Thurston County court records in Washington are available through several channels. ThurstonCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the state's official online court system tools, directly at the court clerk's office, or at public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system, finding hearing schedules, and obtaining copies of documents.
Thurston Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Thurston County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Thurston County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal felony cases, civil lawsuits over $100,000, divorce and child custody cases, as well as probate matters (the legal process for distributing a deceased person's estate). The court also hears appeals from lower courts.
- Criminal felony cases
- Large-scale civil cases
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate and guardianship cases
- Juvenile cases
Thurston County District Court handles less serious cases. It is a court of limited jurisdiction.
- Criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil claims up to $100,000
- Small claims cases — up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and other administrative offenses
- Protection orders
Previously, a separate municipal court operated in the city of Olympia. Its cases have now been transferred to the Thurston County District Court, so searching for old municipal cases should start there.
Thurston Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use several resources.
- Washington State Courts website. Through the name or case number search system, you can find information about scheduled sessions. Enter the party's last name or case number — the system will show the dates of upcoming hearings.
- Court Clerk's Office. The Superior Court and District Court publish session calendars on their pages. If you can't find the needed date online, call the clerk's office — the clerk will confirm the time and courtroom.
- Public terminals. There are computers in the courthouse for self-search. The current day's schedule is available there.
Note: Online calendars are updated with a slight delay. Before visiting the court, it's better to call to confirm that the session hasn't been rescheduled.
Thurston County Superior Court Clerk's Office
Thurston County District Court
How to Get a Copy of a Thurston Court Document
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a court document.
Online
Basic case information — dates, parties, status — can be viewed through the Washington State Courts search system. However, full texts of documents are usually not available there. To obtain copies, you need to contact the court directly.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office of the appropriate court (Superior Court or District Court) at the Lakeridge Drive address. The clerk will find the case and make copies on-site. Bring the case number or the full name of the party — this will significantly speed up the process.
By Mail
Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document needed. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount (see the fees section below).
Certified vs. regular copies. A regular copy is simply a printout of the document. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature, confirming its authenticity. For submission to another court, government agency, or foreign institution, a certified copy is usually required.
Some records have restricted access: juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some family cases may be closed to public view. If you're unsure, ask the clerk if a specific document is available.
For historical county records — such as old court cases or property records — contact the Washington State Digital Archives.
Thurston Court Records Fees & Payment
Copying and search fees for court documents in Washington are set according to RCW 36.18.016 and local rules. Below are the main rates for Superior Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Record search by clerk | $30.00 per hour (minimum 1 hour) |
| Apostille or authentication | $2.00 |
District Court may have slightly different rates. Check directly with the clerk's office.
Payment methods:
- Cash — accepted at the clerk's office
- Check or money order — payable to "Thurston County Clerk"
- Credit or debit card — usually accepted, a small service fee may apply
A separate fee is charged for criminal history checks through the Washington State Patrol. If you need information about outstanding traffic tickets or arrest warrants, use the state's relevant online tools — some of them are free. Marriage and divorce records can be ordered through the Washington State Department of Health, where separate fees apply.