Clark County, Washington Records

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Clark County, Washington Courthouse Records
Clark County, Washington Census Records
Clark County, Washington Vital Records
Clark County, Washington Resources
Clark County, Washington External Links

Clark County, Washington (Map It) was created on August 20, 1845 by the provisional government of Oregon Territory and was called Vancouver District, it was renamed Clarke County on September 3, 1849, (the county name was spelled CLARKE from 1849 until 1925). The county was named in honor of William Clark (1770–1838), the co-captain of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The county was first settled in 1825 when the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Vancouver as its regional headquarters. American settlers moved into the county in the 1830s and 1840s and were well established when the Oregon country's boundary was set at the thirty-ninth parallel in 1846. Fort Vancouver became an U.S. military post in 1848 and that year the city of Vancouver was established. .

Clark County is bordered by Cowlitz County (north), Skamania County (east), Multnomah County, Oregon (south), Columbia County, Oregon (southwest).

Clark County Cities and Towns include Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, Woodland (partly in Clark County, mainly in Cowlitz County), Yacolt..

A Map of Clark County, Washington contains detailed information about roads and boundaries, these maps may include rural communities, churches, and cemeteries.

Clark County, Washington Courthouse Records

Clark County, Washington Courthouse
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Clark County, WA Courthouse

The Clark County Courthouse is located in Vancouver, Washington. 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 Clark 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. Although originally held in the county seat, many county land, probate, and court records have been transferred to the state archive’s regional branches. Courthouse Burned in 1855 and 1890. In the 1890 fire, Probate records dating back 40 years were destroyed, along with records of the Superior and District courts, Clark County Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools, and Surveyor. The loss of records, especially land claims, would make life difficult for county residents and courts for years to come.

  • Clark County Auditor has Birth and Death Records from 1891 to 1907, Marriage Records from 1852 and Land Records from 1850. 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.
  • Clark County Clerk has Court Records from 1890 and Probate Records from 1890. 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.
  • Clark 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 Clark County Department of Public Health can issue Birth, Marriage and Death certificates while you wait.

Clark County, Washington Census Records

Clark County, Washington Vital Records

Clark County, Washington Resources

  • Clark County Archives - Record Division,1300 Franklin Street, Suite 650, Vancouver, WA 98660; Main phone: (360) 397-2323;
  • Clark County Genealogical Society
  • Clark County Historical Society and Museum
  • Ft Vancouver Historical Society of Clark County, PO Box 1834, 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98668-1834; Phone 360-695-4681.
  • Ft. Vancouver National Historic Site, 612 E Reserve St, Vancouver, WA 98661-3811. Phone 360-696-7655. Fax 360-696-7657.
  • Camas-Washougal Historical Society Museum, Camas Public Library (basement), 4th & Franklin, PO Box 204, Washougal, WA 98671. Phone 360-835-2725.
  • Cedar Creek Grist Mill, NE Cedar Creek Rd, 10 miles east of Woodland. Phone 360-225-9552.
  • Center for Columbia River History, 802C Officers' Row, Vancouver, WA 98661. Phone 360-737- 2044. Fax 360-693-2760.
  • Covington House, 4208 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-2898.
  • Officer's Row (George C. Marshall & Grant Houses), Central Park, Officer's Row, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-693-3103.
  • Parker's Landing, off State Road 14, Camas, WA. Site of the first American settlement in Clark County in 1844.
  • Pearson Air Museum, 1105 E Fifth St, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-7026. Fax 360-694-0824.
  • Pomeroy Living History Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt, WA 98675. Phone 360-686-3537. Fax 360-686-8111.
  • U.S. Grant Museum, 1106 Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660. Phone 360-694-5252.
  • Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch
  • Clark County, Washington Message Boards
  • Clark County, Washington Genealogy Forum
  • Washington State Digital Archives

Clark County, Washington External Links

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