Search Benton Court Records

BentonCountyWaCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on BentonCountyWaCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

Benton County, Washington State Court Records

In Benton County, Washington, court records are official documents regarding case proceedings and judicial decisions. Such records typically reveal the case parties' personal information, court docket, case identifiers, and judgments. In addition, court records may include other public documents that were filed during case proceedings. Court documents may include vital records, arrest reports, and criminal history reports.

In Benton County, the court clerks are responsible for keeping records of cases and decisions handled at their respective courthouses. Concerned parties may find major civil and felony case records in the custody of the district clerk.

Are Benton County Court Records Public?

Yes, most court records in Benton County are accessible to the public. Under General Rule 31 (GR 31), interested parties can look up and obtain copies of court documents from designated public entities. The entities are legally required to release records upon requests from the public.

The state law, however, restricts access to specific court records. Court records are generally exempt if they include information that violates the safety and privacy of concerned parties. Examples of non-public court records in Benton County include the following:

  • Court records that are sealed or expunged.
  • Court documents that may interfere with an ongoing investigation.
  • Filed documents that may reveal personal identification documents.
  • Documents that are protected under client-attorney privilege.

What Information is Available in Benton County Court Records?

Benton County court records may contain the following information:

  • Personal information of the case parties and their legal counsels.
  • Case identification, such as case number, status, and hearing dates.
  • Court docket and summaries.
  • Filed documents, such as vital records and arrest reports.
  • Motions and pleadings.
  • Court judgment.

Benton County Court Records Search

Record seekers may search and obtain court records in Benton County by using the following options:

Online Access

The Washington County Courts search platform allows online searches for court records in Benton County. Record seekers must provide the case party name to view records on the platform.

Likewise, record seekers can look up case files by using the reSearchWA platform. The platform allows searches by case name, number, attorney name, or judge's name.

The Benton County District Court maintains an online request form for obtaining copies of court documents. To use this option, record seekers must provide relevant information and click on "Submit." Upon receiving the form, the court will process and send the requested files to the record seeker's address.

In-Person Access

Benton County courts allow in-person inquiries for court records in their custody. To use this option, record seekers must first determine the court that handled the case. Next, they must visit and make inquiries in-person at the courthouse. For cases heard at the district court, record seekers must submit their request to this address:

Benton County Justice Center

7122 West Okanogan Place

Suite A110

Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: (509) 735-8476

Fax: (509) 736-3069

Mail and Phone Requests

The Benton County Clerk's Office allows mail-in requests for cases heard at the superior court. Record seekers may submit mail requests by using these steps:

  1. Fill out the appropriate forms:
    1. Copy Request Form (use this form if you already know the exact records you need).
    2. Request for Record Search (fill out the form when you need the clerk's office to research and compile records).
  2. Include the required fees. The clerk's office charges $30 an hour if the requester submits the Request for Record Search.
  3. Submit the fees via mail to this address:

7122 West Okanogan Place

Suite A210

Kennewick, WA 99336

Fees for Court Records in Benton County

In Benton County, fees for court records may differ based on the request type and document format. For example, record seekers may pay the following fees to the clerk's office:

  • $0.50 per page for regular copies.
  • $0.25 per page for e-mailed copies.
  • $5.00 for the 1st page and $1 per additional page of certified copies.
  • $9.00 for the 1st page and $1.00 per additional page of exemplified copies.

Based on request type, record seekers may pay $30 per request if it requires the clerk's office to research and pull out required records.

Benton County Courthouse Locations

Benton County's trial court system comprises the Superior Courts and the District Courts. The public may locate the courts at these locations:

Superior Courts in Benton County

Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court - Juvenile

Benton-Franklin Counties Juvenile Justice Center

5606 West Canal Drive

Suite 106

Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: (509) 783-2151

Fax: (509) 736-2728

Benton County Superior Court

Benton County Justice Center

7122 West Okanogan Place

Building A

Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: (509) 735-8388

Fax: (509) 736-3892

Benton County Superior Court

Prosser Courthouse

620 Market Street

Prosser, WA 99350

Phone: (509) 786-5624

District Courts in Benton County

Benton County District Court

Benton County Justice Center

7122 West Okanogan Place

Building A

Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: (509) 735-8476

Fax: (509) 736-3069

Benton County District Court

Prosser Courthouse

620 Market Street

Prosser, WA 99350

Phone: (509) 786-5480

Fax: (509) 786-5484

Criminal Records Access in Benton County

The Washington State Patrol handles requests for criminal history records generated in Benton County. As the record custodian, the agency allows online, mail, and in-person requests for criminal records.

For online access to criminal records, record seekers must conduct searches using the agency's search portal. Record seekers must first create an account before providing search information on the portal. Note that it costs $11 to search criminal records on the portal.

In contrast, record seekers may submit mail requests by following these steps:

  1. Complete the request form for criminal records.
  2. Attach a $32 processing fee.
  3. Submit the document to the agency at this address:

Washington State Patrol

Identification and Background Check Section

PO Box 42633

Olympia, WA 98504-2633

Note: Local criminal case records are different from criminal history files. The former contains information regarding criminal case proceedings. Record seekers may obtain such information by submitting an online or offline request to the courthouse that heard the case.

Benton County Probate Records

Probate court records in Benton County provide information on probate-type cases heard in the county's courts. The courts oversee probate cases, such as the administration of wills and the appointment of conservators.

Under Washington laws, Benton County probate records are mostly accessible to the public. Interested parties may obtain the record using online and offline resources provided by record custodians.

Benton County Family Court Records

Benton County family court records contain information on family law cases, including divorce, termination of parental rights, and domestic abuse. Such records fall under the purview of the county clerk's office. As the record custodian, the clerk's office allows in-person or mail-in requests for family records. Furthermore, the clerk offers non-certified or certified copies of the records.

Record seekers may access the records by following these steps:

  1. Complete any of the following forms:
    1. Copy Request Form.
    2. Request for Record Search.
  2. Attach the required fees. The clerk's office charges $5 per certified court document and $1 per additional copy ordered at the same time.
  3. Submit the fees via mail to this address:

7122 West Okanogan Place

Suite A210

Kennewick, WA 99336.

Federal Court Records in Benton County

Federal court records in Benton County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. The court's Richland Division oversees federal cases, such as drug trafficking, civil rights violations, and bankruptcy.

Record seekers may look up federal court records by using online or offline resources provided by the county courts. For instance, record seekers may use the PACER system to look up online federal court records. To access records offline, record seekers must submit their request to the federal court at this address:

United States District Court

825 Jadwin Avenue

Room 174

Richland, WA 99352

Phone: (509) 943-8170

Benton County Court