Access SeaTac Civil Court Records
Civil court records for SeaTac, Washington are filed at King County Superior Court in Seattle, the court that handles all civil matters for King County cities.
SeaTac Quick Facts
King County Superior Court
SeaTac is entirely within King County. All civil cases from the city go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. This includes general civil lawsuits, family law matters, property disputes, contract claims, probate, and civil protection orders.
The courthouse is at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. The King County Superior Court Clerk's office handles all filings, records requests, and certified copies. Call (206) 296-9300 to reach the clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
SeaTac is about 15 miles south of downtown Seattle. The drive can take 20 to 40 minutes depending on when you go. Light Rail from SeaTac to downtown Seattle is available and stops near the courthouse area, which can be a practical option. If you need to file but can't make the trip, mail filing is accepted for many document types. Call ahead to confirm what can be mailed.
| 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 |
How to Search SeaTac Civil Court Records
King County uses its own case search portal called KC Script. It is separate from the statewide Odyssey system. The portal is free and does not require an account for basic searches. You can look up cases by party name or case number and get results showing the case type, filing date, and docket entries. Find it at King County eCourt.
Washington State also has a public case search at dw.courts.wa.gov. This covers most courts statewide. If you are not sure which county a case was filed in, start here. The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is available too, though King County cases are best searched through KC Script.
To search, use a party's full legal name. Having a year helps narrow results. If you have a case number, use that for the fastest lookup. The online portals show basic case data but do not always include full document images. For complete files or certified copies, you need to visit or contact the clerk's office directly. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per page after that.
Older cases that predate King County's electronic records may not show up in online searches. Call the clerk's office if you need records from before the electronic era. Staff can pull paper records or direct you to the right archive location.
SeaTac Municipal Court
SeaTac has its own Municipal Court. This court handles lower-level city matters and does not take civil lawsuits. Cases it handles include misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and parking violations under SeaTac city ordinances.
The SeaTac Municipal Court is at 4800 S 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188. Phone is (206) 973-4760. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Online fine payment is available. Court forms are on hand at the courthouse. The court also handles violations of municipal code provisions.
Municipal Court records are separate from Superior Court records. You cannot search SeaTac Municipal Court cases through KC Script or the statewide portal. If you need records from the Municipal Court, contact that office directly. Records requests can be made in person or by phone. Public access to court calendars is available during business hours. For civil lawsuits and other civil court matters, the proper court is King County Superior Court in Seattle.
Types of Civil Records Available
Civil court records from SeaTac cases at King County Superior Court cover many case types. Most are public records unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Commonly available documents include complaints, summons, responses, motions, court orders, and final judgments.
Case types you can find include:
- General civil lawsuits (contract disputes, personal injury, property damage)
- Family law cases (divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support)
- Domestic violence protection orders
- Anti-harassment orders
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship matters
- Name change petitions
- Small claims appeals from District Court
For small claims cases under $10,000, you file in King County District Court, not Superior Court. That is a different court with its own clerk. Call (206) 296-3600 for King County District Court details on small claims matters.
Filing Fees
Filing a civil case at King County Superior Court costs roughly $200 to $250 for most standard filings. The exact amount depends on the case type. Fees are based on Washington State guidelines. Call the clerk at (206) 296-9300 to confirm the current fee for your specific case type before you go.
Typical fees you may face:
- General civil complaint: approximately $200 to $250
- Small claims in District Court: $14 to $100 depending on claim size
- Certified copies: $5 first page, $1 per additional page
- Sheriff service of process: approximately $40 to $60
- Motion filings after case opens: vary by motion type
Washington courts have a fee waiver process for people who cannot pay. You file a motion with a financial declaration. If your income is below 200% of the federal poverty level, or you receive public benefits like food assistance, medical assistance, or TANF, you may qualify. Fee waiver forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms or at the courthouse clerk's counter.
Legal Help in SeaTac
Free and low-cost civil legal help is available to SeaTac residents. Several organizations serve King County. It is worth reaching out before you handle a court matter on your own, especially for family law, housing, or debt cases.
Northwest Justice Project covers all of King County. They help low-income residents with civil matters including housing issues, family law, consumer problems, and public benefits. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to learn about eligibility and how to get help.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free plain-language legal guides for most civil topics. The site covers family law, housing, employment, and court procedures in plain terms. Official court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms.
The King County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Washington State Bar Association referral line is (206) 443-9722. Both can match you with a local attorney. Many attorneys offer an initial consultation for a flat fee or at no charge for limited-income clients.
King County Court Page
SeaTac civil cases are handled at King County Superior Court. Visit the county page for full courthouse details, search tools, and legal help resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities file civil cases through King County Superior Court as well.