King County Public Records
King County public records are maintained by several elected offices, including the County Clerk, Auditor, Sheriff, and Assessor. King County is the most populous county in Washington, home to roughly 2.3 million residents. It covers Seattle and dozens of surrounding cities. Records are available through online portals, in-person requests at county offices, and by mail. This page explains where to find King County public records, how to submit a request, and what types of documents you can access.
King County Overview
King County Superior Court Clerk Records
The King County Superior Court Clerk maintains records for all Superior Court cases filed in the county. Cases include civil matters, criminal felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and juvenile offender cases. You can search case records online through the King County Records Access Portal, which allows searching by case number or participant name. The portal shows case status, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates. Document images are available for registered users.
The clerk operates two locations. The main office is in downtown Seattle at the King County Courthouse. A second location serves the south end of the county at the Regional Justice Center in Kent. Both locations handle records requests. If you need certified copies of court documents, you can visit either location in person or submit a written request by mail.
| Office | King County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Seattle Address | King County Courthouse, Room E-609 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Kent Address | Regional Justice Center, Room 2C 401 Fourth Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | 206-296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk |
Court records at the Superior Court level are subject to Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1 rather than the Public Records Act. The clerk's staff can help you locate cases and make copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Standard copies are $0.50 per page. Electronic copies may cost less depending on the format.
King County Sheriff Public Records
The King County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Public Disclosure Unit for records requests. Incident reports, arrest records, and law enforcement documents go through this unit. Requests are handled under RCW 42.56, the Washington Public Records Act. Law enforcement records may be partially or fully exempt under RCW 42.56.240 when nondisclosure is essential to an active investigation.
To submit a King County Sheriff records request, contact the Public Disclosure Unit directly. Include the date and location of the incident, any case or report numbers you have, and the names of the people involved. Be specific. Vague requests take longer to process.
| Office | King County Sheriff's Office, Public Disclosure Unit |
|---|---|
| Address | King County Courthouse, Room W-150 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 |
| KCSODisclosure@kingcounty.gov | |
| Phone | 206-263-2103 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
Body camera footage requests require specific information under RCW 42.56. You must provide the name of the person involved in the incident, the incident or case number, the date and location, or the name of the officer. These details help the unit locate the correct footage from what can be a very large volume of recordings.
King County Property Records
The King County Assessor maintains property records for all parcels in the county. The eReal Property search tool provides free online access to assessed values, property characteristics, sale history, and tax information. You can search by parcel number, address, or owner name. The system is available at blue.kingcounty.com/Assessor/eRealProperty.
The King County Assessor's eReal Property database is one of the most detailed public property search tools available in Washington State.
The eReal Property system lets you view detailed parcel data, building characteristics, and recent sales for any property in King County without a login or fee.
Recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens are handled by the King County Recorder's Office. You can search the recording index online. Documents recorded after a certain date are available as images. Older records may require an in-person visit. The Recorder is part of the King County Auditor's office and maintains the permanent land record for the county.
King County Public Records Request Process
Many King County departments accept public records requests through their own portals or by contacting the department directly. The county operates under Chapter 42.56 RCW. Each department has a designated public records officer. The officer is required to respond within five business days. That response may provide the records, acknowledge your request with an estimated timeline, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial citing the specific legal reason for withholding.
King County uses several online platforms depending on the department. The Superior Court uses its Records Access Portal. The Sheriff uses a dedicated disclosure portal. Some departments use GovQA or NextRequest. Check the specific department's website to find the right portal for your request.
Copying fees follow state guidelines. Paper copies cost up to $0.15 per page. Electronic files cost less. For large requests, ask the department for a fee estimate before they begin copying. You may also be able to inspect records in person for free before deciding which documents you actually need copies of.
Note: King County court records are governed by Washington Court Rules GR 31 and GR 31.1, not the Public Records Act. Contact the Superior Court Clerk directly for court document requests.
Online Search Tools for King County Records
Several online tools give you access to King County public records without a formal request. The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov covers Superior Court case information across Washington including King County. Search by name or case number to find case summaries, docket entries, and status. For older Superior Court records not yet in the portal, contact the clerk's office directly.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov offers free access to historical government records from King County and across the state. Records include older court case files, property records, vital records, and more. This is a good starting point for genealogical research or accessing documents that predate modern electronic systems. The archives hold over 21 million digitized records from state and local governments.
Property searches are available without a request through the Assessor's eReal Property portal. Recording searches are available through the Recorder's online index. These free tools cover a wide range of needs for King County records without requiring you to submit a formal request or wait for a response.
Cities in King County
King County contains many major cities. All Superior Court filings for these cities go through the King County Superior Court in Seattle or Kent. Each incorporated city also maintains its own public records separate from county records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border King County. If you are unsure which county maintains the records you need, check the address where the event occurred or the filing location listed on any existing documents.