Washington Court RecordsEdit This Page
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United States 
U.S. Court Records Washington Washington Court Records
Major Washington courts that have kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:
Probate Courts
Probate courts were the primary courts for probate matters until 1891, when this responsibility was assumed by the superior courts. In some areas, the probate court had concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction with the district courts.
Superior courts
Superior courts have had county wide jurisdiction over criminal cases and major civil cases, juvenile matters, and probate matters.
District courts
District Courts have district wide jurisdiction with the superior courts over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and minor civil cases.
- The Washington State Archives has online guides to the district court records of Washington Territory.
Supreme Court
The Supreme court has statewide appellate jurisdiction.
Availability
The Family History Library does not have copies of Washington court records. They are available at the county courthouses, or some courts have transferred their records to the Washington State Archives.
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- This page was last modified on 6 July 2012, at 20:18.
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