San Juan County, WA Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Superior Court is the general trial court for San Juan County, and the County Clerk keeps its official court records. District and municipal courts also hear limited-jurisdiction cases, and the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court hear appeals.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Superior Court of Washington for San Juan County |
| Handles | General trial court cases for the county (Superior Court) |
| Does NOT Handle | Limited-jurisdiction matters, which go to district and municipal courts; appeals go to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court |
| Online Case Search | JIS-Link, the statewide case search, at courts.wa.gov |
How to Search San Juan County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. The County Clerk keeps the official records for San Juan County.
Online
Go to JIS-Link to search the statewide case portal.
Check the portal for the records the court has made available online.
Confirm details with the County Clerk before relying on results.
Best for: Quick lookups of case information
In Person
Go to the County Clerk's office for San Juan County.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which office holds the case type you need.
Best for: Records not available online
By Phone
Call the County Clerk's office to confirm how to request records.
Give the case number and party names when you call, if you have them.
Ask the clerk what information a request needs.
Best for: Confirming how to request records
Search by Name on WashingtonCourts.org
Go to WashingtonCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
San Juan County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
San Juan County courts handled an estimated 1,665 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 1,712. The estimate scales Washington statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~1,665
Total filings in CY 2024
~1,712
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~1,665
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+1.4%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~1,665 | ~1,642 | ~+1.4% |
| Total Dispositions | ~1,712 | ~1,642 | ~+4.3% |
| Criminal Filings | ~1,126 | ~1,103 | ~+2.1% |
| Civil Filings | ~446 | ~446 | ~+0.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~75 | ~75 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~35 | ~35 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~23 | ~23 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~16 | ~16 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Washington statewide figures scaled by San Juan County's 0.23% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in San Juan County?
Estimated total filings in San Juan County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~1,665 | ~1,712 | ~+1.4% |
| CY 2023 | ~1,642 | ~1,642 | ~+1.4% |
| CY 2022 | ~1,619 | ~1,595 | ~+7.9% |
| CY 2021 | ~1,501 | ~1,525 | ~-3.0% |
| CY 2020 | ~1,548 | ~1,525 | ~-3.0% |
Estimated filings changed +7.6% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 1,548 to 1,665. The largest annual change was +7.9% in CY 2022. The latest change of +1.4% reflects statewide Washington trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Washington statewide figures scaled by San Juan County's 0.23% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in San Juan County?
Criminal cases are estimated to be the largest category in San Juan County, at about 67.6% of filings in CY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | ~1,126 | ~67.6% | ~+2.1% |
| Civil | ~446 | ~26.8% | ~+0.0% |
| Family law | ~75 | ~4.5% | ~+0.0% |
| Probate | ~35 | ~2.1% | ~+0.0% |
| Mental health | ~23 | ~1.4% | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile | ~16 | ~1.0% | ~+0.0% |
Criminal cases are estimated as the fastest-growing category and civil cases as the fastest-falling. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Washington statewide figures scaled by San Juan County's 0.23% share of the state population.
How Does San Juan County Compare With Washington Overall?
San Juan County is estimated to account for about 0.23% of the 710,000 cases filed in Washington courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | San Juan County | Washington | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~1,665 | 710,000 | ~0.23% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+1.4% | +1.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,665 | 1,775 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,712 | 1,825 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~67.6% | 67.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~26.8% | 26.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~4.5% | 4.5% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Washington figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Washington statewide figures scaled by San Juan County's 0.23% share of the state population.
San Juan County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Washington statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for San Juan County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 20.1% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 97.7% of Washington's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
22,798
Violent crimes, Washington statewide, 2025
157,507
Property crimes, Washington statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
284.9
Violent crime rate per 100K, Washington statewide, 2025 (population 8,001,020)
-20.1%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Washington statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (180,305 vs 225,760)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 234 | 2.9 | 304 | -23.0% |
| Rape | 3,120 | 39.0 | 3,212 | -2.9% |
| Robbery | 4,140 | 51.7 | 5,388 | -23.2% |
| Aggravated assault | 15,304 | 191.3 | 17,373 | -11.9% |
| Violent crimes total | 22,798 | 284.9 | 26,277 | -13.2% |
| Burglary | 24,862 | 310.7 | 32,152 | -22.7% |
| Larceny-theft | 111,515 | 1393.8 | 131,566 | -15.2% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 20,206 | 252.5 | 34,655 | -41.7% |
| Property crimes total | 157,507 | 1968.6 | 199,483 | -21.0% |
Rates use the Washington 2025 population of 8,001,020. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare San Juan County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
San Juan County Courthouse Locations
San Juan County court proceedings are held at the San Juan County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan County Courthouse | 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 | 360-378-2163 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in San Juan County?
