Snohomish County Court Records
Snohomish County court records include any information filed or created by the court relevant to a judicial proceeding and any document, information, or exhibit the court maintains in connection with a legal proceeding. General Rule 31 of Washington State Court Rules prescribes the method of creating and storing court records. It also delineates the procedures and restrictions on access to court records.
Since the County's court records are considered part of Snohomish County Public Records, they offer the public insight into their district's judicial processes, ensuring transparency and accountability. Filing court records is also a way of preserving legal history, encouraging research, and documenting the trends and changes in court decisions. It serves as a mechanism to review the conduct and check the excesses of law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, and legal professionals.
In Snohomish County, the County Court Clerk, Superior Court Administrator, and the Washington State Administrative Office of Court are the custodians of court records in the County.
Are Court Records Public in Snohomish County?
Yes. Court records are generally considered public records in Snohomish County, Washington, except restricted by federal law, statute, or court order. Chapter 42.56.080 RCW of the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) requires state agencies to make public records available for viewing and copying upon request.
Public access to court records is not absolute. In Snohomish County, certain court records are exempt from public disclosure to protect sensitive information and the right to privacy. This limitation is placed to ensure the proper administration of justice and the safety of all parties. At the same time, the law seeks to balance the right of public access to court records and the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed in Article 1 Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Washington.
Examples of court records exempt from public disclosure in Snohomish County are:
- Name of a complainant, victim, or witness to a criminal offense
- Personal information like Social Security Number, physical address, driver's license numbers
- Preliminary drafts
- Paternity records
- Medical records
- Mental health records
- Information provided under attorney-client privilege
- Court records sealed by judicial order
- Family mediation records
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Court files on witness protection program
The above list is by no means exhaustive. Interestingly, a small percentage of the public, with more priority to people with a legal interest in a case, may be allowed to inspect and make copies of sealed or restricted records. This category includes attorneys, law enforcement agents, attorneys or other legal representatives, parents and guardians, parties to the case, physicians, and judicial officers.
What Do Snohomish County Court Records Contain?
Court records are generated by courts to document activity in a criminal trial or civil case. They provide an extensive account of legal proceedings, detailing the case history, actions taken in the course of litigation, and the verdict reached by the courts. Documents and information maintained in a Snohomish County court record include:
- Case information, party name, case name, court location, the presiding judge, case status, filing, hearing, and trial dates
- Case type (civil or criminal)
- Docket Number
- Court docket entries: A court docket is a legal document that chronologically states all the events related to a case.
- Transcripts: A transcript is a written record of the judge's spoken words and court judgment verbatim.
- Exhibits: These are evidence brought before the court and presented for inspection. Examples include photographs, audio or video recordings, contracts, forensic evidence, weapons, or objects connected to the case.
- Attorney or legal representative information
- Preliminary papers
- Appeal documents
- Motions
- Responses
Where to Conduct a Snohomish County Case Lookup
Members of the public can conduct a court record search in Snohomish County at any of the following places:
- The Snohomish County Courthouse, where the case was filed
- Washington State Court Website
- Washington State Digital Archives
- The Superior Court Administration (for transcripts).
How to Conduct a Snohomish County Case Records Search
The following are procedures and requirements for finding Snohomish County case records at the offices of various record custodians:
Snohomish County Superior Court
Interested persons who want to search court records in person should visit any of the four district divisions of the Snohomish County Superior Court to search for case records. It is advisable to contact the courthouse beforehand and ask questions about the search procedure. At the courthouse, requesters must fill out a form and provide details about the case to commiserate the search process.
Although the court clerk permits in-person researchers to view records at no cost, requests for copies of documents, recordings, and other court records are not free. The court clerk is legally required to charge for copying and certifying records per the Clerk's Fee Schedule. Members of the public cannot purchase copies of court documents over a phone call but in person, by mail request, or online. It costs $0.25 per page to print regular copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1.00 each for subsequent pages.
Mail a completed copy of the 'Copy Request Form' to the relevant Court Clerk's office for mail request. Make sure the specific documents or information needed are specified in the mail. The acceptable mode of payment is money order, and cashier checks only. Additionally, the requester must include a self-addressed stamped envelope reasonable enough to cover the return postage of the requested documents.
Contact the Clerk's Customer Service division to confirm the number of pages in the document needed before sending the mail.
