Pierce County Court Records Search
WashingtonStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on WashingtonStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Pierce County occupies a central position in western Washington State, with Tacoma as its county seat and largest city. The county’s trial court system operates through four distinct levels: Superior Court, District Court, Juvenile Court, and a network of municipal courts serving individual cities and towns. These courts collectively generate criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, and probate records, all housed at various offices within and around the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma. Whether someone needs to verify a criminal disposition, review a civil judgment, obtain a dissolution decree, or research an estate filing, knowing which office holds the record and how to request it is essential.
Washington State maintains several publicly accessible court databases that can assist with locating Pierce County case information. The Washington State Courts website hosts a statewide case search tool, and the Washington State Archives preserves historical court documents. Pierce County also operates its own online portal—LINX—for Superior Court records. Additional resources are available through WashingtonStateCourts.us, which can help users identify the appropriate court and connect with publicly available case data. Records may also be obtained in person at clerk offices, by mail, by email, or through public-access terminals at the courthouse. The sections below break down each court’s records, applicable fees, search tools, and public-access rules.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pierce County?
The correct starting point depends on which court handled the case. Pierce County’s primary courts and their contact information are as follows:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Court (Administration) | 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 334, Tacoma, WA 98402 | (253) 798-3654 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Clerk of the Superior Court | 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402 | (253) 798-7455 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (phone until 3:30 p.m.) |
| District Court | 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 239, Tacoma, WA 98402 | (253) 798-7487 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Juvenile Court (Remann Hall) | 5501 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 | (253) 798-7900 | Reception: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Clerk: Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Pierce County also has municipal courts in Bonney Lake, Buckley, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Orting, Puyallup, Roy, Tacoma, and Wilkeson. Each maintains its own records for traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and other matters within its jurisdiction.
Online search options:
- LINX (Superior Court) — The LINX Search portal provides access to Superior Court case files from January 2002 forward. Search by cause number or party name. Viewing case information online is free. Printing non-certified copies costs $0.25 per page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- Washington State Case Search (District and Municipal Courts) — The statewide case search covers District Court and Municipal Court cases. Select “District and Municipal Courts” as the court level and “Pierce Co District Court” to narrow results.
- In person — Visit the Clerk of the Superior Court (Room 110) or the District Court (Room 239) at the County-City Building during business hours.
- By mail — Prepare a written request including your name, contact details, the case number or party names, and the specific document requested. Call (253) 798-7455 to confirm the fee amount. Include a cashier’s check or money order (personal checks are not accepted) and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: Pierce County Clerk, ATTN Records & Copies, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402-2177.
- By email (District Court) — District Court case records can be requested by email at PCDCRecords@piercecountywa.gov. Include the party’s name, date of birth, case number if known, date of incident, and the specific documents sought.
Documents filed between January 1991 and December 2001 that are not yet digitized can be requested through a scan-document form available on the Clerk’s website; the imaged document will be available for purchase through LINX within two business days. Records filed before January 1991 require a phone call to the Clerk’s Office.
Are Court Records Public in Pierce County?
Washington’s public disclosure framework is broad, but court records occupy a distinct legal space. As the Pierce County website notes, court records are not governed by the Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56) in the same way that executive-branch agency records are. Instead, public access to court records is controlled by Washington Court Rule GR 31, which establishes that court records are generally open to public inspection unless a specific statute, rule, or court order restricts access. Administrative court records fall under Court Rule GR 31.1.
Records that are typically available to the public include criminal case filings, civil complaints and judgments, dissolution decrees, probate filings, and docket entries. However, several categories are restricted or sealed:
- Juvenile records — Case files involving minors are confidential and not available for public inspection.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute; access requires a court order.
- Mental health and involuntary commitment records — Restricted under state law.
- Drug and alcohol treatment records — Protected by both state and federal confidentiality provisions.
- Sealed or expunged criminal records — Not available for public search.
- Certain domestic violence and harassment filings — May contain restricted identifying information.
- Confidential personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data may be redacted before disclosure.
Each Pierce County court has a designated public records officer for administrative record requests. Contact information for each officer is published on the Court Records page of the county website.
Pierce County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Pierce County are split between the Superior Court, which handles felonies and felony appeals, and the District Court, which presides over misdemeanor trials and felony pretrial proceedings. Municipal courts handle traffic offenses and city ordinance violations.
Searching criminal case records:
- Superior Court felonies — Use LINX Search to look up felony cases by defendant name or cause number. Results include charges, attorneys, docket entries, proceedings, and scheduled hearings.
- District Court misdemeanors and traffic — Use the statewide case search tool, selecting Pierce County District Court.
Criminal history background checks: The Washington State Patrol maintains the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system, which allows anyone to run background checks. A name-based search costs $11 per query, payable by debit or credit card, with results returned immediately online. Fingerprint-based searches cost $58 and must be conducted at a state-recognized fingerprinting location.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
County-City Building, First Floor
930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7530
Public Records Officer: (253) 798-4800
The Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement records. In-person inspection of records requires an appointment through the public records officer.
Copy fees (Superior Court Clerk):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy — first page | $5.00 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $1.00 |
| Non-certified paper copy | $0.50 per page |
| Electronic copy (email) | $0.25 per page |
| Subpoena issuance | $20.00 |
| Searching records / written report | $30.00 per hour |
Fees are established by RCW 36.18.016 and the Pierce County Clerk Fee Schedule, amended January 1, 2026. Payment must be by cashier’s check, money order, cash, or debit (in person only). Personal checks are not accepted.
