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Lewis County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lewis County?

Public records in Lewis County encompass any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency. Under § 42.56.010 of the Washington Public Records Act, the term "public record" is defined broadly to include any document, paper, letter, map, photograph, film, sound recording, or electronic record created or maintained by a public agency in the course of its official duties.

Members of the public may access a wide range of record types maintained by various Lewis County offices. The following categories represent the principal classifications of public records available within the county:

  • Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Lewis County Clerk's Office
  • Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps recorded with the Lewis County Auditor's Office
  • Vital records — marriage licenses and dissolution records held by the Auditor; birth and death certificates issued through the Washington State Department of Health
  • Business records — fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits maintained by the Auditor and relevant municipal offices
  • Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Lewis County Assessor's Office
  • Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Lewis County Auditor's Elections Division
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Board of County Commissioners and other public bodies
  • Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records
  • Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available to the extent permitted by law through the Lewis County Sheriff's Office
  • Land use and zoning records — permits, environmental reviews, and zoning decisions maintained by Lewis County Community Development

The Lewis County Public Records portal serves as the primary gateway for submitting disclosure requests to most county departments. The Lewis County Clerk's Office maintains court records, while the Auditor's Office is the custodian of recorded documents, elections materials, and vital records.

Is Lewis County an Open Records County?

Lewis County fully complies with Washington State's open records framework, which is among the most comprehensive in the nation. Under Chapter 42.56 RCW, commonly known as the Public Records Act (PRA), all state and local agencies — including Lewis County — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, placing the burden on the agency to justify any withholding of records.

Two key provisions of the PRA govern Lewis County's obligations:

  • Agencies must respond to a public records request within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of when records will be available, or denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.
  • Agencies must make records available for inspection at no charge during normal business hours, and may charge fees only for the actual cost of copying or electronic delivery.

Lewis County has adopted internal public records policies consistent with the PRA. The Washington State Attorney General's Office provides guidance on obtaining public records under state law, including model rules that counties may adopt. Lewis County's 911 Communications Division, for example, processes its own disclosure requests through the county's GovQA platform, as described on the public information requests page. Washington's sunshine laws further require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public under the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Chapter 42.30.

How to Find Public Records in Lewis County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Lewis County records through several channels depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record. Property and vital records are held by the Auditor; court records by the Clerk; law enforcement records by the Sheriff; and most administrative records by the relevant department.
  2. Submit a request online. Lewis County uses the GovQA web-based public disclosure platform for most departments. Requests may be submitted through the Lewis County Public Records portal.
  3. Search online databases. The Lewis County Auditor's Office provides an online record search tool covering most recorded documents. The Lewis Recorder database allows members of the public to search documents recorded from July 4, 1848, through the present.
  4. Search court records. The Lewis County Superior Court case index is accessible through the Washington State Courts name and case search tool. Note that information found on the statewide search site is provided for reference purposes only; the official record is maintained by the Clerk's Office.
  5. Visit in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant office during public counter hours. Staff at the Auditor's Office are available to assist with record searches on-site.
  6. Access historical records. Older digitized records may be available through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives, which preserves electronic records of both state and local government agencies.
  7. Contact the Washington Secretary of State. For records maintained at the state level, members of the public may submit a public records request through the Secretary of State's online portal.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lewis County?

Lewis County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the cost provisions established under § 42.56.120 RCW, which limits agencies to charging the actual cost of copying, scanning, or electronic delivery. Standard fees currently applicable to Lewis County public records requests include:

  • Paper copies: Typically $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies
  • Scanning to electronic format: Actual cost per page when scanning is required
  • Electronic delivery: Actual cost of the digital storage medium (e.g., USB drive or CD) if applicable
  • Certified copies: Fees for certified documents, such as recorded instruments from the Auditor's Office, are set by state statute and vary by document type
  • Court record copies: Fees for copies of court documents are established by the Washington Supreme Court and collected by the Clerk's Office

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under the PRA; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly when the cost of collection would exceed the amount owed. Inspection of records in person is available at no charge, as required by state law.

Does Lewis County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public during normal business hours at the custodial office, as required by the Washington Public Records Act. In addition, several online resources provide no-cost access to Lewis County records:

Members of the public who visit the Lewis County Auditor's Office in person may inspect nearly all recorded documents at no charge, with staff available to assist in locating materials.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lewis County?

Any person may request public records from Lewis County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Washington Public Records Act does not restrict access based on who the requester is or why the records are sought. Specifically:

  • Residency is not required. Non-residents of Lewis County and Washington State retain full rights to request public records.
  • Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain information about the requester.
  • Purpose need not be stated. Members of the public are not required to explain why they are requesting records, and agencies may not deny requests based on the requester's perceived purpose.
  • Restrictions apply to specific record types. Certain categories of records — such as those containing personal identifying information, juvenile records, or sealed court files — are subject to statutory exemptions regardless of who is requesting them.
  • Requesting one's own records. Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access materials that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, such as certain personnel or investigative records, subject to applicable procedures.

The Washington Attorney General's Office provides comprehensive guidance on the rights of requesters under state law through its obtaining records resource page.

What Records Are Confidential in Lewis County?

While the Washington Public Records Act establishes a strong presumption of openness, certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under § 42.56.230–42.56.480 RCW, which enumerates specific exemptions applicable to state and local agencies. Records currently exempt from public disclosure in Lewis County include:

  • Sealed court records — documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
  • Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under RCW 13.50
  • Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent disclosure would impede the investigation
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from otherwise disclosable records
  • Medical and health records — protected under both state exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
  • Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families are confidential under RCW 13.50.100
  • Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, though names, positions, salaries, and work locations of public employees are generally disclosable
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in confidence and exempt under RCW 42.56.270
  • Security and infrastructure plans — vulnerability assessments and security plans for critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

When an agency withholds a record or portion of a record, it is required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. Agencies must apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality, as contemplated by the PRA's framework.

Lewis County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Lewis County Auditor's Office serves as the county recorder and is the primary custodian of recorded documents, vital records, elections materials, and business filings. Members of the public may visit the office in person, conduct searches online, or submit written requests for copies of recorded instruments.

Lewis County Auditor's Office (Recording Division) 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 740-1278 Lewis County Auditor

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and county holidays. The office accepts in-person record searches during these hours, and staff are available to assist members of the public in locating recorded documents.

Lewis County Clerk's Office (Court Records) 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 740-1220 Lewis County Clerk — Court Records

The Clerk's Office maintains Superior Court records including civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files. Under Washington law, the County Clerk's Office, as part of the judiciary, is not subject to the Public Records Act; however, court records remain accessible to the public pursuant to court rules and applicable statutes.

Lewis County Public Records Office 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 740-1200 Lewis County Public Records

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