Clark County Bankruptcy Records
Clark County bankruptcy records are filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, with cases processed through the Seattle and Tacoma offices. Vancouver, the county seat, is a major population center in southwestern Washington, and the Clark County Superior Court maintains a robust set of state court records that often accompany bankruptcy cases. This page covers how to search federal bankruptcy filings, what the local Superior Court clerk offers, filing fees, Washington's exemption laws, and where to find free legal help in Clark County.
Clark County Overview
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Clark County
Clark County is served by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington. The district's two main offices are in Seattle and Tacoma. Cases from Clark County are filed through these offices, and hearings may be held in Vancouver as a convenience for local filers depending on scheduling and the judge's calendar. The Western District court website at wawb.uscourts.gov has the most current information on hearing locations for specific cases.
The Seattle clerk's office is at 700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301, and can be reached at 206-370-5200. The Tacoma office at 1717 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2100, handles cases from the southern portion of the district and is reached at 253-882-3900. Both offices operate Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The VCIS phone line at 866-222-8029 provides free automated case information 24 hours a day and is the fastest way to check on a case status without traveling anywhere.
Clark County's location in southwestern Washington puts it in a district that handles a large volume of cases. If you are filing and want to confirm whether a Vancouver hearing location is available for your case, contact the court directly after filing. Not all chapters qualify for local hearings in Vancouver, but Chapter 7 meeting of creditors sessions sometimes are assigned there.
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington |
|---|---|
| Seattle Address | 700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Seattle Phone | 206-370-5200 |
| Tacoma Address | 1717 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2100, Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Tacoma Phone | 253-882-3900 |
| VCIS Phone | 866-222-8029 (free, 24/7) |
| Website | wawb.uscourts.gov |
Clark County Superior Court Clerk
The Clark County Superior Court Clerk's office is at 1200 Franklin Street in Vancouver. The current clerk is Scott G. Weber. The office can be reached at 564-397-2292. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. The Public Records Officer is Cheryl Stone, who can be reached at 564-397-2150 for public records requests.
Clark County has one of the more accessible court record systems in Washington. The Superior Court has an OnBase computer terminal in the courthouse lobby available from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. It covers documents from 1996 to the present at no charge. OnBase subscriptions are also available for remote 24/7 access covering records back to 1985. For records before 1996, you may need to view microfilm, and a $30 search fee may apply. Submit copy requests to copyrequests@clark.wa.gov using the Copy Request Form available on the county's website.
Copy fees are $5.00 for the first certified page and $1.00 for each additional certified page. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page by mail or $0.25 per page by email. The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov provides online access to Clark County Superior Court cases from 1990 forward without needing to visit the courthouse. The Clark County District Court, at the same Franklin Street address, is reachable through clarkcountycourt.org.
| Office | Clark County Superior Court Clerk (Scott G. Weber) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 |
| Phone | 564-397-2292 |
| Public Records | Cheryl Stone, 564-397-2150 |
| Hours | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, closed noon-1 PM, Monday through Friday |
| Copy Fees | Certified: $5 first page, $1 additional; Non-certified: $0.50/page (mail), $0.25/page (email) |
| Website | clark.wa.gov/clerk/access-records |
| Odyssey Portal | odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov |
How to Search Clark County Bankruptcy Records
Federal bankruptcy cases from Clark County are searchable through PACER and through the free VCIS phone line. State court records from the Clark County Superior Court have their own separate search tools. Knowing which system covers which type of record saves time.
PACER is the main tool for federal bankruptcy records. Register for a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov or by calling 800-676-6856. Once registered, log in and select the Western District of Washington. Search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Pages cost $0.10 each, capped at $3.00 per document. If your total charges for the quarter stay under $30, the fees are waived. Full case dockets, every filed document, and the complete case history are all available. This is the most comprehensive option for federal bankruptcy research.
VCIS, the Voice Case Information System, is free and available at 866-222-8029 any hour of the day. No account is needed. Give the system a debtor name or case number and it returns the case number, filing date, chapter type, trustee, and status. For a quick status check, VCIS is faster than logging into PACER.
For Clark County Superior Court state records, the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov covers cases from 1990 onward. The Washington Courts statewide name search at dw.courts.wa.gov is another option for finding state court records. The OnBase terminal in the courthouse lobby is also available during business hours for in-person document review. Clark County holds the distinction of being one of the first jurisdictions in the nation to digitize both state and local government records, so electronic access is generally good.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds older Clark County records as well. Clark County was a leader in state records digitization, so many historical documents are available online.
