Find Civil Court Records in San Juan County
San Juan County civil court records are kept by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Friday Harbor, Washington. You can search cases online through the state Odyssey Portal or request copies directly from the clerk's office.
San Juan County Quick Facts
- County Seat: Friday Harbor
- Court: San Juan County Superior Court
- Clerk: Lisa Henderson
- Online Search: Washington State Odyssey Portal
- Copy Fee: $0.50 per page (non-certified)
- Certified Copy: $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional
- Processing Time: Up to 5 business days for copy requests
San Juan County Superior Court Clerk
The San Juan County Superior Court Clerk maintains all civil court records for the county. Lisa Henderson serves as County Clerk. The office is located at 350 Court Street in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The clerk's office handles civil cases, domestic relations, probate, and other Superior Court matters. Staff can assist with document requests, but cannot provide legal advice.
Jeanette Longan is the alternate contact for the clerk's office. For court records, contact the clerk directly. Administrative records that fall outside the court's jurisdiction go through the County's Public Records Officer, not the clerk. The distinction matters: if you want a court case file, contact the clerk. If you want a county administrative document, contact the public records officer.
The office closes for lunch each day from noon to 1:00 PM. Filings submitted electronically after 4:30 PM are processed on the next court day. The clerk's office also offers passport services for those who need them.
| Office | San Juan County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 350 Court Street #7 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 |
| Phone | (360) 378-2163 |
| Email (Clerk) | lisah@sanjuanco.com |
| Email (Alt) | jeannettel@sanjuanco.com |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Closed noon to 1:00 PM daily) |
| Website | sanjuanco.com/County-Clerk |
How to Search San Juan County Court Records
You can search San Juan County civil court records online through the Washington State Odyssey Portal. Go to odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov and select San Juan County from the court list. Search by party name or case number. The portal displays docket entries, case status, and party information at no charge. Viewing is free; fees only apply if you need printed or certified copies.
You can also use the statewide Washington Courts public access search at dw.courts.wa.gov for a broader search that includes San Juan County along with other Washington courts.
To view files in person, go to the clerk's office at 350 Court Street in Friday Harbor. Files are available for viewing during office hours: 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Bring a photo ID. Restricted or sealed files require either a valid ID showing you are a party to the case, or a court order authorizing access.
To get copies, fill out the Document Request Form available from the clerk's office or on the county website. Return the completed form to the office at 350 Court Street, or email it to the clerk. The office will calculate your fee and contact you for payment before processing your request.
What to have ready before you search:
- Full name of one or both parties (last name, first name)
- Approximate year of filing, if known
- Case number, if you have it
Copy Fees and Payment Methods
San Juan County charges set fees for copies of court records. Below is the current fee schedule for different types of copies:
| Non-Certified Paper Copy | $0.50 per page |
|---|---|
| Certified Copy | $5.00 for first page, $1.00 for each additional page |
| Authenticated / Exemplified Copy | $6.00 authentication fee plus $5.00 for first page, $1.00 each additional |
| Electronic Copy (Email) | $4.00 base fee plus $0.25 per page (prepayment required) |
| Audio Recording of Hearing | $25.00 per individual hearing |
| Mailed Requests | Plus postage; include self-addressed stamped envelope |
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, or money order made payable to the San Juan County Clerk. Credit card payments can be made through Point and Pay. For out-of-town requests by mail, send a check along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Electronic copy requests require payment to be received before the office sends your documents.
Processing times are up to 5 business days for standard copy requests and up to 7 business days for recording requests. Plan accordingly if you have a deadline.
Note: Court records are judicial records and are not subject to the Washington Public Records Act. Access is governed by court rules.
Civil Record Types at San Juan County Superior Court
The San Juan County Superior Court handles a range of civil matters. As a smaller county court, it covers the same case types as other Washington superior courts but with lower filing volume. Civil case types filed here include general civil actions, small claims appeals, contract disputes, and injunctions. Domestic relations matters such as dissolution, legal separation, and custody modifications are also filed here. Probate filings including estates, guardianships, and trusts are handled at this court as well.
Most records in the court file are public. Sealed records require a court order to access. The clerk can tell you the status of a specific file when you call or visit. Restricted records such as juvenile dependency matters and certain mental health cases are not open for general public viewing.
San Juan County Clerk Records Office
Legal Help in San Juan County
San Juan County is a smaller, island county. Legal resources are more limited than in urban counties, but options exist. The Northwest Justice Project provides free civil legal aid across Washington, including to residents of the San Juan Islands. Call their statewide hotline at (888) 201-1014. Their website at nwjustice.org explains eligibility and services.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has self-help guides for civil matters, including family law cases, small claims, and landlord-tenant issues. Official court forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The Washington State Bar Association lawyer referral line is (206) 443-9722 or online at wsba.org. If you are on the islands and need to attend hearings in Friday Harbor, remote appearance by video may be available for some matters; ask the clerk about options.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County is an island county accessible by ferry. The nearest mainland counties are listed below. If you are unsure which county has your case, check where the petitioner lived when the case was filed.