Thurston County Court Records
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Thurston County is home to Washington's state capital, Olympia, and occupies the southern end of the Puget Sound region. The county's judicial system includes a Superior Court with general jurisdiction, a District Court with limited jurisdiction, and several municipal courts run by individual cities. Two offices are primarily responsible for maintaining court records: the Thurston County Clerk handles all Superior Court filings — criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate — while the District Court maintains its own case files separately. Municipal courts in cities such as Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, and Yelm each keep their own records as well. Knowing which court originally heard a matter, and therefore which office holds the file, is essential before you begin any records search.
Court records can be located through official clerk offices, public-access computer terminals at the courthouse, and several online search tools. WashingtonStateCourts.us offers statewide court directories, forms, and links to individual court systems that may help you find publicly available case information. Thurston County also maintains its own electronic resources, including the Odyssey Portal for Superior Court case data and a dedicated electronic records system for District Court filings.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Thurston County?
Thurston County offers online, in-person, and mail-based options for finding court case information and getting copies of filed documents.
Online Case Searches
For Superior Court cases, the Thurston County Clerk's Odyssey Portal lets you search criminal, civil, and family law cases by party name or case number at no cost. Results show case status, parties, attorneys, charges in criminal matters, calendar events, and hearing information. Document images are not viewable through the portal itself, but you can view them on public computers at the Clerk's Office or purchase them through the Clerk Documents application.
For District Court cases, the District Court Electronic Case Records system gives access to case information. To search, you will need a case number — or a citation or infraction number — along with the law enforcement agency code for criminal and infraction cases. Note that this system may not contain complete records for every case.
The statewide Washington Courts Case Search covers District, Municipal, Superior, and appellate courts across Washington, including Thurston County. It supports name-based searches and returns basic information such as case numbers, file dates, and case types.
In-Person Access
Both the County Clerk's Office and the District Court have public-access computers at their locations. Viewing records on those terminals is free. Under Washington General Rule 31, no fee may be charged simply to view court records at the courthouse. Printing copies does incur standard fees.
Requesting Copies of Superior Court Documents
Most public Superior Court documents are available for purchase online through the Clerk Documents application:
- Navigate to clerkdocs.thurstoncountywa.gov and register a free account.
- Search by cause number and locate the documents you need.
- Add them to your cart, proceed to checkout, and make payment.
- Once payment is processed, you will receive an email with a download link.
Documents not available online may be requested by email at tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us. Include the case number, case name, and the specific documents you need. The Clerk's Office will reply with a page count and cost, along with a payment link.
Mail requests should include the case number, a description of the documents you want, a cashier's check or money order (no personal checks), and a self-addressed stamped envelope, sent to:
Thurston County Clerk's Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
Superior Court Copy Fees
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified hard copies | $0.50 per page |
| Non-certified electronic copies | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies (hard copy only) | $5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page per document |
Certified copies purchased online include a certification page with instructions for verifying the document's integrity through the Clerk's website.
Requesting District Court Records
To request District Court case records, complete the online District Court Records Request form or download and mail the PDF version to:
Public Records Officer
Thurston County District Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 3
Olympia, WA 98502-6045
District Court record fees:
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- CDs of court proceedings: $20.00 per CD
Administrative records from the District Court are covered by GR 31.1 and carry separate fees: $30.00 per hour for research and preparation (first hour free), $0.15 per page for copies, $20.00 per CD, and actual postage costs. Send administrative records requests by email to DCpublicrecords@co.thurston.wa.us or by mail to the address above.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg. 2, Olympia, WA 98502 | (360) 786-5560 |
| County Clerk (Civil/Criminal) | 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg. 2, Olympia, WA 98502 | (360) 786-5430 |
| County Clerk (Family/Juvenile) | 2801 32nd Avenue SW, Tumwater, WA 98512 | (360) 709-3260 |
| District Court | 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg. 3, Olympia, WA 98502 | (360) 786-5450 |
| Olympia Municipal Court | 900 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501 | (360) 753-8312 |
| Lacey Violations Bureau | 420 College Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503 | (360) 491-3211 |
| Tumwater Violations Bureau | 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98501 | (360) 754-4190 |
| Tenino Municipal Court | 149 Hodgden Street S, Tenino, WA 98589 | (360) 264-4157 |
| Yelm Municipal Court | 206 McKenzie Avenue SE, Yelm, WA 98597 | (360) 458-3242 |
The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is closed on weekends and holidays. In-person customer service counter availability may vary, so check the County Clerk's website for current status before visiting.
Are Court Records Public in Thurston County?
Court records in Thurston County are presumed open to the public under two overlapping legal frameworks.
The Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) establishes a broad right of public access to records maintained by government entities. Washington General Rule GR 31 specifically governs access to court records and declares that the public shall have access to all court records except as restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. GR 31 further provides that no fee may be charged simply to view records at the courthouse.
Despite this general presumption of openness, certain records and categories of information are restricted:
- Personal identifiers: Under GR 31(e), parties must redact Social Security numbers (except the last four digits), financial account numbers (except the last four digits), and driver's license numbers from all filings.
- Sealed records: A court may seal records by order when justified under applicable law or court rules.
- Juvenile offender records: GR 31(d)(2) prohibits displaying juvenile offender court record information on publicly accessible websites. These records may still be viewed in person at the Clerk's Office.
- Confidential case types: Certain proceedings — including adoption cases, dependency proceedings, involuntary treatment cases, and matters involving victims enrolled in the Washington State Address Confidentiality Program — carry statutory confidentiality protections.
- Active investigation records: Records tied to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be withheld.
- Juror information: Individual juror information beyond a juror's name is presumed private under GR 31(j). Access requires a petition and a showing of good cause.
If you are a party to a confidential case and need to view your own file, you may schedule an appointment with the Clerk's Records Coordinator.
Thurston County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Thurston County are divided among the Superior Court, District Court, and municipal courts based on the severity of the offense. Superior Court handles all felony prosecutions — including theft, assault, drug offenses, and homicide. District Court adjudicates misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges, such as DUI, reckless driving, and lower-level assaults, and also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases. Municipal courts handle violations of city ordinances.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Odyssey Portal and the statewide Washington Courts Case Search both index Thurston County Superior Court criminal cases. The District Court Electronic Case Records system covers misdemeanor and traffic cases filed in District Court. For municipal court records, you will need to contact the individual city court directly.
Law Enforcement Records
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports, incident records, and warrant information. Active criminal warrants can be searched through the Sheriff's Warrants Section. The Washington Department of Corrections warrants search portal provides statewide warrant information.
Public records requests to the Sheriff's Office can be submitted through the county's Public Records Request Portal or through the TCOMM 911 records request system. The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office also accepts public records requests through the same portal. Records connected to active investigations or classified as confidential may be withheld by law enforcement agencies.
Thurston County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Thurston County are split between two courts based on the dollar amount at issue. Superior Court hears civil cases exceeding $100,000, including complex litigation, property disputes, and business conflicts. District Court handles civil matters with damages under $100,000 — including personal injury and contract claims — as well as small claims up to $10,000, anti-harassment protection orders, domestic violence protection orders, name changes, and certain lien foreclosures.
Where Civil Records Are Held
The County Clerk maintains all Superior Court civil filings. District Court civil records are held by the District Court Clerk at Building 3 of the Lakeridge Drive campus in Olympia.
Searching and Obtaining Civil Records
Superior Court civil cases can be searched through the Odyssey Portal, and documents can be purchased through the Clerk Documents application or requested by email or mail. District Court civil cases are accessible through the District Court Electronic Case Records system, with copies obtained via the online or PDF records request form.
The Clerk's Office also offers self-help forms and packets for various civil proceedings, available for purchase. Statewide court forms are available through the Washington Courts website at no charge.
