Learn More About State of Washington Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.
The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Although originally held in the county seat, many county land, probate, and court records have been transferred to the state archive's regional branches.
The King County record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. They may include records of land, estates, taxes, vital records, divorces, naturalizations, voter registration, court records, and so forth.
- Cowlitz County Auditor has Birth and Death Records from 1891 to 1907, Marriage Records from 1854 and Land Records from 1854. The County Auditor has many responsibilities which include the recording of real property documents such as deeds and other recorded documents, issuing various licenses such as marriage liscense.
- Cowlitz County Clerk has Court Records from 1860 and Probate Records from 1872. The County Clerk is the administrator of the Superior Court Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office is responsible for keeping the permanent records of all cases filed in Superior Court. The type of cases filed are felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, petitions for protection from domestic violence, family law matters (dissolutions 3rd Party Custody, parenting plans, modifications) probates, guardianships, Last Will & Testaments, paternities, adoptions and mental commitments. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.
- Cowlitz County Treasurer is the property tax collector for the County. Property Taxes are levied on the property by the various taxing authorities based on the valuation and current property usage as set by the Assessor's Office.
- The Cowlitz County Health Department can issue Birth, Marriage and Death certificates while you wait.
Cowlitz County, Washington Census Records
- Learn More: State of Washington Census Records
- U.S. Federal Population Schedules: 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragmented), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
- State and Territorial Population Schedules: 1857-1892
- U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Agriculture Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Industry Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Union Veterans Schedules: 1890
Cowlitz County, Washington Vital Records
- Learn More: State of Washington Vital Records
- Birth and Death Records: from July 1, 1907 to present.
- Marriage and Divorce Records: from January 1, 1968 to present
- Locations:Â Washington Department of Health
- Vital Records Online:Â USAVital or Social Security Death Index
- Vital Records by Mail: Birth / Death Certificate or the Marriage / Divorce Certificate Applications.
- In Person:Â Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
Cowlitz County, Washington Resources
- Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch
- Lower Columbia Genealogical Society
- Cowlitz County Historical Society & Museum
- Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Ave, Castle Rock, WA 98611. Phone 360-274-6603.
- The Daily News Library, 770 11th Ave, PO Box 189, Longview, WA 98632-0017. Phone 360-577-2511.
- Longview Family History Center, 1721 30th Ave, Longview, WA 98632. Phone 360-577-8234.
- Cowlitz County, Washington Message Boards
- Cowlitz County, Washington Genealogy Forum
- Washington State Digital Archives
Cowlitz County, Washington External Links
- Washington Historical Newspapers - Newspapers.com
- Historical Newspapers from Washington (1890 - 1984)
- Cowlitz County, Washington Books - Amazon
- Inventory of the county archives of Washington, no. 8. Cowlitz County (Kelso)
- Cowlitz Co., Washington - FindaGrave
- Cowlitz County, Washington Links - Cyndi's List
- Cowlitz Co. WAGenweb
- Cowlitz County, Washington Ancestry Database Collections
- Cowlitz County, Washington Military Records
- Washington, Postmaster Indexes, Prior to 1965
- Washington gazetteer and business directory : 1901-1902.