Courts, jails, and legal system

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.

Learn more about the history and purpose of the program that is an alternative to regular Dependency Court for parents who want to support their family.

Learn more about the history and laws behind truancy rules and laws.

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.

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.

Learn how to request your adoption records from Washington state and how they are used in Family Law court motions.

How we help with the process and resources for learning more about adoption.

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!

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.

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  

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.

Learn more about the Civil bench warrant process. 

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.

Learn about our survivor-centered program addressing commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The King County Community Attendance Support Team (CAST) is a county-level Community Engagement Board, facilitated by the King County Superior Court Becca Program.

Learn what community court is and the benefits it provides to participants and the community.

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.

How we help youth with court-ordered obligations.

Learn how to obtain or renew a Concealed Pistol License through the King County Sheriff's office.

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.

How to contact or visit youth in detention at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center. 

Contact District Court via our main phone line and online live chat, or at our locations throughout King County.

How to find out more about court cases and hearings for adults in jail and youth in detention.

For information on matters such as custodial interference or parental kidnapping, please contact our Child Find Unit at 206-263-2117.

Explore open datasets and reports from King County's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention.

Dependency is part of Juvenile Court and focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Find out more about the early plea processes and contacts in Seattle for the Domestic Violence Unit of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO).

Our program for court-involved, youth to achieve educational and employment success. Volunteer to help these youth explore career options.

How to schedule hearings including restraining orders or when there is an immediate risk for harm.

Ask for a divorce, legal separation, or for an annulment.

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 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.

Learn more about Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS) and the FIRS Center.

Find the calendar, information, training, and documents needed for the Family Treatment Court (FTC) team.

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.

If you have further questions not addressed here, you're welcome to contact Recruiting via email, phone or text.

Learn more about getting help for your family. 

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.

Guardians help those who cannot be legally responsible for themselves.

Learn more about scheduling and preparing for your hearings in Superior Court.

Many Family Law hearings are still being heard through only Zoom. Follow our directions to schedule your motion and join your virtual hearing.

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.

Learn how to find out if an adult is in custody at a King County jail. 

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.

KCSO has experienced and highly trained detectives who can investigate any crime that takes place in our communities.

Learn more about Superior Court's civil court for Involuntary Treatment Act cases.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders and all Family Law motion hearings are now held on Zoom, a free video conferencing tool.

Learn which Judges are assigned to our various courthouses, and read their biographies.

Learn how to schedule a wedding ceremony with a District Court judge.

How we are taking steps to keep you safe to join a jury during COVID-19.

You must be able to prove that serving on a jury would cause you undue hardship to be exempted or dismissed from service.

How to know if your jury summons is from District or Superior Court.

Learn more on the juror selection process and how to do so remotely.

Apply to be part of the next generation of court leaders and youth workers.

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.

A team devoted to working with youth in the court system to assess how we can best help with their mental health or substance abuse needs.

King County District Court's 25 elected judges hear a range of civil and criminal cases at 10 locations throughout the County.

Find the contact and address for our District Court courthouse locations throughout King County.

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.

Mentors are people who want to make a positive difference in a young person's life. Volunteer to help youth.

How to create, contest, or respond to minor guardianships for those under 18-years-old.

How to apply to become the guardian of a minor temporarily or until they become adults.

Forms from the Ex Parte Department for settlement cases involving those under 18 years old.

Filing a general Family Law Motion, a motion in front of a judge, default, and dismissing a case. 

How to ask for a temporary order or restraining order and steps to challenge or enforce an order.

How to change your name, or the name of a minor, and where to go if you need the case sealed.

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) strives for transparency and aims to respond to all media inquiries in a timely manner. 

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.

How to create and respond to parenting plan and child support requests.

Learn more about being a participant in the Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program, including graduation requirements.

Learn how to submit your U.S. Passport application at King County District Court. 

Learn what probation is and how it works.

All current ways to finalize Family Law matters, adoptions, guardianships, trusts, and probates through Ex Parte.

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.

Traits we look for in our candidates.

Learn how you can request these types of District Court records:

Learn what makes King County Regional Mental Health Court (RMHC) unique and how the program works.

Learn what makes King County Regional Veterans Court (RVC) unique and how the program works.

Steps for an Invent to Move with the Children, or object to a move, under the Relocation statute.

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.

How to report incidents of sexual assault or harassment in King County jails and detention centers.

How to request public records from King County's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention.

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.

What to do after receiving a King County Superior Court jury summons.

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.

The King County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for search and rescue activities in King County under the mandates of RCW 38.52.

How to send money to an adult in a King County detention facility.

Properly serve, or give, the other party documents for your court case by delivery, mail, or publication.

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.   

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.

Learn more about filing for small claims in District Court.

Learn more about how Step-Up addresses youth violence toward family members by building respectful relationships.

Learn more about the Step-Up Program coursework and download manuals or workbooks for your organization. 

Learn more about the signs of strangulation, how to properly report it, and where to get a Strangulation Forensic Nurse Exam. Information from Victim Services - Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Family Law motions, ex parte and probate, criminal, and civil calendars for King County Superior Court.

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.

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.

Find services and offices for King County Superior Court at these locations. 

Learn more about the Step-Up Program, Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS), and At-Risk Youth services.

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. 

The Bobbe J. Bridge Resource Center helps ensure youth and families have access to information, programs, and opportunities that support their needs and goals.

NEED 1-2 SENTENCE PAGE SUMMARY HERE

If you need to write a Trespass Letter, we have provided a template for you to use. 

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.

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

How truancy petitions are filed, how to follow the case, and get needed forms.

Learn how to access and use notifications from Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) and Electronic Home Monitoring victim notification alerts.

Learn more about the process and outcomes of receiving a jury duty summons.

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) offers rewarding careers with competitive pay, strong benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

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.