King County Superior Court Case Search

Court records for King County Superior Court are records documenting legal court proceedings. Such records are generated and maintained by the court staff. According to Washington public record laws, record seekers may request and copy public court records in the custody of custodians such as the court clerk. An individual may require a King County Superior Court search for various reasons, including background checks, personal records, appeals, legal research, and probate matters such as inheritance hearings.

What Kinds of Cases Are heard in the King Superior Court?

As King County's main trial court, the Superior Court has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases. Sometimes, jurisdiction may be specified by law and transferred to one of the lower courts, such as a district or municipal court. The King County Superior Court will generally handle criminal cases involving felony crimes and misdemeanors.

It hears civil cases involving divorce, probate matters, insolvency, annulments, property possession, and damages. The Superior Court will also hear civil cases involving amounts valued above the limit of the lower courts.

The Superior Court has a family court and juvenile division that maintains jurisdiction over juvenile matters and domestic issues involving children and minors, such as custody, foster care, visitation, truancy, delinquency, and probation.

King County Superior Court

The King County Superior Court is the county's highest trial court. It holds trials for both civil and criminal cases unless the case is transferred to a lower court. Typically, the superior court hears serious felony and misdemeanor cases. It also hears civil disputes and matters involving damages or property valued beyond the level of the lower courts.

The superior court generally has original jurisdiction, and residents typically have their cases heard at the superior court unless the case is transferred to the district or municipal court.

Listed below are the superior courts within King County.

King County Superior Court
King County Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue,
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 296-9300

King County Superior Court
Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center
401 4th Avenue N,
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (206) 296-9300

King County Superior Court - Juvenile Court
Family Justice Center
1211 E Alder Street,
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 477-6770

King County Case Lookup

Record seekers may look up King County Superior Court case records by contacting the court clerk in charge of these records. Typically, interested parties will be able to look up all superior court records at the clerk’s office including criminal, civil, and records maintained by the family and juvenile divisions.

The following options are available for requesting superior court record look-ups in King County.

• Visit any of the Superior Court Locations in Person
• Look up records online using the KC Script Portal
• Search for superior court records using a third-party website

King Superior Court Case Search by Name

Records seekers may obtain court case records from the Kings County Superior Court Clerk. A name-based court case search may be made by visiting any of the Superior Court Locations during opening hours, by mail, or using the KC Portal online database.

To obtain a name-based superior court case record search in person, the record seeker must visit any of the Superior Court Locations. Each location has a public records access area where requesters may research and view court documents during office hours for free. Requesters may also order and purchase copies of the records they require.

Mailed searches may be made by filling out the Record Request Form and mailing it to any of the locations listed on the form. Mailed requests must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope with enough postage to cover the return of the request. A deposit of $10 in a cashier’s check or money order is also required to begin the request. If the total cost is less than $10, a refund of the excess may be made. Sealed or confidential records cannot be requested by mail.

Online searches are available via the KC Script Portal maintained by the King County Superior Court Clerk. Record seekers may use the online database to view, download, and order court documents. Payment for online searches and requests may be made using a credit or debit card. The KC script website provides instructions on how to navigate and use the website to search for case records.

To make successful name-based searches for court cases and records using any of the resources provided, record seekers must provide an accurate name of the parties to the record. For example, during mailed requests, the type of record/case and correct full names of the parties involved must be provided for the search. Additional information, such as a filing date and case number, may also be required to ensure an accurate search. If inadequate information is provided and the clerk's office staff must perform a search an extra $30 fee is charged. For any inquiries or assistance, records seekers may contact the clerk’s office by calling (206) 477-0691 or emailing clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov.

King Superior Court Docket Search

A court docket for Kings County Superior Court is generally the record of all the proceedings and documents in a case heard at the superior court. It consists of the names of all participants in the case, including Judges, attorneys, plaintiffs, and defendants; all documents filed, including complaints, motions, and judgments; a timeline of all the events in the case; a case number and the current status of the cases. Dockets are important records as they help parties involved and the public stay informed and track the case progress.

Record seekers may obtain a King County Superior Court docket by visiting any of the Court's locations in person or using the KC Script Portal to search online. Inquiries about requesting dockets may be directed to the superior court by calling (206) 296-9300 or emailing clerksofficecorrespondencedesk@kingcounty.gov.

Lookup King County Superior Court Online

The most up-to-date information is usually available on government-owned websites such as the KC Script Portal. However, third-party websites such as Washingtoncourtrecord.us provide an alternative for conveniently looking up court records. These websites provide resources for visitors to look up court records and view or download search results directly to a computer or smart device. Since these websites are not government-owned, their records cannot be verified. Results from these record websites should be authenticated with government sources before being used for official purposes.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

The Washington Supreme Court and County Superior Court are the two courts within the legal system and have different purposes. The Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the state. It does not hear trials but appeals and reviews decisions made by the lower courts, such as the Superior Court. On the other hand, the King County Superior Court is the main trial court for the county and has jurisdiction over most cases, including civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law cases.