Access Federal Way Family Court Records
Federal Way family court records are maintained by King County Superior Court, which handles all dissolution, custody, child support, legal separation, and protection order cases filed by Federal Way residents. The King County Clerk's office keeps the official case files and can issue certified copies. You can search Federal Way family court records online through the KC Script Portal or the statewide Washington Courts search. This page covers where to search, how to file, what fees apply, and what legal resources are available in the Federal Way area.
Federal Way Overview
Where Federal Way Family Cases Are Handled
Federal Way sits in the southern part of King County. All felony cases, family law matters, and civil cases over $100,000 go to King County Superior Court. The primary south King County location is the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, which is often more convenient for Federal Way residents than the main courthouse in Seattle.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Main Address | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 |
| South Location | Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/Clerk |
Federal Way has its own municipal court for local criminal and infraction matters. That court is located at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102, Federal Way, WA 98003, phone (253) 835-3000. Court lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Judges Danielle Havens and E. Bradford Bales preside. The municipal court does not hear family law cases. It handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and other limited-jurisdiction matters.
Federal Way Municipal Court
The Federal Way Municipal Court is authorized to hear traffic infractions, criminal and gross misdemeanors, and civil or vehicle impound hearings. It does not handle small claims cases, name changes, or passport applications. Criminal hearings and infraction hearings are available in person and via Zoom conferencing. If you fail to appear for a criminal hearing, a warrant may be issued.
The screenshot below shows the official Federal Way Municipal Court page, which has contact information, judge listings, court procedures, and Zoom links.
See the full court page at federalwaywa.gov/page/municipal-court. Public defenders are provided by Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc. P.S. at (253) 859-8840. The court encourages online or phone payments using Official Payments at 1-800-272-9829, jurisdiction code 5691. The Dispute Resolution Center of King County offers low-cost mediation through the municipal court at (206) 443-9603 or toll-free at (888) 803-4696.
Federal Way also provides a domestic violence victim advocate through the municipal court. The advocate is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at (253) 835-2591. After-hours contact is (206) 930-6509. The advocate supports victims through the local court process and works with the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, reachable at (206) 568-5454.
Searching Federal Way Family Court Records Online
King County Superior Court records are available through the KC Script Portal. This portal covers cases filed from November 1, 2004 forward. Free to search. Look up cases by party name or case number and see docket entries, hearings, and filings. Family law cases are included. The portal is King County's own system and is separate from the statewide search.
The screenshot below shows the KC Script Portal that Federal Way residents use to look up family court cases.
Access the portal at dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page online. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after. Research time is $30.00 per hour. Email eservices@kingcounty.gov or call (206) 296-9300 with questions.
The Washington Courts statewide search is the second option for Federal Way residents.
The statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers Washington courts broadly. For Federal Way cases, the King County portal is more complete. Historical records may be found at the Washington State Digital Archives. High-volume users can subscribe to JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov/jislink for $0.145 per transaction, with a $13 monthly minimum.
Federal Way city court records are separate from county court records. To request Federal Way Municipal Court records, contact the Court Administrator at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102, Federal Way, WA 98003, phone (253) 835-3000. City records are made available under court rule GR 31.1, which is separate from the state Public Records Act. Copy fees at the municipal court are $0.15 per page for photocopies and $0.10 per page for scanned documents.
Filing Family Law Cases as a Federal Way Resident
Federal Way residents file dissolution and related family law cases under RCW Chapter 26.09. Washington is a no-fault state. The sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. One spouse must be a Washington resident or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state at the time of filing.
You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the King County Clerk's office. The other party must be served with copies. If both sides agree on property, custody, and support, you can file an agreed decree without going to trial. Disputed cases may go through mediation. Washington requires a 90-day waiting period from the date of service before a dissolution can be finalized.
Family court jurisdiction and parenting seminar requirements are governed by RCW Chapter 26.12. Cases with children require both parents to complete an approved parenting seminar before the case is resolved. Child support is calculated using statewide guidelines under RCW Chapter 26.19, factoring in both parents' incomes and the residential schedule.
Forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Find dissolution packets, parenting plan forms, child support worksheets, and protection order packets. The Guide and File interactive tool helps you complete forms step by step. Attorneys must e-file in King County under LGR 30. Self-represented parties may file in paper at the Clerk's window during business hours.
Fee waivers are available if you receive public assistance or have household income below 200% of the federal poverty level. Ask the Clerk for a waiver application when you file.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
The King County Superior Court Clerk issues certified copies of court orders, decrees, and other filed documents. Certified copies are stamped and accepted by government agencies, lenders, and legal offices. Plain copies cost less but are not always sufficient. Certified copy fees are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Washington State Department of Health maintains statewide divorce and marriage records going back to 1968. These are separate from the court files. Order state-level records at doh.wa.gov. Each copy is $25. The record shows party names, the date, and the county of the decree. No ID is required. VitalChek expedited service is available for an extra fee.
Older records predating the electronic system may be found at the Washington State Digital Archives. Microfilm-based records from before July 1979 require an in-person visit to the Seattle Clerk's Office. Sealed records require a formal court motion to access.
Legal Resources for Federal Way Residents
Northwest Justice Project provides free family law help to low-income King County residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit washingtonlawhelp.org for guides on dissolution, custody, child support, and protection orders. Resources are available in Spanish and other languages, which is useful for Federal Way's diverse community.
The King County Courthouse family law facilitator can help self-represented filers understand court procedures and complete forms. The facilitator cannot provide legal advice but can explain what documents to bring and how the process works. For attorney referrals, contact the Washington State Bar Association at (206) 443-9722 or the King County Bar Association at (206) 267-7010.
The Dispute Resolution Center of King County, reachable at (206) 443-9603 or (888) 803-4696, provides low-cost mediation for custody and property disputes. Mediation can settle many cases before trial. Federal Way's city-operated domestic violence advocate at (253) 835-2591 can provide support if you have a related protective order case in municipal court alongside a family law matter in Superior Court.
King County Family Court Records
Federal Way 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.