The Thurston County Clerk’s Office unveiled "Clerk Documents" on Tuesday, March 18, which grants residents and public stakeholders remote access to court records.
The online service allows people to “purchase copies of their case documents using their home computer or mobile device” without setting foot in the Clerk’s Office, the county said.
“We are excited to offer this new online service to the residents of Thurston County. … Our goal is to make accessing court documents as convenient and efficient as possible, while maintaining the highest standards of security and confidentiality,” Thurston County Clerk Linda Myhre Enlow said in a press release.
The mentioned digital platform equips locals with an efficient user-friendly interface in order to “quickly search” for case records using a case number and “receive copies of documents in minutes.”
According to the Clerk’s Office, once the case is located, documents can be added to a “shopping cart” and purchased through an online payment system.
Costs for document retrieval vary. Hard copies of noncertified records are $0.50 per page, while electronic copies are $0.25 per page.
On the other hand, certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page.
Transactions are routed through LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc., where a nonrefundable fee of $2.50 or 2.95% applies.
The county also said that the Clerk Documents system is built with strict security protocols to safeguard personal and sensitive information.
The innovation system’s page states it operates in compliance with RCW 42.56.120, the legal framework established by the Washington State Legislature that dictates fees for public records. Strict legal guidelines control the county’s retrieval and distribution of public legal documents.
Copyright protections are also in place, prohibiting users from copying or storing electronic files for third-party access.
For people preferring email requests, the process is straightforward.
Users send their case number, case name and specific document requests to the office’s email. The office responds with the cost and a payment link. Once payment is confirmed, noncertified copies are emailed, while certified copies are mailed.
The Clerk Documents portal operates during standard business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
“This service is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve public access to court records,” Enlow stated.
For further information or additional support, contact the Clerk’s Office by phone at (360) 786-5430 or via email at tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us.
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