Quick case lookup across Washington
Washington Courts statewide public case search
Fast way to find docket summaries and case numbers for many Superior, District, and some Municipal courts.
Where To Start
Begin with the Washington Courts statewide search, then move to the correct county, district, or municipal court clerk if you need full files or certified copies.
Certified copies or full case file
County Superior Court Clerk where the case was filed
Superior Court Clerks are the official custodians for civil, family, probate, and felony case files and certifications.
Misdemeanors or traffic tickets
District Court Clerk or the relevant Municipal Court Clerk
Limited-jurisdiction courts handle most misdemeanors and infractions; some municipal records are not in the statewide search.
Appeals or opinions
Washington Court of Appeals or Supreme Court Clerk
Appellate clerks maintain appellate dockets, briefs, decisions, and certified appellate records.
Older or archived cases
Washington State Archives or the originating court’s records center
Older case files may be stored off-site and require retrieval requests.
Official Washington Court Record Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Courts Statewide Public Case Search (AOC) | Finding case numbers and docket summaries across many Superior, District, and some Municipal courts | Case number, party name with DOB, filing date range, court level | Online index | Not all municipal courts are included; document images are limited; use results to identify the correct clerk. |
| County Superior Court Clerk | Civil, family, probate/guardianship, and felony criminal files; certifications | Case number, party name, approximate filing year, judgment/document number | Online index (varies), in person, mail/portal request | Official case file of record; certified copies available; some counties offer online document purchase. |
| District Court Clerk | Misdemeanors, traffic/infractions, small claims, limited civil | Defendant name and DOB, citation/infraction number, date of violation | Online index (varies), in person, mail | Citation number greatly speeds lookups; some records may not appear in the statewide index immediately. |
| Municipal Court Clerk | City ordinance violations, municipal misdemeanors, and infractions | Name and DOB, citation number, case number if known | Court-specific online portal (varies), in person, mail | Many municipal courts run separate systems; check the city court directly if the statewide search returns no results. |
| Washington Court of Appeals / Supreme Court Clerk | Appellate dockets, briefs, opinions, mandates, and certified appellate records | Appellate case number, lower court case number, party name | Online docket, in person, mail/portal request | Official copies of appellate decisions and records are issued by the appellate clerks. |
| Washington State Archives | Older Superior Court records and registers not available online | County, case title, approximate year range, case number if known | Request retrieval; in-person viewing at archives (varies) | Expect retrieval time for off-site records; not all documents are digitized. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Exact case number from the court or statewide search
- Party’s full legal name and date of birth to narrow common names
- Filing date range or approximate year of the case
- County and court level (Superior, District, Municipal, Appellate)
- Citation or infraction number for traffic and misdemeanors
- Judgment or document number for post-judgment filings
- Attorney bar number for cases tracked by counsel
- Lower court case number when searching appellate dockets
- Case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims)
Find The Right Court Path
Civil and Family (Superior Court)
General civil, family law, domestic violence, protection orders, and most large-value disputes
- Where To Start
- Search the statewide portal, then contact the appropriate County Superior Court Clerk
- Best Search Input
- Case number or party name with filing year
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies of orders, judgments, and decrees are issued by the Superior Court Clerk.
Criminal Cases
Felonies in Superior Court; misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors in District or Municipal Court
- Where To Start
- Use the statewide search; if not found, check the county’s District Court or the city’s Municipal Court
- Best Search Input
- Defendant name and DOB, or case/citation number
- Official Copy Note
- Obtain certified judgments or dispositions from the court that handled sentencing.
Traffic and Infractions
Moving and non-moving violations, parking (some jurisdictions), and camera tickets
- Where To Start
- District Court or the issuing city’s Municipal Court
- Best Search Input
- Citation/infraction number, or name with date of violation
- Official Copy Note
- Request official infraction history or certified copies directly from the handling court clerk.
Probate and Guardianship
Estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships
- Where To Start
- County Superior Court Clerk where the decedent or ward resided
- Best Search Input
- Case number, decedent/ward name, year opened
- Official Copy Note
- Letters, orders, and wills can be certified by the Superior Court Clerk.
Appeals
Appeals from trial courts to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court
- Where To Start
- Appellate dockets via Washington appellate clerks
- Best Search Input
- Appellate case number or lower court case number
- Official Copy Note
- Certified opinions, mandates, and appellate filings are issued by the appellate clerk.
Official Records vs Background Check Services
Official Washington court sources are best for court case dockets, filings, judgments, and certified copies issued by a clerk. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searches across many jurisdictions, but they may miss recent updates, sealed matters, or courts not covered. For filings you must file, quote, or certify, go to the relevant court clerk or the statewide court portal.
How To Request Official Court Copies
- Identify the correct court level: Superior, District, Municipal, or Appellate.
- Locate the case using the statewide search or the court’s own index to confirm the case number.
- Note the exact documents needed (e.g., judgment, order, docket, transcript) and whether certification is required.
- Contact the holding clerk (county, city, or appellate) to request plain or certified copies and confirm accepted request methods.
- Submit your request with case number and identifiers; pay any applicable copy or certification fees.
- Allow processing time; older or archived files may require retrieval before copies are issued.
Access Limits and Accuracy Notes
- Not every municipal court feeds data to the statewide portal; check the city’s court directly if you cannot find a case.
- Juvenile, sealed, or confidential matters have restricted access and will not appear in public searches.
- Online docket summaries may omit attachments or exhibits; the official file resides with the clerk of the court.
- Older cases may be archived off-site, requiring retrieval and additional time before copies are available.
- Name-only searches can return multiple matches; include date of birth or filing year to narrow results.
Washington Court Records FAQs
Where can I find a Washington case number?
Start with the Washington Courts statewide search. If you cannot locate it, contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed and request an index search.
Which court handles misdemeanors in Washington?
Most misdemeanors are handled by District or Municipal Courts. Felony cases are handled by Superior Courts.
How do I get a certified copy of a judgment?
Request it from the clerk of the court that issued the judgment. Provide the case number, party name, and the exact document title you need certified.
Why can’t I find my municipal court case online?
Some municipal courts use separate systems or delay updates. Check the city’s Municipal Court clerk or website for its specific search and request options.
Are Washington court records public?
Many court records are public, but access is limited for sealed, juvenile, and certain protected case types. Availability and online access vary by court and document.