Whitman County Court Records Lookup

Whitman County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Colfax and the District Court branch in Pullman. You can search cases online through the Washington Courts statewide case search or request documents directly from the clerk. Records covering felonies, civil matters, family law, and probate are all held at the Superior Court, while misdemeanor and traffic cases are handled by the District Court. Both offices are part of the court system that serves all communities across Whitman County.

Whitman County Clerk of Superior Court

The Whitman County Clerk's Office handles all Superior Court record requests, document certifications, and case file reviews. The office is located at 400 N Main Street in Colfax. Clerk Jill Whelchel and staff maintain records going back many years. Online direct access to case records is not available, so all requests must go through the clerk's office.

The Clerk's Office provides the Superior Court Records request form through the FormCenter on the county website. You can also request an audio recording of a past hearing using the form available on the clerk's webpage. The office publishes a list of approved court transcribers for anyone who needs a certified transcript. Judgment lists from 2018 through 2021 are archived and available for download on the site.

Whitman County Superior Court

Whitman County Superior Court is located at the county courthouse at 400 N Main Street in Colfax. Judge Gary Libey presides over the court. The court's hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Cases handled include felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $100,000, domestic relations (divorce and custody), probate, guardianships, and appeals from lower courts.

The court provides self-help resources for people who represent themselves. This includes a glossary of common legal terms, instructions for starting or defending an action, and links to state-level legal resources. Interpreter services are available upon request. Local rules for the court are published and available online. The court is clear that it does not assume liability for legal consequences based on information provided on its website.

Whitman County District Court - Pullman Branch

The Whitman County District Court Pullman Branch handles traffic infraction processing, court document certification, and general district court functions for Pullman and the surrounding area. This branch serves as the primary point of contact for misdemeanor and traffic cases originating in the Pullman area. The branch provides public access to case records and hearing calendars.

Contact the Pullman branch for case status, payment options, and hearing schedules. The branch is located at 325 SE Paradise Street in Pullman, which is separate from the Superior Court and Clerk's Office in Colfax. Phone is 509-332-2065 and the fax is 509-338-3318. Cases from this branch appear in the statewide Washington Courts case search alongside Whitman County Superior Court cases.

How to Search Whitman County Court Records

The main tool for searching Whitman County court cases online is the Washington Courts Name and Case Search. This free resource covers Whitman County District Court (Pullman Branch), Whitman County Superior Court, and any municipal courts in the county. Results update daily at 3 AM. You can search by person name or case number.

Search results are reference material only. They point you to the official court record but do not give you copies of documents. To get actual case files, contact the appropriate clerk. For Superior Court cases, reach the Whitman County Clerk at clerk@whitmancounty.net or 509-397-6244. For District Court cases from the Pullman branch, call 509-332-2065.

For best results in the statewide search, use accurate spelling of names and know the approximate year the case was filed. The Washington State Court Directory provides complete contact details for all courts in Whitman County, including addresses, phone numbers, fax lines, and staff contacts. This is a good starting point if you are not sure which court handled a particular case.

Note: Online direct access to Whitman County case documents is not available. All document requests must go through the clerk's office in person, by mail, or by email.

Public Records in Whitman County

Whitman County follows RCW 42.56 for public records requests from county departments. The county implemented its public records policy, POL-0415-HR, to provide clear rules for how to request records and what the county must provide. However, this policy does not apply to court documents. Court records are governed by separate court rules, specifically General Rule 31 (GR 31) and related rules.

To request court records specifically, go to the Whitman County Superior Court or District Court webpages rather than the general public records page. The public records page handles non-court county records like administrative documents and county department records. The two processes are separate. Always verify which office holds the records you need before submitting a request.

The county responds to public records requests within five business days where possible. Fees may apply for copying and staff research time. Large requests may take longer. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal under Washington state law. The county website provides the public records request form and instructions for each type of record.

The clerk's duties under RCW 36.23 include maintaining all Superior Court files, processing fees, and preserving records. These statutory duties exist alongside the court rules framework to ensure records are kept properly and are accessible to those who have the right to view them.

Cities in Whitman County

Whitman County includes Pullman as its largest city and Colfax as the county seat. Superior Court cases for all communities in the county are handled in Colfax.

Other communities in Whitman County include Colfax, Palouse, Rosalia, Tekoa, and Garfield. Superior Court filings for all of these go through the Whitman County Clerk in Colfax.

Nearby Counties

Whitman County borders Spokane, Adams, Lincoln, Garfield, and Asotin counties. Cases filed in those areas go through their own county superior courts. Check the filing location on your case documents if you are not sure which court has jurisdiction.