Search Washington Civil Court Records
Washington civil court records are public documents kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in each county where a civil case was filed. The state has 39 counties, and each one manages its own archive of case files. Civil cases include lawsuits, probate proceedings, family law matters, and other civil actions. Many counties now offer online search tools, and the state also provides a central case search system. Whether you need to look up a pending case, find a judgment, or request a copy of a court document, this guide explains how to access civil court records across Washington.
Washington Civil Court Records Overview
Washington Civil Court Records Search Tools
Washington provides several online tools for searching civil court records. The main statewide system is the Washington State Courts public case search. It covers Superior, District, and Municipal courts across most counties. You can search by name, business name, or case number. Results show party names, case type, filing date, and current status. The system updates daily at 3:00 AM and is free to use without registration.
The screenshot below shows the Washington State Courts case search portal, which gives you public access to civil court records across the state.
This portal is the fastest way to look up a civil case by name or number across most Washington counties.
Two large counties operate their own separate systems. King County Superior Court uses a tool called KC Script, found at the King County case access portal. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Pierce County Superior Court uses the Legal Information Network Exchange, or LINX, at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us. LINX covers records from January 2002 to the present and allows searches by name or case number. Both systems are free to access for basic case information.
Spokane County maintains its own Court Document Viewer at cp.spokanecounty.org. It provides public access to Superior Court and District Court documents for Spokane County around the clock. You can search by case number or party name and view filed pleadings and court orders.
The screenshot below is from the Washington Odyssey Portal, the case management system used by 37 Washington counties for Superior Court records.
The Odyssey Portal covers all Washington counties except King and Pierce, which use their own dedicated systems. Free public accounts show case summaries and party information. Document downloads may require registration and a fee.
How Washington Courts Organize Civil Records
Washington's judicial system has five tiers. At the top is the Supreme Court, followed by the Court of Appeals, then Superior Courts, District Courts, and Municipal Courts. Each level holds different types of civil court records. Understanding which court handled a case tells you where to look for the records.
Superior Courts are the main trial courts. They handle civil cases where the damages exceed $100,000. They also hear domestic relations cases, probate and guardianship matters, felony criminal cases, and juvenile matters. There is one Superior Court in each of the 39 counties, and the County Clerk at each one maintains the case files. Superior Court civil records are what most people are searching for when they look up civil court records in Washington.
District Courts handle civil cases where the amount is $100,000 or less. They also process small claims up to $10,000, misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and protection orders. District Court records are kept separately from Superior Court records but may also be accessible through the statewide case search or county portals.
Municipal Courts sit at the city level and handle violations of city ordinances, traffic infractions within city limits, and misdemeanor cases. Larger cities like Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma have active municipal courts with their own records systems. Smaller cities may contract with the county District Court to handle their cases. Civil filings are not made at the municipal court level, but you can access case data there for misdemeanors and infractions.
Note: The Court of Appeals reviews most trial court decisions before cases reach the Supreme Court. Division I sits in Seattle, Division II in Tacoma, and Division III in Spokane.
What Washington Civil Court Records Include
A civil case file in Washington can hold many types of documents. What you find depends on the nature of the case and how far it progressed. Some cases settle early and contain only the initial filings. Others go through years of motions, hearings, and appeals before a final judgment is entered.
Civil court records at the Superior Court level typically include the complaint or petition that started the case, the summons, any response filed by the opposing party, motions and memoranda filed during the case, orders and rulings issued by the judge, and the final judgment or decree. Probate cases add wills, inventories, accountings, and orders of distribution. Family law cases include parenting plans, financial declarations, and the dissolution decree. Guardianship files contain petitions, medical reports, and court orders.
Common items found in Washington civil court case files:
- Initial complaint or petition and summons
- Responses and counterclaims from other parties
- Motions, declarations, and supporting exhibits
- Court orders and judicial rulings
- Judgments and final decrees
- Hearing schedules and docket entries
The County Clerk maintains the official record of the case. Their office is the place to go for certified copies of any document in the file. The online portals show docket entries and case summaries but do not always let you download full document images. For the complete file, contact the clerk's office directly.
Civil Court Record Access Rules in Washington
Access to court records in Washington is governed by General Rule 31, which covers case records, and General Rule 31.1, which covers administrative court records. These rules are separate from the Public Records Act. The Washington State Public Records Act at RCW 42.56 does not apply to court records. Courts are part of the judicial branch, and that distinction matters when you request records.
The screenshot below comes from the Washington State Legislature page for RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act. It is worth knowing that this law governs agency records but not judicial records, which fall under GR 31 instead.
Even though the Public Records Act does not cover court filings, the presumption under GR 31 still favors public access to civil court records in Washington.
Under GR 31, the public is presumed to have access to court records. Courts can restrict access when federal or state law requires it, or when a judge issues a sealing order. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth, and home addresses are redacted from public filings. The responsibility for redacting this information rests with the parties and their attorneys before documents are filed.
Certain record types are restricted by law. Adoptions, juvenile non-offender cases, confidential name changes, mental illness commitment records, and alcohol and drug treatment commitment records are not open to the public. Paternity records are restricted except for final orders. Sealed records require a court order to access.
The ACLU of Washington provides a detailed guide explaining your rights under GR 31 and GR 31.1. The screenshot below links to that guide at aclu-wa.org.
