Pierce County Courts

Home to over 930,000 residents, Pierce County accounts for around 12% of Washington State's total population of 8 million. Its county seat is located in the city of Tacoma. Pierce County Superior Court handles approximately 3,444 criminal cases, 13,036 civil cases, and 4,039 domestic violence matters annually.

The Pierce County judicial system comprises the Superior, District, and Municipal Courts, which handle a broad range of legal matters. These courts operate with jurisdiction based on the type of cases they hear:

• Pierce County Superior Court handles all felony criminal cases, civil claims, probate matters, juvenile cases, domestic relations, including divorce and child custody, and appeals from District and Municipal Courts
• Pierce County District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, name changes, protection orders, civil claims not exceeding $50,000, and small claims
• Pierce County Municipal Court addresses misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and city ordinance violations

Primary court services are centralized in Tacoma, while municipal courts have facilities located in various cities throughout Pierce County, including Lakewood, Gig Harbor, and Puyallup.

How To Access Pierce County Court Records

Pierce County court records are considered public information under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), unless exempt by law. Common exempt records typically include documents related to juvenile proceedings, adoption cases, and certain medical or health-related matters. Interested individuals who wish to access the county's court records must provide valid government-issued photo identification and a case number. Below are options to access or search for Pierce County court records:

Online

Record seekers may access Pierce County District and Municipal court records online through the Washington State Courts Find My Court Date system. Individuals may search for small claims, civil, and criminal cases on the portal by using the case number or party name. For Pierce County Superior Court records, record seekers may use the official Legal Information Network Exchange (LINX). Additionally, county court records may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, which provides users with access to court records from all counties across the United States.

Interested persons may find federal court records for cases heard in Pierce County through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER). Users must register an account to view or download case and docket information

In-Person

Individuals seeking Pierce County court records may access them by submitting written requests in person at the Clerk's Office in the courthouse where the cases were filed. Court records may be viewed through the public access terminals available within the courthouses. These computers allow users to view basic court information at no cost. Certain fees are required for obtaining copies of court records, with $0.50 charged per page and $5 charge per certifieddocument.

Old and Archived Court Records

Historic court records in Pierce County, especially those older than 50 years, may no longer be available at the court's clerk's offices or their online databases. To access these records, Individuals seeking access to such archival records may consult the Washington State Digital Archives or contact the office directly at:

How To File a Case in Pierce County

An individual may file a case online through the Pierce County LINX e-Filing portal. They may also do so in person at the Clerk's Office, or by mail (if permitted). Before filing any case in the county, a person must first determine which court has jurisdiction over the type of case they intend to file. To avoid filing errors, appellants are encouraged to contact the Pierce County Superior Clerk's Office to verify court jurisdiction before proceeding.

Individuals who want to file a case in Pierce County need to provide necessary documents such as civil case cover sheets, summonses, petitions or complaints, and any supporting exhibits or affidavits. It is necessary to use court-approved forms available online at the Washington State Courts forms portal. Filing fees may vary depending on the types of cases. Litigants who cannot afford to pay court costs may apply for fee waivers by submitting an Application for Waiver to the court Clerk's Office. The court reviews the application and may grant a full or partial waiver based on financial eligibility.

Below are the steps for filing cases in Pierce County:

• Determine the appropriate courts with jurisdiction over the case types
• Prepare the required documents
• Attach supporting materials, including exhibits, affidavits, and court-approved forms
• File the cases online, in person, or by mail (if allowed)
• Pay the applicable filing fees or apply for fee waivers using GR 34 forms
• Serve notices to the opposing parties and file proofs of service
• Track case activity and filings through LINX or the Washington Courts case lookup system

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play vital roles in ensuring access to justice. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Pierce County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation for court cases may seek free legal assistance through local legal aid organizations, courthouse self-help services, and pro bono programs coordinated by the Pierce County Bar Association.

The following organizations and services provide legal support to qualified persons in Pierce County:

• Court-Based Self-Help Services
• Pierce County Superior Court Legal Help and Advice Service - This resource offers family law facilitators who assist users with divorce, parenting plans, support matters, and protection orders
• Pierce County Self-Help Resources - This service provides downloadable packets and guidance for pro se litigants in areas like probate, eviction, child support, and protection orders
• Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services
• Tacoma Pro Bono Community Lawyers - This Organization delivers free civil legal aid in areas including family law, housing, debt, and record clearance for eligible low-income litigants in the county
• YWCA Pierce County Legal Services Program - This service supports survivors of domestic violence or intimate partner abuse in family law and protection order cases
• Statewide Referral and Self-Help Network
• Northwest Justice Project (NJP) - This statewide network offers civil legal advice, referrals, and limited representation for low-income residents across Washington
• Tacoma- Pierce County Bar Association - This organization offers referrals to attorneys and a 30-minute low-cost consultation for qualifying individuals

Types of Courts in Pierce County, Washington

Pierce County residents are served by several courts, which include superior, district, municipal, and federal courts. The jurisdiction of each court and its contact details are listed below:

Pierce County Superior Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Felonies, civil cases, family law, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters.
• Address and Contact Information

Pierce County Superior Court - Juvenile Division

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters
• Address and Contact Information

Pierce County District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, civil cases within monetary limits, name changes, and protection orders
• Address and Contact Information

Pierce County Municipal Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Minor misdemeanors, city ordinance violations, traffic and parking infractions within city limits
• The Municipal Court locations in Pierce County are listed below:

Bonney Lake Municipal Court

Fife Municipal Court

Gig Harbor Municipal Court

Lakewood Municipal Court

Puyallup Municipal Court

Roy Municipal Court

Steilacoom Municipal Court

Tacoma Municipal Court

Federal Courts in Pierce County

Listed below are the federal courts that serve the county:

United States District Court - Western District of Washington

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Federal criminal prosecutions, constitutional issues, immigration law, and civil suits based on federal statutes or involving U.S agencies
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Washington

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Cases under federal bankruptcy law and related matters
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pierce County Courts

The following questions are commonly asked regarding how Pierce County courts operate: