Tacoma Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Tacoma are filed and maintained at Pierce County Superior Court, located in Tacoma, which has jurisdiction over all estate administration, wills, and guardianship cases for Pierce County residents under RCW Title 11.
Tacoma Overview
Where Tacoma Probate Cases Are Filed
Pierce County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for Tacoma residents. Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County, and the courthouse is located in downtown Tacoma at the County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue S. The clerk's office is on the first floor. There is no separate probate court building.
Tacoma Municipal Court at 930 Tacoma Avenue S 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 Pierce County Superior Court at (253) 798-7455. Email: pcclerk@piercecountywa.gov. The clerk's office maintains Pierce County probate records dating back to 1855.
| Office | Pierce County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | County-City Building 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110 Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7455 |
| pcclerk@piercecountywa.gov | |
| Online Search | LINX Online Search |
Because Tacoma is the county seat, residents do not need to travel to file or access probate records. The County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue S holds both the Pierce County Superior Court and the clerk's office in the same building. The LINX system provides online access to Pierce County court records including probate filings.
How to Search Tacoma Probate Records
Pierce County probate records can be searched online through LINX at linxonline.piercecountywa.us. Search by party name or file number to find probate records. The statewide Odyssey Portal also covers Pierce County cases. Both search tools are free to use.
For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110 in Tacoma during business hours. Bring the decedent's full name and approximate year of filing. Staff can search by name or case number. Viewing records in person is free.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Pierce County court records. Use the Detailed Search feature and select Superior Court Cases. Pierce County probate records date back to 1855, making this one of Washington's oldest archives. The Puget Sound Regional Branch in Bellevue at (425) 564-3940 holds older materials.
Tacoma Probate Filing Fees
The probate filing fee in Pierce County is approximately $290 for a standard estate case per RCW 36.18.020. Contact the clerk at (253) 798-7455 to confirm the current fee before filing. Copy fees are $0.50 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 Tacoma 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.
Tacoma estates may include residential and commercial real estate in Pierce County, port and industrial assets, military benefit accounts from residents connected to JBLM or the naval station at Bremerton, and financial accounts. The Puyallup Tribe has a reservation in the region, and estates involving tribal land or trust assets may have additional legal considerations. Pierce County probate records date to 1855, giving the archive over 170 years of estate records.
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 from public records under Washington Court Rule GR 31(e).
Probate Resources in Tacoma
Free official probate forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Online case search is at LINX and the Odyssey Portal. Historical records are at the Washington State Digital Archives. Full Washington probate law is at RCW Title 11.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects residents with local probate attorneys. Northwest Justice Project serves Pierce County residents at (888) 201-1014. Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. Self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
Pierce County Probate Court Records
Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the location of the Superior Court handling all probate matters. For more information on the court and records access, visit the Pierce County probate records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Tacoma file probate cases through their respective county courts.