Additional links
About the 9-1-1 Communications Center
The King County Sheriff's Office Communications Center is one of 11 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the county, handling unincorporated King County, twelve contract partners, the Muckleshoot Reservation, King County International Airport, as well as Metro / Sound Transit Police.
About truancy
Learn more about the history and laws behind truancy rules and laws.
Accident reports
If you are involved an accident, call 9-1-1 for a police response. If the police complete a written report, you do not need to complete an accident report, you just need to contact your insurance company.
Adoption packets
Our Adoption Services assists in limited types of adoptions. We also do reviews of adoption termination, finalization, and review hearings. Adoption packets can be purchased in-person (by appointment) or by written request.
Adoption records
Learn how to request your adoption records from Washington state and how they are used in Family Law court motions.
Adoptions process
How we help with the process and resources for learning more about adoption.
Air Support Unit
King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit provides 24/7 support for all of King County and surrounding agencies/regional partners.
This unit provides a strategic combination of Helicopters and various sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and UAVs (unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for many types of incidents. Learn more!
Apply – Family Treatment Court
Learn if you are eligible to apply for the Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program, how to apply, the rules of the program, and what you need to graduate from it.
At-Risk Youth Program
The purpose of the At-Risk Youth Program is to provide support for families, with or without Judicial oversight.
Supportive options include the At-Risk Youth legal petition, family mediation (Mediation Flier ARYCHINS) and/or case management services to refer families for:
Behavioral Health Interventions
Education Reengagement
Community Support
Child in Need of Services program
Guidance on obtaining a court order for temporary placement of a child in a residence other than the home of their parent when other meditation services cannot help.
Clearance letters
As of February 1, 2018, the King County Sheriff’s Office, as well any of our contract cities, no longer processes requests for Clearance Letters.
Community Attendance Support Team
The King County Community Attendance Support Team (CAST) is a county-level Community Engagement Board, facilitated by the King County Superior Court Becca Program.
Community Courts
Learn what community court is and the benefits it provides to participants and the community.
Community Resource Centers - District Court
The resource center at each King County District Court community court includes on-site community partners that provide a wide array of services. By coming together in one place, many different community service agencies are better able to collaborate. We also offer a virtual resource center via videoconference and telephone.
Contact an adult in jail
If you are a friend or family member of a person in custody at the Seattle or Kent jails, there are a few ways to contact them. There are specific guidelines you will need to follow for each contact method.
Contact us
Contact District Court via our main phone line and online live chat, or at our locations throughout King County.
Dependency Court
Dependency is part of Juvenile Court and focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
Disability Accommodations
If you have a disability and you believe you may need an accommodation to fully and equally participate in a particular King County District Court proceeding or activity, you may request a reasonable accommodation.
Disability accommodations - Superior Court
Learn how to request an accommodation if you have a disability and believe you may need an accommodation to fully and equally participate in a court proceeding or activity.
Disposal of unwanted firearms or ammo
Did you know King County Sheriff’s Office can assist you in disposing of any unwanted firearms or ammunition if you are a resident of unincorporated King County or reside in one of our contract cities?
The department offers scheduled appointments to turn in any unwanted guns or ammunitions to any unincorporated KCSO precinct and contract city listed below.
Disqualifiers
The King County Sheriff's Office may disqualify any candidate whose background includes the following. If you fall under one of these categories or believe you could, you can call us at 206-263-6896 before submitting your application.
Diversion and Partnership for Youth Justice
Diversion keeps youth out of the formal court process so they can get services in their community and avoid a criminal record. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office refer youth for diversion. The case returns to the prosecutor if a youth does not complete or create a Diversion Agreement. The prosecutor might decide to file criminal charges.
Divorce, custody, and adoption
Get guidance on Family Law hearings involving children and families including divorce, adoptions, and parenting plans. Learn more about the services we provide to help you through the process.
Evictions (writs of restitution)
An eviction (Writ of Restitution) involves a tenant being ordered by the court to leave a residence. The court follows the tenant-landlord act of the State of Washington. More information about these laws can be found at the Revised Code of Washington RCW 59.12, RCW 59.18, and RCW 59.20.
Ex Parte and Probate
Ex Parte and Probate is a special department of Superior Court. We are responsible (by Local Court Rules) for certain short and emergency matters. Learn more about what we do and how we may be able to help you.
Fees
King County District Court accepts cash, check, money order, or certified check for the payment of most fines, fees and forfeitures. All filing fees are set by Washington state law.
Guardian ad litem registries
A guardian ad litem (GAL) is an adult appointed by the court to represent the best interests of an individual during legal proceedings, including children.
Guardianship
Guardians help those who cannot be legally responsible for themselves.
Hearings - Family Law
Many Family Law hearings are still being heard through only Zoom. Follow our directions to schedule your motion and join your virtual hearing.
Hiring process
Our Civil Service hiring process for Communications Specialist and Dispatcher positions involves several steps. Applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status throughout. This process takes approximately 4-6 months to complete.
How to schedule a Family Law motion
Learn how to choose a date, get ready for, and what to do before your family law motion hearing. Many of them are currently being held virtually.
Investigations
KCSO has experienced and highly trained detectives who can investigate any crime that takes place in our communities.
Jury duty notices
How to know if your jury summons is from District or Superior Court.
Juvenile Court Services
Youth are different than adults, which is why there is a separate court for them. Judges balance community safety with the needs of youth and their families. We want to help youth build skills and have the support so they don't return to the legal system.
