How can I obtain copies of documents filed in a case?
The procedure for requesting a court record varies from court to court. To obtain a copy of the actual documents filed in a case, you need to contact the court where the case was filed. Some courts provide online forms or other contact information for requesting such information. Links to Court Websites (if available) are located on the Appellate and Trial Courts page of the Washington Courts Website.
You may be able to find the information you are seeking from the Search Case Records page of the Washington Courts Website.
When conducting searches for the following superior courts:
Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima Superior Courts. Please use this link: https://odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/odyportal
When conducting searches for King County Superior Court. Please use the following link for the most up to date information: https://kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk/access-records/records-portal.aspx
When conducting searches for King County District Court. Please use the following link for the most up to date information at King County District Court's Public Portal: https://kcdc-efiling.kingcounty.gov/ecourt/
IF:
- you cannot find the case from Search Case Records or the case is closed or archived and no case docket information displays; or
- the court where the case was filed does not have a Web site or its Web site does not provide a means of requesting a court record;
THEN you will need to contact the court directly to request the information. Contact information for courts in Washington State is located on the Court Directory page of the Washington Courts Web site.
For additional information about court record requests, please see:
- General Court Rule (GR 31): Access to Court Records.
- Administrative Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (ARLJ 9): Disclosure of Records.
- Access to Court Records Brochure available from the News & Info page of the Washington Courts Web site.
For information on legal advice or research, see Answer: Legal Questions
RN id: 1144