General Questions
1. Where is the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court (County Clerk) and what hours is it open?
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The Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court is located in Room 110 of the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402-2177. It is open to the public from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
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2. What does it cost to file a law suit in the Superior Court?
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The filing fees for Superior Court matters are established by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and vary based on the type a case being filed. Filing fees must be paid by cash, money order or cashiers' check, personal checks are not accepted. For a listing of filing fees refer to the Pierce County Clerk's Fee Schedule .
The Fee Schedule is formatted as a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view it (click here to download free version) .
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3. Do I need an attorney to do my legal work?
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It is not required to obtain an attorney to file legal documents. However, if you should choose to proceed pro se (represent yourself) you will be held to the same standards by the court as an attorney.
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4. What is the date, time and/or place of my court hearing?
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Information regarding hearings in the Superior Court is available in the Office of Clerk of the Superior Court on the telephone, if you have the case number, and on the Superior Court Calendar page.
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5. How and where do I set a court date for a hearing?
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6. Where do I file court documents?
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Documents for Superior Court cases may be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in person or by mail at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402-2177.
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7. Where do I get a domestic violence restraining order or anti-harassment no-contact order?
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Petitions for Domestic Violence orders may be obtained, and assistance in properly completing them, either electronically or on paper, in Room 108 of the County-City Building.
Domestic Violence Kiosk Locations
Petitions for an Order for Protection may also be filed electronically at kiosks that are available at the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, 718 Court E, Tacoma, and at the YWCA of Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma.
Also, if you are a resident of one of the following cities, or areas, you may file an electronic Petition for an Order for Protection by going to the locations indicated:
City of Lakewood; the Towne Center, 6000 Main Street. Ask to talk to an advocate at the third floor reception desk.
City of Gig Harbor, or the Key Peninsula; the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor. Speak to a Gig Harbor Municipal Court employee at the window just inside the front door.
City of University Place; the University Place Police Department, 3631 74th Ave. W, Suite A. Ask at the reception desk for directions and assistance.
City of Bonney Lake; the Bonney Lake City Hall, 19306 Bonney Lake Blvd. Ask at the reception desk for directions and assistance.
City of Sumner; the Sumner City Hall/Police Station, 1104 Main Street. Ask at the reception desk for directions and assistance.
Southeast Pierce County; the Pierce County Sheriff's Mountain Detachment, 40407 Eatonville Cutoff RD E, Eatonville. Ask at the reception desk for directions and assistance.
South Hill Area; the Pierce County Sheriff's South Hill Precinct, 271 John Bananola Way E, Puyallup. Ask at the reception desk for directions and assistance.
Petitions for Anti-Harassment orders may be obtained, and assistance in properly completing them, from the Pierce County District Court in Room 601 of the County-City Building.
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8. How much are copies and how do I get them?
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Copies of documents in Superior Court cases may be obtained from the Clerk of the Superior Court, Records Section. Copies cost $5.00 for the first page of the document and $1.00 for each additional page. Payment must be made by cashiers' check, money order, debit card or cash. The Clerk's Office does not accept personal checks for payment.
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9. Where do I get a Certificate of Rehabilitation to reinstate or obtain a concealed weapons permit?
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The packet containing information regarding the required documents may be obtained in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court.
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10. How do I get a criminal conviction expunged (removed) from my records?
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Forms are available in the Pierce County Law Library that may be used to file a petition with the Superior Court, in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court, to expunge a criminal conviction in Superior Court.
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11. Can you give me any legal advice?
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Clerk's staff are precluded by law from providing any type of legal advice or guidance. Information regarding domestic proceedings is available, however, from the Courthouse Facilitators in Rooms 104 & 119 of the County-City Building.
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12. Do you provide legal forms?
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A limited number of legal forms are available at the Pierce County Law Library located in Room 1A-105 of the County-City Building. Additional sources for legal forms include some office and legal supply stores, legal messenger services and book stores.
Note: Washington State Pattern Forms should not be altered in any way! Court rules require specific margins on all forms.
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13. How can I find out the status of or what happened in a case?
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The status of most Superior Court cases is public information, unless the matter has been sealed by the court or is a confidential matter such as adoption, and is available for review in the Clerk's Office or on-line at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/linx/ . This information is not available over the telephone.
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14. How can I find out if a person has any Superior Court law suits or case filed against them, or me?
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Information regarding Superior Court case filed by or against an individual or business is available for review in person in the Clerk's Office or on-line by going to http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/linx/ . This information is not available over the telephone.
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15. Can you help me fill out my ......... papers?
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Clerk's staff and Courthouse Facilitators may only provide assistance in properly preparing Petitions for Domestic Violence Protection Orders and domestic relations documents, respectively. Staff may review all submitted forms and documents for completeness and compliance with court rules and statutes.
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16. Can you recommend an attorney who will take my case?
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The Clerk's staff may not recommend attorneys. The Tacoma-Pierce County BAR Association has a Lawyer Referral Service through which you may get names and addresses of attorneys. Their office is located at 620 Earnest S. Brazill Street, Tacoma, WA . Their office hours are 8:30 - 10:00 AM and 1:00 - 3:00 PM and their telephone number is 253-383-3432.
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17. What forms of payment of fees by mail are accepted by the Clerk's Office and how should they be made payable?
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The Clerk's Office accepts money orders and cashiers' checks for payment of fees by mail. They should be made payable to Pierce County Clerk.
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