Pierce County Court Records

Pierce County court records are official documents that provide information on all legal proceedings in the county's courts. Also known as public case files, court records in Pierce County typically contain filings, judgments, testimonies, and evidence presented during trials. Other information on court records includes depositions, court transcripts, and appeals.

The Superior, District, and Municipal Courts in Pierce County maintain court records to ensure transparency and serve as precedents for future cases. The county courts also keep public case files for research purposes and licensing decisions. In general, court records ensure accountability within the judicial system in Pierce County.

Are Court Records Public in Pierce County?

Yes. According to Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington, court records created in Pierce County courts are open to the public. Examples of public court records include criminal court records, civil case files, and probate records. However, state law restricts access to certain court records containing sensitive or confidential information. Pierce County court records relating to juvenile, adoption, divorce, mental health, and drug treatment cases are restricted from public view.

Pierce County Court Records Search

Pierce County court records are maintained by designated record custodians. Court records, such as criminal and civil records, are publicly accessible online. Other records, such as juvenile and adoption case files, are not public. Individuals interested in getting paper court documents can send mail or email requests to the relevant record custodian or contact them by phone. They can also get copies of court records by visiting designated record custodian offices in Pierce County. Some record custodians provide online portals for court records searches within the county. Requesters can also complete Pierce County court record searches via statewide repositories provided by Washington State Courts and Washington State Archives. Many third-party websites also offer Pierce County court records search services.

Pierce County Court Records Search by Name

Pierce County court records seekers can search their records of interest by name for quick access. Providing the names of parties involved in a case helps narrow the search and facilitate a quick search. Parties involved in a case may include defendants, plaintiffs, offenders, attorneys, or presiding judges. Requesters should provide any of these names when making phone, mail, or in-person requests for name-based Pierce County court records or while searching using online repositories. Name-based court record searches in Pierce County are not free. The cost varies depending on the type of court records, the number of copies, whether the records will be certified, and the search method.

Pierce County Courts

The judicial system in Pierce County comprises four trial courts: the Superior, District, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts. Criminal and civil cases beyond the jurisdiction of the District, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts are heard at the Superior Court. The Pierce County District Court handles misdemeanor trials, felony pretrials, and civil claims below $75,000. The Juvenile Court presides over juvenile delinquencies and other legal matters related to minors. Cities and towns in Pierce County have Municipal Courts to help resolve traffic offenses and ordinance violations within their jurisdictions.

All the courts in Pierce County and their contact information are listed below:

Pierce County Superior Court
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 334
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Fax: (253) 798-3428

Pierce County District Court
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 239
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7487
Fax: (253) 798-6310

Pierce County Juvenile Court
Remann Hall
5501 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
Phone: (253) 798-7900
Fax: (253) 798-7649

Bonney Lake Municipal Court
9002 Main Street East, Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Phone: (253) 862-6606
Fax: (253) 862-3053
Email: Courtadmin@cobl.us

Buckley Municipal Court
811 Main Street
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: (360) 829-2118
Fax: (360) 234-0994

Fife Municipal Court
3737 Pacific Highway East, Suite 100
Fife, WA 98424
Phone: (253) 922-6635
Fax: (253) 926-5435

Fircrest Municipal Court
City Hall
115 Ramsdell Street
Fircrest, WA 98466
Phone: (253) 564-8922
Fax: (253) 564-3645
Email: court@cityoffircrest.net

Gig Harbor Municipal Court
3510 Grandview Street
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: (253) 851-7808
Fax: (253) 853-5483

Lakewood Municipal Court
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 512-2258
Fax: (253) 512-2267
Email: CityCourt@cityoflakewood.us

Orting Municipal Court
Orting City Hall
104 Bridge Street South
Orting, WA 98360
Phone: (360) 893-3160
Fax: (888) 491-2202

Puyallup Municipal Court
929 E Main Street, Suite 120
Puyallup, WA 98372
Phone: (253) 841-5450
Fax: (253) 770-3365
Email: Courts@PuyallupWA.Gov

