Court records of Spokane County, Washington, are available through several channels. SpokaneCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online tools of the state court system, Clerk's Office, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings.
Spokane Court System & Jurisdictions
There are three main courts operating in Spokane County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Superior Court — a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal offenses (felonies), civil lawsuits over $100,000, divorce and child custody cases, probate cases (the judicial process of distributing property after death), and appeals from lower courts. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains a registry of documents filed in these cases.
District Court handles:
- Criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits up to $100,000
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and other administrative offenses
- Protection orders
Municipal Court of the city of Spokane has jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances and traffic offenses within the city limits. Cases from Spokane Valley are handled by the County District Court. Information about criminal records and their status can be checked online.
The Juvenile Court operates as a division of the Superior Court and handles cases involving minors. Access to these records is generally restricted.
Spokane Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of a hearing — today, tomorrow, or scheduled for this week — use the Spokane County Court Viewer. This tool covers the Superior Court, District Court, and Municipal Court.
Search is possible by last name or case number. The system shows the hearing date, courtroom, and judge's name.
Additional options:
- The Search Name/Case/Court Dates page provides access to local searches across all three county courts, including the daily hearing schedule.
- The state portal Find My Court Date allows checking hearing dates for all courts in Washington State. Data is updated daily at 3:00 AM.
- To search cases in the Superior Court at the state level, use the Washington Courts Case Search.
Note: Online search results are for informational purposes. For official confirmation of the hearing date, contact the relevant court's office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Spokane Court Document
Copies of documents from Superior Court cases are issued by the County Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Regular (uncertified) — simply a reproduction of the document without official certification.
- Certified — bears the clerk's seal and signature, confirming authenticity. Usually required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures.
How to obtain copies:
- In person. Visit the County Clerk's Office during business hours. You will need the case number or the full name of the party.
- Online. Some Superior Court documents are available through the Odyssey Portal. Extended access requires registration authorized by the office.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document name, and type of copy (regular or certified). Include payment by check or money order.
For District Court records, submit a request through the Records Requests page.
Mailing address of the Superior Court Clerk's Office:
Divorce cases (dissolution of marriage) are also processed through the Clerk's office. To obtain a marriage or divorce certificate as a vital record, contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Spokane Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are determined according to RCW 36.18.016 and RCW 3.62.060 for District Court. Below are the main rates applied by the Spokane County Superior Court Clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Name search | $20.00 per name |
| Apostille or authentication | $2.00 |
Payment is accepted in person at the office or by mail (check, money order payable to Spokane County Clerk). Some payments can be made online — check the office's page for details.
For requests through the Public Records Office under the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), copying is also charged but may vary depending on volume and format. The office is located at 824 N Adams St and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00–16:30.
State-level background checks are conducted through the Washington State Patrol and are paid separately.