Washington Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit

Dena Standley | August 01, 2023

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Finding your lawsuit in Washington is easy, thanks to the provisions made by the government to allow its citizens to access their records either online or by visiting the courthouse where the creditors filed the case. Viewing your records and staying up-to-date on your case can help you prepare the strongest responses possible and receive a favorable judgment.

Unfortunately, most consumers either do not respond to the lawsuit or fail to appear in court—some out of ignorance and others out of fear and feeling intimidated. As a result, debt collection agencies receive judgments in their favor and become legally empowered to continue making your life miserable through means such as wage garnishment and putting liens on your property. But that doesn’t have to be you. This article will help you learn how to navigate Washington’s judicial system and how you can access your court records.

Let’s get right to it.

Sued for debt in Washington? Use SoloSettle to resolve your debts.

Washington court structure

When you understand how Washington’s judicial system is structured, it will be easier to find your case information because you’ll know what type of court has jurisdiction over the lawsuit. Since debt collection lawsuits are considered civil cases, we will focus on the Washington civil court structure in this section.

Washington's well-structured court system makes its services reliable. The state has four primary court levels; the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Superior Court, and the District Court. Let’s briefly discuss each and what types of cases they handle.

• Supreme Court: This is the highest court in Washington and hears appeals from the lower courts. The judges have original and appellate jurisdiction over most matters presented to them. They also play an administrative role in the judicial system, ensuring everything works well by addressing complaints or disciplinary issues.


• Court of Appeals: This is the next ranking court after the Supreme Court. The judges hear appeals from the other lower courts and either modify, reverse, or affirm the decision made by the previous judge. The appellate jurisdiction for this court is non-discretionary, meaning it doesn't reserve the right to say no to any appeal request.


• Superior Court: This is the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction, meaning it handles civil cases with no monetary limit and appeals from the district courts. These courts are divided into districts, each representing a single county except for sparsely populated ones that share a district.


• District Court: This court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims of up to $100,000 and small claims not exceeding $5,000. Parties can appeal to the Superior Court if dissatisfied with the decisions.

The graphic below further outlines the Washington civil court structure:

Your debt collection case will most likely be heard in the District Court under the small claims division, depending on how much money is involved. The small claims division does not allow lawyers to argue cases but permits individuals to represent themselves.

You might feel overwhelmed at the thought of representing yourself in court, but SoloSuit makes responding to a debt collection lawsuit easy. Check out this video to learn how to draft and file an Answer to your debt lawsuit in minutes:

How to find your case number in Washington

In Washington, it is a requirement for all matters presented to the court clerk to receive a case number. This rule helps to organize court files and enables the clerk to access the records easily for court proceedings or when you make a request. The number can be made up of characters, digits, or letters.

For example, in the Superior Court case number (22 2 00097 8), the first two digits show the year the creditors filed the case, the third digit is the case type code, and the next digits are the sequential number of the case for the current year. The last digit is a check digit for the computer to confirm the accuracy of the case number.

Your case number is usually written in the lawsuit. If you misplace the letter, you can find your case number by requesting the court custodian to search for it after submitting a written request at the courthouse. Alternatively, you can go online to the Washington Court Case Search Portal and search using the party search option.

Example: Nancy had a debt of $3,432 with Olympic Collections. They had agreed that she would pay a bulk amount, and they'd forgive the rest of the debt. Before she could send the money, someone accessed her bank account and wiped it clean. Nancy tried to explain this to OC, but they did not believe her story. Instead, they sued her. Nancy used SoloSuit to respond to the lawsuit with a strong defense, and she called the courthouse every few weeks to check the status of her case. Staying up-to-date with her case helped Nancy feel more prepared and less stressed about the lawsuit.

How to access your court records in Washington

A debt collector typically hopes you will feel intimidated about the lawsuit and not show up in court to defend yourself. But with access to your court records, you can prepare well and reduce the anxiety of standing in front of a judge. Washington ensures it is not a stressful process to gain access by visiting the courthouse or online.

Access your Washington court records in person

In-person access conveniently helps you access detailed court records; you’ll probably get copies of the case documents filed by both you (like your Answer) and the opposing party. The first step to accessing your records is to find the court location where your case is filed. The state provides a detailed Washington court directory. Visit the page, look for your county, and click on it. You'll be redirected to a different page with the courthouse contact information, including the physical address.

Once at the courthouse, you should be able to ask the court clerk for assistance. In some court, you may be required to fill out a written request. Ensure the information is accurate and names are spelled correctly to enable the clerk to locate the file quickly. Some courthouses even have public self-service portals for citizens to search for the records by themselves.

Access your Washington court records online

Washington Courts have a special online portal where you can search your case and check on its status. You can also find important information like your case number on this Washington Court Case Search Portal. Just use one of the following search criteria:

• Case search
• Person search
• Attorney search
• Find my court date

Depending on your chosen option, the results will bring your case only or a short list of other cases with similar details. It will be easy to find your case from the list or include more filters to narrow down the search.

SoloSuit can help

Our company’s commitment is to help consumers handle their debt situation by offering documents they can use to respond to creditors at various stages of the collection process. These documents include a Debt Validation Letter, an Answer, and a Motion to Compel Arbitration. You can make an offer to settle with SoloSettle.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court