About Public Records in Washington

• General Jurisdiction / Upper Courts


• Superior Courts - one court for each county in Washington. These courts handle the following case types:
• Civil - No minimum or maximum claim amount. Torts, Contracts, real property rights, estate, mental health, civil appeals.
• Domestic relations and divorce.
• Criminal felony, criminal appeals.
• Juvenile cases, criminal and civil.


• Limited Jurisdiction / Lower Courts


• District Courts - one or more in each county in Washington. These courts handle the following case types:
• Small claims up to $4,000.
• Tort and contract claims up to $50,000.
• Criminal misdemeanor, drunk driving, domestic violence.
• Civil domestic violence and restraining/protective orders.
• Traffic, Parking, and Infractions.
• Preliminary and probable cause hearings.


• Municipal Courts - most incorporated cities have municipal courts. These courts handle the following case types:
• Criminal misdemeanor, drunk driving, domestic violence.
• Traffic, Parking, Infractions, and Ordinance Violations.

Washington real and personal property tax records are kept by the County Assessor in each county.
 

Washington deeds and general document recording are handled by the County Auditor in each county. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, and liens.

Birth Certificates and Death Certificates are handled by the County Health departments in each county. Death certificates may also be listed in document indexes in the Auditors Office. Records may also be available at the state level depending on the time frame of the record needed. Birth certificates are not public records in Washington.
 
Marriage license records are kept by the County Auditor in each county.
 
Divorce records are best searched in the Superior Courts.