Court records of Kittitas County, Washington, are available through several channels. KittitasCourt.us allows you to search for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online portals of the state courts, directly at the County Clerk's office, or via public terminals in the courthouse in Ellensburg.
Kittitas Court System & Jurisdictions
In Kittitas County, there are two main levels of general jurisdiction courts — Superior Court and District Court. Each handles different categories of cases, and understanding this difference will help you find the record you need more quickly.
Kittitas County Superior Court
This is the highest level of general jurisdiction court in the county. It handles:
- Criminal felony cases
- Civil lawsuits over $100,000
- Divorce and child custody cases
- Probate cases (the legal process of managing a deceased person's estate)
- Adoption cases (access is restricted)
- Appeals from District Court
Judge James Kirkham presides over this court. The official documentation of Superior Court cases since 2015 is maintained by the clerk's office and the state's digital archive. Case types include civil, criminal, divorce, and probate.
Kittitas County District Court
District Court handles lower-level cases — and this is where most people end up:
- Criminal misdemeanors and public disturbances
- Traffic violations and fines
- Civil lawsuits up to $100,000
- Small claims up to $10,000
- Protection orders
The municipal courts of Ellensburg and Cle Elum handle violations of city ordinances within their jurisdictions. Information on contacts and addresses of all county courts can be found in the Washington State Courts directory.
Kittitas Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out your hearing date or check the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Find My Court Date portal. This Washington State system covers the Superior Court and District Court of Kittitas County.
How to find your hearing:
- Go to the Find My Court Date page
- Select the type of court — Superior Court or Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (for District and Municipal Court)
- Enter the last name or case number
- The results will show the date, time, and courtroom
To search for future hearing dates in District Court or Municipal Court, use the calendar tab on the case search page. Note: some information may be displayed with a delay, so it's better to call the clerk's office at 509-962-7533 to confirm the date.
How to Get a Copy of a Kittitas Court Document
The County Clerk's office maintains all official Superior Court documents. You can obtain a copy in three ways.
Online
Register on the Odyssey portal to view Superior Court case documents. Access to specific documents and extended roles is authorized by the county clerk's office. Not all documents are available online — sealed cases (adoptions, some juvenile cases) have restricted access according to Washington State Supreme Court rules.
In Person
Visit the County Clerk's office at the courthouse:
Public terminals are available in the reception area for self-service searches. Staff can assist in finding the case you need.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office, specifying:
- The full name of the party in the case
- The case number (if known)
- The type of document you need
- Whether a certified copy is required
The difference between types of copies is significant. An uncertified copy is suitable for review, while a certified copy has the court seal and is accepted by other institutions as an official document. For marriage or divorce records, contact the Department of Health or the county clerk's office where the document was issued.
Contact information for obtaining transcripts and records is also available through the Office of Public Defense contact list.
Kittitas Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Washington State are set according to RCW 36.18.016 and RCW 36.18.020. Below are the main rates typically applied by the Kittitas County Clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search by clerk (per name or case number) | $20 for the first two hours, then $8/hour |
| Regular copy of a document | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy | $5 per document plus $0.50 for each additional page |
| Certification of a previously issued copy | $2 |
| Apostille or authentication | $2 |
These amounts are based on the statewide fee schedule. Confirm current rates directly with the clerk's office, as individual fees may change. Payment is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to the Kittitas County Clerk. Confirm the possibility of card payment when contacting.
For state-level background checks, contact the Washington State Patrol, which maintains a criminal history registry based on fingerprints. This service is paid separately and is not included in the county clerk's fees.