Kent Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Kent are filed and maintained at King County Superior Court, with the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent serving as the primary filing location for Kent residents under RCW Title 11.
Kent Overview
Where Kent Probate Cases Are Filed
King County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for Kent residents. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center (RJC) in Kent is the primary King County courthouse for south King County residents, and it hosts a King County Superior Court Clerk office. This is much more convenient than traveling to downtown Seattle for most Kent residents.
Kent Municipal Court at 1220 Central Avenue S handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanors. King County District Court South Division at the RJC handles civil cases and misdemeanors for unincorporated south King County. Neither of these handles probate. All estate and guardianship filings go to the King County Superior Court Clerk at the RJC or the downtown Seattle courthouse.
| 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 |
For Kent probate cases, the Case Designation Cover Sheet should indicate "Kent" as the filing location. This is the standard guidance for decedents who lived south of I-90 in King County. The Kent RJC is at 401 Fourth Avenue N, about 2 miles from Kent's downtown core.
How to Search Kent Probate Records
King County probate records from November 1, 2004 to present are searchable online through the KC Script Portal at kingcounty.gov. The statewide Odyssey Portal also covers King County cases and lets you search by party name. Both portals are free to use.
For records before November 2004, or if you need complete document copies, in-person access is available at either the Kent RJC or the Seattle courthouse. Records on microfilm before July 1, 1979 are available only at the Seattle clerk's office. Case files 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.
Kent Probate Filing Fees
The probate filing fee in King County is approximately $310 for a standard estate case. 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.
What Kent 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.
Kent estates may include residential real estate in the Green River Valley, industrial and commercial property, business interests, and financial accounts. Kent is one of Washington's largest cities by population and has a diverse mix of residential and industrial property types. The same Washington probate procedures apply for all estate types.
Not every estate requires 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 and do not appear in public records. Personal identifiers are redacted under Washington Court Rule GR 31(e).
Probate Resources in Kent
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. King County Bar Association referral is at (206) 267-7010. Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. Self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
King County Probate Court Records
Kent is served by King County Superior Court for all probate matters. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent houses a King County Superior Court Clerk office. For more information on the court and records access, visit the King County probate records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Kent file probate cases through their respective county courts.