King County Courts

King County is home to approximately 2.28 million people, which is about 28% of Washington State's population of 8.11 million. Its county seat is Seattle, the state's largest city. The King County Superior Court is one of the busiest in the state, processing over 54,000 cases and resolving over 50,000 annually. The county operates several courts, each with varying jurisdiction as listed below:

• King County Superior Court: Presides over felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, probate proceedings, divorce, and matters concerning child welfare. It also hears certain civil cases, such as property disputes, questions regarding the legality of taxes, and other cases involving financial obligations or debts.
• King County Superior Court (Juvenile Division): Handles matters involving juvenile delinquency, truancy, the termination of parental rights, and specific cases related to foster care.
• King County District Courts: Oversee certain misdemeanor cases, conduct preliminary hearings in criminal matters, address issues related to traffic infractions, and manage civil claims where the disputed amount is less than $75,000. These courts operate in Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, Auburn, Burien, and Seattle.
• King County Municipal Courts: Handle cases involving violations of city ordinances and matters related to the recovery or enforcement of license penalties. They are situated in cities such as Black Diamond, Bothell, Issaquah, Kent, Maple Valley, and Medina.

While Seattle (the county seat) houses major court facilities in King County, the court system extends well beyond the county seat.

How To Access King County Court Records

King County court records are generally open to the public for inspection and copying, per the Washington Public Records Act. However, records that have been sealed by court order or restricted by statute may not be available for public inspection. These records include those involving adoption proceedings, mental health matters, and juvenile criminal cases.

To obtain a court record in King County, requesters must provide a valid form of identification, preferably a government-issued ID, along with relevant details about the case. Such details may include the accurate names of the individuals involved and, if available, the case number or filing date of the case.

King County court records may be accessed through the following means:

Online

Individuals may access King County court records electronically through the King County Record Access Portal. The King County Clerk's public portal also allows users to search Superior Court cases by case number or party name. Additionally, record seekers may use the Washington State Courts online search system to locate King County court records. This online search system is a centralized case search tool maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts for the State of Washington, providing access to records of the King County Superior Court.

Furthermore, CourtCaseFinder is an online resource that may help requesters locate King County Court records. This website provides access to case details and legal documents from counties nationwide, including those from King County.

If the record sought is from a federal case heard in King County, an individual may access it through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Users must create a PACER account to use the system, and fees are generally charged for viewing and downloading documents.

In-Person

King County court records may be accessed in person at the Department of Judicial Administration or at the Superior Court Clerk's Office located at the courthouse where the case was processed. The court clerk's offices in King County are typically open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Record seekers may also consider accessing court records through the public records access terminals maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's Office. These public access terminals allow individuals to view court documents at no charge during regular business hours. Staff at these facilities also generally assist users in identifying the specific records they need before a formal request for copies is made.

Although reviewing court records is free, administrative charges may apply for copying and certifying these records. Photocopies are charged at 25 cents per page. Additionally, if staff assistance is provided for a period exceeding one hour while searching for the record, a $30 hourly processing fee applies. For CD recordings of court hearings, the cost is $25 per case number for up to 72 minutes of audio, with an additional $10 fee for postage and handling of mail-in orders.

Old and Archived Court Records

The King County Archives serves as the official repository for the county's historical records, which include old court records, and is responsible for providing access to these court documents. Requesters may contact the facility or submit an in-person request at:

The county's archived records may also be obtained by sending a request to the King County Superior Court Department of Judicial Administration at any of the following addresses:

How To File a Case in King County

Anyone may initiate a legal proceeding in King County by filing the case in person at a courthouse, submitting documents online through the court's system, or mailing court-approved filing forms.

For small claims matters, the King County District Court offers an electronic filing portal designed to guide users through the filing process. This system helps litigants prepare case filing documents by prompting them to answer an online questionnaire, which automatically generates the required Notice of Small Claim form at no additional charge. The completed documents can then be filed online or submitted in person at the courthouse.

When filing a case in King County, specific fees may apply depending on the case type and the division of the court handling the case. The fee structure is generally as follows:

• Small Claims: A $50 fee applies to all small claims filed in District Court
• District Court Civil Cases: Fees vary based on the type and complexity of the case
• Superior Court Civil Cases: Fees typically start at $250 and may be higher depending on the value and nature of the case
• Family Law and Probate Cases: Filing fees differ depending on the specific type of legal proceeding

Washington State allows individuals who cannot afford filing fees to request a fee waiver. Such persons must submit a completed Request for Waiver of Civil Filing Fees and Surcharges form, along with documentation proving their inability to pay. This documentation should include details about income, assets, expenses, and any public financial assistance received. The court will evaluate eligibility based on federal poverty guidelines or the applicant's public assistance status.

If the court approves the request, the waiver may cover filing fees as well as other necessary court-related expenses.

