Find Thurston County Felony Records

Thurston County felony records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Olympia and cover all felony criminal cases filed in the county. This page explains how to search and obtain Thurston County felony records through the clerk's office, the Odyssey Portal, and Washington State's criminal history system, including recently launched online services.

Thurston County Superior Court

The Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. As the county seat of Washington's capital, Olympia, Thurston County's court system is well-resourced and follows current state procedures for record access. The court has issued notices about phone scams, reminding the public that real courts do not collect fines by phone.

Superior Court cases include all felony charges from initial appearance through final disposition. This means the court file holds everything from the charging document filed by the prosecutor through any appeals taken within the Superior Court's jurisdiction. Post-conviction matters including vacations and sentence modifications are also filed here.

The image below shows the Thurston County Superior Court page on the county's website.

This page is a good starting point for general court information before contacting the clerk about specific records.

Thurston County Clerk and Online Document Service

The Thurston County Clerk manages all Superior Court records. The office phone is (360) 786-5430 and the email address is tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us. In March 2025, the clerk launched a new Clerk Documents online service that lets users access court documents electronically. This is a significant improvement over earlier systems that required in-person visits for most documents.

The clerk's office offers e-filing through the Odyssey system, which means newer case filings are available online more quickly than in counties that have not yet adopted electronic filing. For felony cases filed since e-filing was implemented, you can often find documents through the Odyssey Portal the same day they are filed.

The clerk also handles requests for copies of older paper records. Processing times vary based on staff availability and the age of the file. For older cases that have not been digitized, plan for longer wait times. Call or email the clerk's office to ask about the process for the specific record you need.

The image below shows the Thurston County Clerk's office page with contact details.

Use the email address or phone number on this page to ask about the Clerk Documents service and how to access specific felony case files.

Obtaining Copies of Court Documents

For detailed instructions on getting copies of filed documents, the county has a dedicated page on obtaining copies of documents filed in Thurston County Superior Court. This page covers what types of documents are available, what they cost, and how to submit your request.

Standard copy fees in Washington are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost more. The Thurston County page will have the current specific rates. For large files, such as full felony case records with many exhibits, copy fees can add up. Know what you need before requesting the full file; getting specific documents rather than everything in a case can save money and time.

The image below shows the Thurston County documents page with instructions for obtaining copies of court filings.

Read this page before submitting your request to make sure you follow the right procedure and include all required information.

Sheriff and Law Enforcement Records

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Derek Sanders, holds arrest records and jail roster information separate from the court clerk's system. The sheriff's website provides a live jail roster for current inmates and handles records requests for law enforcement reports.

Arrest records and court records are different things. An arrest by the sheriff's office does not automatically mean a felony conviction was entered. For the outcome of a case, you need the court record. For the initial police action, you need the sheriff's records. Both may be relevant depending on what you are looking for.

For statewide warrant information, use the Department of Corrections warrant search tool. This covers people under DOC supervision with active warrants and is free to use without registration.

Statewide Criminal History for Thurston County

The WATCH system from the Washington State Patrol covers all Washington counties including Thurston. WATCH uses fingerprint-linked conviction data and is the most reliable way to confirm a felony conviction. The system charges a fee per search but provides a level of accuracy that name-only searches cannot match.

For certified reports needed for legal or official purposes, the WSP Criminal History Records division processes certified background checks. These are often required by licensing boards, courts, or government agencies.

Under RCW 10.97, Washington's criminal records privacy law, conviction data is public while non-conviction data is restricted. Thurston County courts follow these rules. If someone's felony conviction has been vacated under RCW 9.94A.640, it will not appear in WATCH or in the public Odyssey search.

Older Thurston County records may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The archives hold historical court files from across Washington and are free to search online. This is the best option for cases that predate electronic filing.

Cities in Thurston County

Thurston County includes three qualifying cities with pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Thurston County borders several counties in western Washington.