The ACLU guide explains that you cannot be charged to view civil court records at the courthouse, though fees apply for copies.
Viewing records at the courthouse is free under GR 31. Under GR 31.1, which covers administrative court records, you may be charged for research at up to $30 per hour after the first free hour. Courts can charge a reasonable fee for providing physical or electronic copies of case records. The Washington Coalition for Open Government at washcog.org provides additional resources on court record access rules.
The screenshot below is from the WashCOG website and covers the rules for accessing court proceedings and records in Washington.
WashCOG notes that bulk requests for civil court records require a dissemination contract and cannot be used for commercial solicitation.
Copy Fees and How to Request Washington Civil Court Records
Copy fees for civil court records in Washington are set by each County Clerk but follow a standard rate structure used across most counties. Non-certified paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Electronic copies sent by email cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies, which carry the court seal, cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Audio recordings of hearings typically run $20 to $25 per hearing date.
You can request copies in three ways. Visiting the clerk's office in person is the fastest option. Bring the case number or the names of the parties if you have them. Clerks can usually locate the file while you wait and make copies on the spot. Mail requests are also accepted by most county clerks. Include a written request with the case details, a check or money order for the estimated fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing by mail can take up to five business days in most counties.
The screenshot below links to the Washington State Courts records requests page, which explains the process for requesting records from appellate courts and provides guidance on administrative records requests under GR 31.1.
Each court and judicial agency is required to designate a public records officer to handle records requests under GR 31.1. Advanced deposits may be required for large requests.
Some counties have moved to online document purchasing through platforms like LexisNexis or Point and Pay. Thurston County, for example, lets you purchase most public documents through a Clerk Documents app. Pierce County LINX lets you print non-certified documents directly from the web for $0.25 per page. Check the specific county clerk website to see what online payment options are available before you visit in person.
Note: Several counties charge a research or search fee when you do not have a case number. This fee can range from $10 to $30 per person searched, depending on the county.
Historical Washington Civil Court Records
For older civil court records in Washington, the Washington State Digital Archives is the main resource. The screenshot below links to digitalarchives.wa.gov, where you can search historical court records from counties across the state.
The Digital Archives holds digitized Superior Court records from many counties, including case files, naturalization records, probate records, and divorce records going back to the late 1800s in some counties.
To search the Digital Archives, select Superior Court Records from the Record Series dropdown, then choose the county. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Only the top portion of each document is visible as a preview. To get the full document, you need to purchase a copy. Sealed or confidential records do not appear in the archive and cannot be purchased online. Contact the county clerk if you have questions about a specific record before ordering.
Different counties have different date ranges available in the archive. Chelan County case files go back to 1882. Walla Walla County records date to at least the early 1900s. Snohomish County has over 21 million records dating from 1950 to the present. Access is governed by Washington State Supreme Court General Rule 31. The archive is maintained by the Washington Office of the Secretary of State.
Professional and Subscription-Based Court Record Access
Legal professionals, background check companies, and other approved users can access Washington court records through the JIS-Link subscription service. The screenshot below links to the JIS-Link information page at courts.wa.gov.
JIS-Link is a fee-based service governed by RCW Chapter 2.68, which establishes the Judicial Information System and authorizes fees for access. Prosecuting attorneys and non-contract city attorneys receive free access under this statute.
JIS-Link provides access to SCOMIS for Superior Courts, the District and Municipal Court system for courts of limited jurisdiction, JUVIS for Juvenile Courts, and ACORDS for Appellate Courts. Users must complete a registration process, sign a user agreement, and pay subscription fees. Passwords expire every 90 days. The system offers name-based searches across multiple counties and provides statewide case history for criminal and infraction cases. Registration takes about one week to process.
The screenshot below links to the RCW Chapter 2.68 page at leg.wa.gov, which governs the Judicial Information System and the fees charged for professional access to court data.
Individual counties can also set their own Odyssey Portal subscription fees. Okanogan County, for instance, charges $100 for one to three users per year and up to $600 for more than ten users. Most counties use the Odyssey system for remote attorney access at comparable annual rates.
Legal Help and Court Forms
The Washington Courts website offers free court forms for civil matters. The screenshot below links to the court forms page at courts.wa.gov, where you can find fillable PDFs organized by case type.
Forms are organized by case type and court level. Instructions are included with many forms to help people who represent themselves. Form packets are available for common case types, and some are offered in multiple languages.
Washington Law Help is another solid resource. The screenshot below links to washingtonlawhelp.org, which provides self-help guides and legal information for people managing civil cases on their own.
Washington Law Help explains how to find case numbers, which search portal to use by county, and how to request criminal history reports through Civil Survival.
The screenshot below links to the MRSC public records guide, which covers the Public Records Act and explains the key distinction between agency records covered by the PRA and judicial records governed by GR 31.
MRSC serves as a reference for local governments and clarifies that while the Public Records Act covers agency records, court records fall under GR 31 and GR 31.1, not the PRA.
Browse Washington Civil Court Records by County
Each of Washington's 39 counties has its own County Clerk at the Superior Court who keeps civil case files and handles records requests. Pick a county below to find local contact details and civil court records resources for that area.
View All 39 Washington Counties
Civil Court Records in Major Washington Cities
Civil cases in Washington are filed at the Superior Court in the county where the case is opened. Pick a city below to find civil court records resources for that location.