Mason County Civil Court Records

Mason County civil court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Shelton, and while case indexes are searchable online, actual documents must be requested through the clerk's office by phone or mail.

Mason County Superior Court Clerk

The Mason County Superior Court Clerk's office is located at 419 N 4th Street in Shelton. Deputy Clerk Catherine Reed manages daily operations. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the clerk by phone at (360) 427-9670 ext. 233, or by email at superiorcourtclerk@masoncountywa.gov.

One important thing to know about Mason County: court documents are not visible or available for download on the county website. You can look up a case index online to find a case number and basic case details, but you cannot get the actual documents without going through the clerk's office. All document requests must be made by telephone or U.S. mail. Email and fax requests for copies are not accepted.

The clerk files and indexes all Superior Court documents, including civil lawsuits, family law cases, probate matters, and guardianship proceedings. Every document gets a case number that stays with it through the life of the case.

A Superior Court Facilitator is available at Mason County for help with domestic relations and custody cases. This can be a useful resource if you need guidance filing paperwork for a family law matter and do not have an attorney.

How to Search Mason County Civil Court Records

You can search for Mason County civil cases online through two state tools. Use these to find case numbers and basic information before contacting the clerk for documents.

• Washington Courts Public Search: dw.courts.wa.gov - the statewide index where Mason County case information is available. Search by name or case number.
• Odyssey Portal: odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov - search by party name, attorney, or case number across participating Washington counties.

These tools show the case index, not the documents themselves. Once you find a case number, use it when contacting the clerk to request copies. This speeds up the process on their end.

For cases filed before 1996, the online index may not show them. Contact the clerk directly for older records. If the case is from before 1996, Mason County charges a minimum $30.00 research fee to locate and pull those records.

In-person access is available during business hours. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse. Staff will assist if you are unsure how to search. For expedited requests, you must appear in person at the clerk's office. Mail and phone requests are processed in the order they are received and typically take around 72 hours.

Mason County District Court

Mason County District Court handles civil cases involving amounts up to $100,000. Smaller civil disputes, small claims actions, and certain eviction proceedings may be filed in District Court rather than Superior Court. District Court records are separate and are not stored with Superior Court files.

If you are not sure which court handled a particular case, start with the statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov. That tool covers both Superior Court and District Court across Washington, so it is a good first step when you do not know which court to check.

Types of Civil Records in Mason County Superior Court

Mason County Superior Court keeps a range of civil case types. Here is what you can expect to find:

• Civil Lawsuits: Cases involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, and other civil actions over $100,000.
• Domestic Relations: Divorce and legal separation filings, child custody orders, child support cases, and parenting plan modifications. A court facilitator is available to help with these cases.
• Probate: Estate proceedings, will probate, estate administration, and related filings that arise after a person's death.
• Guardianship: Cases appointing a legal guardian for a minor or an adult who is unable to manage their own affairs.
• Protection Orders: Domestic violence protection orders, anti-harassment orders, and stalking protection orders are all civil filings held by the clerk.
• Juvenile Dependency: Child welfare cases and dependency proceedings are held in the juvenile division of Superior Court.
• Name Changes: Legal name change petitions are public civil records filed with the Superior Court Clerk.

Most of these records are public. Some case types, like juvenile matters and sealed files, are not publicly accessible. If a case does not appear in the online index, it may be sealed or otherwise restricted.

Copy Fees and How to Request Records

Mason County charges standard Washington State copy fees. Here is a breakdown of what to expect before you submit a request:

• Standard paper copies: $0.50 per page
• Electronic copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, then $1.00 per additional page
• Audio or video CD of a hearing: $25.00 per hearing
• USPS delivery: $3.00 postage surcharge added to mail requests
• Pre-1996 records research: Minimum $30.00 research fee

Payment must be made in advance. Personal checks are not accepted. Call the clerk at (360) 427-9670 ext. 233 to confirm accepted payment methods before sending a mail request. The clerk will let you know the total cost before you send payment.

All copy requests must go through the clerk by phone or U.S. mail. Remember, email and fax requests are not accepted for document copies. If you need records quickly, visit the clerk's office in person in Shelton. Standard processing takes about 72 hours. Requests received after business hours or on weekends are processed the next business day.

Legal Help and Resources

The Mason County clerk's office provides records and information but cannot advise you on legal matters. These resources can help if you need legal guidance:

• Northwest Justice Project: Free civil legal aid for low-income Washington residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org.
• Washington Law Help: Free legal guides on divorce, custody, eviction, and more at washingtonlawhelp.org.
• Washington Courts Forms: Official forms for civil, family law, and probate cases at courts.wa.gov/forms.
• Superior Court Facilitator: Available at the Mason County courthouse for help with domestic relations and custody matters. Ask the clerk's office for the current facilitator schedule.
• Mason County Superior Court: masoncountywa.gov/departments/superior_court

If you plan to file a civil case on your own without a lawyer, start with the Washington Courts forms page and the Washington Law Help guides. Both are free. The court facilitator in Mason County can also help you fill out domestic relations paperwork correctly.

Cities in Mason County

No cities in Mason County meet the population threshold for a dedicated civil court records page. Shelton is the county seat and is home to the Mason County Superior Court Clerk's office. All residents of Mason County, including those in Shelton and other communities, file civil cases through the Superior Court in Shelton.

Nearby Counties