Walla Walla County Court Records

Walla Walla County court records are official documents created by the local courts in Walla Walla. They contain information about cases adjudicated in the county. They typically include case filings, motions, judgments, subpoenas, exhibits, orders, and court decisions. Court records are generated during filings and court proceedings as part of the judicial process.

The County Clerk's Office (Superior Court Clerk) is the custodian of court documents of cases filed or heard in the County Superior Court and is responsible for their storage, retrieval, and management. Meanwhile, the clerk or administrative office of the district court is responsible for legal documents filed in the court. These records are maintained to foster transparency and accountability, preserve a historical record of cases, and provide public access to court information.

When they access court records, individuals can find various information, including initial allegations and charges, sworn statements and testimonies, and case outcomes (settlements, sentences, and verdicts).

Are Court Records Public in Walla Walla County?

Yes. Walla Walla County court records are public under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Under this Act, anyone can request and view court records of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate cases handled in any court in the state.

However, despite the public accessibility of most court records, some are restricted and exempt from public disclosure. Per the Washington Courts' Access to Court Records Brochure and General Rule 31.1, these exemptions include:

• Juvenile court records
• Adoption records
• Mental health and medical records
• Sealed court records
• Paternity records
• Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records
• Case-related information protected by attorney-client privilege
• Any record that could reveal the identity of confidential informants in criminal cases
• Domestic Violence Protection Orders
• Any record that could reveal the identity and personal information of sexual assault victims
• Trade secrets or proprietary business information
• Records that are part of an active criminal investigation
• Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and financial account details.

Walla Walla County Court Records Search

Individuals can search for Walla Walla County court records using any of the listed options below:

• Online, email, mail, or fax requests to the Walla Walla County District Court
• In-person, mail, or email requests to the Walla Walla County Clerk (Superior Court Clerk)
• The Washington Courts Online Case Portal (Odyssey)
• Third-party aggregate websites.

Walla Walla County Courts

Walla Walla County has two courts: a Superior Court and a District Court. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases in the county. It handles felony, civil, probate, guardianship, juvenile, and family law cases. On the other hand, the District Court is a limited jurisdiction court that handles misdemeanors, civil disputes where the monetary limit is up to $100,000, small claims where the sum in dispute does not exceed $5,000, and traffic infractions.

The address and contact information of courts in Walla Walla County are listed below.

Walla Walla County Superior Court
Walla Walla County Courthouse
315 W Main Street,
P.O. Box 836
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2780
Fax: (509) 524-2779

Walla Walla County Superior Court - Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
455 W Rose Street
P.O. Box 1754
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2800
Fax: (509) 524-2836

Walla Walla County District Court
317 W Rose Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2760
Fax: (509) 524-2775

Walla Walla County Criminal Records

Walla Walla County criminal records contain information about a person's history of criminal activities and their run-ins with the criminal justice system. These records include information on a person's arrest in Walla Walla county, detention, conviction, and sentence. As custodian of local criminal records, the County Sheriff's Office processes public requests for these records. Interested parties should contact the Sheriff's Office to obtain them.

Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office
240 West Alder Street, First Floor
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-5400
Fax: (509) 524-5480
Email: sheriff@co.walla-walla.wa.us

Alternatively, individuals can contact the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for criminal background records, including those of Walla Walla County residents. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person.

Use the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system for instant background checks at $11 for online requests.

For mail requests, complete the "Request for Conviction Criminal History Form" and send it with the processing fee to:

Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633

For in-person requests, take the completed form to:

Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98501

Get Walla Walla County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Walla Walla County include details on cases involving matters such as contract breaches, personal injury claims, divorce and family law, property disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims. The Walla Walla County District Court is the record custodian of civil cases they handle, and the Superior Court Clerk, or County Clerk, is responsible for records for civil cases heard in the Superior Court.

To obtain civil court records in the county, requests should be made to the appropriate custodian of the courthouse where a civil matter was adjudicated in Walla Walla County. For instance, requests for civil case records from the Superior Court should be directed to the Superior Court Clerk at:

Walla Walla Superior Court Clerk (County Clerk)
County Courthouse
315 West Main
P.O. Box 836
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2780
Fax: (509) 524-2779
Email: clerk1@co.walla-walla.wa.us

In contrast, to request civil court documents from the District Court, submit a request online or send a completed "request for public records" form to the court by mail, fax, or email.

317 W. Rose Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2760
Fax: (509) 524-2775

Alternatively, individuals can lookup these records online through the Washington Courts' Online Case Portal (Odyssey).

