Thurston County Court Records Search

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    Thurston County is home to Washington’s state capital, Olympia, and sits within the southern 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 operated by local cities. Court records in Thurston County are maintained primarily by two offices: the Thurston County Clerk handles all Superior Court filings (criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate), while the District Court maintains its own case records separately. Municipal courts in cities such as Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, and Yelm each keep their own records as well. Knowing which court heard a matter—and therefore which office holds the file—is essential for anyone beginning a records search.

    Washington court records can be located through official clerk offices, public access computer terminals at the courthouse, and several online search tools. WashingtonStateCourts.us provides statewide court directories, forms, and links to individual court systems that may assist individuals in finding publicly available case information. Thurston County also offers 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 provides online, in-person, and mail-based options for locating court case information and obtaining copies of filed documents.

    Online Case Searches

    For Superior Court cases, the Thurston County Clerk’s Odyssey Portal allows users to search criminal, civil, and family law cases by party name or case number at no cost. The portal displays case status, parties, attorneys, charges (in criminal matters), calendars, and hearing information. Document images are not available through the portal, but they can be viewed on public computers at the Clerk’s Office or purchased through the Clerk Documents application.

    For District Court cases, the District Court Electronic Case Records system provides access to case information. Users need a case number (or citation/infraction number) and the law enforcement agency code (for criminal and infraction cases) to search. This system may not contain complete records for all cases.

    The statewide Washington Courts Case Search covers District, Municipal, Superior, and appellate courts across the state, including Thurston County. It enables name-based searches and displays basic information such as case numbers, file dates, and case types.

    In-Person Access

    Both the County Clerk’s Office and the District Court offer public access computers at their respective locations. Viewing records on these terminals is free; printing copies incurs standard fees. Under Washington General Rule 31, no fee may be charged to view court records at the courthouse.

    Requesting Copies of Superior Court Documents

    Most public Superior Court documents are available for purchase online through the Clerk Documents application:

    1. Navigate to clerkdocs.thurstoncountywa.gov and register a free account.
    2. Search by cause number and locate the documents you need.
    3. Add them to your cart, proceed to checkout, and make payment.
    4. 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 specific documents requested. The Clerk’s Office will respond with the page count and cost, along with a payment link.

    Mail requests should include the case number, a description of the documents sought, 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

    TypeFee
    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 to verify 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 governed 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. Administrative records requests should be emailed to DCpublicrecords@co.thurston.wa.us or mailed to the address above.

    Court Locations

    CourtAddressPhone
    Superior Court2000 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 Court2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg. 3, Olympia, WA 98502(360) 786-5450
    Olympia Municipal Court900 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501(360) 753-8312
    Lacey Violations Bureau420 College Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503(360) 491-3211
    Tumwater Violations Bureau555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98501(360) 754-4190
    Tenino Municipal Court149 Hodgden Street S, Tenino, WA 98589(360) 264-4157
    Yelm Municipal Court206 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. Note that as of the most recent update, in-person customer service counters may have modified availability; 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 presumption of openness, certain records and 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, such as 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 name) is presumed private under GR 31(j). Access requires a petition and a showing of good cause.

    Individuals seeking access to confidential records to which they are a party 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. The Superior Court handles all felony prosecutions, including theft, assault, drug offenses, and homicide. The District Court adjudicates misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges, including 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. Municipal court records must be requested from the individual city court.

    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 allocated between two courts based on the amount at issue. The Superior Court hears civil cases exceeding $100,000, including complex litigation, property disputes, and business conflicts. The 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 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 provides 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. Per 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 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 incur a $2.00 or 2.3% service fee for credit, 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 (plain photocopies). All marriage records are 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 the Thurston County Superior Court. The County Clerk’s Office maintains all associated records. Probate proceedings in Washington are discretionary—state law does not require a probate case to be filed following death, whether or not a will exists. However, 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. All fee amounts should be confirmed with the Clerk’s Office, as they are subject to periodic revision; the current fee schedule is posted on the Clerk’s website.