King County, WA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into King County Courthouse (Seattle) (King County, WA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County). No lockers are needed at King County Courthouse (Seattle) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security. Last checked
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Washington court rule to King County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (206) 296-9300 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- King County Courthouse (Seattle)
- Address
- 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (206) 296-9300
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~8,112 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.courts.wa.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated King County Juror Garage in downtown Seattle. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Seattle local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
📋 King County Jury Duty: Check-In & Postponement
To postpone: Use the Superior Court Juror Portal to move your service to a later date
Federal case instead? The federal courthouse in Seattle has its own rules: Seattle United States Courthouse.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (King County)
Authority: Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County) · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Washington); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | King County Policy | Quote from Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | |
| Cell phones banned | Phones allowed on silent | |
| Phone lockers at entrance | No lockers needed (phones allowed inside) | |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (phones allowed inside) | |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage) | |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | |
| Security line wait times | ~25 mins peak (arrive 35 mins early) | |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches allowed (silent) |
Courthouse Buildings in King County
| Building | Cases heard | Phones |
|---|---|---|
| King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 | civil, criminal, family, small claims | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032 | civil, criminal, family, jury assembly | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center 1211 East Alder Street, Seattle, WA 98122 | juvenile | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| King County District Court - Bellevue Courthouse 1309 114th Ave. S.E., Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004 | criminal, traffic | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| King County District Court - Burien Courthouse 601 S.W. 149th St., Burien, WA 98166 | civil, small claims, criminal, traffic | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| King County District Court - Redmond Courthouse 8601 160th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98052 | civil, small claims, criminal, traffic | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
What to Know Before You Go to King County Courthouse (Seattle)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in King County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
You may bring your cell phone inside on silent mode. Do not take your phone out inside a courtroom unless the judge explicitly asks you to display digital proof of insurance or exhibits.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~25 minutes. Arrive at least 35 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in King County, WA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in King County, WA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to King County Courthouse in Seattle, WA?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into King County Courthouse (Seattle) (King County, WA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Washington Superior Court General Rule GR 16 (King County).
Does King County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at King County Courthouse (Seattle) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at King County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at King County Juror Parking Facility (Seattle Judicial Garage). Park in the designated King County Juror Garage in downtown Seattle. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to King County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the King County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at King County Courthouse (Seattle) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 25-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 35 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my King County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (206) 296-9300 or consult a local King County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- Washington jury duty pay & laws
- King County jury duty: reporting & postponement
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in Washington
- Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Snohomish County (Everett)
- Spokane County (Spokane)
- Clark County (Vancouver)
- Kitsap County (Port Orchard)
- Thurston County (Olympia)
- Yakima County (Yakima)
- Whatcom County (Bellingham)
- Benton County (Kennewick)
- All 10 Washington counties →
Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at King County Courthouse (Seattle)? Submit a verified update.