Court records for Mason County, Washington, are available through several channels. MasonCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state online tools, clerk's offices, and public terminals directly in court buildings in Shelton.
Mason Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two main courts operating in Mason County: Superior Court and District Court. Each handles different categories of cases, and knowing this will help you quickly find the required register.
Mason County Superior Court
This is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Criminal cases for felonies
- Civil claims over $100,000
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony
- Probate cases (probate — the legal process for distributing a deceased person's estate)
- Guardianship cases
- Appeals from District Court decisions
The Superior Court Clerk's Office keeps all records of this court. The clerk is an independently elected official.
Mason County District Court
District Court handles smaller-scale cases:
- Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
- Civil claims up to $100,000
- Small claims — up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and other infractions
- Protection order cases
There are no municipal courts in Mason County — District Court serves the entire county area.
Mason Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found in several ways.
The quickest option is to call the court directly. Superior Court at (360) 427-9670 provides information about scheduled hearings. District Court also publishes schedules; contact the court clerk's office for clarification.
Online case search is available through the Washington Courts Case Search system, where you can select Mason County Superior Court or Mason County District Court and view data on scheduled hearings for a specific case. A name and case number search is also available on the Washington state courts website — data is updated daily at 3:00 AM.
If you need a full court calendar for the day, not just a specific case, contact the relevant court clerk's office in person or by phone. Public terminals in court buildings allow you to view schedules on-site.
How to Get a Copy of a Mason Court Document
The procedure depends on which court is handling the case and what type of copy you need.
Superior Court — Obtaining Documents
Copies of court documents are issued by the Superior Court Clerk's Office. You can:
- Visit the office in person at 411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584
- Call (360) 427-9670 to verify document availability
- Send a written request by mail
A certified copy contains the clerk's official stamp and confirms the authenticity of the document — it is required for submission to other courts or government agencies. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
District Court — Obtaining Documents
To request District Court records, you need to fill out a special Court/Case Record Request form. You can:
- Deliver it in person to the District Court at 419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584
- Send it by email (address provided on the court's page)
Note: According to the decision in Nast v. Michels (1986), Mason County court clerks' offices are not defined as "agencies" under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), so requests for court records are processed according to court rules, not the general county public records procedure.
Which Records Are Restricted?
Some categories of cases are closed to public access:
- Juvenile cases
- Sealed cases by court order
- Adoption cases
- Records of psychiatric treatment
If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk.
Mason Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches of court records are set according to Washington state law. Below are typical rates for Mason County courts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Case register search | Depends on the scope of the request; check with the clerk's office |
| Apostille or additional certification | Additional fees; check with the clerk |
Payment methods should be verified directly with the court clerk's office — cash, checks, and money orders are usually accepted. The possibility of card payment depends on the specific office.
For Superior Court, fees are regulated by the clerk's office. District Court may have slightly different rates for certain services — contact them directly. The current list of fees and request forms is also available on the Superior Court documents and forms page. For additional information on searching Mason County court cases, visit MasonCourt.us.