King County Small Claims Court (Seattle, WA): How to File

King County small claims: the court, limit, fees, where to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.

Drawn courthouse with columns beside the words King County Small Claims.
Mediation first, then trial in person.

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Quick answer: In King County, small claims are filed in King County District Court. The limit is $10,000 for a person and $5,000 for others. Filing costs $50. You must try mediation before trial, and trial is in person. Phone: 206-205-9200.

Illustrated courthouse with an info board for the District Court: where: Four filing areas, Seattle: 516 Third Ave.; hours: Call the clerk, For counter hours; e-filing: yes, online portal.
Where to file a small claims case in King County.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in King County, Washington, including Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, Burien, Shoreline and Issaquah. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the King County District Court website and the Revised Code of Washington. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Washington small claims guide.

Filing in King County? See a filled-in sample first.

Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Washington Notice of Small Claim (MISC 05.0100), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

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King County small claims court: King County District Court

  • Court: King County District Court, small claims department.
  • Limit: no more than $10,000 for a natural person; no more than $5,000 in all other cases (RCW 12.40.010).
  • Money claims only. You cannot sue the State of Washington or any of its departments or divisions in District Court.
  • Lawyers: you may consult an attorney in advance, but attorneys and paralegals may not represent you in court in most small claims cases without the court's permission (RCW 12.40.080).
  • Decision-maker: a judge hears and decides the case. Parties are expected to appear in person for all hearings and for trial.
  • Appeal: file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the entry of judgment; the case goes to Superior Court. The party who filed a claim or counterclaim can't appeal unless the claim was for more than $1,000, and no party may appeal a judgment where the claim was for less than $250.

Which District Court location do I file in?

  • Which location: for injuries to a person or personal property, you can file where the claim arose or where the defendant lives. For other claims, file where the defendant lives or may be served in their county (RCW 3.66.040).
  • The court's Locations page lists small claims filing areas for Burien, Seattle and Shoreline. Redmond lists a civil filing area; only the Issaquah entry says its small claims go to Redmond.
  • If the defendant is in Auburn, or you're not sure whether an address is "North Seattle" (Shoreline) or Seattle, call District Court at 206-205-9200 to confirm where to file.

King County District Court locations: Burien, Seattle, Shoreline, Redmond

From the court's Locations page. The same phone number, 206-205-9200, serves every location. Call 206-205-9200 for the counter hours before you go.

Burien

Address: 601 S.W. 149th St., Burien, WA 98166

Phone: 206-205-9200

Small claims filing area: Algona, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Normandy Park, Pacific, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, Vashon, unincorporated King County

Seattle

Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room E-327, Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206-205-9200

Small claims filing area: Seattle

Shoreline

Address: 18050 Meridian Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133

Phone: 206-205-9200

Small claims filing area: Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, Shoreline

Redmond

Address: 8601 160th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98052

Phone: 206-205-9200

Small claims filing area: Civil filing area only (Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Newcastle, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville). Issaquah small claims are handled here; for other East-side cities, call to confirm.

How much does small claims cost in King County?

From the court's Small Claims page:

  • Filing fee: $50
  • Appeal to Superior Court: cashier's check for $280, plus a bond equal to twice the judgment and costs, or twice the amount in controversy, whichever is greater
  • Service by the sheriff or a process server may cost extra; ask them for the fee, or call District Court at 206-205-9200. You may also serve by registered or certified mail, return receipt.
  • Fees can change; confirm with District Court at 206-205-9200 before you file.

Can I e-file in King County?

Yes. You can file online through the court's e-filing portal (free account, guided interview, then pay $50). You can also file in person at any King County District Court location, or by mail with a check or money order for $50.

King County small claims forms: the Notice of Small Claim

You start the case with a Notice of Small Claim. See the court's Small Claims page. Can't afford the fee? File a Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees and Surcharges.

How to file in King County, step by step

Winding road with 7 numbered stops: 1, Check your claim fits the limit; 2, Find your filing area; 3, File online or in person; 4, Serve: mail or server; 5, Try free mediation first; 6, Go to trial in person; 7, Lost? You may appeal.
The King County small claims process, from start to finish.
  1. Make sure your claim is for money and within the limit ($10,000 for a person, $5,000 for others).
  2. Pick the right District Court location for the defendant or where the claim arose.
  3. Fill out a Notice of Small Claim and file it in person, online or by mail, with the $50 fee.
  4. Serve the defendant by sheriff, process server, or registered or certified mail, return receipt.
  5. Take part in mediation through the Dispute Resolution Center of King County, online or by phone, at no cost.
  6. If it doesn't settle, go to your in-person trial. Statewide rules are in our Washington guide.

Ready to fill in your own form?

The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the Washington Notice of Small Claim (MISC 05.0100) with every box explained, plus your Washington Playbook section with business-party details, where to file, serving options and fees, mediation, a made-up step-by-step filing example, a Washington checklist, a timeline with deadlines, what to expect at your hearing, and collecting a judgment.

You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

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How to look up a King County small claims case

  • Use the King County District Court e-Filing and Case Access portal to search for and view case information for cases filed in KCDC.
  • "You must register for a user account. If you are a party to a case, you also will need a 'token' to access your case details."
  • Help: kcdcefilinghelp@kingcounty.gov or 206-205-9200, option 8.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. The court's Small Claims page has a section on collecting your money on a small claims judgment. Collection fees weren't on the pages we checked; call 206-205-9200.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fee? File a Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees and Surcharges, by mail or in person.
  • Mediation first: the court requires mediation before trial.
  • Unsure of the location? Call 206-205-9200.

Coach's Tips for King County

  • Plan for mediation. In King County you must try mediation before trial, and trial is in person.
  • Bring your own screen. Digital evidence must be shown on your own device with an HDMI port, plus a copy for the court.
  • Check the filing area list. Find the defendant's city in the list for each location.

King County small claims checklist

  • My claim is for money and within the limit.
  • I know which District Court location to file in.
  • My Notice of Small Claim is ready.
  • I budgeted the $50 filing fee and service.
  • I'm ready for mediation before trial.
  • My digital evidence is on my own HDMI-capable device, with a copy.

King County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in King County?

$10,000 for a natural person and $5,000 in all other cases (RCW 12.40.010).

How much does it cost to file small claims in King County?

$50. Service by the sheriff or a process server may cost extra.

How long do I have to appeal a King County small claims judgment?

Within 30 days of the entry of judgment. The Superior Court filing fee is a cashier's check for $280, plus a bond.

Which court handles small claims in King County, Washington?

Small claims in King County are filed in King County District Court.

What form starts a small claims case in King County District Court?

You fill out a Notice of Small Claim. You can file it in person at any King County District Court location, online through the court's e-filing portal, or by mail.

Do I have to go to mediation in a King County small claims case?

Yes. King County District Court requires the parties to take part in mediation before trial. It is done online or by phone through the Dispute Resolution Center of King County, at no cost to either party.

Who decides a King County small claims case?

A judge hears and decides the case. Small claims trials are conducted in person.

Can I sue the State of Washington in King County small claims?

No. The court says you cannot sue the State of Washington or any of its departments or divisions in District Court.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

More for Washington: Washington small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

This page covers where and how to file in King County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Washington Notice of Small Claim (MISC 05.0100), your Washington Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.