In San Juan County, Washington, local matters are handled by the Superior Court of San Juan County and by district or municipal courts for lower-level cases.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court or municipal court serving San Juan County | Traffic infractions are handled by the district court or the city municipal court where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket (municipal or district court) | Parking tickets are handled by the issuing city's municipal court or the district court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court or municipal court in San Juan County | Misdemeanors are heard in the courts of limited jurisdiction. |
| Felony | Superior Court of San Juan County | Felony cases are heard in superior court. |
| DUI | District Court or municipal court in San Juan County | DUI is commonly charged as a gross misdemeanor in a court of limited jurisdiction. |
| Domestic violence | District Court, municipal court, or Superior Court of San Juan County | Criminal charges go to the limited-jurisdiction court or superior court by level; protection orders may be filed in either. |
| Civil lawsuit | Superior Court of San Juan County | Civil lawsuits are filed with the county clerk in superior court. |
| Small claims | Small claims division of District Court, San Juan County | Small claims are filed in the district court serving the area. |
| Eviction | Superior Court of San Juan County | Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases are filed with the county clerk in superior court. |
| Divorce | Superior Court of San Juan County | Divorce is filed with the county clerk in superior court. |
| Child custody or support | Superior Court of San Juan County | Custody and support cases are handled in superior court. |
| Probate or estate | Superior Court of San Juan County | Probate and estate matters are filed with the county clerk in superior court. |
| Juvenile case | Superior Court of San Juan County, Juvenile Division | Juvenile matters are handled in superior court. |
| Appeal | Washington Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | Appeals go to the Court of Appeals, and some go directly to the Supreme Court. Federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Are San Juan County Court Records Public?
Most court records in San Juan County are generally open to the public, but some records are restricted or confidential.
Public records
Most case records are generally open for public inspection through the County Clerk.
Restricted or confidential records
Records that are sealed, or made confidential by law or court order, are not available to the public.
Online access
Case information may be available through JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov. Online results may show case information rather than every document.
In-person access
Visit the County Clerk's office to view or request records that are not available online.
Fees
No fees are listed on this page. Confirm any fees with the County Clerk before you request records.
How to Search San Juan County Court Records Online
You can look up case information for San Juan County through Washington's statewide court record tools and the county clerk.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, or family.
- Choose the official portal: Find Court Records or the Odyssey Portal.
- Search by name or case number.
- Review the case details, hearing dates, and outcomes.
- Request documents that are not online from the clerk or court in San Juan County.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Odyssey Portal and Find Court Records | Superior court criminal case information in participating counties; limited-jurisdiction court cases use separate local or statewide search tools. | Not all counties use the Odyssey Portal; documents are typically available from the county clerk. |
| Traffic | Find Court Records | Traffic infraction cases are searched through the statewide record search or the local district or municipal court. | Not part of the superior court Odyssey Portal. |
| Civil | Odyssey Portal | Superior court civil case information in participating counties. | Anonymous users generally see case information but not documents; documents are available from the clerk. |
| Small claims | Find Court Records | District court small claims records are found through the statewide search or the local district court. | Not in the superior court portal; ask the district court for documents. |
| Family law | Odyssey Portal | Superior court family case information in participating counties. | Confidential and sealed records are not available, and documents usually require the clerk. |
| Probate | Odyssey Portal | Superior court probate case information in participating counties. | Document access varies by county; contact the San Juan County clerk. |
| Juvenile | County Clerk, Superior Court of San Juan County (restricted access) | Juvenile records are generally confidential. | Do not expect juvenile cases to appear in public online search. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in San Juan County
Payment options for San Juan County traffic citations, criminal fines, and parking tickets are set by the court and the agencies involved, so confirm the method before you pay.
