Kitsap County Court Records Search
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Kitsap County occupies a peninsula in the Puget Sound region of western Washington, with Port Orchard serving as the county seat. The county’s court system includes the Superior Court, which is the court of general jurisdiction, a District Court with limited jurisdiction, and four municipal courts located in Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo. Together, these courts generate a substantial volume of records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law disputes, juvenile proceedings, probate administration, and guardianship matters.
Individuals seeking court records in Washington State have a range of tools at their disposal. The Kitsap County Clerk’s office and the District Court each provide electronic access to case data, while in-person visits to the courthouse in Port Orchard remain an option for reviewing files directly. WashingtonStateCourts.us can help users identify court locations and connect to publicly available case information across the state. Statewide search platforms maintained by the Washington Courts and the Washington State Archives also cover Kitsap County cases, making it possible to locate records without visiting the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kitsap County?
Kitsap County provides multiple channels for locating court records, depending on the type of case, the court that heard the matter, and how frequently a user needs access.
Superior Court Records — Online Access
The Clerk’s office offers two electronic access points for Superior Court records:
- Washington State Digital Archives — The Digital Archives is the recommended resource for the general public and infrequent users. To search, select “Superior Court Records” from the record series dropdown and “Kitsap County” from the county dropdown, then enter the case number with dashes. Users can preview portions of documents before purchasing. The archive contains Kitsap County Superior Court case files from 1973 to the present. Both certified and non-certified copies can be purchased through this system.
- Odyssey Portal — The Odyssey Portal is a subscription-based service intended for attorneys and businesses that need frequent access to court documents for professional purposes. Public access to basic case information (docket entries, party names) does not require registration, but document access does. Contact odyportal@kitsap.gov for registration details.
If you do not know a case number, you can search the Odyssey Portal by party name to locate it, then use the Digital Archives to purchase documents.
District Court Records — Online Access
Kitsap County District Court operates the ePortal, which allows attorneys, self-represented litigants, and the public to search court files, view documents, and review court actions. The ePortal supports searches by case number, party name (calendar search), attorney name and bar number, and courtroom/hearing date.
Statewide Court Date Search
The Washington Courts Find My Court Date tool allows users to search by name or case number across all municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts in the state. For the most current Kitsap County District Court information, the ePortal is recommended over statewide tools.
In-Person Access
Both the Clerk’s office and District Court maintain public service counters at the Kitsap County Courthouse:
Kitsap County Clerk (Superior Court)
614 Division Street, Room 202
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 337-7164
Fax: (360) 337-4927
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Kitsap County District Court
614 Division Street, Room 106
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 337-7109
Email: districtcourt@kitsap.gov
Mail Requests
Written requests for Superior Court record copies can be mailed to:
Kitsap County Clerk
614 Division Street, MS-34
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Include the case number or party names, a description of the documents requested, and payment. Personal checks are not accepted by the Clerk’s office. Payment may be made by cash (in person), money order, cashier’s check, or credit/debit card via the Point and Pay system. A minimum fee of $2.00, up to 2.4% of the transaction amount, applies to online and phone card payments.
Copy Fees (Superior Court)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Non-certified copy | $0.50 per page (effective 06/11/2026 per HB 2543) |
| Authenticated/Exemplified copy | $9.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Audio recording of hearing | $25.00 per hearing day (pickup/download) |
| Audio recording — mailed | $30.00 per hearing day |
| Expedited audio (1–2 business days) | $45.00 pickup / $50.00 mailed |
Audio recordings can be requested through the Clerk’s transcript request form. Digital downloads are sent via email link that expires after 30 days. The free FTR Player is required to listen to recordings.
Are Court Records Public in Kitsap County?
Washington’s Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56) establishes a broad presumption that government records, including most court records, are open to public inspection and copying. The Kitsap County Clerk receives, processes, and preserves all documents for all Superior Court matters in perpetuity, and the general principle is that these records are available to the public.
However, the Act and other state statutes require that several categories of information be withheld or redacted:
- Sealed records: Any case file or portion sealed by court order or federal statute
- Juvenile records: Court proceedings and records involving minors as offenders or dependents are confidential
- Adoption records: Closed to public inspection under state law
- Mental health proceedings: Commitment and related records are not publicly available
- Domestic violence protection orders: Access may be restricted to protect victim safety
- Child custody and visitation mediation records: Confidential by statute
- Paternity and guardianship records: May contain restricted information
- Personal identifiers: Driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, financial account information, tax returns, and insurance details must be redacted from publicly released documents
The Kitsap County public records request page notes that most court records are open to the public, and directs users to contact the Clerk’s Office at (360) 337-7164 for case-specific questions about access. General county public records (non-court) can be requested through the county’s Department of Administrative Services, with standard fees of $0.10 per page for scanning and $0.15 per page for photocopying.
Kitsap County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kitsap County are divided between the Superior Court and District Court based on severity.
Superior Court handles all felony criminal cases, from arraignment through sentencing. The Clerk’s office maintains the official file for each felony proceeding, including the information or indictment, plea records, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and any post-conviction filings.
District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases, as well as preliminary hearings for felonies and traffic infractions. Records from these cases can be searched through the District Court ePortal.
Searching Criminal Court Records
For Superior Court criminal records, the general public can search and purchase documents through the Washington State Digital Archives. Frequent users with a subscription can access records through the Odyssey Portal. Cases involving juvenile offenders, sealed files, and other restricted categories are excluded from public search results.
For District Court criminal records, the ePortal provides searchable case information including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Washington State Patrol maintains WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History), a web-based tool that provides conviction history reports statewide. An online WATCH search costs $11.00. For more comprehensive checks, the State Patrol’s Identification and Background Check Section processes fingerprint-based criminal history requests. A mail-based search costs $32.00, plus $10.00 per notary seal if applicable. The Request for Conviction Criminal History form should be submitted with payment by check or money order to:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
Arrest and Jail Information
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office provides an online jail inmate roster showing current bookings, charges, and custody status. This information reflects jail bookings and does not represent court case outcomes.
Kitsap County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Kitsap County are heard by the Superior Court or District Court depending on the amount at stake and the nature of the claim.
Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases including foreclosures and liens, landlord-tenant disputes, administrative agency appeals, real estate title and boundary disputes, complex commercial litigation, and civil matters where the amount in controversy is not limited by the District Court’s jurisdictional cap. Superior Court civil case records can be searched through the Digital Archives and the Odyssey Portal, or requested in person or by mail from the Clerk’s office.
District Court handles civil cases involving amounts up to $75,000, as well as contract disputes seeking monetary damages or recovery for property damage.
Small Claims
Kitsap County District Court hears small claims cases with the following parameters:
- Maximum claim: $10,000 for natural persons; $5,000 for all other entities
- Filing fee: $50.00 (petitioner or counterclaim)
- Attorneys are generally excluded unless the judge grants permission
- Claims are limited to money damages only — no property return or injunctive relief
Detailed instructions and forms are available on the Small Claims Forms & Information page, including the Small Claims Brochure and the Small Claims Checklist. Fee waivers are available for indigent filers under General Rule 34(a).
Civil Process Service
Civil court documents are typically served through the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office civil division or by private process servers. Small claims notices may also be served by certified or registered mail with return receipt.
Kitsap County Family Court Records
Kitsap County does not operate a standalone family court. Instead, the Superior Court’s Family Division handles all family law matters, including dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, spousal support, child custody, child support, child visitation, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, and adoption proceedings. The Juvenile Division, based at a separate location, addresses juvenile offender cases, at-risk youth matters, and child welfare proceedings.
Court Locations for Family Matters
Kitsap County Superior Court (Family Division)
614 Division Street, Room 202
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 337-7164
Kitsap County Superior Court — Juvenile Division
1338 SW Old Clifton Road
Port Orchard, WA 98367
Phone: (360) 337-5401
Fax: (360) 337-5404
Accessing Family Court Records
Family law case records can be searched through the Odyssey Portal (for case number lookups) and purchased through the Digital Archives. In-person and mail requests are processed by the Clerk’s office. Requesters should bring valid government-issued identification when visiting in person.
