Snohomish County Courts

Snohomish County is home to about 864,000 residents, making up 11% of Washington's total population of around 7.7 million. The county seat and largest city is Everett. Each year, Snohomish County trial courts handle over 210,000 case filings. According to the Washington Courts Caseloads, the Superior Court finalizes approximately 91% of its 1,900 annual case filings. Meanwhile, the District Courts resolve more than 200,000 cases annually.

Snohomish County's judiciary includes five trial courts, each responsible for handling the following types of cases..

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• Snohomish County District Court decides misdemeanor cases and civil cases involving amounts under $100,000...
• Snohomish County Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency cases, child dependency . , and. other legal issues involving minors.
• Municipal Courts preside over cases involving violations of city ordinances.
• Traffic Violations Bureau handles payments, scheduling, and basic processing of traffic citations and infractions not requiring a court hearing.

The Superior and Juvenile courthouses are located in Everett, while other trial courts operate from various locations across the county.

How To Access Snohomish County Court Records

The Washington State Public Records Act (PRA) allows anyone to view or request copies of Snohomish County court records. However, juvenile, adoption, and sealed records remain confidential under state law. Sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, medical records, and the identities of crime victims may be redacted to protect individual privacy and comply with legal requirements.

To obtain public court records, individuals may be required to provide valid photo IDs and pay processing fees, which vary depending on the type of record. The following outlines how to access public case files in Snohomish County:

Online

Interested persons may use the Washington Courts Online Case Search portal to view Snohomish court records online. To find public court files on the portal, enter case numbers or party names where necessary. The system will display available case summaries, filing dates, and case status. Court records created in Snohomish County and other counties in the U.S. are also accessible online through CourtCaseFinder.

Individuals interested in accessing federal court records may view them online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER). To view court documents on PACER, create a free account online, log in, and enter case details in the spaces provided. Viewing or downloading records on PACER typically costs $0.10 per page. Meanwhile, academic researchers and other eligible persons may request fee exemptions.

In-Person

Snohomish County, WA, court records may be accessed in person at the relevant District Courthouse where the case was originally heard. For Superior Court records, requesters may request in person at the Superior Court Clerk's Office located at:

The Superior Court Clerk typically charges $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. Additional fees may apply for exemplified copies and extensive searches. Some courthouses may offer public computer terminals where visitors may search case information on-site at no cost, though printed copies may incur additional fees. Requesters should contact the Superior Court Clerk in advance to verify record availability, office hours, and identification requirements.

Old and Archived Court Records

Snohomish County court records created before 1900 are not accessible online. Interested persons may use the Washington State Archives to access historic case files dating back to the 1800s, including civil, criminal, and probate matters. To access these records, requesters use the state's Digital Archives to search online. They may also submit formal requests to the State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Snohomish County

Litigants in Snohomish may file cases by mail, online, or in person. Before filing a case, contact the Superior Court Clerk to determine the local court with jurisdiction over the case. The court clerk may also provide guidance on filing procedures, the required documents, and applicable fees.

For mail filings, individuals must complete the necessary paperwork, including original petition or complaint forms. Send the fines together with other supporting documents, filing fees, and self-addressed, stamped envelopes to the appropriate court location. Forms, filing fees, and other instructions on how to file a case by mail are typically available on the court clerk's website.

To file a case in person, visit the clerk's office during regular business hours with all completed forms, required documents, and fees. Litigants may call ahead or check the clerk's website for office hours, directions, and any recent changes to filing procedures. Meanwhile, online filings are processed through the Washington eFile system (eFile WA). Guidelines for online case filing and account setup are available through the E-Filing Information page provided by the Court Clerk.

Court filing fees in Snohomish County are listed on the county's Fee Schedule. Litigants who are unable to afford these fees may request a waiver by submitting the Fee Waiver Application form. After reviewing the request, the court may grant a full or partial waiver or deny the request based on the individual's financial circumstances.

Litigants may follow the steps below to file a case in Snohomish County:

• Contact the Superior Court Clerk for details on where and how to file certain cases
• Complete all required court forms, including petitions, complaints, or supporting affidavits
• Include all supporting documents, such as exhibits, certificates, or cover sheets required for your case type
• Pay the filing fee as required by the court clerk or submit the fee waiver application.
• Serve the other party with the filed documents and obtain proof of service.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating 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.

Low-income individuals in Snohomish County can access legal help through local nonprofit organizations and community-based law clinics. They may receive help with filing legal paperwork, free legal guidance, representation in eligible cases, and lawyer referrals. Below is a list of legal aid programs and referral services in Snohomish County.

• Snohomish County Legal Services
• Snohomish County Bar Lawyer Consultation Referral

Statewide resources that offer legal support to Snohomish County residents include:

• Washington Bar Find Legal Help
• Washington Law Help

Other legal aid services and self-help resources are listed below:

• Snohomish County Law Library - Ensures public access to legal research tools, statutes, case law, and legal forms.
• Northwest Justice Project (NJP) - Delivers statewide legal aid, including assistance with housing, public benefits, and family safety.
• Snohomish County Domestic Violence Services - Provides advocacy, legal support, and shelter for survivors of domestic abuse.
• Tenant Union of Washington - Supports renters through legal education, tenant advocacy, and housing rights assistance.
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) - Offers immigration-related legal services, including asylum, DACA, and deportation defense.
• Washington State Pro Bono Council - Coordinates pro bono legal services and connects volunteers with individuals in need across the state.

Types of Courts in Snohomish County, Washington

Snohomish County's Superior, District, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts ensure access to justice and legal protections for residents and business organizations. The following provides contact details and a summary of each court's jurisdiction:

Snohomish County Superior Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $100,000, family law disputes, probate, juvenile dependency, and appeals from District and Municipal Courts. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over adoptions and certain mental health proceedings.
• Address and Contact Information

Snohomish County District Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hear misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases. It also resolves civil claims for up to $100,000, small claims, protection orders, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Snohomish County Juvenile Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles cases involving juvenile offenders under the age of 18, including delinquency, truancy, and status offenses. It also hears juvenile dependency matters such as abuse, neglect, and termination of parental rights.
• Address and Contact Information -

Snohomish County Municipal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - They handle city violations and other minor offenses not punishable by jail time.
• The Municipal Court locations in Snohomish County are listed below:

Edmonds Municipal Court

Everett Municipal Court

Lynnwood Municipal Court

Marysville Municipal Court

Monroe Municipal Court

Snohomish County Traffic Violations Bureau

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Processes traffic infractions and citations that do not require a formal court appearance. It handles payments, scheduling of hearings, and administrative processing of minor traffic offenses.
• The Traffic Bureau in Snohomish County is listed below:

Brier Traffic Violations Bureau

Darrington Traffic Violations Bureau

Gold Bar Violations Bureau

Granite Falls Traffic Violations Bureau

Lake Stevens Traffic Violations Bureau

Mill Creek Traffic Violations Bureau

Mountlake Terrace Violations Bureau

Mukilteo Traffic Violations Bureau

Snohomish Traffic Violations Bureau

Stanwood Traffic Violations Bureau

Sultan Violations Bureau

Woodway Traffic Violations Bureau

Federal Courts in Snohomish County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (Seattle Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court hears complex civil disputes and criminal prosecutions related to federal laws.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western Washington District (Seattle Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It oversees all proceedings filed under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Snohomish County Courts

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions related to Snohomish County, WA, courts.