Access Pullman Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Pullman, Washington are filed and maintained through the Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. This page covers how to search those records online, how to request copies, and where to find legal help in the area.

Where Civil Cases Are Filed in Pullman

Pullman is located in Whitman County in southeastern Washington. The county seat is Colfax, which is about 35 miles north of Pullman. All civil cases filed by Pullman residents and businesses go to the Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. That court handles personal injury suits, contract disputes, family law cases, property matters, probate, civil protection orders, and other civil actions. The Superior Court Clerk manages case files and accepts public records requests.

While Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, the courthouse is in Colfax. Plan for a drive if you need to file in person or search records at the Clerk's office. The trip is straightforward on Highway 195.

Bring a photo ID when you visit. The Clerk's office can help you search for a case, pull the case file, and process copy requests. Parking is available near the courthouse in downtown Colfax.

Pullman Municipal Court

Pullman has its own Municipal Court, but it does not handle civil cases. The Pullman Municipal Court at 325 SE Paradise Street deals with misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking violations, and municipal code violations. If you have a traffic ticket from within Pullman city limits, or a code violation, the Municipal Court is where you go. Phone is (509) 338-3225, and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Online fine payment is available.

Civil matters go to Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax, not the Pullman Municipal Court. If you are not sure which court handles your issue, call the Superior Court Clerk before you make a trip to Colfax.

How to Search Pullman Civil Court Records

The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the main online tool for searching Whitman County civil court records. The portal is free and lets you search by party name, case number, or case type. Whitman County Superior Court cases appear here. You can see party names, case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. The portal does not provide the actual documents, just the case summary. For full document access you need to go to the Colfax courthouse or send a mail request.

The statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov is another option that covers cases from courts across Washington. This can help if you are searching broadly or are not sure which county a case was filed in.

Before you search, it helps to have:

• Full legal name of at least one party in the case
• Case number, if you have it
• Approximate year the case was filed
• Case type, such as civil, family law, or small claims

In-person searches at the Whitman County Superior Court Clerk's office at 400 N Main St in Colfax give you access to the full case file. Staff can retrieve documents and process copy requests. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Plain copies run about $0.25 to $0.50 per page.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Whitman County Superior Court Clerk, 400 N Main St, Colfax, WA 99111. Include the full name of a party, the case number if known, a description of the documents you want, and payment for the copy fee. Allow one to two weeks for processing on mail requests.

Types of Civil Cases Filed in Whitman County

Whitman County Superior Court handles all major types of civil cases for the Pullman area. If you need to file a civil action or look up an existing case, here are the categories you might encounter:

• General civil suits (contract disputes, personal injury, property damage)
• Family law cases (dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity)
• Probate and estate matters
• Small claims (handled at the District Court level, up to $10,000)
• Civil protection orders and anti-harassment orders
• Unlawful detainer and eviction actions
• Name change petitions
• Guardianship and conservatorship
• Property disputes and quiet title actions
• Judgment liens and collection cases

Washington civil procedure follows the Superior Court Civil Rules, known as the CR rules. These rules govern how cases are started, how parties exchange information, and how hearings are set. The same rules apply in Whitman County as in every other county in the state. Pullman has a significant student population through Washington State University, so landlord-tenant disputes and other issues common to college towns do come up at Whitman County courts. Fee waiver options exist for people who cannot pay the filing costs.

Filing Fees for Civil Cases in Whitman County

Civil filing fees at Whitman County Superior Court depend on the case type. A standard civil suit typically costs about $240. Family law petitions are similar, usually $240 to $280. Probate petitions run around $200. The state sets base fees and the county adds its own surcharges. Fees do change, so always verify the current amount before you go.

Common fees to expect:

• General civil filing: approximately $240
• Family law petition: approximately $240 to $280
• Probate petition: approximately $200
• Certified copy: $5 for the first page, $1 for each additional page
• Plain copy: $0.25 to $0.50 per page
• Service of process by sheriff: $40 to $60

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford court costs. You need to submit a declaration of financial status and ask the court to waive the fees. People who receive public assistance like SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid, or whose income falls below 200% of the federal poverty level, typically qualify. Fee waiver forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Call the Whitman County Superior Court to confirm current fees before your visit.

Legal Help for Pullman Residents

If you need help with a civil court matter, several resources serve the Pullman and Whitman County area. Northwest Justice Project provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents across Washington. Call (888) 201-1014 or go to nwjustice.org. They assist with family law, housing cases, consumer protection, and other civil matters.

Washington State University has a student legal services office on campus that can help WSU students with civil legal issues. That office is a local resource not available in most Washington cities. Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides and form instructions in plain language for people handling their own cases. All official Washington court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms.

The Washington State Bar Association referral service connects you with a licensed attorney. Call (206) 443-9722 or search the directory at wsba.org. Some attorneys in the Pullman area offer reduced-cost first appointments. The Whitman County courthouse may have a facilitator who can answer basic procedural questions, though they cannot give legal advice.

Whitman County Civil Court Records

Pullman is in Whitman County, and all civil filings go through the Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax. For a full breakdown of the county court system, available search tools, and local resources, visit the Whitman County civil court records page.

View Whitman County Civil Court Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Pullman and file civil cases through their respective county courts.