Walla Walla County Courts – A Practical Guide to Court Records and Services
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Walla Walla County sits in the southeastern corner of Washington State, with the city of Walla Walla as the county seat. The county’s court system consists of two trial courts — the Superior Court and the District Court — each with distinct responsibilities. The Superior Court handles felonies, major civil disputes, family law, probate, guardianship, and juvenile matters, while the District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil cases up to $100,000. The County Clerk’s Office maintains all Superior Court records, and the District Court keeps its own case files separately. Knowing which court handled a particular matter is the fastest way to find the right records.
If you’re looking for court case information in Washington, WashingtonStateCourts.us can help you find publicly available case data and connect to relevant court resources statewide. The Washington Courts system also maintains online search portals covering municipal, district, and superior court filings across the state, including Walla Walla County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Walla Walla County?
Walla Walla County court records can be accessed online, in person, or through written requests depending on which court filed the case.
Online Case Search Options
Washington Courts maintains two primary online search tools:
- The Washington Courts Case Search lets you search cases filed in municipal, district, and superior courts statewide by name or case number. Results update every 24 hours.
- The Odyssey Portal gives registered users access to court documents. Document-level access is authorized through the County Clerk's office — registration details are on the Odyssey Portal access page.
Historical court documents going back decades may also be available through the Washington State Archives, Digital Archives.
In-Person Access
Both courts welcome walk-in record requests during business hours:
Walla Walla County Clerk (Superior Court Records)
Address: 315 West Main, P.O. Box 836, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2780
Fax: (509) 524-2779
Email: clerk1@wwcowa.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (open during lunch)
Ex Parte Hours: Monday – Friday, 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Walla Walla County District Court
Address: 317 W. Rose Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2760
Fax: (509) 524-2775
Email: District.Court@wwcowa.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed during lunch)
Under GR 31, no fee may be charged simply to view court records at the courthouse.
Requesting District Court Records by Mail, Fax, or Email
All District Court record requests must be in writing. You can either submit a request online or fill out and print the public records request form and send it by mail, fax, or email to the District Court. A $20.00 records fee applies per request. Requests exceeding 100 pages may incur additional fees. The District Court’s records request policy outlines the full procedure.
Requesting Superior Court Records
To request Superior Court documents, email clerk1@wwcowa.gov or visit the Clerk’s Office in person. The Superior Court does not currently accept fax filings or e-filings. All new case filings must include a cover sheet.
Copy Fees — Superior Court (County Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies | $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page |
Copy Fees — District Court
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies | $5.00 |
| Records request | $20.00 per request |
Are Court Records Public in Walla Walla County?
Washington law establishes broad public access to court records. The Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) declares that all records of public entities are generally open for inspection and copying. Court-specific access is controlled by General Rule 31, which establishes that the public shall have access to all court records unless restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. Administrative records fall under General Rule 31.1.
Records Restricted from Public Access
Despite the general presumption of openness, certain categories are exempt from public disclosure under GR 31, the Access to Court Records brochure, and various statutes:
- Juvenile court records (information from official juvenile offender court records may not be displayed on a publicly accessible website, though records remain accessible at the clerk's office)
- Adoption records
- Mental health and medical records
- Sealed court records
- Paternity records
- Alcohol and drug treatment commitment records
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege
- Information that could reveal the identity of confidential informants in criminal cases
- Domestic violence protection order filings that identify victims
- Information identifying sexual assault victims
- Trade secrets or proprietary business information
- Records that are part of an active criminal investigation
- Personal identifiers including Social Security numbers and financial account details
Redaction Requirements
Under GR 31(e), parties filing documents with any Washington court must omit or redact Social Security numbers (except the last four digits), financial account numbers (except the last four digits), and driver’s license numbers. The responsibility for redaction rests with the parties and their counsel, not the court or clerk.
The Walla Walla County Public Records Office coordinates general county public records requests and can point you to the right department. The office is at 315 W Main, Room 102, Walla Walla, WA 99362, Phone: (509) 524-2593, Email: publicrecords@wwcowa.gov. You can also submit requests through the county’s NextRequest portal.
Walla Walla County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Walla Walla County are split between the Superior Court (felonies) and the District Court (misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors). Criminal case files typically contain arrest information, charges, plea proceedings, trial documentation, sentencing orders, and post-conviction matters.
Searching Criminal Records Online
Start with the Washington Courts Case Search to look up a defendant by name or case number. For document-level access to filed pleadings and orders, registered users can search through the Odyssey Portal.
Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office
The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office handles arrest records, incident reports, and booking records. Records requests can be submitted online through the county’s NextRequest portal or in person at:
Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office
315 W. Main Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2770
Washington State Patrol — Statewide Criminal History
For a statewide criminal background check, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the authoritative source. The WSP runs the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system, which allows online name-based conviction history searches for $11.00 per subject, payable by debit or credit card.
For a more comprehensive or certified background check, submit a written request with the required form and fee by mail or in person:
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
Walla Walla Municipal Court
The Walla Walla Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases within city limits. Contact the court at:
Walla Walla Municipal Court
55 Moore Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 527-4472
Fax: (509) 527-3281
Walla Walla County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Walla Walla County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the amount in dispute. The District Court handles civil claims up to $100,000, including breach of contract, property damage, and small claims up to $5,000. The Superior Court takes higher-value civil disputes and specialized proceedings such as name changes, unlawful detainer actions, and administrative appeals.
Walla Walla County Superior Court
The Walla Walla County Superior Court hears significant civil litigation and maintains records through the County Clerk’s Office. You can search Superior Court civil cases through the Odyssey Portal or request copies directly from the Clerk.
Superior Court Civil Filing Fees (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 |
District Court Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint ($0–$500) | $35.00 |
| Civil complaint ($501–$2,500) | $50.00 |
| Civil complaint ($2,501–$10,000) | $100.00 |
| Civil complaint ($10,001–$100,000) | $200.00 |
| Small claims ($0–$1,000) | $35.00 |
| Small claims ($1,001–$5,000) | $50.00 |
| Name change | $50.00 |
For District Court civil records, submit a written request through the court’s online records request form or in person at 317 W. Rose Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Walla Walla County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Walla Walla County — including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, parenting plans, child support, domestic violence protection orders, and adoption proceedings — are filed in the Superior Court. The County Clerk’s Office maintains all records from these proceedings.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree or other dissolution document, contact the Clerk’s Office with the case number or the names of the parties. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
For a certified copy of a 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
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Petitions for domestic violence protection orders are filed in the Superior Court at no filing fee. Records in these cases may be restricted to protect the petitioner’s identifying information, depending on what was filed. Ask the Clerk’s Office what portions of these case files are available for public inspection.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office. You can search county marriage records and request copies through the Auditor’s office or, for records from January 1, 1968, onward, through the Washington State Department of Health for $25.00 per copy.
Walla Walla County Auditor's Office
315 W. Main Street, Suite 105, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 524-2530
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for events in Walla Walla County are available through the Washington State Department of Health. Certified copies cost $25.00 each. You can order online, by mail, or in person. Eligible requesters are generally the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others who can demonstrate a direct tangible interest.
Walla Walla County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship proceedings in Walla Walla County are filed in the Superior Court. The court has jurisdiction over estate administration, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and trust matters requiring court oversight. Washington’s probate law is primarily found in Title 11 of the Revised Code of Washington.
Estate Administration
When a Walla Walla County resident dies, the Superior Court oversees the administration of their estate — whether or not there is a will. The court appoints personal representatives, resolves disputes among heirs and beneficiaries, and approves distributions. Both testate estates (with a will) and intestate estates (without a will) are handled here.
Washington allows non-intervention powers in many estates, which means the court’s ongoing involvement may be limited once a personal representative is appointed. Even so, the initial filing and any contested matters require court involvement.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through the Odyssey Portal or through the Washington Courts Case Search. To access filed documents, registration through the County Clerk’s Office is required for the Odyssey Portal. In-person searches at the Clerk’s Office are available during regular business hours.
To get copies of probate documents — wills, estate inventories, guardianship orders, or letters testamentary — contact the County Clerk at (509) 524-2780 or email clerk1@wwcowa.gov. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page. Older probate records not yet digitized may require an in-person visit.
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 |
Guardianships and Conservatorships
The Superior Court appoints guardians in cases involving incapacitated adults or minors who need protection. Walla Walla County maintains a Title 11 Guardians ad Litem Registry of qualified individuals who may be appointed by the court in probate and guardianship proceedings to represent the interests of persons lacking legal capacity.
Guardianship case records are generally part of the public file, though certain medical evaluations, psychological reports, and sensitive personal information may be sealed or restricted by court order. Conservatorship records documenting the financial affairs of a protected person follow similar access rules.
Restitution Payments
For probate-related restitution or financial obligations ordered by the Superior Court, online restitution payments can be made through the Clerk’s Office payment portal for both adult and juvenile Superior Court cases.
Legal Assistance
Court staff can provide general procedural information but cannot give legal advice. If you need guidance on probate matters, consider consulting an attorney or visiting WashingtonLawHelp.org for free legal resources. The Washington Courts Self-Help center also offers forms and instructions for common court proceedings.