Auburn Civil Court Records
Civil court records for Auburn, Washington are filed at the King County Superior Court or Pierce County Superior Court depending on which part of the city the case originates from.
Auburn Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Auburn Civil Cases
Auburn sits on the border of King County and Pierce County. Most of the city falls within King County, but some southern portions are in Pierce County. Which court you use depends on where you live or where the dispute occurred. If you are not sure, check with the county assessor's office or ask the clerk when you call.
For most Auburn residents, civil cases go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. This includes general civil lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, small claims appeals, and other civil filings. The court is located in downtown Seattle at the King County Courthouse. Staff there handle case filings, records requests, and certified copies.
If your address is in the Pierce County portion of Auburn, your civil cases go to Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. That court is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South. Call them at (253) 798-7455 to confirm jurisdiction before you file anything.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
The King County Courthouse is about 30 miles north of Auburn via I-5 or Auburn Way North. If the drive is an issue, many tasks can be handled by mail or online. Parking near the courthouse is paid. You will go through security at the entrance, so bring a photo ID.
How to Search Auburn Civil Court Records
You have a few options for searching civil court records tied to Auburn cases. Online tools are the fastest way to get basic case information. For full file access or certified copies, you need to contact or visit the court directly.
King County has its own case search portal called KC Script. You can search by name or case number. The system shows party names, case type, filing date, and docket entries. Visit the portal at King County eCourt. No account is needed for basic searches.
Washington also has a statewide case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov. This covers most Washington courts and lets you search across counties in one place. It is useful if you are not sure which county the case was filed in. The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov also covers many Washington Superior Courts.
To search, you generally need at least one party's full name and a rough idea of the filing year. Case numbers speed up the process if you have them. In-person searches at the clerk's office give you access to the complete file, including documents that may not appear online.
For Pierce County cases from the southern Auburn area, use the Pierce County Superior Court clerk's search tools or visit them at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Auburn Municipal Court
Auburn has its own Municipal Court that handles lower-level cases within city limits. This court does not handle civil lawsuits. What it does handle includes misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and parking violations that arise under city ordinances.
If you got a traffic ticket in Auburn or were cited for a city code violation, that case goes to Auburn Municipal Court. The court is at 1 E. Main Street, Auburn, WA 98002. Phone is (253) 931-3028. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Auburn Municipal Court records are separate from Superior Court civil records. You cannot use the KC Script portal to find Municipal Court cases. To get records from the Municipal Court, you need to contact that office directly by phone or in person. They do not have public online case access. Records requests can also be submitted by mail.
The city clerk's office at 25 W. Main Street also handles some public records requests for city-related documents. Phone and online forms are available through the Auburn city website at auburnwa.gov.
Civil Filing Fees in Auburn
Filing fees for civil cases vary by case type and which county court you use. King County sets its own fees under Washington State guidelines. General civil filing fees at King County Superior Court run roughly $200 to $250 for most standard cases. Higher-value cases may cost more. Always confirm current fees with the clerk before you file.
Common fee categories include:
- General civil complaint: approximately $200 to $250
- Small claims (filed in District Court): $14 to $100 depending on claim amount
- Certified copies of court documents: $5 for the first page, $1 per additional page
- Service of process by sheriff: approximately $40 to $60
- Filing motions after the initial filing: varies by motion type
If you cannot pay the filing fee, Washington courts allow fee waivers. You file a motion and a financial declaration. If your income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance, you likely qualify. Forms are available at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Pierce County fees are similar but may differ slightly. Call Pierce County Superior Court at (253) 798-7455 for their current fee schedule before filing there.
Legal Help in Auburn
Several resources are available to Auburn residents who need help with civil court matters. Some offer free or low-cost help depending on your income. It is worth checking these before you try to navigate the court on your own.
Northwest Justice Project serves King County and Pierce County. They help low-income residents with civil legal matters including housing, consumer issues, and other civil cases. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility and services.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free guides and resources covering many civil legal topics. The site walks through common court processes and helps you understand what forms you need. Official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms.
The King County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association also has a referral service at (206) 443-9722. If your case involves housing, the Auburn City Hall sometimes has community resources and referrals posted on the city website.
Auburn Municipal Court
Auburn Municipal Court handles city-level violations. Civil cases go to King County or Pierce County Superior Court depending on your location within Auburn.
County Court Pages
Most Auburn civil cases are handled at the county level. Visit the county pages below for more details on courthouse locations, search tools, and local resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also file civil cases through King County or Pierce County Superior Court.