Superior Court
King County WA Superior Court provides court services for a wide range of legal matters, including civil cases, criminal cases, family law, probate, guardianship, juvenile matters, and other court proceedings. This article explains how the court operates, where services are available, how to access hearings and calendars, how to file documents, and how different departments can help people handle court-related tasks.
Superior Court Services Overview
King County Superior Court handles many types of cases and court programs throughout the county. The court provides information about judges, hearings, jury duty, forms, court programs, records services, and online options for accessing court information.
The court’s services are organized by case type and department. Criminal cases, civil disputes, family matters, juvenile cases, probate matters, and emergency proceedings each have different procedures and resources. Knowing the correct department helps users find the right forms, calendars, and contact information.
Major Court Case Areas
Superior Court services include several major areas:
Criminal cases and related forms, calendars, and procedures.
Civil cases involving disputes between individuals or organizations.
Family law matters such as divorce, custody, and adoption.
Dependency and juvenile court services.
Probate, guardianship, trusts, and unlawful detainer proceedings.
Civil protection orders and other court services.
Court Locations and Facilities
King County Superior Court operates through several court facilities serving different areas and types of cases. The main locations include the King County Courthouse, the Maleng Regional Justice Center, and the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center.
The Superior Court locations page provides information about the facilities where court services are available.
King County Courthouse
The King County Courthouse is a full-service court facility serving north and east areas of King County. Many Superior Court proceedings and services are handled through this location.
Maleng Regional Justice Center
The Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent is a full-service court facility serving south King County. It provides court services and programs for residents and cases connected to that area.
Children and Family Justice Center
The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center houses Juvenile Court, Juvenile Detention, and related programs focused on youth and family matters.
Online Court Hearings
King County Superior Court provides online hearing access options for many proceedings. The court website includes instructions for joining court through Zoom and information about online participation.
Before attending a virtual hearing, users should review their hearing information, confirm the correct date and time, and follow any instructions provided by the court for joining the proceeding.
Court Calendars and Schedules
Court calendars help users find information about scheduled proceedings, judicial officers, locations, and hearing activities. The Superior Court calendars and schedules page provides access to daily calendars, criminal calendars, civil trial calendars, Ex Parte and Probate hearing information, and other scheduling resources.
Daily Calendar Information
The daily calendar lists judicial officers, locations, and court activities scheduled for the day. Users should review the correct calendar for their case type and location.
Criminal Calendar Updates
Criminal calendars for Seattle and Kent are posted for the next court day. The Criminal Department manages adult criminal cases handled by Superior Court.
Criminal Court Services
The Criminal Department handles all adult criminal cases within King County Superior Court. A criminal case begins when someone is arrested and charged with a crime.
The court provides criminal forms, court calendars, and department information to help parties understand criminal case procedures.
Criminal Department Offices
Criminal Department services are available through both Seattle and Kent locations. Users should use the correct office information based on their case needs.
The criminal cases information page provides access to criminal forms, calendars, and department procedures.
Civil Cases and Arbitration
The Civil Department handles general civil cases in Superior Court. These cases may involve disputes between individuals or organizations, including matters such as contract disputes, personal injury cases, and medical malpractice disputes.
The court also provides arbitration services for certain disputes. Arbitration allows an impartial arbitrator to make a legal decision instead of a judge.
The civil cases and arbitration information page includes civil forms, arbitration information, and civil calendar resources.
Civil Filing Information
People filing civil documents should review court requirements, use the correct forms, and follow filing procedures established by the court. Civil cases may require specific documents and scheduling steps depending on the type of matter.
Family Court Services
King County Superior Court provides Family Court services for matters involving divorce, custody, adoption, parenting plans, and other family-related proceedings.
The court offers Family Law Facilitators who can provide guidance through the family law process. Facilitators can review completed forms but cannot complete forms for individuals.
The family law information page provides details about divorce, custody, adoption, hearings, forms, and family law resources.
Family Court Services Programs
Family Court Services assists the court by collecting information related to children and families. Services may include parenting plan mediations, parenting plan evaluations, and domestic violence assessments when ordered or referred by the court.
Ex Parte and Probate Matters
The Ex Parte, Probate, and Unlawful Detainer Department handles specific proceedings, including probate, guardianship, trusts, unlawful detainer cases, temporary restraining orders, and certain emergency matters.
