Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 23, 2026 and September 30, 2026.
Cowlitz County, Washington, has about 114,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). The title to a parcel in Cowlitz County is in the deed records of the County Auditor and its taxable value is set by the County Assessor; what is built on it is a matter for the city or the county. This guide says who keeps each record and where the page for each office is.
This guide covers deeds, assessed values, directory links, city permits, evictions and court cases, records requests and common questions.
Related guides: Cowlitz County public records, Cowlitz County arrest records, Cowlitz County warrants, Cowlitz County inmate search, Cowlitz County criminal records, Washington arrest records and Washington inmate search.
Deeds, Mortgages and Liens in Cowlitz County
Who owns a parcel in Cowlitz County and what it sold for are in the deed records of the County Auditor, with every lien or mortgage against the land.
SearchSystems opened and checked the County Auditor's page at co.cowlitz.wa.us/1302/Search-Auditors-Records (page title: Search Auditor's Records | Cowlitz County, WA), phone 360-577-3002, 207 N 4th Avenue Kelso, WA 98626, Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 30, 2026.
Assessed Values and the Tax Roll in Cowlitz County
The County Assessor sets the value each parcel in Cowlitz County is taxed on and keeps the parcel maps. Washington counties revalue every property every year and physically inspect each one at least every six years.
SearchSystems opened and checked the County Assessor's page at co.cowlitz.wa.us/QuickLinks.aspx?CID=22 (page title: Quick Links, Assessor), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
More Official Property and Land Records Pages for Cowlitz County
The SearchSystems directory, online since 1997, lists the official pages for Cowlitz County and Washington. These recorded document pages from its Cowlitz County listing were opened again on October 2, 2026 and each one still answers:
- Understanding the Inspection Report Form (co.cowlitz.wa.us)
Permits and City Records in the Cities of Cowlitz County
Building permits, zoning and code cases inside a city are the city's own records. The cities in Cowlitz County with a SearchSystems guide to their offices, with the city page SearchSystems verified:
- Longview: the city hall page SearchSystems verified is at mylongview.com/facilities/facility/details/cityhall-30, phone 360-442-5086 (verified September 25, 2026).
- Kelso: the city hall page SearchSystems verified is at kelso.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/City-Hall-14 (verified September 25, 2026).
Evictions and Court Cases About Land in Cowlitz County
An eviction is a court case in the District Court, and so is a foreclosure, a lien dispute or a quiet title suit, in the Cowlitz County Superior Court; the court file is public unless sealed.
The court records page SearchSystems verified for the county is at co.cowlitz.wa.us/2638/Court-Records, phone 360-577-3020.
Asking a County Office for a Record
Under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) a county office must answer a request within 5 business days, and it may charge for copies at 15 cents a page, and set fees for electronic records. The county records request page SearchSystems verified is at co.cowlitz.wa.us/548/Public-Records-Request-Process (page title: Public Records | Cowlitz County, WA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds in Cowlitz County?
The County Auditor, at co.cowlitz.wa.us/1302/Search-Auditors-Records, phone 360-577-3002. Deeds, mortgages and liens on land in Cowlitz County are filed there, and the County Assessor (co.cowlitz.wa.us/QuickLinks.aspx?CID=22) has the assessment records.
Who sets the assessed value of a property in Cowlitz County?
The County Assessor, whose page SearchSystems verified is at co.cowlitz.wa.us/QuickLinks.aspx?CID=22.
Where are evictions from Cowlitz County filed?
In the District Court. The file is public unless the court seals it.
How is property assessed in Washington?
Washington counties revalue every property every year and physically inspect each one at least every six years.
Is this the official Cowlitz County website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.