Pierce County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Pierce County is shared between the Superior Court, which handles claims and equity matters without a dollar-amount cap, and the District Court, which hears civil disputes up to $75,000. The Superior Court’s court divisions include a dedicated civil division.
Filing fees (Superior Court, effective January 1, 2026):
| Filing Type | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil filing (new case) | $290.00 |
| Counterclaim / Cross-claim / Third-party claim | $290.00 |
| Unlawful detainer (residential, RCW 59.18 or 59.20) | $135.00 (plus $112.00 if answer or show cause is filed) |
| Unlawful detainer (non-residential) | $290.00 |
| Abstract of judgment (filing) | $20.00 |
| Writ (garnishment, attachment, execution, restitution) | $20.00 each |
| Arbitration request | $250.00 |
| Trial de novo after arbitration | $400.00 |
| 12-member jury demand | $250.00 |
| 6-member jury demand | $125.00 |
These totals include the base filing fee, judicial surcharge, and additional surcharge as required by RCW 36.18.020.
Searching civil records: Superior Court civil case records from 2002 onward are available throughLINX. District Court civil records can be searched via the statewide case search or requested from the District Court public records officer at PCDCRecords@piercecountywa.gov or (253) 798-7487.
Property records: The Pierce County Auditor maintains deeds, liens, title documents, and other real estate instruments. Property records can be searched through the Auditor’s online recording system or by contacting the Auditor’s Office at 2401 South 35th Street, Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409, Phone: (253) 798-3649
Pierce County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Pierce County are adjudicated by the Family Court Division of the Superior Court. This division handles dissolutions of marriage, legal separations, invalidity proceedings, child custody, parenting plans, child support, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, and relocation disputes. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations aspects involving minors are handled at the Juvenile Court at Remann Hall.
Filing a dissolution (divorce): A new dissolution, legal separation, or invalidity case requires $364.00, which includes the base filing fee, judicial surcharge, victim assessment fee, court facilitator surcharge, and additional surcharge. Documents can be found through Washington State Courts forms or Washington Law Help. Assistance with paperwork is available through Pierce County Court Facilitators at (253) 798-3627 (call between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. to schedule an appointment; $20.00 fee for a 30-minute session).
Other family law filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Parenting plan / child support / committed intimate relationship (new case) | $310.00 |
| Modification of existing decree or order | $56.00 |
| Out-of-state custody decree (enforce or modify) | $310.00 |
| Objection to relocation (existing case) | $56.00 |
| Paternity (new filing) | $290.00 |
| Paternity modification | $56.00 |
Searching family records: Many dissolution and family law case records from 2002 onward are viewable through LINX. Records involving minors are not publicly accessible. To request family court records by mail, follow the standard procedure for the Clerk of the Superior Court and send the request to Room 110 of the County-City Building.
Marriage records: The Pierce County Auditor issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Licenses cost $172.00. Certified copies of marriage records are $3.00 each. Marriage records can be searched online, requested by mail using the marriage records request form, or obtained in person at the Auditor’s Office (appointments recommended via the online booking system).
Pierce County Auditor
2401 South 35th Street, Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-3649
Email: Auditor@PierceCountyWa.gov
Divorce certificates are available from the Superior Court Clerk’s Office or from the Washington State Department of Health, which maintains marriage and divorce certificates from 1968 forward. Certified copies from DOH cost $25.00 each and can be ordered using the marriage/divorce request form mailed to the Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507.
Birth and death records: The Washington State Department of Health maintains birth and death certificates from July 1907 forward. Certified copies cost $25.00 from DOH, obtained by mailing a completed birth/death request form with acceptable identification and proof of eligibility. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department also issues same-day birth and death certificates for $39.00 at its office at 3629 South D Street, Tacoma, WA 98418-6813, Phone: (253) 649-1401, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Only eligible applicants—record owners, authorized representatives, immediate relatives, and public agencies—may request these vital records.
Pierce County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Pierce County fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all probate case files, including wills, estate administrations, guardianships, conservatorships, and protective arrangements.
Probate filing fees (effective January 1, 2026):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate (probate) | $290.00 |
| Guardianship / conservatorship / protective arrangement | $290.00 (waived if total assets are less than $3,000) |
| Minor guardianship | $290.00 (waived if petitioner is a relative) |
| Adoption | $310.00 |
| Small estate affidavit | $20.00 |
| Will only (no probate contemplated) | $20.00 |
| Sealed will repository | $20.00 |
| Non-probate notice to creditors | $290.00 |
| Petition contesting or admitting rejected will | $290.00 |
| Certificate of qualification / certified letters | $5.00 each |
| Non-judicial resolution petition | $20.00 |
Searching probate records: Probate case files from 2002 onward can be searched at no cost through LINX using the decedent’s name or the cause number. Certified copies of probate documents may be obtained in person, by mail, or electronically through LINX at the standard rate of $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Requesting probate records by mail:
- Write a request letter with your name, contact information, the decedent’s name, and the cause number if known.
- Call the Clerk’s Office at (253) 798-7455 to confirm the total fee.
- Include a cashier’s check or money order payable to the Pierce County Clerk.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Mail to: Pierce County Clerk, ATTN Records & Copies, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402-2177.
Probate records are generally public once filed. Adoption records, although processed through the same court, are sealed and require a court order for access. Guardianship and conservatorship files may contain restricted medical or financial information that is redacted before disclosure.