Burien Family Court Records
Burien family court records are filed and maintained at King County Superior Court in Seattle. All dissolution, custody, child support, legal separation, and protection order cases for Burien residents go through King County Superior Court. You can search records online through the KC Script Portal or the statewide Washington Courts search. This page covers how to find filings, how to request copies, what the filing process looks like, and where Burien residents can get legal help.
Burien Overview
Where Burien Family Court Cases Are Filed
Burien is in King County. Family law matters such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, and child support are all handled by King County Superior Court. The main courthouse is in downtown Seattle. There is no separate superior court in Burien itself.
King County also operates the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, located at 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032, which handles many south King County cases. Burien residents may find it more convenient to access court services there since Kent is closer than downtown Seattle. Call the main clerk line first at (206) 296-9300 to confirm which location handles your case type before making the trip.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/Clerk |
| South Location | Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032 |
Burien has an interlocal contract with the King County District Court South Division for municipal and district court services. That court, located at 601 SW 149th Street, Burien, WA 98166, phone (206) 205-9200, handles misdemeanors, traffic matters, small claims, civil cases up to $100,000, and protection orders. It does not hear divorce or custody cases. Those go to Superior Court.
Searching Burien Family Court Records Online
King County uses its own records portal called KC Script. This is separate from the statewide Washington Courts search. The KC Script Portal covers cases filed from November 1, 2004 forward. Searches are free. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The portal shows case type, docket entries, hearing dates, and party information.
The screenshot below shows the King County Superior Court portal that Burien residents use to access family law case records online.
Access the KC Script Portal at dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov. Non-certified copies ordered online cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Research time runs $30.00 per hour if staff must assist. For help with the portal, email eservices@kingcounty.gov or call (206) 296-9300.
The statewide search tool is also available for Burien residents who want to check multiple county court systems at once or are not sure which court handled a particular case.
The Washington Courts statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers filings across Washington. For Burien cases, the KC Script Portal is more complete. Historical records predating the electronic systems can sometimes be found at the Washington State Digital Archives, which preserves older superior court materials and vital records collections. High-volume users such as attorneys or researchers can subscribe to JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov/jislink for display-only access at $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum.
Filing Family Court Cases in King County
Burien residents file dissolution, custody, and support cases under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The only ground you need is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. At least one spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed here.
To start a case, you file a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the King County Courthouse Clerk's office. The other spouse must be served with copies of both documents. If both spouses agree on all issues, an agreed decree may be submitted without a trial. Contested matters involving property, custody, or support may go to mediation first, then to a judge if the parties can't settle. Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period after service before the court can finalize any dissolution.
Cases with minor children require a parenting plan. King County requires both parents to complete an approved parenting seminar. Child support is calculated using state guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19, which takes into account both parents' income and the residential schedule. Family court jurisdiction over cases involving children is governed by RCW Chapter 26.12.
Attorneys filing in King County Superior Court must use electronic filing under LGR 30. Self-represented parties may file in paper at the Clerk's window during business hours. All standard forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. The site includes dissolution packets, child support worksheets, parenting plan forms, and protection order packets. An interactive Guide and File tool walks filers through the forms step by step.
If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the Clerk for a fee waiver application. Eligibility is based on household income or receipt of public assistance. The fee waiver covers the initial filing cost.
Types of Family Court Cases in Burien
King County Superior Court handles a wide range of family law matters for Burien residents. The most common are dissolution of marriage and legal separation, both filed under RCW 26.09. Dissolutions can be contested or agreed. Legal separation lets couples live apart and divide property without ending the marriage.
Child custody and parenting plan cases come up both inside and outside of dissolution proceedings. Parents who were never married can still file for a parenting plan in Superior Court. Parenting plan modifications are also filed there when a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the original order was entered.
Child support cases, support modifications, and enforcement actions go through King County Superior Court as well. Domestic violence protection orders and anti-harassment orders are another category the court handles. Adoptions, guardianships, and paternity actions are also filed in Superior Court.
Juvenile dependency cases, which involve child welfare situations, go to the King County Juvenile Court at the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center at 1211 East Alder Street, Seattle, WA 98122, phone (206) 263-8634. That court is separate from the main Superior Court Clerk's office.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
The King County Superior Court Clerk issues certified copies of court orders and decrees. Certified copies are stamped and accepted for official uses such as name changes, property transfers, and estate work. Plain copies cost less but may not be accepted in all situations. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that.
Washington State also keeps statewide vital records through the Department of Health. These are separate from the court files. State-level divorce and marriage records go back to 1968. Order them at doh.wa.gov. Each copy costs $25. The record shows party names, date of the decree, and the county where it was issued. No ID is required to order. VitalChek expedited service is available for an additional fee.
Records that predate 1968 may be found at the Washington State Digital Archives. Microfilm records from before July 1979 may only be viewed in person at the Seattle Clerk's Office during business hours. If you need a record from a sealed file, you will need to request court access through a formal motion.
Legal Help for Burien Residents
Northwest Justice Project offers free family law services to low-income residents throughout King County, including Burien. Call (888) 201-1014 or go to washingtonlawhelp.org for guides on dissolution, custody, child support, and protection orders. The site has resources in multiple languages, which is useful for Burien's diverse population.
The King County Courthouse in Seattle has a family law facilitator on staff. The facilitator can help self-represented filers understand court procedures and fill out forms correctly. The facilitator cannot give legal advice, but can explain what documents you need and how to file them.
For attorney referrals, contact the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or the King County Bar Association lawyer referral service at (206) 267-7010. The Dispute Resolution Center of King County offers low-cost mediation and can be reached at (206) 443-9603 or toll-free at (888) 803-4696. Mediation can help resolve custody and property disputes without a full trial.
The Burien City Clerk's office is located at 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166, phone (206) 241-4647. The City Clerk handles public records requests for city documents. Court records are separate and go through the King County Clerk, not the city.
King County Family Court Records
Burien is in King County. All family law cases go through King County Superior Court. For full clerk info, hours, and resources for King County filers, see the King County page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also file family court cases through King County Superior Court.