Some Ex Parte matters must be presented through the Clerk’s Office. Users should review the court’s procedures before submitting documents or requesting hearings.
The Ex Parte, Probate, and Unlawful Detainer information page provides details about hearings, procedures, emergency motions, and related services.
E-Filing Court Documents
King County Superior Court provides electronic filing through the Clerk’s Office. Attorneys must electronically file and electronically serve documents unless exceptions apply under court rules. Non-attorneys may also use electronic filing but are not required to do so.
The Superior Court e-filing information page explains document formatting requirements, filing instructions, and the KC Script Portal process.
Preparing Documents Online
Before filing electronically, documents should meet court formatting requirements. Users should select the correct document type and confirm whether a filing fee applies.
Some documents cannot be filed electronically and must be submitted in paper form according to court rules. Proposed orders, certain exhibits, and other restricted documents may require different submission methods.
Court Forms and Documents
King County Superior Court provides commonly used forms for different case types. Available categories include new case forms, family law forms, civil forms, criminal forms, dependency and juvenile forms, and other court documents.
The Superior Court forms page provides access to commonly used court forms and filing information.
Choosing Correct Forms
Using the correct form helps avoid filing problems. Court forms may have specific formatting requirements, and some matters may require additional documents depending on the case type.
Jury Duty Information
Residents summoned for King County Superior Court jury duty can find instructions for responding to a summons, frequently asked questions, and jury login information through the court’s jury services page.
The Superior Court jury duty page explains how to respond to a summons and provides information about jury selection and exemptions.
Avoiding Jury Scams
King County Superior Court warns residents about fraudulent calls from people claiming to be court personnel or law enforcement officers. The court will not call residents requesting money for a warrant or asking for personal banking information related to jury duty.
Interpreter and Accessibility Services
Superior Court provides interpreter services for people who need language assistance. Interpreter services are available for court users who require help participating in court proceedings.
The court also provides accommodations and services designed to help people access court programs and proceedings.
Superior Court Office Contacts
Superior Court Seattle Office — 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-1400
Superior Court Kent Office — 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 — 206-477-2600
Clerk's Office — 516 Third Ave, Suite E-609, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-296-9300
Ex Parte & Probate Department — 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-2517
Interpreter Services at Maleng Regional Justice Center — 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 — 206-477-2547
Interpreter Services at King County Courthouse — 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-1415
Family Court Services — 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-1500
Superior Court FAQs
How can I find my court hearing date and calendar information?
King County Superior Court provides online calendar information to help users locate scheduled proceedings. The court calendars page includes daily calendars, civil calendars, criminal calendars, Family Law calendars, Ex Parte and Probate hearings, and location-based schedules. Users should review the correct calendar type and confirm the hearing details before attending. For hearings that allow remote participation, the court provides instructions for joining online proceedings.
Superior Court calendars and schedules provides current scheduling information for different case types and court locations.
What should I know about filing court documents online?
Electronic filing is available through the Superior Court Clerk’s KC Script Portal. Before submitting documents, users should review formatting requirements, choose the correct document type, and check whether filing fees apply. Attorneys must electronically file and serve documents unless an exception applies under court rules. People representing themselves may also use electronic filing, but it is not required.
Where can I find the right court forms for my case?
King County Superior Court provides commonly used forms for civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, new cases, and other proceedings. Selecting the correct form and following document formatting rules can help prevent delays during the filing process. The court’s forms page also provides access to categories of frequently used documents.
Superior Court Forms helps users locate available forms for different court needs.
How do civil cases and arbitration work?
The Civil Department handles general civil cases, including disputes such as contract matters, personal injury claims, and medical malpractice disputes. Some cases may use arbitration, where an impartial arbitrator makes a legal decision instead of a judge. The court provides civil forms, arbitration information, and civil calendar details for parties involved in these matters.
How do I prepare for Ex Parte or Probate proceedings?
Ex Parte, Probate, and related proceedings include matters such as probate, guardianship, trusts, unlawful detainer cases, temporary orders, and emergency motions. Some filings must be presented through the Clerk’s Office, so users should review the court’s procedures before submitting documents or requesting a hearing.