How To Find Court Records In Washington

Court records in Washington are official documents that capture details of legal proceedings filed within the state's courts. These records are an important part of the judicial system as they promote transparency by allowing the public to access information about court activities when applicable.

For those seeking easier access to Washington court records, CourtCaseFinder can be a valuable resource. Our Instant Court Case Lookup helps consolidate access into a more user-friendly platform. Through our system, you may be able to view case numbers, hearing dates, parties involved, and the outcomes of proceedings, available when applicable.

The information contained within court records can provide insight into how cases move through the Washington judicial system. When accessed, they may help you research past proceedings, stay informed on active cases, and support personal or professional decision-making where relevant.

How To Access Washington Public Court Records

CourtCaseFinder remains a convenient and user-friendly solution for locating Washington court records. It offers a centralized platform and streamlined access that can help you save time and effort when searching for court documents.

Apart from our platform, you can also access the state court records via official government channels. These formal avenues can provide access to certified records and, in some instances, may provide access to information not yet available through CourtCaseFinder.

Online Access

Washington courts provide the public with online access to case information through official platforms. The Odyssey Portal offers free access to basic details, such as case type, filing date, and current status, when available. This system is widely used to check the progress of cases in participating courts.

For individuals or organizations that need broader access, the JIS-Link service is available. This subscription-based platform provides statewide docket data across municipal, district, and superior courts.

In Person Access

For those who prefer direct access, court records in Washington can be obtained by visiting the Clerk's Office at the courthouse where a case was filed. Most county courthouses offer public access terminals that enable individuals to view case information at no charge. Court staff are typically available to help visitors locate the correct case records.

The Court Directory lists addresses and phone numbers for different courts across Washington. It also includes maps, directions, and fax numbers, which make it easier for the public to contact or visit the appropriate courthouse.

Mail Requests

You can also request Washington court records by mail. This option typically requires submitting a written request or completing a copy request form, which is usually available on the county clerk's website where the case was filed. When requesting, you need to provide details such as the case number, names of parties involved, and the type of documents being requested.

Along with the request, most courts require payment by check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the documents. Fees vary depending on the court and whether certified copies are required. Processing times also differ, but generally take several business days.

Washington Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

Washington court records are open to the public under the Washington Public Records Act. Serving as the state's version of the Freedom of Information Act, this law promotes government transparency by allowing the general public to view many documents, including those filed in the judicial system.

Public court records in the state may contain a variety of details, which can help you follow case progress and understand legal outcomes when available. Pieces of information commonly included in public court records are the following:

• Case numbers and filing dates
• Names of parties involved
• Case type and status
• Docket entries and scheduled hearings
• Motions and orders filed with the court
• Final judgments and dispositions

Despite this broad access, some records are exempt from disclosure or are sealed to protect privacy or sensitive matters. According to Washington General Court Rules Section 31.1, records that are not public or are restricted include:

• Juvenile court records in certain cases
• Adoption and paternity records
• Mental health and medical treatment records
• Records involving victims of sexual assault or minors
• Sealed financial documents, including tax returns and bank statements
• Records restricted by statute or sealed by court order

Who Oversees the Courts in Washington?

The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is the agency responsible for managing the operations of state and county courts across the state. This office provides administrative support to the judicial branch and aims to make the courts function efficiently and consistently throughout the state.

AOC is overseen by the Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, who also serves as the administrative head of the state court system. Currently, this post is held by Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens.

The day-to-day responsibilities of the AOC are carried out by the State Court Administrator, a role established under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 2.56. According to this statute, the administrator's duties include:

• Assisting courts with case management
• Implementing technology systems
• Developing training programs for judges and court staff
• Managing court data and statistics
• Supporting policy development
• Working with the legislature to secure funding and resources for the judicial system

In addition, the AOC plays a key role in public court data access by maintaining online resources such as the Washington Courts website and case search portals.

What Types of Courts Exist in Washington?

Washington's court system is organized into several levels, each with specific jurisdictions and responsibilities. This layered structure allows cases to move from local courts up through the appellate system when necessary.

At the top of the system is the Washington Supreme Court, which serves as the state's court of last resort. Below it is the Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from lower courts.

At the trial level, Washington has Superior Courts with broad jurisdiction and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, which include the District Courts and Municipal Courts that handle more specific case types.

You can review the table below for the available courts in Washington, along with their jurisdiction and common cases they handle.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Washington Supreme Court	The highest court in the state; reviews appeals from the Court of Appeals and cases involving constitutional or significant legal issues.	State constitutional challenges, attorney discipline, ballot measure disputes, and death penalty reviews
Washington Court of Appeals	Intermediate appellate court; reviews decisions of Superior Courts (except death penalty cases).	Civil and criminal appeals and administrative agency appeals
Washington Superior Courts	General jurisdiction trial courts in each of Washington's 39 counties.	Felonies, large civil cases, family law, juvenile cases, probate, and appeals from lower courts
Washington District Courts	Limited jurisdiction courts exist in each county.	Misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, small claims, minor civil cases, and traffic violations
Washington Municipal Courts	Limited jurisdiction court; created by cities/towns.	Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors under city ordinances, traffic infractions, and municipal code violations

What Federal Courts Are In Washington?

Unlike Washington's state courts, which handle matters under state law, federal courts hear cases arising under the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties.

Their jurisdiction includes issues like federal crimes, disputes between states, cases involving the federal government, and lawsuits between residents of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. Federal courts also handle bankruptcy, immigration, and patent cases, which are outside the jurisdiction of state courts.

In Washington, the federal judiciary consists of two U.S. District Courts and specialized U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. The table below outlines these federal courts in the state, along with their jurisdiction and contact information.

