Access Kittitas County Civil Court Records

Kittitas County civil court records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Ellensburg and can be found online through the Odyssey Portal or by visiting the courthouse on West 5th Avenue.

Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk

The Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk is located at 205 W. 5th Avenue, Room 204, in Ellensburg. The main phone is (509) 962-7531. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The courthouse and clerk's office are in the same building, which makes it easy to file documents and check records in one visit.

The clerk is the official keeper of all civil court records in Kittitas County Superior Court. Every complaint, motion, order, and judgment that comes through the court gets filed and catalogued by the clerk's office. The clerk also handles certifications, seals documents, and provides copies on request. Staff answer questions about finding records but cannot give legal advice.

Kittitas County is a mid-size county in central Washington. The Superior Court handles civil cases over $100,000 as well as domestic relations, probate, and felony criminal matters. Public access terminals at the courthouse let visitors search case records without paying a fee.

How to Search Kittitas County Civil Court Records

Online Search

Use the Washington Courts free case search at dw.courts.wa.gov. This tool covers Kittitas County Superior Court and lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. You can see the case type, file date, parties, and hearing dates at no cost. No account is needed.

Kittitas County participates in the Odyssey Portal. The portal gives you a more detailed view of docket entries. Some documents are viewable online. Others are indexed but require a copy request from the clerk. The portal works best when you already know the case number or party name. Public terminals at the courthouse also connect to Odyssey at no charge.

Visit the Courthouse

Come to 205 W. 5th Avenue, Ellensburg, Room 204, Monday through Friday. Public access terminals let you search on your own. Clerk staff can assist with locating records. Standard paper copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that.

Mail Requests

Write to the Kittitas County Clerk, 205 W. 5th Avenue, Room 204, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Provide the case number or party names, the year of filing, and the documents you need. Enclose payment for estimated copy fees. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person requests. Call ahead at (509) 962-7531 if you are unsure what to include.

Types of Civil Cases in Kittitas County

Kittitas County Superior Court handles civil cases where the claim exceeds $100,000. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters regardless of dollar amount. The main categories of civil records you can find include:

General Civil Litigation

Lawsuits between individuals or businesses, including contract disputes, property damage claims, and tort cases. Records in these files include the complaint, summons, answer, discovery motions, trial exhibits, and the final judgment. Most are public.

Domestic Relations

Divorce and separation cases, custody disputes, parenting plan modifications, and child support cases are all filed in Superior Court. Some documents in these cases are restricted. Financial declarations and records involving minors may be limited by court rule. Ask the clerk what is available for a specific case.

Probate and Estates

When a Kittitas County resident dies with assets, the estate may be probated here. Court records include the will if one exists, the petition to open the estate, an inventory of property, creditor notices, and the final closing order. These are open to heirs, creditors, and the public.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

Petitions to appoint a guardian for an adult or minor are civil cases at Superior Court. The court reviews ongoing annual reports. Some records about vulnerable adults may be restricted for privacy reasons.

Protection Orders

Anti-harassment orders, domestic violence protection orders, and stalking orders are civil matters filed in Kittitas County Superior Court. The petition and any protective orders are generally public unless sealed.

Record Copy Fees

Kittitas County charges standard Washington State rates 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

Searching is free at a public access terminal in the courthouse. Fees only apply when you request copies to take with you. For large case files, ask the clerk for a cost estimate before they start pulling and copying records. Payment is due when copies are ready.

Online Tools for Kittitas County Records

Washington provides two main free tools for searching civil court records. The Washington Courts case search covers all Superior Courts in the state, including Kittitas County. It shows basic case information without any login. The Odyssey Portal gives you deeper docket access and some document viewing for cases managed through the Odyssey case management system.

Neither system shows sealed records, restricted juvenile case information, or documents protected by court order. If you cannot find a case online, it may have been filed before the electronic system was in place, or it may be a restricted case type. The clerk's office can confirm whether a case exists and what records are accessible.

Court Forms and Local Rules

Kittitas County uses statewide Washington civil forms. Download them free at the Washington Courts forms page. The clerk can tell you which forms apply to your case type, but cannot advise you on how to fill them out or what legal strategy to use.

Kittitas County Superior Court has local court rules that add to the statewide civil procedure rules. Check the county website for the current local rules before filing any documents. Local rules cover scheduling, hearing procedures, and filing requirements that may differ from other counties.

Legal Help in Kittitas County

If you need guidance on civil court records or legal matters in Kittitas County, these organizations can help:

• Northwest Justice Project -- free civil legal aid for low-income residents, call (888) 201-1014
• Washington Law Help -- free legal guides on civil law topics
• WSBA Lawyer Referral Service -- find a licensed attorney for a paid consultation

Northwest Justice Project serves clients who meet income eligibility rules. Call their intake line to check. If you don't qualify, try Washington Law Help for self-help guides, or use the WSBA referral line to connect with a private attorney.

Cities in Kittitas County

No cities in Kittitas County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. Ellensburg is the county seat and main population center. All civil court records for Kittitas County are filed and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at 205 W. 5th Avenue, Room 204, Ellensburg.

Nearby Counties

Kittitas County sits in central Washington and borders several other counties. Each has its own Superior Court system:

• King County
• Chelan County
• Grant County
• Yakima County
• Pierce County