The screenshot below shows the Washington Courts name and case search portal. It covers state-level cases statewide, including Clark County Superior Court civil matters like judgments and liens that often appear alongside bankruptcy proceedings.
Washington Courts Name and Case Search lets you find state civil records without visiting the courthouse.
Use this free tool to look up civil judgments, property liens, or other state court activity from Clark County Superior Court that may connect to a federal bankruptcy filing.
Bankruptcy Chapters and Filing Fees
Federal bankruptcy law provides several types of relief. Clark County residents file all chapters through the Western District of Washington. The filing fee is paid at the time of filing and is set by federal law, the same across the entire state.
Chapter 7 is the most common type filed by individuals. A trustee reviews your non-exempt assets and most unsecured debts are discharged at the end, usually within four to six months. The filing fee is $338. You must pass the means test, which compares your income to the state median. Clark County, as part of the Vancouver-Portland metro area, has its own income profile under the means test guidelines.
Chapter 13 lets individuals with steady income keep their assets and repay some debts over a three-to-five-year plan. The filing fee is $313. It is commonly used by Clark County homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage payments and want to stop foreclosure. Chapter 12 applies to family farmers and fishermen, with a filing fee of $278. It works similarly to Chapter 13 but with rules that accommodate seasonal or irregular income. Chapter 11 reorganization, used mainly by businesses, carries a $1,738 filing fee. Individuals with debts that exceed Chapter 13 limits may also use it.
All filers must complete a credit counseling course before filing and a debtor education course before a discharge is granted. Approved providers are listed on the Western District court's website. These courses can usually be completed online.
Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Washington state law lets you protect certain assets from creditors when you file for bankruptcy. These protections are called exemptions, and Clark County filers choose between Washington's state system and the federal exemption system. The state system is usually the better choice.
Under RCW 6.15, you can exempt up to $3,500 in household goods and furnishings, up to $15,000 in one motor vehicle, up to $15,000 in tools you use in your work, and up to $10,000 as a wildcard exemption you can apply to any property. A change in July 2023 gave each spouse in a joint filing their own full set of these exemptions, effectively doubling the protected amounts for couples who file together. For many Clark County households with two vehicles or significant personal property, that change has made a real difference.
The homestead exemption under RCW 6.13 ties the protected amount to the median sale price of a single-family home in Clark County at the time of filing. Given the significant growth in Vancouver-area home values in recent years, this exemption can protect a very large amount of equity. The home must be your primary residence for the exemption to apply.
The screenshot below shows the Office of Civil Legal Aid's legal help resource page, which connects Clark County residents with free and low-cost legal services, including those that handle bankruptcy matters.
OCLA Find Legal Help at ocla.wa.gov lists legal aid programs organized by county and service area across Washington.
Use the OCLA directory to find a legal aid program serving Clark County residents who need help with a bankruptcy case or related financial matter.
Legal Help for Clark County Residents
Clark County has local legal aid options not available in smaller counties. Getting advice before filing for bankruptcy is always a smart step. Several organizations serve Vancouver and the surrounding area.
Legal Aid Services of Clark County is a local organization at 500 W. 8th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, reachable at (360) 695-5311. Their website is lascc.org. They serve low-income Clark County residents with free civil legal help, including bankruptcy matters. This is a direct local resource that many other counties do not have.
The Washington State Bar Association's legal help directory is at wsba.org/for-the-public/find-legal-help and lists attorneys and referral services statewide. CLEAR offers free civil legal advice to low-income residents at 888-201-1014. The Northwest Justice Project at nwjustice.org also provides statewide coverage. The Office of Civil Legal Aid directory at ocla.wa.gov can help you find additional programs. For federal oversight matters, the U.S. Trustee's Seattle office at 1000 2nd Avenue, Suite 2500 (206-553-2000) handles complaints about misconduct in bankruptcy cases from Clark County.
Cities in Clark County
Clark County is one of the most populous counties in Washington. The county seat is Vancouver, the largest city in the county and a major population center in the Pacific Northwest. Camas and Orchards are also significant communities in Clark County with dedicated pages on this site. Other cities and communities in the county include Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Washougal, La Center, and Woodland. All Clark County residents file federal bankruptcy cases through the Western District of Washington regardless of which city they live in.
Nearby Counties
Clark County borders several counties in southwestern Washington and is adjacent to Oregon across the Columbia River. If you need records from a neighboring county or need to determine which county covers a specific address, these links are helpful.