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington	Handles federal civil and criminal trials in the western counties of Washington, such as King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston, and Whatcom.	Seattle Courthouse 700 Stewart Street, Suite 2310 Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: (206) 370-8400 Tacoma Courthouse 1717 Pacific Avenue, Room 3100 Tacoma, WA 98402-3200 Phone: (253) 882-3800
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington	Oversees federal cases in eastern counties of the state, such as Spokane, Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Grant.	Spokane Courthouse 920 West Riverside Ave, Room 840 Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: (509) 458-3400 Yakima Courthouse 25 South 3rd St, Room 201 Yakima, WA 98901 Phone: (509) 573-6600 Richland Courthouse 825 Jadwin Avenue, Room 174 Richland, WA 99352 Phone: (509) 943-8170
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington	Handles bankruptcy cases for Western Washington counties.	Seattle Courthouse 700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301 Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: (206) 370-5200 Tacoma Courthouse 1717 Pacific Avenue, Ste 2100 Tacoma, WA 98402-3233 Phone: (253) 882-3900 Vancouver Courthouse 500 W. 12th, 2nd Floor Vancouver, WA 98660
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington	Hears bankruptcy filings in the eastern portion of Washington.	Spokane Courthouse 904 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 304, Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: (509)458-5300 Yakima Courthouse 25 South Third Street, Room 201, Yakima, WA 98901

If you want to appeal a federal case decided in Washington, direct your case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which is primarily located in California.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Washington Courts?

Washington's courts manage a significant caseload every year, which reflects the wide range of civil, criminal, family, and traffic matters brought before the judicial system. From the state's highest courts to the trial-level Superior, District, and Municipal Courts, thousands of cases move through the system annually.

As of the 2024 annual report, Washington courts handled the following volumes of cases:

• Supreme Court: About1,100 filings and more than 1,000 resolved
• Court of Appeals: Around 3,200 filings and almost 3,000 resolved
• Superior Courts (trial-level general jurisdiction): Approximately 183,000 filings
• District and Municipal Courts (limited jurisdiction): Approximately 1,641,000 filings

Below is a detailed breakdown of the filings by case type for the Superior Courts and District and Municipal Courts.

Court	Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
Superior Court	Criminal	~28,000
	Civil	~76,000
	Domestic	~24,000
	Probate/Guardianship	~22,000
	Adoption/Parentage	~4,000
	Mental Illness/Alcohol	~12,000
	Juvenile Dependency	~11,000
	Juvenile Offender	~6,000
District and Municipal Courts	Traffic Infraction	~466,000
	Non-Traffic Infraction	~15,000
	Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Physical Control	~23,000
	Traffic Misdemeanor	~40,000
	Non-Traffic Misdemeanor	~85,000
	Protection Order	~6,000
	Civil	~101,000
	Small Claim	~7,000
	Felony Complaint	~1,000
	Parking	~896,000

If you seek more detailed statistics, you can review the Caseloads of the Courts of Washington, which provide a comprehensive breakdown of court filings and dispositions across all levels of the state's judiciary.

How Do I File a Case in Washington Courts?

Filing a case in Washington courts involves following a defined process to enter your case into the judicial system properly. This requirement must be followed, regardless of case type. The guide below outlines the main steps to help you navigate the filing process in Washington.

Identify the Correct Court

Before starting a case, determine which court has jurisdiction over your matter.

Washington courts handle specific types of cases. For example, trial-level courts like Superior, District, and Municipal Courts handle new cases. Appellate courts, including the Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court, review decisions made by trial courts rather than hearing new cases.

Prepare the Required Forms

Once you identify the proper court, the next step is to prepare the forms required for your case. Washington provides standard forms for each case type through the Washington Courts Forms page.

You must fill out the forms completely to avoid rejection. Also, some forms may require additional attachments depending on the case type.

File Your Case

After preparing your forms, the next step is to file them with the appropriate court.

Washington courts allow online filing through the Washington State Appellate Courts Filing Portal for appellate cases or through county-specific e-filing systems for trial-level courts. Alternatively, documents can be submitted directly to the Clerk's Office.

Note that filing fees apply, and they vary depending on the court and case type. You can obtain the latest fee information from the respective court before submitting your documents.

Serve the Other Party

Once the court has accepted your case, you can proceed by serving the other party copies of the filed documents. Service can be done by a process server, mail service, or other methods permitted by courts.

How Is the Washington Court System Unique?

The Washington court system stands out for its combination of general-jurisdiction trial courts, courts of limited jurisdiction, and appellate courts. This layered structure provides a clear pathway for cases to move from trial to appeal, which allows legal matters to be reviewed at multiple levels when appropriate.

In addition, Washington is distinct for its use of specialized courts that address particular legal and social issues. Examples include Drug Courts and other Therapeutic Courts, which emphasize rehabilitation and tailored sentencing over traditional punitive measures.

Washington Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Adams
• Asotin
• Benton
• Chelan
• Clallam
• Clark
• Columbia
• Cowlitz
• Douglas
• Ferry
• Franklin
• Garfield
• Grant
• Grays Harbor
• Island
• Jefferson
• King
• Kitsap
• Kittitas
• Klickitat
• Lewis
• Lincoln
• Mason
• Okanogan
• Pacific
• Pend Oreille
• Pierce
• San Juan
• Skagit
• Skamania
• Snohomish
• Spokane
• Stevens
• Thurston
• Wahkiakum
• Walla Walla
• Whatcom
• Whitman
• Yakima

Where to Find Additional Information About Washington Courts?

• The Court System of Washington
• Western District Federal Court of Washington
• Eastern District Federal Court of Washington
• The Supreme Court of Washington
• Washington Court of Appeals

FAQs