King County Family Court Records

King County family court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Seattle. The county clerk also serves as the Director of the Department of Judicial Administration, making King County's setup unique compared to other Washington counties. The clerk's office keeps all family law case files, including dissolution, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and protection orders. King County uses its own KC Script Portal for Superior Court records rather than the Odyssey system used by most other counties. This page explains how to search, what the portal contains, how to get copies, and where to find help.

King County Superior Court Clerk

The King County Superior Court Clerk maintains official records for all superior court cases in the county. In King County, the county clerk also carries the title of Director of the Department of Judicial Administration, an executive branch department. This dual role means the office handles both records management and broader court administration functions. The clerk's office is at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle.

The clerk's office manages document filing, records storage, and various court support programs. Services include electronic filing, working copies submission, electronic exhibits, and voluntary firearm rights waiver processing. The office also manages the data dashboard and court data reporting tools that provide a visual view of King County court activity.

The King County Superior Court Clerk's official page covers records access, online services, the data dashboard, and the clerk's dual role as Director of the Department of Judicial Administration.

The Department of Judicial Administration page at kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk.aspx provides a detailed view of the clerk's administrative functions and how to access court records in King County.

King County Family Court Records Online Portal

King County Superior Court does not use the Odyssey Portal that most Washington counties rely on. Instead, King County has its own system: the KC Script Portal at dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov. This portal is the primary tool for searching, viewing, and requesting King County Superior Court records. All family law cases are available for cases filed on or after November 1, 2004.

The KC Script Portal is King County's official online system for accessing Superior Court records, including all family law cases filed since November 2004, with options to view, request, and purchase documents.

Through the KC Script Portal, you can search for family court cases by party name or case number, view docket entries, request documents, purchase copies, e-file new cases and documents, submit working copies and ex parte submissions, manage e-service registration, and pay court fines. The portal also allows you to verify certified document copies. Case types available include adult criminal cases, civil cases (except domestic violence and antiharassment protection order cases), probate and guardianship, all family law cases, and unsealed portions of paternity cases. Records restricted by Local General Rule 31 can still be requested through the portal and delivered electronically.

The statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov notes specifically that for King County Superior Court, the most current information is at the KC Script Portal. For King County District Court matters, a separate portal is available at kcdc-efiling.kingcounty.gov/ecourt.

The Washington State Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov directs King County Superior Court searchers to the KC Script Portal rather than Odyssey, reflecting King County's separate records system.

King County Family Court Records Copy Fees

King County has its own fee schedule for court records. These apply to all case types through the KC Script Portal, including family court records. Non-certified copies viewed or downloaded online cost $0.25 per page. Clerk-assisted non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Exemplified copies (highest level of certification) cost $9.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.

Other fees you may see include a research fee of $30.00 per hour, shipping and handling at $10.00, and electronic delivery at $25.00 per case. If you need a full document set on CD, that is also $25.00. Writ issuance is $20.00 for the first two copies and $2.00 per copy after that. Subpoena issuance follows the same structure. An expedited processing fee of $40.00 per case applies when you need records on a rush basis. For questions, contact the clerk's office at 206-296-9300 or by email at eservices@kingcounty.gov. Live chat is available 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Note: Filing fees for new family law cases are separate from copy fees and are set under state law. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current filing fees before submitting a new case.

Laws Governing King County Family Court Records

King County family court cases operate under Washington State law. RCW Chapter 26.09 governs dissolution proceedings throughout Washington, including King County. It covers the grounds for dissolution (irretrievably broken marriage), the residency requirement, how community property is divided equitably, temporary maintenance and child support, parenting plans, and relocation rules. Either spouse can file, and neither can prevent a dissolution from moving forward.

RCW Chapter 26.12 establishes the family court structure that King County Superior Court operates under. This chapter covers court commissioner duties in family law, guardian ad litem appointments, required parenting seminars for cases involving children, the courthouse facilitator program, and the address confidentiality program. King County's family court division handles a high volume of cases given the county's population of roughly 2.3 million residents.

Adoption cases in King County are handled under RCW Chapter 26.33. This chapter covers petition requirements, consent and relinquishment, preplacement reports, and the sealing of adoption records. Adoption files are not publicly accessible through the KC Script Portal. The confidential intermediary program under this chapter provides a formal route to sealed adoption records for qualifying parties.

Access to King County court records online is governed by Local General Rule 31. The KC Script Portal notes that records restricted by LGR 31 can still be requested and received electronically. This rule addresses privacy for sensitive case information while preserving public access rights under Washington's public records framework.

Divorce Certificates for King County Cases

If you need a certified divorce certificate (rather than a full copy of the decree from the court file), the Washington State Department of Health handles those. The DOH vital records portal provides certified marriage and divorce certificates for cases from 1968 to the present. The base fee is $25 per copy. No identification is required. You will need the person's name, the approximate date of the dissolution, and that it was filed in King County.

VitalChek processes orders in 3-7 business days. Standard mail orders take 6-8 weeks. For marriages or dissolutions that occurred within the past five months, the DOH may direct you to the King County Auditor's Office for a county-certified copy. For pre-1968 records, use the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov, which holds historical collections including vital records and superior court case files. For full decrees with all terms, you need to request from the King County Superior Court Clerk through the KC Script Portal.

Legal Help for King County Family Court

King County has several resources for people who need help with family court cases but cannot afford an attorney. Washington Law Help provides free guides on dissolution, custody, child support, protection orders, guardianship, and adoption. Resources are available in multiple languages. The site explains the courthouse facilitator program, which provides free procedural help to self-represented parties at the King County Courthouse.

Northwest Justice Project serves King County and provides free legal help to low-income residents for family law matters including dissolution, custody, and domestic violence. Their statewide number is 1-888-201-1014. The King County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service is available at (206) 267-7010. All official court forms for King County family law cases are at courts.wa.gov/forms, with translated versions available and a Guide and File tool that walks you through completing forms step by step.

Cities in King County

King County contains many cities and communities. All family law cases in the county are filed at King County Superior Court in Seattle. Below are the major cities in King County that have individual pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

King County borders these counties. Family court cases are filed in the county where one of the parties lives. Check your current address to confirm which county has jurisdiction.