Roy Municipal Court
216 McNaught Street South
Roy, WA 98580
Phone: (253) 843-0463
Fax: (253) 843-0279

Tacoma Municipal Court
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 841
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 591-5357
Fax: (253) 591-5301

Wilkeson Municipal Court
540 Church Street
Wilkeson, WA 98396
Phone: (360) 829-0171
Fax: (360) 829-0898

Pierce County Superior Court Case Search

The Superior Court in Pierce County has different court divisions that handle civil, felony, and juvenile cases. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains and disseminates court records to interested persons. Requesters can search for Pierce County Superior Court records online by entering case numbers or names of parties involved in the cases on LINX Search. This online portal provides case files created from January 2002 to date. Viewing court records online is free. However, online requesters will be charged $0.25 per page to print non-certified copies, while printing certified copies costs $5.

Requesters can obtain older court documents by visiting the Superior Court Clerk in Pierce County located at:

County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455

They can also request court records via mail using the following steps:

• Prepare a written request, which should include the requester's name, contact details, names on the requested records, and case numbers
• Call the Superior Court Clerk at (253) 798-7455 to confirm the appropriate fees for the request.
• Include the cashier's check or money order containing the appropriate fees
• Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Send all the necessary documents to:

Pierce County Clerk
ATTN Records & Copies
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402-2177

Pierce County District Court Records

Pierce County District Court records are official documents showing criminal and civil proceedings handled by the county's District Court. The Pierce County District Court hears misdemeanors and civil claims not more than $75,000. Case files created in Pierce County's District Court are available online through the Washington State Case Search platform. Requesters can obtain copies of Pierce County District Court records by mail, email, or in person at:

Pierce County District Court
Attn: Public Records Officer
930 Tacoma Ave S, Rm 239
Tacoma WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7487
Email: PCDCRecords@piercecountywa.gov

Pierce County Criminal Records

Pierce County criminal records contain information regarding the criminal activities of offenders in the county. Individuals interested in obtaining these Pierce county arrest records and criminal history information may contact the Pierce County Sheriff's Office at:

County-City Building
First Floor
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7530

The Washington State Patrol also provides public access to criminal records via the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH). Anyone can run background checks through the WATCH portal by providing offenders' names and birthdates. Employers and record owners can obtain accurate criminal records by performing fingerprint-based searches. Fingerprint capturing at one of the state-recognized fingerprint locations is necessary to access accurate criminal records on WATCH. Note that a name-based criminal record search costs $11 per search, while a fingerprint-based search costs $58.

Pierce County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal Court records in Pierce County contain offenders' names, charges, evidence, court judgments, and appeals. Interested persons can search Pierce County criminal court records online using the Superior Court's LINX Search. They may be able to access felony-related criminal proceedings. Criminal case files involving misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and ordinance violations may be accessed on the Washington State Case Search.

Get Pierce County Civil Court Records

Pierce County civil court records are official documents related to civil lawsuits within the county. These documents contain case filings, complaints, pleadings, summons, motions, and orders. The Superior Court Clerk and Public Records Officer maintains different civil court records. Interested persons can begin their search for Pierce County Civil Court records by contacting the District Court public records officer at:

Pierce County District Court
Attn: Public Records Officer
930 Tacoma Ave S, Rm 239
Tacoma WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7487
Email: PCDCRecords@piercecountywa.gov

Civil court records not available at the District Court may be obtained at the Superior Court Clerk's Office at:

County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455

Civil court records in Pierce County are also accessible online using the LINX Search or the Washington Case Search.

Pierce County Family Court Records

Pierce County family court records show legal proceedings involving family law cases within the county. The Family Court Division of the Superior Court handles family matters such as child support/custody, divorce, and domestic abuse cases. The Superior Court Clerk in Pierce County maintains and disseminates family court records to interested persons. To obtain family court records, requesters can submit written requests by mail or in person to the Clerk of the Superior Court at:

County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455

Some family court records may be accessed online through the LINX Search. Note that records involving minors are not open to the public.

