Find Civil Court Records in Des Moines

Civil court records for Des Moines, Washington are maintained by the King County Superior Court in Seattle. Whether you need to look up a case, get copies of court documents, or file a new civil action, this page explains how the process works.

Where Civil Cases Are Filed for Des Moines

Des Moines is a city in King County, located along Puget Sound between SeaTac and Federal Way. Civil cases filed by Des Moines residents or businesses go to the King County Superior Court in downtown Seattle. That court is the general trial court for all of King County and handles civil suits, family law matters, probate, protection orders, and more.

King County is the most populous county in Washington and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The Superior Court sees a very high volume of civil cases each year. The County Clerk's office manages all case files, accepts new filings, and handles public records requests.

The King County Courthouse is in downtown Seattle near Pioneer Square. Light rail and multiple bus lines stop nearby. There is paid parking in garages close to the building. You will go through a security checkpoint at the door, so plan to arrive a few minutes early. Bring a photo ID.

Des Moines Municipal Court

Des Moines operates its own Municipal Court, separate from the county superior court. The Des Moines Municipal Court is located at 21620 11th Avenue S, Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone is (206) 870-6864. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and local code violations. It does not handle civil lawsuits, family law cases, or property disputes. Those all go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. If you are not sure which court handles your matter, a quick call to either court will point you in the right direction.

The Municipal Court accepts fine payments online and in person. Court records requests can be made in person during business hours. Court forms and public access to court calendars are available at the courthouse.

How to Search Des Moines Civil Court Records

King County offers an online case search portal that covers all civil cases filed in the county. That includes cases involving Des Moines residents and businesses. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system shows party names, case type, hearing dates, and docket entries. It does not display the actual documents. For those, you need to visit or contact the Clerk.

King County's eCourt public access portal is at dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov. This is the direct search tool for King County Superior Court cases. It is free to use and accessible without an account.

The statewide search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov covers cases across all Washington counties. If you are looking for records but are not sure which county they are in, this is a good place to start. You can also use the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov to check records from multiple courts in one place.

To look up a case, have at least one of these ready:

• Name of at least one party (plaintiff or defendant)
• Case number
• Approximate year the case was filed

In-person searches are available at the King County Courthouse. Staff at the Clerk's office can pull records from any civil case filed in the county. Certified copies and plain copies can both be made on the spot. Call ahead at (206) 296-9300 if you have questions about what you need to bring or what copies cost.

Types of Civil Cases in King County

The King County Superior Court handles a broad range of civil matters for Des Moines and all other cities in the county. Here are the main case types you might find in the records:

• General civil suits: contract disputes, personal injury claims, negligence
• Family law: dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support modification
• Protection orders and domestic violence restraining orders
• Probate and estate administration
• Guardianship and conservatorship
• Unlawful detainer and eviction proceedings
• Name change petitions
• Property and land use disputes

Small claims cases, which cover disputes up to $10,000, are handled at the district court level rather than superior court. The King County District Court manages these. If you need small claims information, contact the King County District Court separately.

Civil Court Fees in King County

Filing fees at King County Superior Court vary by case type. A standard civil suit typically costs around $240 to file. Family law cases such as dissolution petitions run about $280 to $350. These totals include state-mandated surcharges for court technology, facilities, and operations. Fees are subject to change, so confirm with the Clerk before filing.

Other fees to know:

• Certified copy of a court document: $5 first page, $1 each additional page
• Plain copy: $0.25 to $0.50 per page
• Service of process by sheriff: $40 to $60
• Filing a motion or response in an existing case: $20 to $30

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay. File a declaration of financial status along with a motion asking for waiver. If your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or you receive public assistance, you will likely qualify. The forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms.

Legal Help for Des Moines Residents

Northwest Justice Project is a legal aid organization that serves King County. They help low-income residents with civil legal problems including family law, housing, and benefits cases. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to find out if you qualify and what services are available.

Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org offers plain-language guides on civil legal topics and links to official court forms. If you plan to file or respond to a civil case without a lawyer, this site is worth reading first. All official Washington court forms are available free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

The King County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association's statewide service can be reached at (206) 443-9722. King County Superior Court also has a family law facilitator at the courthouse who can answer procedural questions for people handling their own cases, though they do not give legal advice.

King County Civil Court Records

Des Moines is part of King County, and civil cases are heard at the King County Superior Court. For more on the county court system, online search tools, and additional resources, visit the King County civil court records page.

View King County Civil Court Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Des Moines and file civil cases through their county courts.