Federal Way Court Records
Federal Way court records are handled by three courts depending on the case type. The Federal Way Municipal Court covers misdemeanors and traffic matters within city limits. King County District Court South Division in Kent handles additional civil and criminal cases. The King County Superior Court in Seattle processes felonies, family law, and probate for Federal Way residents. You can search case records online through the Washington Courts statewide case search at no charge. For certified copies or the full case file, contact the court where the case was filed directly.
Federal Way Overview
Federal Way Municipal Court Records
The Federal Way Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles traffic infractions, criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and civil vehicle impound hearings for cases that occur within city limits. The court does not hear small claims, general civil cases, name changes, or passport applications. Those matters go elsewhere in the King County system.
Court records at the municipal level include case files for all traffic citations, misdemeanor criminal charges, and infraction hearings processed by this court. If you received a citation in Federal Way, this is the court where that record lives. You can request copies in person at the clerk's window during business hours. Electronic filing of documents is also accepted by mail, email, or fax. The court provides interpreter services and ADA accommodations for those who need them.
| Office | Federal Way Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102 Federal Way, WA 98003-6325 |
| Phone | 253-835-3000 |
| Fax | 253-835-3020 |
| Lobby Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Phone Hours | Mon-Thu, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | federalwaywa.gov/municipal-court |
Judges Danielle Havens and E. Bradford Bales preside over this court. Court Administrator Maryam Olson manages daily operations. The court holds arraignments, pretrials, bench trials, and jury trials. Both in-person and Zoom hearings are scheduled depending on the case type. If you have a hearing date and have not received a Zoom link, you are expected to appear in person.
How to Get Federal Way Court Records
Case records at Federal Way Municipal Court can be requested in person at the clerk's window. Bring the case number, citation number, or the full name and date of birth of the party you are looking up. Staff can locate the file and provide copies. Walk-in requests are the fastest way to get what you need the same day.
For court payment information and options, the Federal Way court payments page covers how to pay fines online, by phone, or in person. You can pay by phone at 1-800-272-9829 using Jurisdiction Code 5691. Credit cards are accepted both online and at the clerk's window. Payment plans may be available if you ask. Mail payments should include your citation or case number and should not include cash.
The statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search is a free tool that includes Federal Way Municipal Court cases. It updates daily at 3:00 a.m. and shows party names, case summaries, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. It is a good first step before calling the court. Keep in mind that official certified copies must still come from the court directly.
Note: Collections for unpaid accounts are handled by Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP. If you get a notice from them, call 844-576-4766 rather than the court.
King County Courts Serving Federal Way
Not every case involving Federal Way residents stays in the municipal court. The King County system handles several important case types. Felony charges, family law matters, probate, and civil suits over $100,000 all go to the King County Superior Court. Appeals from Federal Way Municipal Court are also filed there. The Superior Court is located at 516 Third Avenue in Seattle. Phone is 206-296-9300.
King County District Court South Division in Kent handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases, civil matters under $100,000, small claims, and some cases from the Federal Way area. That court is at the Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032. Phone is 206-205-9200. Public access terminals are available at both the Kent and Seattle courthouse locations for free case searches during business hours.
The KC Script Portal is the online tool for King County Superior Court records. You need to create an account to request documents through the portal. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page online or $0.50 per page with clerk assistance. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. There is a $30.00 per hour research fee for staff-assisted searches. You can also submit requests in person at either courthouse location.
Online Case Search Tools
Several online tools let you look up Federal Way court records without visiting the courthouse. The free Washington Courts statewide search covers all court levels. It lets you search by name or case number and shows docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. The data refreshes every day at 3:00 a.m., so very recent filings may not appear yet.
The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal provides access to case records from participating courts statewide. You can search Superior, District, and Municipal Court cases here as well. For older records or sealed files, the online tools will not have what you need. Those records must be requested directly from the court clerk.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical court records including older cases that predate current online systems. It is particularly useful for King County Superior Court cases going back several decades. Non-certified copies from the Digital Archives cost $0.25 per page plus a $1.00 service charge per document. Certified copies run $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Under RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act, most court administrative records are presumptively public. However, court case records themselves are governed by court rules including General Rule 31, which sets out the framework for access to and privacy of court records across the state.
Local Legal Resources in Federal Way
Low-cost mediations are available through the Dispute Resolution Center of King County. Call 206-443-9603 or toll-free 888-803-4696. Public defenders are available for eligible defendants through Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc. P.S. at 253-859-8840 or email Legal@sbmhlaw.com.
Probation in Federal Way is handled through the court's probation department. If you have conditions of probation, they remain in effect. Contact the probation office at 253-835-3023 or probation@cityoffederalway.com. Do not assume conditions are suspended without written confirmation from the court.
For scam awareness, be alert to fake government texts or calls. The Federal Way Municipal Court will not contact you by text to collect fines. Texts from the Linebarger collections firm come from short code 98023. If you are unsure whether a contact is real, call the court directly at 253-835-3000 before paying anything.
King County Court Records
Federal Way sits in King County, and most felony and family law cases go through the King County court system. The county page covers the full Superior Court, District Court divisions, and online access tools for King County cases.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Federal Way and have their own court records pages.