Seattle Court Records
Seattle court records come from three main sources: Seattle Municipal Court, King County Superior Court, and King County District Court West Division. If you need to find a case, check a docket, or get a certified copy of a court document, the process depends on the type of case and which court handled it. Seattle Municipal Court uses its own public portal at courtrecords.seattle.gov for online access. Felony cases and major civil matters go to King County Superior Court. This page covers how to search Seattle court records and what each court handles.
Seattle Overview
Seattle Municipal Court Records
Seattle Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil infractions, traffic violations, and Seattle Municipal Code violations that occur within the city. It is a court of limited jurisdiction, but it processes a large volume of cases. Most case records and case details are available through the court's electronic case file portal. You can search by party name, case number, or by court date without logging in.
The Seattle Court Public Portal gives the public free access to case information, records, and courtroom calendars. You do not need an account to search. Only attorneys, legal support staff, and pro se defendants need a login to file documents. For older case records that are not yet online, you can contact the Clerk's Office at the courthouse directly.
Non-criminal case records and records from older criminal cases are handled by the Court's Records Unit on the 3rd floor of the courthouse. The courthouse address is 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone is (206) 684-5600. Mailing address is P.O. Box 34987, Seattle, WA 98124-4987. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
| Court | Seattle Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 684-5600 |
| Online Portal | courtrecords.seattle.gov |
Seattle Municipal Court Public Records Requests
Seattle Municipal Court follows an open records policy. Court records relate to a case or proceeding and are available through the portal. Case records not available online can be requested using an online form or by completing the Request for Court Records fillable PDF. You can also send requests by email to SMC_Copy_Requests@seattle.gov or by fax at (206) 684-8115.
The public records requests page at seattle.gov outlines two types of requests. Court records tied to a case go through one process. Administrative records, including internal court management records, go through the city's Public Records Portal. Data or bulk record requests also use the portal. The applicable rules include GR 31 for court records and GR 31.1 for administrative records.
Media requests are handled by the Communications Advisor at (206) 561-6405 or smc_pio@seattle.gov. For ADA accommodations, contact SMC_PublicSvcs@seattle.gov or ask in person at the courthouse.
How to Search Seattle Court Cases
For Seattle Municipal Court cases, start at the Seattle Court Public Portal. Use the left-hand menu to select Search. You can look up case information, records, and courtroom calendars. No account is needed. If you want to search for older records not yet in the portal, reach out to the Clerk's Office at smc_copy_requests@seattle.gov.
For felony and major civil cases, those are handled by King County Superior Court. The KC Script Portal gives registered users access to case documents and dockets. You can view, download, or request documents online. The King County Superior Court is at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, phone (206) 296-9300. In-person access to view public records is free at the Clerk's Office. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
For a statewide search that covers multiple court types and counties at once, use the Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov or the Odyssey Portal. Both tools search across Washington's district, municipal, and superior courts.
Note: The Washington Courts statewide search updates every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. It does not replace the official court record, but it is a good first step for locating a case and its basic details.
King County District Court in Seattle
King County District Court West Division serves Seattle and north King County. It is located at the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone is (206) 205-9200. This court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000.
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for free electronic record searches. If you need records from the District Court, you can visit in person or contact the court directly. Cases in this court that do not end up in Seattle Municipal Court or King County Superior Court flow through the District Court, particularly for areas outside the Seattle city limits within King County.
Court Record Access Rules in Seattle
Washington's public records law under RCW 42.56 sets the baseline for public access to government records. Court records are also governed by court rules, specifically General Rule 31 (GR 31), which outlines what court records are public and what may be restricted. GR 31 applies to all courts in Washington, including Seattle Municipal Court and King County courts.
Not all records are open. Sealed records, juvenile case files, and certain mental health or dependency matters are restricted by court order or statute. Access to sealed or confidential records at King County Superior Court requires identity verification through the portal or an in-person request. The court does not process record requests by phone or email for those types of files.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov provides a way to access historical court records and older Superior Court case files. This is useful when records are not available through the standard online portals. Non-certified copies are available at low cost. Certified copies must come directly from the Clerk's Office.
Research requests for historical or unusual cases may be subject to a research fee. King County sets that at $30.00 per hour. Most common requests for current cases do not trigger this fee. If you are unsure whether a research charge applies, call the Clerk's Office before submitting your request.
Which Seattle Court Handles Which Cases
Seattle has three main courts, and each handles different case types. Knowing which court to contact saves time.
- Seattle Municipal Court: misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking, photo-enforcement, and city ordinance violations within Seattle city limits
- King County Superior Court: felonies, civil cases over $100,000, family law, probate, guardianships, and appeals from lower courts
- King County District Court West Division: misdemeanors outside SMC jurisdiction, traffic cases, civil matters up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000
Seattle Municipal Court does not handle protection orders, name changes, small claims, or major civil cases. Those go to the District Court or Superior Court depending on the matter. If you are not sure which court has your case, start with the statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov or call the courts directly.
King County Court Records
Seattle is in King County. Felony cases, civil matters, and family law filings all go through the King County court system. For more details on King County courts, online access tools, and records requests, visit the King County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Seattle also have court records pages. Each one is served by its own combination of municipal, district, and superior courts.