Burien Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Burien are filed and maintained at King County Superior Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, and guardianship cases for Burien residents under RCW Title 11.
Burien Overview
Where Burien Probate Cases Are Filed
King County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for Burien residents. There is no city-level probate court. Burien is located south of I-90, so probate cases are typically filed at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, which is the closest King County courthouse for south county residents.
Burien Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and misdemeanors within city limits. It has no jurisdiction over probate or estate matters. All estate and guardianship filings go to King County Superior Court. Both King County clerk locations, Seattle and Kent, use the same phone number: (206) 296-9300.
| Primary Office | Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 Fourth Avenue N, Room 2C Kent, WA 98032 |
|---|---|
| Seattle Office | King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Room E-609 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-9300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Search | Odyssey Portal |
The Kent location at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center is generally more convenient for Burien residents than downtown Seattle. Kent is about 10 miles southeast of Burien. When filing a probate case for a Burien resident whose address is south of I-90, indicate the Kent location on the Case Designation Cover Sheet.
How to Search Burien Probate Records
King County probate records from November 1, 2004 to present are searchable online through the KC Script Portal at kingcounty.gov. Search by party name, case number, or case type. The statewide Odyssey Portal also covers King County cases and is a good starting point for any name search.
For records before November 2004, in-person access is required at either King County clerk location. Records on microfilm before July 1, 1979 are available only at the Seattle clerk's office during business hours. Cases from 1979 to 2004 may require staff assistance to retrieve.
Mail requests use the Record Request Form from the clerk's website. Include a $10 postage and handling fee, plus $30 if you do not have the case number. Non-certified copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical King County probate records. Use Detailed Search and select Superior Court Cases. The Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue at (425) 564-3940 holds older historical materials.
Burien Probate Filing Fees
The probate filing fee in King County is approximately $310 for a standard estate case. King County charges more than most Washington counties due to surcharges on the base state fee under RCW 36.18.020. Contact the clerk at (206) 296-9300 to confirm the current fee.
Copy fees are $0.25 per page for non-certified copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Letters testamentary and letters of administration each cost $5. Get enough letters when opening the case to handle all estate business.
What Burien Probate Records Contain
Probate case files document estate administration from the opening petition through final distribution. Standard documents include the original will if one exists, the probate petition, the personal representative's oath, notice to creditors, estate inventory and appraisement, creditor claims, court orders, and the final decree of distribution.
Burien estates may include residential real estate near SeaTac airport, business interests, and financial accounts. The same Washington probate procedures apply regardless of asset type. Not every estate needs probate. Washington allows a Small Estate Affidavit for estates not exceeding $100,000 under RCW Chapter 11.62. These affidavits are not filed with Superior Court.
Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers are redacted from publicly accessible records under Washington Court Rule GR 31(e). Guardianship records are kept permanently by the clerk.
Probate Resources in Burien
Free official probate forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Online case search is at the Odyssey Portal. Historical records are at the Washington State Digital Archives and the Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue at (425) 564-3940. Full Washington probate law is at RCW Title 11.
Northwest Justice Project serves residents at (888) 201-1014. Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. Self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
King County Probate Court Records
Burien is served by King County Superior Court for all probate matters. For more information on the court, filing procedures, and records access, visit the King County probate records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Burien file probate cases through their respective county courts.