King County, Washington court records are available through several channels. Public information about court cases in the county can be found at KingCourt.us. Additionally, records can be searched through official online court portals, court clerk's offices, and public access terminals installed directly in court buildings. The state of Washington provides centralized search tools that also cover King County courts.
King Court System & Jurisdictions
King County operates several levels of the court system, each handling specific categories of cases.
King County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal felony cases, civil lawsuits over $100,000, divorce and child custody cases, probate cases (the legal process for managing a deceased person's estate), and juvenile cases. Documents from this court are available through the KC Script Portal.
King County District Court handles:
- Criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits up to $100,000
- Small claims up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and fines
- Protection orders
The District Court does not publish documents online but allows case information to be searched through its case number search portal. According to General Rule (GR) 31 of Washington State Courts, most court records are considered public.
Seattle Municipal Court is a separate municipal court that handles violations of city ordinances and traffic cases within Seattle. It is not part of the District Court system.
King Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date of the next court hearing, use the Find My Court Date tool on the Washington State Courts website. Enter the last name or case number — the system will show scheduled hearings in both Superior Court and District Court.
For Superior Court cases, the schedule of hearings is also displayed in the KC Script Portal after searching for a specific case.
Regarding District Court:
- Go to the District Court e-filing portal.
- Log in or create an account.
- Find the case by number or last name — hearing dates will appear in the case details.
Note: The data on the portal is for reference only. The official record is kept directly in the court, so it is advisable to call the clerk's office for confirmation.
How to Get a Copy of a King Court Document
The process for obtaining a copy depends on which court is handling the case and whether you need a certified copy.
Superior Court
Most documents can be viewed and downloaded through the KC Script Portal. If a certified copy is needed or the document is not available online, submit a request:
- In person — at the King County Courthouse or Maleng Regional Justice Center
- By mail — complete a request form and send it to the clerk's office address
For administrative court records (not case materials), there is a separate public disclosure request procedure.
District Court
The District Court does not publish documents online. To obtain a copy, contact the clerk's office of the respective court branch in person or by mail. Information on accessing District Court records can be found on the official website.
Recorded Documents (deeds, liens, mortgages)
Documents recorded by the county Recorder's Office (since August 1991) are available through a free online official records database. To order copies, use the recorded documents copy request page.
Difference between types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — a standard copy of the document, suitable for review.
- Certified copy — has an official stamp and clerk's signature; usually required for legal procedures. The cost is higher.
King Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are determined according to RCW 36.18.016 (Superior Court clerk fees) and the rules of each court. Below are approximate rates — for current amounts, contact the clerk's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Search in Superior Court database (KC Script Portal) | Free | Viewing and downloading available documents |
| Copy of Superior Court document | $0.50 per page | Uncertified copy |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document | In addition to copying cost |
| Search in Recorder's Office database (Landmark Web) | Free | Online viewing of document images |
| Copy of recorded document (Recorder's Office) | From $1.00 per page | Depends on the method of obtaining |
| Case search in District Court (online) | Free | Basic case information only |
Payment at clerk's offices is usually accepted in cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. For mail requests, do not send cash — use a check or money order payable to the respective court or office.
Marriage and divorce records as vital documents are issued by the Washington State Department of Health, and fees for them are set separately at the state level.