Walla Walla County Marriage Records

Interested persons can request copies of Walla Walla County marriage records from the Washington State Department of Health. Marriage certificates from January 1, 1968, are available to anyone upon request at $25 per certified or noncertified informational copy.

To place a request for a marriage certificate, submit a completed "Marriage Certificate Order Form," plus a $25 fee (check or money order), to the Washington State Department of Health by mail at:

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

Walla Walla County Divorce Records

Walla Walla County divorce records contain information about marriage dissolutions. Divorces are handled in the Superior Court. The county clerk is the custodian of divorce decrees from the Superior Court. To request these records, visit the clerk's office Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, or send written requests by mail or email.

Superior Court Clerk (County Clerk)
County Courthouse
315 West Main
P.O. Box 836
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2780
Fax: (509) 524-2779
Email: clerk1@co.walla-walla.wa.us

Alternatively, individuals can obtain Walla Walla County certificates for $25 per copy from the Washington State Department of Health. To do this, submit a completed "divorce certificate order form" by mail to the state's DOH.

Walla Walla County Birth and Death Records

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health is responsible for birth and death records in the county. These records are available upon request to eligible persons in Walla Walla County, such as the record subjects, their immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives. Birth records are used to verify identity, apply for social security numbers, enroll in school, etc. Meanwhile, death records are used to process insurance claims, settle wills, administer estates, and claim survivor benefits.

To obtain these records, eligible individuals should submit the appropriate application form—the birth certificate order form or the death certificate order form—to the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health in person or by mail at:

314 West Main Street
P.O. Box 1753
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2650
Fax: (509) 524-2678

Copies of birth and death certificates cost $25 each. Payments can be made by cash or Visa card for in-person submissions or by money order for mail-in submissions. Proof of identification and relationship are also required to process the request.

Walla Walla County Probate Court Records

Probate court cases, including estate settlements, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts, are adjudicated in the Walla Walla County Superior Court. Court documents of these cases are handled by the Superior Court Clerk (otherwise referred to as the Walla Walla County Clerk).

Individuals who wish to obtain or access these records should submit a public record request to the clerk's office. Requests can be submitted by email at clerk1@co.walla-walla.wa.us, in person (Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm), or by mail to:

Walla Walla Superior Court Clerk (County Clerk)
County Courthouse
315 West Main
P.O. Box 836
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2780
Fax: (509) 524-2779

Certified copies from the clerk's office cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Alternatively, individuals can lookup these records online via the Washington Courts' Online Case Portal (Odyssey).

Walla Walla County Property Records

Walla Walla County property records are official documents containing information about real estate or personal property within the county. They typically include data on property ownership, assessed value, property tax information, mortgages, maps, and liens. The Walla Walla County Auditor's Office and the County Assessor are the official custodians of these records.

Interested persons seeking these records in Walla Walla County should contact the Auditor's Office (for property deeds, mortgages, maps or surveys, and other real estate documents) and the Assessor's Office (for property tax and valuation information). Official copies are available in person at the auditor's office or by mail. The cost is $1.00 per page. Certified copies are available for $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page per document.

Walla Walla County Auditor
315 West Main St.
Second Floor, Rm 201
P.O. Box 1856
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2549

County Assessor
1st Floor - Room 112
315 W. Main Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2560
Fax: (509) 524-2576
Email: assessor@co.walla-walla.wa.us

Alternatively, interested persons can search for and lookup Walla Walla real estate and property documents online via the "Online Records Search" portal. They can also use the "Property Search" portal to find and access property appraisal and tax information from the assessor's office.

Walla Walla County Court Records Online

While interested persons can primarily access Walla Walla County court records through the Washington Courts' Online Case Portal (Odyssey), they may also use third-party resources like Washingtoncourtrecords.us to find court records across the state, including Walla Walla County.

Third-party public records repositories serve as alternative public records sources, providing convenient access to these records across multiple jurisdictions and even official agencies. Individuals who cannot visit courthouses or record custodians in person can easily use these platforms to access Walla Walla court records from anywhere with an internet connection.

Searches on third-party resources for court records are typically conducted using the names of the individuals involved in the court case, case numbers, and locations as filters.

However, the volume, accuracy, or reliability of information obtained from third-party platforms cannot be guaranteed, as these sites are not affiliated with any government agency. As such, their data should be used for something other than official purposes like employment screening, housing, or background checks.