King County Court Records

King County court records are the official documents issued by the King County Superior Court. These files stand as the permanent record of judicial proceedings, containing filings, motions, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and other case materials. These records reflect proceedings across civil, criminal, probate, family, juvenile, and traffic matters.

Under Washington State Court Rule GR 31, most court documents are publicly accessible unless they are sealed or exempt by statute. Records are created at the time of filing and maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court in compliance with state retention schedules and procedural rules.

Are King County Court Records Public?

Yes. Washington Superior Court's General Rule 31 presumes court records remain open unless restricted by law or court order. King County records, including civil cases, criminal prosecutions, probate matters, guardianships, and family filings, are open for public inspection, subject to filing dates and record type.

However, specific record categories remain restricted. Sealed case files, adoption proceedings, juvenile dependency records, and expunged matters are not open to public inspection. Portions of family law files may also be confidential, and sensitive identifiers, including Social Security numbers, are excluded by rule. Notably, where direct access is restricted, case indexes may yet provide limited data such as case numbers, parties, classification, and sealing notices. The full contents of sealed or confidential files are accessible only with court authorisation.

What Information is Available in King County Court Records?

Court records kept by the King County Superior Court reveal complete documentation across its various jurisdictions:

Civil, Family, and Probate Records

These files typically include case initiation forms such as cover sheets or complaints, party names, attorney details, motions, court orders, and judgment entries. Probate records include wills, trust instruments, estate inventories, creditor petitions, and distribution or settlement orders.

Criminal and Juvenile Records

Criminal case files contain charging documents, motions, plea agreements, transcripts of hearings, sentencing records, and trial exhibits. Juvenile offender files may be listed in public indexes, including case numbers, parties, and status, unless restricted by confidentiality.

Complete statewide criminal history checks, though, are provided via the Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division via the WATCH system.

Case Indexes and Summary Data

When full files are not open for review, public indexes provide limited details. These list numbers, party identifiers, filing dates, case types, and sealing notices where applicable.

King County Court Records Search

The King County Superior Court provides the following methods for accessing court records:

Online Access

County court records may be looked up and obtained through the KC Script Portal. Registered users can view, download, or request documents and audio. Finished downloads stay accessible for 14 calendar days. Access to sealed or confidential records requires identity verification through the portal. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies cost twenty-five cents.

In-Person Access

The Superior Court Clerk's Office allows visitors to search case files at no charge. Clerks may assist in locating records by party name or case number.

Note: The court does not process records requests or payments by phone or email. Mailed requests may be submitted through the portal for delivery or made in person.

Fees for Court Records in King County

Through the KC Script Portal, non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page, while clerk-issued copies cost $0.50. Certified records require $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, while exemplified records cost $9.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Research requests incur a cost of $30.00 per hour, with an extra shipping fee of $10.00 if a self-addressed envelope is not provided. Other charges include hearings from $25.00, writ issuance at $20.00 for two copies, subpoenas at the same rate, and expedited service at $30.00 per case. Further details on Superior Court and Clerk's Office fees are available on the official King County website.

Post-1907 birth and death certificates are held by the Public Health Seattle & King County Vital Statistics Office. Copies cost $25 each, with totals of $28.50 in person, $29.00 by mail, or $42.50 online/phone. Marriage records are maintained by the King County Recorder's Office, with first-time licenses costing $169 and certified copies $3. Divorce records are maintained by the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office, with a $5 fee per copy.

King County Courthouse Locations

The King County Superior Court functions through several facilities across the county:

• King County Courthouse - The central facility that serves civil and criminal matters for north and east King County.
• Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) - Full-service courthouse handling south King County cases.
• Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) - Location for Juvenile Court, detention, and family-related services.
• Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) Court at Harborview Medical Center - Dedicated court for mental health commitment petitions outside criminal proceedings.

The contact information of these courthouses are listed below:

Criminal Records Access in King County

King County courts handle criminal case documentation, including filings, motions, transcripts, sentencing terms, and exhibits. Local case files can be accessed via the KC Script Portal or in person at courthouse terminals for eligible users.

Criminal background checks, however, are handled by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Conviction history reports cost $32 by name and date of birth, or $58 by fingerprint, with a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form. Requests can be lodged by mail to the WSP office in Olympia, or fingerprints can be completed in person at:

Fingerprinting services cost $16 and require a valid government-issued photo ID.

For faster access, requesters may use WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) to obtain conviction and limited arrest data online for $11 per search, payable by credit card or billed account.

King County Probate Records

Probate records in King County include documentation related to wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships filed in the Superior Court Clerk's office. Typical contents include petitions, documents appointing personal representatives or guardians, estate inventories, court orders, and letters testamentary. Recent filings are available online via the KC Script Portal. Records on microfilm before July 1, 1979, may be viewed only during business hours at the Seattle Clerk's Office. Confidential cases, including guardianship plans for incapacitated persons or other sensitive matters, remain restricted to protect privacy.

King County Family Court Records

King County law filings cover divorce, child custody, support, and adoption cases. If filed after November 1, 2004, these records are accessible online via the KC Script Portal. Registered users can view, download, or request documents. However, some sensitive documents remain sealed under court rule. Audiences without portal access may visit the Clark Children & Family Justice Center (206-477-6770) to search cases by party or case number. Certified copies are available either through the portal or in person, following the standard fee schedule. Cases filed before 2004 or containing sealed elements may require in-person review or identity verification at the Center.

Federal Court Records in King County

King County federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. Records span constitutional claims, civil rights, federal crimes, bankruptcy, and admiralty. These documents can be obtained at the Clerk's office or via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), subject to registration and per-page fees.