Access Longview Felony Records
Longview felony records are maintained by the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk at the Hall of Justice in Kelso, the county seat located just across the Cowlitz River from Longview. All felony cases filed within Longview go through the Cowlitz County court system, which uses the Odyssey case management system for electronic record access. This guide covers how to search Longview felony records, request copies from the clerk, and use statewide tools to check conviction history.
Longview Overview
Cowlitz County Superior Court for Longview
Longview is in Cowlitz County, so the Cowlitz County Superior Court handles all felony cases connected to the city. The court is located at the Hall of Justice in Kelso, a short drive from Longview. The court maintains records of all felony proceedings from initial charging through final sentencing. The Cowlitz County Clerk is the custodian of these records and handles copy requests and in-person file access.
To request records, visit the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail. Include the defendant's full name, approximate filing year, and case number if you have it. Standard copy fees apply: certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Non-certified paper copies run $0.50 per page. Electronic copies are $0.25 per page. For complex requests requiring staff time, a research fee may be added.
The Odyssey Portal at dw.courts.wa.gov provides online access to Cowlitz County Superior Court case information. Search by name or case number to find felony case summaries, charges, and court dates. Document images are available for many cases through the portal. Registration may be required for full document access.
Longview Police Records
The Longview Police Department handles requests for incident reports and arrest records through its records division. The department's records page at mylongview.com/334/Obtain-a-Police-Report explains how to request police reports, what information is needed, and what fees apply. Police reports document the circumstances of incidents and arrests. They are separate from court case files and provide context for how a felony charge originated.
The Longview Police records page explains the process clearly. You can request reports in person or by mail depending on the nature of the request. Some active investigation records may be exempt from disclosure under Washington's Public Records Act.
Longview City Clerk and Public Records
The Longview City Clerk at mylongview.com/587/City-Clerk handles public records requests for city-generated documents. These include city council materials, administrative records, and documents from city departments. Court records from Cowlitz County Superior Court are not city records and must be requested through the county clerk's office. If you need both types, you will be submitting separate requests to two different offices.
Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) requires the city to respond within five business days of receiving a records request. This is an acknowledgment deadline. The actual documents may take longer depending on the complexity of the request and whether any records are partially exempt.
Cowlitz County District Court and Longview
The Cowlitz County District Court handles the preliminary stages of felony cases, including initial appearances and arraignments, before cases transfer to Superior Court. District Court also handles misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. If you are tracing the complete history of a felony case, you may need records from both District Court and Superior Court. District Court files the early procedural record; Superior Court holds everything after the preliminary hearing stage.
For Longview residents, the Cowlitz County District Court is the first stop in the criminal process for most felony cases. The court maintains records of its own proceedings, separate from the Superior Court case file. Contact the District Court Clerk directly for records from the preliminary phase of a case.
Under Washington State law, conviction records are publicly available under RCW 10.97. Non-conviction data, including dismissed charges and acquittals, is protected from public disclosure and will not appear in standard online searches. When using the Odyssey Portal or WATCH, you are seeing conviction records and pending case information, not arrest data for charges that did not result in conviction.
Statewide Felony Tools for Longview
The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system offers name-based conviction searches for $11. It covers all Washington counties, including Cowlitz, and returns felony and gross misdemeanor convictions. This is a fast way to check someone's statewide conviction history without requesting records from individual county clerks. WATCH shows convictions only, not arrests or dismissed charges.
The WSP Criminal History Records division handles formal background check requests. Fingerprint-based searches at $58 take 7-10 business days and cover both state and federal databases. These are appropriate when a certified criminal history is required for official purposes such as professional licensing or court proceedings.
The Washington Department of Corrections offender search tracks people serving or having served state prison sentences on Cowlitz County convictions. The DOC warrant search covers outstanding Secretary's Warrants. VINE at vinelink.com provides free custody status notifications. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Superior Court records and is worth checking for older Longview felony cases.
Cowlitz County Felony Records
Longview is the largest city in Cowlitz County. All Longview felony cases are filed through Cowlitz County Superior Court in Kelso. Visit the Cowlitz County page for more detail on the clerk, the Odyssey Portal, and other county-level resources.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Longview have felony records pages on this site.