Below is a step-by-step process for filing a case in King County:

• Begin by identifying the type of case you intend to file and determining which court in King County has the legal authority to hear the matter.
• Organize your petition or complaint according to the specific nature of the case. This document should include all relevant exhibits, affidavits, and other forms of evidence. It is important to note that criminal cases are typically filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on behalf of the State, rather than by private individuals.
• Complete any required case information sheets or other supporting documents mandated by the court division where you are filing. Note that new case filings in King County Superior Court require a King County Case Assignment Designation and a Case Information Cover Sheet. The courts also provide local forms that comply with the current Local Court Rules.
• Make sure to satisfy any additional filing requirements set by the specific court division, including preparing a summons, completing extra procedural forms, or meeting service-related obligations based on the case type.
• Once all required documentation is assembled, submit the completed case file to the appropriate courthouse. For Superior Court matters, filings should be submitted to either the King County Courthouse or the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. For District Court cases, documents may be filed at any King County District Court location. Be sure to include the applicable filing fee, unless you have received an approved fee waiver.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Throughout the United States, county trial courts play an important role in ensuring access to justice. This access often depends on the availability of legal help and self-help resources, including digital court portals, legal aid services, and court-sponsored assistance programs.

In King County, individuals seeking legal support with their court matters may explore a variety of services, including local legal aid organizations and attorney referral services offered by the King County Bar Association.

The King County court system also provides self-help services to eligible individuals through programs conducted by the King County Law Library and the Family Law Facilitator offices. The King County Law Library is located at the following addresses:

The Family Law Facilitator Office is located at the following address:

Additionally, Washington LawHelp, the state's official legal assistance website, offers a wide range of self-help tools and legal information materials. Materials on the website include downloadable court forms, step-by-step legal guides, and instructions on how to navigate court proceedings. The website also provides virtual assistance on various legal topics and may help connect users to local services across Washington State.

Below is a list of additional legal aid organizations and pro bono services available to residents of King County:

• Northwest Justice Project: Publicly funded organization providing legal aid to low-income individuals statewide. The organization offers a toll-free legal hotline called CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) and specific programs for tenants facing eviction or subsidy termination.
• King County Bar Association Pro Bono Services: Volunteer-based program offering client-focused legal services to low-income residents. These services include Neighborhood Legal Clinics that provide free 30-minute consultations with attorneys at various locations across King County.
• Housing Justice Project (HJP): Homelessness prevention program operated by the King County Bar Association, providing free legal help to eligible low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings.
• Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP): Specialized organization offering high-quality, no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of East King County, including dedicated services for survivors of domestic violence.
• Columbia Legal Services: Statewide legal aid organization providing legal assistance to low-income individuals and individuals with special needs throughout Washington.
• King County Department of Public Defense: A Government agency that provides legal representation to individuals in the criminal justice system who cannot afford the services of an attorney.

Types of Courts in King County, Washington

The court system in King County includes Superior, District, Municipal, and Federal courts. Details regarding the jurisdiction of each court, along with their contact information, are outlined below:

King County Superior Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: These courts oversee felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, probate matters, juvenile court cases, divorce proceedings, and issues related to child welfare. They also hear certain civil cases, including property disputes, challenges to the legality of taxes, and other matters involving financial obligations or debts. The Superior Courts in King County are as follows:

King County Superior Court I

King County Superior Court II

King County Superior Court (Juvenile Division)

King County District Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: They handle misdemeanor cases, conduct preliminary criminal hearings, process traffic infractions, and manage civil claims under $75,000. The following are the District Courts in King County:

King County District Court -Bellevue

King County District Court - Issaquah

King County District Court - Redmond

King County District Court - Auburn

King County District Court - Burien

King County District Court - Kent

King County District Court - Seattle

King County District Court - Shoreline

King County Municipal Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: These courts address cases involving breach of city ordinances and issues concerning the enforcement or recovery of license-related penalties. King County Municipal Courts are listed below:

Black Diamond Municipal Court

Bothell Municipal Court

Clyde Hill Municipal Court

Enumclaw Municipal Court

Des Moines Municipal Court

Federal Way Municipal Court

Hunts Point Municipal Court

Issaquah Municipal Court

Kent Municipal Court

Kirkland Municipal Court

Lake Forest Park Municipal Court

Maple Valley Municipal Court

Medina Municipal Court

Municipal Court of Pacific and Algona

Newcastle Municipal Court

Normandy Park Municipal Court

North Bend Municipal Court

Renton Municipal Court

SeaTac Municipal Court

Seattle Municipal Court

Snoqualmie Municipal Court

Tukwila Municipal Court

Yarrow Point Municipal Court

Federal Courts Serving King County

The following federal courts serve King County:

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles all federal civil and criminal matters. Cases include violations of federal law, civil rights lawsuits, patent litigation, immigration proceedings, and diversity jurisdiction cases where the parties are from different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000
• Address and Contact Information:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court is responsible for overseeing all Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases involving both individuals and businesses in King County and surrounding counties
• Address and Contact Information:

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has the authority to review cases from the Western District of Washington and other federal district courts located in the western region of the country
• Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About King County Courts

Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about King County trial courts: