Mason County Court Records Search
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Mason County, Washington, nestled along the shores of Hood Canal in the Pacific Northwest, operates a multi-tiered court system that generates a substantial volume of public records each year. Those records — covering everything from felony criminal proceedings and civil contract disputes to probate estates and protection orders — are maintained by the county’s court offices and, in many cases, made accessible to the public under Washington State law. Whether you need to review a case for legal research, background screening, or personal information, understanding which office maintains the records you need and how to request them is the most efficient place to start.
Residents looking to locate court case information in Washington have several starting points available. WashingtonStateCourts.us provides an overview of publicly available case information, court divisions, and resources organized by county. Beyond that, official tools from the Washington Courts system, the clerk’s offices, and public access portals provide the most accurate and current information on active and historical cases.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Mason County?
The Washington Courts operate two primary online systems for case lookups. The Washington Courts Name and Case Search allows searches by party name and is updated every 24 hours. The Find My Court Date portal covers cases filed in municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts statewide.
For document-level access — meaning the actual filed pleadings, orders, and case documents — the re:SearchWA portal is the primary online system. This Tyler Technologies platform hosts case records and court documents for participating courts in Washington, including Mason County District Court.
Beyond online options, requesters can access records through the following methods:
- In person at the clerk’s office of the court that handled the case
- By mail with a written request to the appropriate clerk
- By email or fax using the court’s designated records request process
When contacting a clerk’s office, having the case number, party names, and approximate filing date ready will significantly speed up the search. The Mason County Superior Court and District Court each have separate records management procedures, described in the sections below.
Are Court Records Public in Mason County?
Washington State generally treats court records as public documents, but the legal framework is more specific than a blanket public records law. Importantly, court case records are not subject to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Instead, access to judicial case files is governed separately by General Rule 31 (GR 31), which establishes that the public has access to all court records unless restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law.
Three general rules specifically govern what Mason County courts can and cannot release:
- GR 31 — The foundational rule on access to court records
- GR 31.1 — Governing access to administrative court records
- GR 22 — Specifically addressing access to family law and guardianship case records
Under these rules, several categories of information and record types are shielded from public disclosure:
- Adoption case records
- Mental health and substance abuse commitment records
- Juvenile non-offender records
- Paternity records (other than final orders)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and driver’s license numbers
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Information identifying crime victims or witnesses
- Confidential documents within family law cases, including notices of intent to relocate, retirement plan orders, and personal health records
If a requested record is only partially exempt, the Mason County clerks are required to redact the protected portions and release the remainder. Requesters who disagree with a records officer’s decision may submit a formal Request for Review within 90 calendar days of the denial.
Mason County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Mason County are prosecuted in the Superior Court, while misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors are handled in the District Court or Shelton Municipal Court. All criminal matters in Superior Court are conducted in person; virtual appearances are permitted only by prior court approval and only for attorneys, staff, defendants, and victims — public viewing of criminal proceedings is in person only.
Criminal case docket information can be searched through the Washington Courts case search systems referenced above. For court documents filed in criminal proceedings, contact the Mason County Superior Court Clerk or the District Court records office.
For official criminal history background checks, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the authoritative source. The WSP operates the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system, which provides online, name-based conviction history searches for $11.00 per subject. Payment is accepted by debit or credit card.
Those who need a more comprehensive or certified background check may submit a written request by mail or in person using the WSP’s Request for Conviction Criminal History Form:
By Mail:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
In Person:
Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98501
Arrest-level information and law enforcement records from local agencies may also be available through the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. These requests are separate from court case records and are subject to different disclosure standards.
Mason County Superior Court
Address: 419 North 4th Street, Shelton, WA 98584
Mailing: P.O. Box X, Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 348
Mason County District Court
Address: 414 W. Franklin St., Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 339
Fax: (360) 427-7776
Email: districtcourt@masoncountywa.gov
Shelton Municipal Court
Address: 525 West Cota Street, First Floor, Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 426-9772
Email: court@sheltonwa.gov
Mason County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Mason County is divided between the Superior Court and District Court based on the dollar amount at issue. The District Court handles civil claims up to $100,000, including breach of contract, personal injury, and property damage disputes. Small claims — simplified civil proceedings for lower-value disputes — are capped at $5,000 and are also filed in the District Court. The Superior Court handles higher-value civil matters and certain specialized proceedings such as unlawful detainer actions, name changes, and appeals from lower courts.
Mason County Superior Court Clerk
The Superior Court Clerk is the custodian of all civil records from Superior Court proceedings. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Address: 419 North 4th Street, Shelton, WA 98584
Mailing: P.O. Box 340, Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 346
Email: superiorcourtclerk@masoncountywa.gov
Copy Fees — Superior Court Clerk (Updated July 2025):
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 (first page) + $1.00 per additional page |
| Non-filed document copies | $0.25 per page |
| Audio/Video CD (per hearing) | $25.00 |
| Postage surcharge (USPS) | $3.00 per request |
For cases opened prior to 1996, a minimum $30.00 research fee applies, billed at $30.00 per hour after the deposit. Requests are processed within 72 hours by email; expedited same-day service requires an in-person visit to the clerk’s office.
Selected Civil Filing Fees (Superior Court, updated July 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil petition | $290.00 |
| Unlawful detainer filing | $135.00 |
| Unlawful detainer combined | $247.00 |
| Counter/cross/3rd party claim | $290.00 |
| Lower court appeal filing | $250.00 |
| Anti-harassment protection order | $53.00 |
| Jury demand (12-person) | $250.00 |
| Jury demand (6-person) | $125.00 |
| Non-judicial document filing | $20.00 |
For District Court civil record requests, complete a records request form and submit it in person, by fax to (360) 427-7776, or by email to districtcourt@masoncountywa.gov. District Court copy fees are $0.25 per page for electronic-to-paper copies, $0.50 per page for paper copies, and $5.00 for the first page of a certified copy plus $1.00 per additional page. Duplication of court proceedings costs $20.00 per CD.
Mason County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including dissolutions of marriage (divorce), legal separations, child custody, parenting plans, child support, domestic violence protection orders, adoptions, and dependency proceedings — are filed in the Mason County Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk maintains all case files for these proceedings.
Civil, domestic, probate, and guardianship proceedings may generally be attended in person or virtually at a party’s discretion. Protection Order hearings are held in person, though virtual appearances may be requested under RCW 7.105.205 with court approval.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related dissolution records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk. To obtain copies, contact the clerk’s office with the case number or parties’ names and dates of birth. Fees follow the standard Superior Court copy schedule. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page.
For a certified divorce certificate from the state, the Washington State Department of Health issues divorce records for $25.00 per copy. Complete the marriage/divorce certificate order form and mail it with payment to:
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Mason County Auditor’s Office. Copies of marriage certificates cost $3.00 and can be requested in person, by mail, or by email. Requests should include the couple’s names, wedding date, and location. The Marriage Search & Application portal allows online searches of Mason County marriage records.
State-level marriage records from January 1, 1968, onward are also available through the Washington State Department of Health for $25.00 per copy.
Mason County Auditor’s Office
Address: 411 North 5th Street, P.O. Box 400, Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 732
Birth and Death Records
The Mason County Public Health Vital Records Office serves as the local registrar for births and deaths occurring in the county. Requests can be made in person or through the online ordering system. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office provides birth certificates for Washington births from 1907 to the present and death certificates for deaths that occurred after January 1, 2007. Earlier death records must be obtained through the Washington State Department of Health. Certified birth and death certificates cost $25.00 each, plus a non-refundable $5.00 service and processing fee and $1.00 for shipping.
Eligible requesters are limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or parties with a documented tangible interest. Photo ID or two alternate forms of identification are required.
Mason County Public Health — Vital Records
Address: 2300 Kati Ct., Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 400
Fax: (360) 427-7787
Email: vitalrecords@masoncountywa.gov
Mason County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship proceedings in Mason County are filed in the Superior Court. The court hears matters involving the administration of estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and trust-related proceedings that require court oversight. Under Washington law, Title 11 of the Revised Code of Washington governs these matters statewide.
Civil, Domestic, Probate, and Guardianship hearings may be attended in person or virtually at a party’s discretion, unless the court specifically requires in-person attendance. All probate and guardianship jury trials are held in person. Confirmation of probate and guardianship matters must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
Selected Probate and Guardianship Filing Fees (Superior Court, July 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate/Guardianship filing | $290.00 |
| Will only filing | $20.00 |
| Will repository filing | $20.00 |
| Will (contested) filing | $290.00 |
| Non-judicial probate document | $20.00 |
| Guardianship filing | $290.00 |
To obtain probate case records, contact the Mason County Superior Court Clerk or search for the case using the re:SearchWA portal if documents are available in the system. When submitting a written request, provide the decedent’s name, the approximate filing date, and a case number if known. The standard copy and certified copy fee schedule applies to probate documents. Property records related to an estate — including recorded deeds and related instruments — are maintained by the Mason County Auditor’s Recording Department and can be searched through the auditor’s public access website.