Important access restrictions apply: juvenile records, adoption files, domestic violence protection order details, and custody mediation records are confidential and not available to the general public.
Self-Help Kits
The Clerk’s office sells pre-assembled document kits for self-represented litigants. These kits, available in person or through the online kit order form, cover common family law proceedings:
| Kit | Price |
|---|---|
| Agreed Dissolution with Children | $30.00 |
| Agreed Dissolution without Children | $15.00 |
| Contested Dissolution with Children | $40.00 |
| Contested Dissolution without Children | $20.00 |
| Agreed Legal Separation with Children | $30.00 |
| Parenting Plan Modification | $30.00 |
| Contested Child Support Modification | $30.00 |
| Agreed Step-Parent Adoption | $20.00 |
Document filing charts for dissolution, parenting plans, and parentage establishment are also available through the Clerk’s Forms, Kits and Instructions page.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Kitsap County are issued by the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office, not the Clerk of Court. The marriage license application fee is $172.00. A three-day waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place, and the license is valid for 60 days. Couples can begin the process with the online marriage application and must then appear in person at the Auditor’s office. Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates cost $3.00; non-certified copies are $1.00.
Marriage and divorce certificates issued from January 1, 1968, to approximately two months before the present date are available through the Washington Department of Health for a non-refundable fee of $25.00 per copy. Records issued before 1968 are available at the Washington State Archives or from the Auditor’s office. Marriage records can also be searched through the Auditor’s document search tool.
Birth and Death Records
The Kitsap Public Health District issues certified copies of birth and death certificates. The fee is $25.00 per copy, and no refunds are given if a record cannot be located. Only eligible individuals — including the person named on the record, a spouse, parents, grandparents, legal representatives, siblings, children, or authorized agents — may obtain certified copies. Non-certified informational copies are available to anyone.
Requests can be placed by phone at (866) 687-1464 or by mail using the appropriate order form. Completed forms and payment should be mailed to:
Kitsap Public Health District
Vital Records
345 6th Street, Suite 300
Bremerton, WA 98337
Kitsap County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in Kitsap County fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. The Clerk of Court receives filings, issues Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration, manages guardianship documentation, and preserves all probate records as part of the court’s permanent file.
Types of Probate Records
Probate files in Kitsap County may include original wills, petitions for probate, inventories and appraisals, accountings, witness statements, orders appointing personal representatives, and petitions for distribution. Guardianship records cover petitions for appointment, periodic accountings, and court orders related to the care of incapacitated adults or minors.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case files from 1973 to the present are available for purchase through the Washington State Digital Archives. Users with Odyssey Portal subscriptions can also search probate cases by name or case number. In-person review is available at the Clerk’s office during regular business hours.
Kitsap County Clerk
614 Division Street, Room 202
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 337-7164
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Self-Help Resources for Probate and Guardianship
The Clerk’s office provides document kits and filing charts for self-represented individuals:
| Kit | Price |
|---|---|
| Starting Probate with a Will | $15.00 |
| Starting Probate without a Will | $15.00 |
| Starting a New Guardianship | $25.00 |
| Periodic Guardianship Accounting | $10.00 |
| Agreed Minor Guardianship | $40.00 |
| Contested Minor Guardianship | $50.00 |
Filing charts for probate procedures and adult guardianship are available on the Clerk’s website. Standard probate forms approved by the Washington Supreme Court can also be accessed through the forms page.
Probate filing fees in Washington are set by statute under RCW 36.18.020. All fees must be paid in advance, and personal checks are not accepted by the Kitsap County Clerk’s office.
Property Records
Although not court records, property ownership documents are often relevant to probate proceedings. The Kitsap County Auditor’s Recording Division maintains an index of recorded documents including deeds, liens, and encumbrances, searchable through the Auditor’s document search. The Kitsap County Assessor’s parcel search provides property valuation, ownership, and tax information by address or parcel number.