Kitsap County court records in Washington State are available through several channels. KitsapCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online tools of the state courts, directly at the Clerk's Office, or via public terminals in the courthouse.
Kitsap Court System & Jurisdictions
In Kitsap County, there are two main courts of general jurisdiction — the Superior Court and the District Court. Each handles different categories of cases, and understanding this difference will help you choose the right registry for your search.
Superior Court
Kitsap County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction authorized by the Washington State Constitution. It handles:
- Criminal cases for felonies
- Civil lawsuits over $100,000
- Family cases — divorce, custody, child support
- Probate cases — the legal process of managing a deceased person's estate
- Juvenile cases
- Appeals from District Court decisions
The Clerk's Office — Kitsap County Clerk — receives, processes, and permanently retains all Superior Court documents.
District Court
The District Court handles smaller-scale cases. These include:
- Criminal cases for misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits up to $100,000
- Small claims up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and other administrative offenses
- Protection orders
Electronic filing for the District Court is available through the District Court ePortal.
Municipal courts within the county (e.g., in the cities of Bremerton and Poulsbo) handle city ordinance violations and traffic cases within their respective cities.
Kitsap Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of scheduled hearings, use the state's online tools. The Washington State Courts portal publishes hearing schedules and links to remote hearings for courts at all levels, including county courts.
Specific steps to check the schedule:
- Go to the search page by name or case number.
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
- The search results will display scheduled hearing dates. Data is updated daily at 3:00 AM.
If you need information about a specific hearing in the Superior Court, call the Clerk's Office at (360) 337-7164. For District Court cases, contact the district court directly.
You can check for an arrest warrant issued by county courts on the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office page.
How to Get a Copy of a Kitsap Court Document
Copies of Superior Court documents can be obtained in several ways. The type of copy — regular or certified — affects the cost and procedure.
Online
- Visit the document copy request page of the Kitsap County Clerk's Office.
- For archived cases (from 1973 to the present), go to the Washington State Digital Archives, select "Superior Court Records," and specify Kitsap County.
- Enter the case number and order the required documents.
In Person or by Mail
Contact the Clerk's Office:
When requesting by mail, include the case number, the names of the documents you need, and the type of copy (regular or certified). Include payment by check or money order made out to Kitsap County Clerk.
What to Know
- Certified copies have the official stamp of the Clerk's Office and are usually required for legal purposes.
- Regular copies are cheaper and suitable for review.
- Some records may be restricted — juvenile cases, sealed cases, or cases with confidential information are usually not provided without a court order.
- Marriage and divorce records as vital records can be ordered through the Washington State Department of Health.
Kitsap Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for copies of court documents in Washington State are regulated by RCW 36.18.016 (Superior Court clerks' fees). Below is an approximate table of the main fees:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Registry search by request | $30.00 per hour (minimum 1 hour) |
| Apostille or authentication | Depends on the type of document |
These fees apply to the Superior Court. The District Court may have slightly different rates — check directly with the court.
Payment Methods
- In person: cash, check, money order. Some Clerk's Offices accept credit or debit cards.
- By mail: check or money order made out to Kitsap County Clerk.
- Online: payment is usually made by card when ordering through Digital Archives.
The current list of fees can always be clarified by calling the county clerk's office or checking the information on KitsapCourt.us.