Clerk Customer Service Division
Email: contact.clerk@snoco.org
Phone: (425) 388-3466
Online Search on the Judiciary Website
The Washington judiciary website has a case search platform to help individuals locate official or complete court records. It includes all cases filed in Washington's municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts. Individuals can search for case information with any of the following search criteria:
- Court Level - Municipal, District, or Superior Court.
- Case Name - Name of the defendant, respondent, or complainant.
- Attorney Search - The attorney's bar number.
To view the official or complete court record, visit the court location to make an in-person request or send a mail to order copies of the document.
Washington State Digital Archives
The Washington State Digital Archives is a database housing a series of official documentation of all cases filed and tried in the Snohomish County Superior Court available to be purchased. It includes all court records except juvenile dependency and offender records, medical and other sealed records.
Note that court records in this archive are not free. The researcher must provide the case number, case year, or other keywords to purchase a case record search.
The Superior Court Administration
Interested persons can use this avenue to obtain court transcripts. A transcript is a report of court proceedings written verbatim by a court reporter. To purchase a transcript, contact the Superior Court Administration using the information provided below:
Snohomish County Courthouse
Email: superiorcourtadmin@snoco.org
Court Administration: (425) 388-3421
Fax: (425) 388-3498
Snohomish County Civil Court Case Records
A civil court case record is a record of disputes, claims, and judgments filed and maintained in relation to a civil case. Civil court cases are usually filed by individuals or organizations seeking relief or compensation for personal issues that do not constitute criminal offenses. These records are maintained and filed by the court clerk in Snohomish County responsible for the case.
The Washington State Court System maintains a registry of civil case records in the state. Civil court case records are public records available to members of the public upon request. Courts in Snohomish County may have their system for recording and accessing information on civil court cases.
To obtain a Snohomish County civil court case record:
- Determine what court has jurisdiction over the case. This will be the superior, district, or municipal courts in Snohomish County.
- Visit the Snohomish Superior Court or district courts where the case was held.
- Complete and submit the request form to purchase copies of the document.
- Make payment and wait for the request to be processed.
- Or look up the court case on any of the Washington State Courts or Digital Archive websites or the official website of the respective courts.
Snohomish County Criminal Court Case Records
A criminal court case record is a case file of all events, documents, and information related to trial proceedings involving criminal offense charges. The state institutes criminal charges against the defendant. In Snohomish County, criminal case records relating to felonies are maintained by the Superior Court. Court records documenting misdemeanors, simple offenses, and traffic infractions are maintained by district courts.
The process of obtaining criminal court records is the same as civil records.
- Find out as much case information as possible - for example, the defendant's name, prosecutor or attorney, date of arrest, and presiding court.
- Conduct an online search at the Washington State Courts case portal, Washington State Digital Archive, or the relevant court website.
- Request court records in person at the court clerk's office or via mail request.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Persons looking for court records in Snohomish County can view or inspect court records for free, but it has to be in person at the court clerk's office. Individuals who want to view court records for free at the court clerk's office have to identify and then contact the particular court with jurisdiction over the case needed and inquire about search procedures. While inspecting court records may be free, requesting copies and certifying documents in person or via mail incur administrative fees.
Requestors may also get publicly available Snohomish County court records online for free using the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. To conduct a Smart Search on the Odyssey Portal, provide either the case docket number or the name of a party in this format - last name, first name, and middle initial.
Courts in Snohomish County
Snohomish County has one superior court divided into district courts with four divisions: the Everett Division, Evergreen Division, South Division, and Cascade Division. Below is a list of all the courthouses in Snohomish County, their physical address, and contact information:
Snohomish County Superior Court - Everett Division
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 262-2330 or (425) 388-3331
Snohomish County District Court - Evergreen Division
14414 179th Avenue SE
Monroe, WA 98272
Phone: (360) 805-6776
Snohomish County District Court - South Division
20520 68th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: (425) 744-6800
Snohomish County District Court - Cascade Division
415 E Burke Avenue
Arlington, WA 98223
Phone: (360) 435-7700
Denney Juvenile Justice Center
2801 10th Street
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 388-7800
Everett Municipal Court
3028 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 257-8778
Lynnwood Municipal Court
19321 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: (425) 670-5100
