Search King County Felony Records

King County felony records are maintained by the Department of Judicial Administration in Seattle and are accessible through the KC Script Portal, in-person visits at three courthouse locations, and written copy requests. This page covers how to search those records, what fees apply, and how to use state tools to research felony cases and conviction history across King County, Washington's largest county.

King County Department of Judicial Administration

The King County Department of Judicial Administration (DJA), directed by Catherine Cornwall, is the official records custodian for all felony cases in King County. The clerk office is at 516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609, Seattle, WA 98104. The main phone is (206) 296-9300. King County Superior Court is the largest trial court in Washington state, handling a massive volume of felony cases across its jurisdiction.

The DJA processes copy requests for case records. Online non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page and are available 14 days after purchase through the portal. Clerk-assisted non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Research services are billed at $30.00 per hour with a $30.00 minimum. These fees reflect the high volume of complex record requests the DJA handles daily.

The King County DJA page describes the full scope of the department, its locations, and how the records system works for the county's large felony caseload.

Start here if you are new to searching King County felony records to understand the three courthouse locations and the e-filing system in place since November 2024.

Searching King County Felony Records Online

King County moved all e-filing to the KC Script Portal on November 12, 2024. This portal is the primary tool for searching King County felony cases online. You can search by name, case number, or date. Public access shows basic docket information. Records purchased through the portal are available for download 14 days after the transaction and cost $0.25 per page for non-certified copies.

The Records Access FAQ explains in detail which records are accessible to the public and which are restricted. Restricted records include juvenile cases, sealed orders, domestic violence records, and mental health court matters. Research fees apply at $30.00 per hour. The FAQ also explains how to request a fee waiver and what identification is required for certain record types.

The statewide Odyssey Portal also covers King County and is a useful alternative for basic name searches. The Washington Courts name and case search is another free statewide option. Both return basic case information without requiring an account. For scanned documents, the KC Script Portal is the more complete resource for King County.

King County Superior Court Locations

King County Superior Court operates from three locations. The main King County Courthouse is in downtown Seattle. The Maleng Regional Justice Center serves the south county area in Kent. The Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle handles juvenile and family matters. Felony cases are filed at the main Seattle courthouse or the RJC in Kent depending on where in the county the charge originated.

The King County Superior Court page lists all three locations with addresses and directions. If you plan to visit in person to inspect felony records, confirm which courthouse holds the specific case file before traveling. Cases from south county cities like Auburn, Kent, and Federal Way are often heard at the Maleng RJC rather than the Seattle courthouse.

Court forms for King County felony cases are available in multiple languages, including Amharic, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The King County Court Forms page has a full list with language options, which is useful for defendants or family members who need translated documents tied to a King County felony case.

The King County Superior Court page shows all three courthouse locations and explains which types of felony cases are heard at each facility.

Confirm which of the three King County courthouses holds the case file you need before planning an in-person visit to avoid a wasted trip across the county.

How Felony Cases Move Through King County Courts

Felony charges in King County start in District Court. The King County District Court operates nine locations across the county: Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, Kent, Redmond, Seattle, Shoreline, and Vashon. The main District Court phone is (206) 477-1720. District Court handles initial appearances, bail hearings, and probable cause determinations before cases move to Superior Court.

Once a felony charge moves to Superior Court, the case goes through arraignment, pre-trial motions, and either a plea or trial. Washington classifies felonies as Class A, B, or C. Class A is the most serious, carrying penalties up to life in prison. Class B felonies carry a maximum of ten years. Class C carries up to five years. Sentencing follows the Sentencing Reform Act at RCW 9.94A.640, which uses an offender score and standard ranges based on the charge and prior criminal history.

Under RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act, felony conviction records are public. Non-conviction records, including dismissed charges and acquittals, receive privacy protection under the same statute. The Records Access FAQ on the DJA website explains how these rules apply to specific King County record types and which restricted categories require a court order to access.

The King County District Court page shows all nine locations and explains the preliminary process for King County felony charges before they move to Superior Court.

Use the District Court page to find the location closest to where the incident occurred, since the initial hearing for a King County felony is usually held at the nearest District Court facility.

King County Sheriff Arrest and Jail Records

King County Sheriff Records handles public disclosure requests for arrest and jail records. The email is KCSODisclosure@kingcounty.gov and the phone is (206) 263-2103. The Sheriff Records page explains the process for requesting incident reports, arrest records, and other sheriff documents. These are separate from court records but link to felony cases by case number once charges are filed.

Arrest records that did not result in a conviction are subject to privacy protections under RCW 10.97. The sheriff's office may limit what it releases about arrests that were dismissed or did not lead to charges. For confirmed felony convictions, the Superior Court record through the KC Script Portal is the more complete and reliable source.

For people serving state prison sentences after King County felony convictions, the Washington DOC inmate and warrant search covers current and recently released inmates at state facilities. Class A and many Class B felony convictions result in state prison time rather than county jail. The DOC also offers search resources for broader correctional records research.

The King County Sheriff Records page explains how to submit disclosure requests by email and phone for arrest and jail records tied to King County felony cases.

Use the email contact for most sheriff records requests, as the high volume of requests means written submissions are processed more reliably than phone calls.

Copy Fees and the KC Script Portal

King County uses a tiered fee structure for record copies. Online non-certified copies through the KC Script Portal cost $0.25 per page. Clerk-assisted non-certified copies at the courthouse cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Research services are $30.00 per hour with a $30.00 minimum. Portal purchases are available for download 14 days after the transaction completes.

For in-person requests at the clerk's office at 516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609, Seattle, bring the case number or defendant name and a payment method. For mailed requests, write to the DJA at the same address and include the defendant's full name, case number, document type, and a check or money order for the estimated cost.

The 14-day wait for portal downloads is worth planning around if you need records quickly. In-person requests at the clerk's office may be faster if you need documents the same day. Call (206) 296-9300 before visiting to confirm current processing times and any specific procedures for the type of felony record you need.

Washington WATCH and State Criminal History Records

The Washington WATCH system charges $11 per name search and returns felony conviction data from all Washington counties, including King. WATCH is a fast way to confirm whether someone has a felony conviction in King County or elsewhere in the state without running individual court searches. Arrests without convictions do not appear in WATCH results, consistent with RCW 10.97 privacy protections.

The Washington State Patrol's Criminal History Records division offers fingerprint-based checks for more formal verification. Fingerprint searches eliminate the name-confusion issue that can arise with common names and are used when accurate official identification is required. The WSP website explains the current process and fees for fingerprint submissions.

For older King County felony records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds scanned court records going back many years. Combined with the KC Script Portal for newer cases, the Digital Archives fills the gap for historical King County felony research. The Washington Courts directory provides contact information for all King County court locations if you need to reach a specific division directly.

Cities in King County

King County is home to Seattle and many other major cities. The following cities in King County have dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

King County borders several western Washington counties. Each maintains its own court system and felony records process.