Pierce Dissolution of Marriage Records

Pierce County dissolution of marriage records are created when couples in the county legally end their marriages. These records contain terms and conditions of the dissolution, such as spousal support, property division, visitation rights, and child custody. The Superior Court Clerk is tasked with providing dissolution of marriage records to record owners and legal representatives. Eligible persons can mail written requests to the Superior Court Clerk's Office at:

Pierce County Clerk
ATTN Records & Copies
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402-2177

Dissolution of marriage records in Pierce County may also be available online via the LINX Search.

Pierce County Marriage and Divorce Records

Pierce County marriage and divorce records are official documents containing information on when residents marry or divorce. These records are open to the public. The Pierce County Auditor provides marriage certificates, while divorce certificates are available at the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Requesters can obtain marriage records from the Pierce County Auditor by doing any of the following:

1. Look up marriage records online
2. Book appointments before visiting the Auditor's Office at:
   Pierce County Auditor
   2401 South, 35th Street
   Room 200
   Tacoma, Washington
   Phone: (253) 798-3649
   Email: Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov
3. Complete and mail request forms to:

Pierce County Auditor
Attn: Marriage License
2401 South 35th Street, Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409

The Washington State Department of Health also disseminates marriage and divorce certificates created from 1968 to date. To obtain these records, interested persons can complete and mail marriage/divorce request forms to the state's DOH at:

Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507

Note that marriage and divorce certificates cost $25 per certified copy. Requesters must include money orders or checks made payable to the DOH.

Pierce Birth and Death Records

Pierce County birth and death records provide information on the births and deaths of residents living in the county. The documents are typically used for demographic analysis and genealogical research. County residents also request birth and death certificates to claim inheritance and estates. The Washington State Department of Health maintains and disseminates birth and death certificates created from July 1907 to date. Only the record owner, authorized representatives, immediate relatives, and public agencies can request Pierce County birth and death certificates. To obtain these records, eligible persons can complete and mail death/birth request forms to the state's DOH at:

Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507

Mail applications should include acceptable means of identification, proof of eligibility documents, and money orders/cashier checks made payable to the DOH. Pierce County birth and death records cost $25 for a certified copy. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) also provides death and birth certificates to eligible applicants. Requesters can obtain these records on the same day by visiting the county's health department located at:

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
3629 South D Street
Tacoma, WA 98418-6813
Phone: (253) 649-1401
Available hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

When visiting the county health department, requesters should have the required information handy, such as record owners' names, birth/death dates, and the city where the critical life events occurred. It is also vital to bring valid IDs and proof of eligibility documents. The TPCHD charges $39 to obtain a copy of a birth record or death certificate.

Pierce County Probate Court Records

Probate records in Pierce County contain legal matters involving estate administration of decedents, will disputes, conservatorships, and guardianships. The Superior Court Clerk maintains probate records in the county. Anyone can view Pierce County probate records via the LINX Search by providing party names or file numbers on the portal. They can also request probate court records via mail using the following steps:

• Write a request letter containing the requester's name, contact information, and names on the requested records
• Call the Superior Court Clerk at (253) 798-7455 to confirm the applicable fees for the probate records request
• Include a cashier's check or money order
• Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Send all the necessary documents to:

Pierce County Clerk
ATTN Records & Copies
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402-2177

Pierce County Property Records

Pierce County property records refer to public documents showing deeds, liens, title interests, and real estate transactions in the county. These records are used to obtain mortgages or protect real estate from false claims. The Pierce County Auditor's Office creates and stores property records in the county. Members of the public can search Pierce County property records online or contact the county's auditor at:

Pierce County Auditor
2401 South, 35th Street
Room 200
Tacoma, Washington
Phone: (253) 798-3649
Email: Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov

Pierce County Court Records Online

Interested persons can use third-party online platforms like Washingtoncourtrecords.us to obtain Pierce County court records online. These platforms offer time-saving and convenient ways of accessing Pierce County court records. However, some online databases contain incomplete and inaccurate information. Individuals should cross-check information on third-party sites with official records to ensure accuracy and reliability.