King County District Court
King County District Court's 25 elected judges hear a range of civil and criminal cases at 10 locations throughout the County.
Marine Rescue Dive Unit
The King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Dive Unit (MRDU) deploys specially trained and equipped Deputies that are responsible for water-related law enforcement, investigations, rescue and recovery work.
Mentoring
Mentors are people who want to make a positive difference in a young person's life. Volunteer to help youth.
Minor Guardianships
How to apply to become the guardian of a minor temporarily or until they become adults.
Minor settlement forms
Forms from the Ex Parte Department for settlement cases involving those under 18 years old.
News and media resources
The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) strives for transparency and aims to respond to all media inquiries in a timely manner.
Online reporting
Welcome to the King County Sheriff's Office Online Reporting System. You will be able to report your incident without waiting and be able to print a copy after the report is approved.
Passports
Learn how to submit your U.S. Passport application at King County District Court.
Programs and services in jail and juvenile detention
The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) aims to help youth and adults in the criminal justice system become healthy, productive members of the community. We provide a variety of programs and services for those in detention and after release.
Records requests
Learn how you can request these types of District Court records:
Report examples
The following are examples of when you should call the Sheriff’s Office to file your report and when you may file your report online.
Request to be notified before release of firearms to a family member
The King County Sheriff’s Office may obtain guns from people for several reasons, such as when a court orders the person to surrender them, or the person is suicidal, or at the scene of a domestic violence incident. The Sheriff’s Office may eventually have to return the gun to the person. In 2015, the state legislature passed a law that allows “Family or household members” to ask the Sheriff’s Office to notify them before the Sheriff’s Office returns a firearm.
Sales of real and personal property
The King County Sheriff's Office is transitioning to online auctions for real property sales. Please visit the new website to register with an account and get familiar with the process.
Search and rescue
The King County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for search and rescue activities in King County under the mandates of RCW 38.52.
Serving documents
The Civil Process Unit accepts legal documents for service;
however, it must prioritize the resources of its Civil Unit to facilitate
service of orders and petitions that require the assistance of commissioned law
enforcement personnel.
Other court documents not requiring the assistance of
commissioned personnel for the Sheriff’s Office such as Small Claims, Notices,
Summons, Civil Complaints, Petitions, Declarations, Civil Subpoenas, Orders to
Show Cause, Writs of Garnishment etc., will not be accepted for
service at this time except under the following circumstances:
•
Service on a person currently booked into a correctional facility within King
County
•
Articulated Hazard or safety concerns supported by evidence or court ruling,
provided with documents presented for service.
•
Documents issued in another state and the documents reflect that the issuing
court requires service by law enforcement. All authority requiring law
enforcement personnel to serve, should be clearly identified on the information
on the cover sheet.
If you need assistance to serve documents that we cannot
accept, please seek service through a private process server or anyone over the
age of 18 not a party to the action.
The number of attempts made is determined by how much time
we have to serve and our ability to locate the person(s) you wish to have
served. Our office typically does not serve in the evenings or
on weekends and we require payment of our fees in advance.
Sex offender registration
This page contains information regarding the sex offender registration process.
Registration takes approximately 30 minutes. At this time, you will be fingerprinted and photographed. Please note, wait times may vary depending on the volume of requests for Records Unit Services.
Step-Up Program
Learn more about how Step-Up addresses youth violence toward family members by building respectful relationships.
Step-Up Program curriculum
Learn more about the Step-Up Program coursework and download manuals or workbooks for your organization.
Superior Court Interpreter Services
From Afghani to Zulu, Superior Court's Office of Interpreter Services has interpreters for more than 160 different languages to assist non-English speakers with court matters. Interpretation services are provided at no cost for all court events.
Superior Court Jury Duty
You may be asked to serve on a jury for a criminal or civil case in King County Superior Court. Learn more about the process and what to expect during your time serving as a juror.
TAC30
The TAC30 Unit (SWAT) is a team that is trained in the use of special weapons, equipment and tactics necessary to contain, control and arrest suspects or individuals under circumstances that standard patrol deputies are ill-equipped to resolve without extreme personal hazards.
Trespass letters
If you need to write a Trespass Letter, we have provided a template for you to use.
Trials - Family Law
A Family Law trial is about divorce, legal separation, parenting plans, relocation, or child support. The two types of trials are called an Informal Family Law Trial (IFLT) and a Traditional Trial.
Truancy and at-risk youth programs
Learn more about the processes and services available to children and their families for needed services and support.
In 1993, a 13-year-old runaway named Rebecca Hedman ("Becca") was murdered in Spokane, Washington, far from her home in Tacoma. A group of parents and legislators came together and successfully pushed for legislation (passed in 1995) that was designed to prevent situations like Becca's from happening again. The Becca Bill addresses several areas of public policy, including those affecting truant, at-risk, and runaway youth.
King County Superior Court operates and manages three programs -- At-Risk Youth, Child in Need of Services, and Truancy -- as part of its obligation to provide court services under the Becca Bill. These programs are designed to support families and school districts and to help them meet their statutory and court-ordered obligations when filing Becca petitions.
Learn more about BECCA services below:
** New: Pre-Petition Case Management Support Services and Family Mediation
Truancy cases
How truancy petitions are filed, how to follow the case, and get needed forms.
Victim notification
Learn how to access and use notifications from Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) and Electronic Home Monitoring victim notification alerts.
Youth skills training and family interventions
Evidence-based programs that help court-involved youth and families build skills, work through challenges, and get therapeutic support. A Juvenile Probation Counselor (JPC) decides if these programs are a good fit.