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Small Claims Court offered by King County District Court in Burien at South Division

601 Southwest 149th Street, Burien, WA 98166

Located at intersection of 6th Ave SW & SW 149th St, just west of the Burien Town Plaza. Call King County Metro at (206) 553-3000 or visit http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/ for public transit information.  From I-5:  -  Take Burien/SeaTac Airport Exit to SR 518. -  Continue westbound into Burien. -  When freeway ends, go straight to 6th Ave SW and turn left. -  Facility is on the upper level of the first building on the right. -  Parking is available across the street.
Eligibility
Does not handle claims over $10,000.
Hours
M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm
Languages
Interpreter services
Application process
Claim form is provided by the court and must be signed in the presence of the court clerk.   A packet of applicable forms and instructions is available on the website. Small claims cases may be filed in any district court in the county where the defendant lives or, if a traffic accident, in the county where the accident occurred. The case will be heard at the courthouse nearest the defendant's residence. Cases are generally heard between 40-90 days from the date of filing.
Fees
$50 claim filing fee.
Service area
King, WA

Other Information

Languages

  • Interpreter services
Court is authorized by state law to assist plaintiffs to recover money or other damages whose amount may not exceed $10,000. Filing the Claim:   Plaintiff must sign claim form in presence of the court clerk. A trial date is set and a copy of the claim is given to the plaintiff. The plaintiff must identify the defendant and provide the defendant's address and phone number (if possible).    Service of Claim Notice:   Plaintiff has the responsibility of serving notice upon the defendant not less than five days from trial date; plaintiff may not personally serve the notice, but it can be served by one of the following:  
  • The Sheriff's Office
  • A process server
  • A person of legal age not connected to the case
  • A registered or certified mail-return receipt with defendant's signature
Server must sign before a Notary Public.    Hearing: Attorneys and paralegals are excluded from appearing or participating with the plaintiff or defendant in a small claims suit unless the judge grants permission. One may consult an attorney before or after a court appearance. Parties should bring witnesses or other evidence (documents, pictures) to substantiate their claims. Default judgment may be granted to plaintiff if defendant fails to appear in court. Collection of Judgment:   If appeal is not made nor judgment paid within 20 days, plaintiff may request that the judgment be entered in the civil docket of District Court. The plaintiff may then proceed with garnishment of wages or bank accounts or place liens on personal property and real estate of the defendant (call for procedural details). Small Claims Court has no power to enforce judgments.    Appeals:  The party who filed a claim or counterclaim cannot appeal unless the amount claimed exceeds $1,000. No party may appeal a judgment where the amount claimed is less than $250.   The following steps must be taken within 30 days of the entry judgment:  
  • 1) Prepare a written Notice of Appeal and file it with the District Court
  • 2) Serve a copy of that notice to the other parties; file acknowledgement or affidavit of service in District Court
  • 3) Deposit supervisor court filing fee ($110) either in cash, money order, or cashier's check payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court
  • 4) Deposit $40 preparation fee to the District Court
Providing organization
King County District Court
Provides civil and criminal court services throughout King County at 11 sites.