No statewide online fine-payment portal is listed on this page. Contact the County Clerk to confirm how to pay a traffic citation or criminal fine, and check your paperwork for payment instructions.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued the ticket, not by the court.
San Juan County Court Records FAQ
How do I search San Juan County court records?
Use JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov for statewide case information, or contact the County Clerk for records that are not available online.
Are San Juan County court records public?
Most court records are generally open to the public, but sealed and confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search for the case in JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov or contact the County Clerk to confirm where the case was filed.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket, notice, or paperwork for the date, and confirm it with the County Clerk.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check the paperwork for payment instructions and contact the County Clerk to confirm how to pay. No statewide online payment portal is listed on this page.
How many cases are filed in San Juan County each year?
County filing counts are not published on this page. The county had 18,577 residents in 2025.
What is the most common type of case in San Juan County?
Case-type counts for the county are not published on this page, so no most common case type is given.
Is crime in Washington rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 13.2% to 22,798 in 2025 from 26,277 in 2024, and property crimes fell 21.0% to 157,507 from 199,483, as reported to the FBI. These are Washington statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
San Juan County Superior CourtMore Info
| Address: | 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250 |
| Phone Number: | 360-378-2399 |
| Fax: | 360-370-7485 |
| Website: | https://www.sanjuanco.com/185/Superior-Court |
Useful Links
- San Juan County, WA - Superior Court The official San Juan County Superior Court page offers court schedules, forms, jury duty information, and contact details.
- Washington Courts - Official Site Access state-wide court records, case information, and resources from Washington Administrative Office of the Courts.
- San Juan County, WA - District Court Provides information on traffic, criminal, civil case processing, court forms and contact details for District Court.
- San Juan County, WA - Probate Court Official resource for probate court processes, including wills, guardianship, and estate management in San Juan County.
- San Juan County, WA - Family Court Family court services, including divorce, custody, and adoption resources, for San Juan County residents and practitioners.
- San Juan County, WA - Jury Duty Information Comprehensive resource on jury selection, requirements, and FAQs for potential jurors in San Juan County.
- San Juan County, WA - Clerk's Office The Clerk's Office provides information on case filings, records, financial transactions, and public access to documents.
- Washington LawHelp - Find Free Legal Help A non-profit resource offering legal education materials and information on finding free or low-cost legal assistance.
- WSBA – San Juan County Specific Legal Updates Legal updates and articles related to legal practices, policies, and case law affecting San Juan County by WSBA.
- Washington State Courts Portal Central access point to all Washington State court services including records, schedules, and operations of the judiciary.
- LawHelp Interactive - Free Legal Forms Help Provides assistance in preparing legal forms and documents, supporting self-represented litigants throughout Washington State.
- Northwest Justice Project - Legal Help for Citizens Offers legal help and services to low-income individuals throughout Washington, including representation and community education.
- San Juan County, WA - Drug Court Program Information on alternative court program designed to handle cases involving substance abuse and guide recovery initiatives.
- Washington Court Records Search A specialized website offering detailed guidance on accessing and utilizing court records throughout Washington State.
- San Juan County, WA - Public Records Requests Instructions and guidelines for submitting public records requests for access to local government documents and data.
- Washington Law Libraries - Directory and Resources Comprehensive directory of Washington State law libraries offering legal research resources and services.
- San Juan County, WA - County Departments Overview A complete overview of county departments, including links to justice and law enforcement-related services and contacts.
- CLEAR - Coordinated Legal Education, Advice & Referral Provides Washington residents with legal advice and referrals through a toll-free hotline and online intake system.
- ACLU of Washington - Protecting Civil Rights Engages in litigation and advocacy to protect civil rights and liberties in Washington, including legal resources and updates.
- Washington State Bar Association - Home The professional association for Washington lawyers; provides licensing, regulation, and educational resources for attorneys.
Table of Contents
- San Juan County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search San Juan County Court Records
- San Juan County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in San Juan County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in San Juan County?
- How Does San Juan County Compare With Washington Overall?
- San Juan County Crime Statistics (2025)
- San Juan County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in San Juan County?
- Are San Juan County Court Records Public?
- How to Search San Juan County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in San Juan County
- San Juan County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links