Find Civil Court Records in Kitsap County

Kitsap County civil court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Port Orchard and are available online through the Odyssey Portal, by mail request, or in person at the courthouse.

Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk

The Kitsap County Superior Court Clerk is at 614 Division Street, Port Orchard. The clerk's office number is (360) 337-7174. The main court line is (360) 337-7164. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The clerk keeps every civil case file opened in Kitsap County Superior Court. This includes the original filings, all motions and responses, court orders, transcripts, and final judgments. The clerk also handles the court's financial transactions, issues certified copies, and manages the court's case management system. Public access to these records is the default. Only records sealed by specific court order are withheld.

Kitsap County is one of the more active courts on the Kitsap Peninsula. It covers a large population and handles a high volume of civil filings each year. E-filing is available for attorneys. Members of the public file paper documents in person or by mail.

How to Search Kitsap County Civil Records

Search Online

The Washington Courts case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov is the first place to look. It is free, requires no login, and covers Kitsap County Superior Court. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Results show the case type, file date, hearing schedule, and current status.

Kitsap County also uses the Odyssey Portal for case access. The portal shows docket entries in detail. Some documents in the system can be opened and read directly. Others are listed in the index but require a copy request to get the full text. Public access terminals at the courthouse connect to this same system at no charge.

Visit the Courthouse

Go to 614 Division Street, Port Orchard during the 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM window, Monday through Friday. Public access terminals are in the courthouse. Bring the case number or party names with you. Staff can help locate records and process copy requests. Paper copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after.

Mail Requests

Send a written request to the Kitsap County Clerk, 614 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366. Include the case number or party names, the year the case was filed, and the documents you want. Enclose payment for copy fees. Mail requests take longer than in-person requests. Allow extra processing time, especially for older records that may need to be pulled from storage.

Kitsap County District Court Records

Not all civil records in Kitsap County are at Superior Court. Kitsap County District Court handles civil matters where the amount at issue is $100,000 or less. Small claims cases cap at $10,000. District Court also handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and protection orders.

District Court has multiple locations throughout the county. Copy fees at District Court are lower: $0.25 per page. Online case search is also available for District Court records. These records are separate from Superior Court records, so you may need to check both depending on what you are looking for.

Records request forms are available at District Court locations. Ask about specific cases when you call or visit. Not all District Court documents appear in the statewide online search tools, so an in-person visit may be needed for older or less common cases.

Types of Civil Records at Kitsap County Superior Court

Kitsap County Superior Court holds a wide variety of civil records. The court has general jurisdiction over cases where the claim exceeds $100,000. Common civil case types include:

Civil Litigation

Lawsuits between individuals, businesses, and government agencies. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, and wrongful termination cases all end up in Superior Court when the amount is over the threshold. Records include the complaint, all pleadings, discovery orders, and the final judgment.

Domestic Relations

Divorce, legal separation, child custody, parenting plan changes, and child support modifications are filed here. Some records in these cases are restricted. Financial disclosure forms and records involving minors may not be fully accessible to the public. Ask the clerk what is open before you request copies.

Probate

Estates are probated in the county where the person lived at the time of death. Kitsap County handles a steady volume of probate cases. Records include the will, petition, asset inventory, creditor claims, and the order closing the estate. These are generally open to anyone with a legitimate interest.

Guardianship

Petitions to appoint a guardian or conservator for an adult or minor are civil matters at Superior Court. The court oversees ongoing reporting from guardians. Some records involving vulnerable adults may be restricted by the court.

Protection Orders

Civil protection orders are filed in Superior Court. This includes domestic violence orders, anti-harassment orders, and stalking protection orders. Petitions and final orders are typically public unless sealed by the judge for safety reasons.

Copy Fees and Payment

Kitsap County charges the following fees for court record copies:

• Standard paper copies: $0.50 per page
• Electronic copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
• District Court copies: $0.25 per page

Public terminal searches are free at the courthouse. There is no charge to look up a case number or view basic case information online. Fees apply when you want copies. Check with the clerk's office about payment methods accepted before you visit.

Court Forms

Standard Washington State civil forms are used in Kitsap County Superior Court. Download forms free from the Washington Courts forms page. Forms cover civil complaints, domestic relations, probate, protection orders, and many other case types. The clerk can tell you which forms apply to your situation but will not provide legal advice on how to complete them.

Kitsap County posts its local court rules on the county government website. Read the local rules before filing. They set out deadlines, scheduling procedures, and formatting requirements that apply in addition to the statewide civil rules.

Legal Help in Kitsap County

Legal assistance is available to Kitsap County residents who need help with civil court matters:

• Northwest Justice Project -- free civil legal aid for those who qualify, call (888) 201-1014
• Washington Law Help -- free self-help guides on civil law topics
• WSBA Lawyer Referral Service -- paid referral to a licensed Washington attorney

Northwest Justice Project handles civil cases only, not criminal. Income limits apply. Call to screen for eligibility. For those who don't qualify, the WSBA referral service connects you with a private attorney for a reduced-fee consultation.

Cities in Kitsap County

Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County and has a dedicated records page:

• Bremerton

Other communities in the county include Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island. Civil court records for all Kitsap County residents are filed with the Superior Court Clerk at 614 Division Street, Port Orchard.

Nearby Counties

Kitsap County is surrounded by water on three sides and borders or connects to several other Washington counties:

• Mason County
• Pierce County
• King County
• Jefferson County