Thurston County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Thurston County are heard by the Superior Court's Family and Juvenile Court, which operates from a dedicated facility in Tumwater. Under RCW 26.12.010, the Superior Court has jurisdiction over all family law proceedings, including:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) and legal separation
- Child custody, parenting plans, and visitation
- Child support and spousal support
- Paternity (parentage) actions
- Adoption
- Dependency proceedings
- Emancipation of minors
Family and Juvenile Court
Address: 2801 32nd Avenue SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
Mailing Address: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 709-3201 (Family Court), (360) 709-3131 (Juvenile Court)
Fax: (360) 709-3256 (Family Court), (360) 709-3150 (Juvenile Probation)
Accessing Family Court Records
Family case records can be searched through the Odyssey Portal and viewed on public computers at either Clerk's Office location — the main Lakeridge Drive office or the Tumwater Family and Juvenile Court facility. Documents may be purchased online, requested by email at tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us, or obtained by mail. The same fee schedule applies as for all other Superior Court documents.
Certain family court records carry confidentiality restrictions. Adoption files, dependency proceedings, and records involving juveniles are generally not available for public inspection. Parties to confidential cases may schedule an appointment with the Records Coordinator to view their own files.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Thurston County Auditor. The license fee is $172.00, payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card (card transactions carry a $2.00 or 2.3% service fee for credit, and 1% for debit, whichever is higher). Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID. A three-day waiting period applies under RCW 26.04.180, and the license is valid for 60 days after that period.
Certified copies of marriage certificates can be ordered from the Auditor by phone, in person, or by mail:
Thurston County Auditor
Attn: Copy Request
3000 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 786-5405
Marriage certificate copy fees: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page (certified); $1.00 per page for plain photocopies. All marriage records are generally public unless one or both spouses are enrolled in the Washington State Address Confidentiality Program. Historical marriage records are also available through the Washington State Digital Archives.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the County Clerk as Superior Court records. Copies can be obtained through the standard Clerk's Office methods described above. Divorce certificates — as distinct from court decrees — are issued by the Washington State Department of Health's Vital Records office for divorces recorded since 1968. Requests can be submitted online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Mail orders require completing the Marriage/Divorce Certificate Mail Order Form and sending it with payment to:
Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507
Divorce certificate fees: $25.00 per copy by mail or in person; $40.50 online or by Phone: (additional fees may apply for delivery or apostille).
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates may be obtained from the Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department's vital records division. The county can provide birth records from 1907 to present and death records from 2008 to present. Requests may be submitted online, in person, or by mail using the Birth and Death Certificate Request Form.
Thurston County Public Health Vital Records
412 Lilly Road NE
Olympia, WA 98506-5132
Certified copies of birth and death certificates require proof of eligibility — immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order — and valid identification. Non-certified informational copies are available to anyone but cannot be used for official transactions. The Washington Department of Health also processes statewide birth and death certificate requests for records dating back to 1907.
Thurston County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters are heard by Thurston County Superior Court, and the County Clerk's Office maintains all associated records. Probate proceedings in Washington are discretionary — state law does not require a formal probate case to be filed following a death, whether or not a will exists. That said, Washington law does require that any last will of a resident be filed with the Clerk's Office of the Superior Court in the county of residence within 40 days of death, regardless of whether the estate will be formally probated.
Types of Probate Matters
The Superior Court handles estate administration, will contests, trust disputes, appointment of personal representatives, guardianship of incapacitated adults, and minor guardianships.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be found through the Odyssey Portal by searching under the applicable case type. The statewide Washington Courts Case Search also indexes Superior Court probate and guardianship cases. Documents may be viewed at no cost on public computers at the Clerk's Office.
Obtaining Copies
Copies of probate filings follow the same request process and fee schedule as all other Superior Court documents: electronic copies at $0.25 per page, hard copies at $0.50 per page, and certified copies at $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page per document. Requests can be placed online through the Clerk Documents application, by email to tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us, or by mail to the Thurston County Clerk's Office at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2, Olympia, WA 98502. Confirm all fee amounts with the Clerk's Office before submitting payment, as they are subject to periodic revision. The current fee schedule is posted on the Clerk's website.