Find Civil Court Records in Burien

Civil court records for Burien, Washington are maintained by the King County Superior Court, which serves all civil filings from cities throughout King County.

Where Burien Civil Cases Are Filed

Burien is located in King County, southwest of Seattle near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. All civil cases from Burien go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. This applies to civil lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, landlord-tenant appeals, and other civil filings. There is no local branch courthouse in Burien.

The King County Superior Court Clerk is in downtown Seattle at the King County Courthouse. Burien is about 15 miles south of the courthouse via SR-509 or I-5. Drive time is typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. You can also reach the courthouse by public transit on bus routes that serve downtown Seattle from the Burien area.

Bring a photo ID when visiting the courthouse. You will go through a security checkpoint. Paid parking is available in nearby garages. If you are not sure whether your matter belongs in Superior Court or District Court, call the clerk before making the trip. Small claims cases and some lower-dollar civil disputes go to King County District Court instead.

How to Search Burien Civil Court Records

King County Superior Court uses the KC Script case search portal. You can search by party name or case number. The portal shows party names, case types, filing dates, and docket entries. No account is needed. Go to King County eCourt to start a search.

The statewide search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov covers most Washington courts and is useful if you are not sure which county has the record you need. The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov also provides access to many Washington Superior Courts in one place.

For a search, have at least one full party name and an approximate filing year. Case numbers are the fastest lookup method. Online portals show basic case details. They do not always include scanned copies of the actual documents, especially for older cases. To see the full file or get certified copies, you need to contact or visit the clerk's office.

In-person visits to the King County Courthouse allow you to review the complete case file. Staff can locate cases by name or number and pull documents. Certified copies require a fee. Plain copies are cheaper. Call (206) 296-9300 before visiting to confirm the records are available and ask what to bring.

Burien Municipal Court

Burien has a Municipal Court at 611 SW 148th Street, Burien, WA 98166. Phone is (206) 241-4646. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking violations, and city code violations within Burien city limits.

Municipal Court does not handle civil lawsuits. If you received a traffic citation or city code violation in Burien, that case is here. Online fine payment is available through the Burien city website. Court records requests are accepted in person. Court calendars are posted online at burienwa.gov.

Court forms for responding to citations are available at the court and through the city website. Violations Bureau services handle fine payments for people who do not need to appear in court. If you want to contest a citation, contact the court to schedule a hearing. Records from Burien Municipal Court are not in the King County Superior Court system and require a separate request.

Burien is a relatively young city, incorporated in 1993. The city contracts with King County for some services, but the Municipal Court operates as a city court. If your citation was issued by a King County Sheriff's deputy in an unincorporated area near Burien, the case may go to King County District Court rather than Burien Municipal Court. Check your citation paperwork to confirm which court has your case.

Civil Filing Fees in Burien

Civil case filing fees in Burien are set by King County Superior Court under Washington State law. General civil complaints cost roughly $200 to $250 for most standard cases. Fees may include state surcharges for court operations and technology. The exact amount depends on case type. Confirm current fees with the clerk before filing.

Common fee items include:

• General civil complaint: approximately $200 to $250
• Small claims in King County District Court: $14 to $100 based on claim amount
• Certified copy of a court document: $5 for first page, $1 per additional page
• Service of process by sheriff: roughly $40 to $60
• Motion filing fees after the initial case: varies by motion type

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the filing cost. File a motion and a financial declaration. If your income is below 200% of the federal poverty level or you receive public assistance, you likely qualify. Waiver forms are free at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms.

King County posts current fee schedules on its court website. Fees do change periodically, so check the current schedule before you go.

Legal Help in Burien

Burien residents can access legal aid through organizations that serve King County. Free and reduced-cost help is available for people who meet income requirements. These resources are helpful whether you are dealing with a landlord-tenant dispute, a small claims matter, or a more complex civil case.

Northwest Justice Project serves King County residents with civil legal needs. Their services cover housing, consumer protection, and other civil matters for low-income individuals. Call (888) 201-1014 or go to nwjustice.org to check if you qualify.

Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free self-help guides in plain language on housing, consumer issues, family law, and more. Official court forms for most civil case types are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms. You do not need to buy forms from a third-party site.

The King County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association also maintains a statewide referral directory at wsba.org and a referral line at (206) 443-9722. Many attorneys in the Burien and South King County area take consultations at an hourly rate. King County Superior Court also has a family law facilitator program at the courthouse for certain types of civil cases.

King County Civil Court Records

All Burien civil cases are handled at King County Superior Court. Visit the King County page for full courthouse details, search tools, and local resources.

View King County Civil Court Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also file civil cases through King County Superior Court or neighboring county courts.