Benton County Public Records /Benton County Court Records

Benton County Court Records

What Is Benton County Court Records

Court records in Benton County, Washington, constitute the official documentary record of all judicial proceedings conducted within the county's court system. These records encompass a broad range of materials generated before, during, and after legal proceedings, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: dockets provide a chronological index of all filings and hearings in a given case, while pleadings capture the formal written statements submitted by parties, and judgments reflect the court's final determination on the matter at issue.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Benton County agencies. Property records, for example, are held by the Benton County Assessor and Auditor, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Washington State Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through the judicial process and are maintained by the clerks of the respective courts.

The following courts in Benton County generate and maintain official court records:

Benton County Superior Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $75,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters
Benton County District Court — handles misdemeanors, civil claims up to $100,000, small claims, and traffic infractions
Kennewick Municipal Court — handles city ordinance violations and traffic matters within Kennewick city limits
Richland Municipal Court — handles municipal code violations and infractions within Richland
Prosser Municipal Court — handles local ordinance and traffic matters within Prosser

Under RCW 2.28.010, Washington courts are authorized to maintain records of their proceedings, and the Clerk of the Superior Court is specifically charged with the custody of all court records and files.

Are Court Records Public In Benton County

Court records in Benton County are presumptively open to the public under Washington State law. The Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including judicial records, and mandates that agencies must disclose records upon request unless a specific exemption applies. Additionally, Washington's court system operates under the principle of open courts, which is reinforced by General Rule (GR) 31 of the Washington Court Rules, governing access to court records.

The following categories of records are generally available to members of the public:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and case indexes
Hearing schedules and calendars
Probate filings and estate inventories
Small claims decisions

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in Benton County, are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are governed by federal rules rather than Washington State law.

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under RCW 42.56.230 and related statutes, including juvenile court records, sealed cases, mental health commitment records, and records containing sensitive personal identifiers. Washington Court General Rule 22 further governs the sealing of court records and requires a court order before any record may be withheld from public access.

How To Find Court Records in Benton County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Benton County court records through several official channels, depending on the court in which the case was filed and the type of record sought. The following steps outline the standard process for locating and requesting court records:

Identify the correct court — Determine whether the case was heard in Superior Court, District Court, or a municipal court, based on the nature of the matter (felony, misdemeanor, civil, traffic, etc.).
Gather case information — Collect the full legal name of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
Search online portals — Use the Washington State Courts online search tools to locate case information before visiting in person.
Submit a written request — If records are not available online, submit a written public records request to the Clerk of the appropriate court, specifying the case number, party names, and the documents sought.
Pay applicable fees — Copying fees may apply pursuant to the court's established fee schedule. Inspection of records in person is generally provided at no charge.
Retrieve records in person — Visit the clerk's office during public counter hours to inspect or obtain certified copies of records.

Official public records request forms are available at the Benton County Superior Court Clerk's office and may also be submitted by mail or, in some instances, by email.

How To Look Up Court Records in Benton County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Benton County court records, each covering a different segment of the court system.

Washington State Courts – Name and Case Search The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search portal allows members of the public to search for individuals or cases across Washington's court system. The database is updated every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. and includes records from superior, district, and municipal courts statewide, including Benton County Superior Court and Benton County District Court. Users may search by party name or case number.

Washington Courts Case Search – Limited Jurisdiction Courts The Washington Courts Case Search portal provides access to cases filed in limited jurisdiction courts, including district and municipal courts. This tool is particularly useful for locating traffic infractions, misdemeanor cases, and small claims matters filed in Benton County District Court or the county's municipal courts.

Odyssey Portal – Superior Court Documents Members of the public and legal professionals may access court documents filed in Benton County Superior Court through the Odyssey Portal. Elevated access to certain document types is authorized through the Benton County Clerk's office. Users must register for an account, and some document categories require role-based authorization.

Find My Court Date The Find My Court Date portal serves as a statewide search engine for cases filed in municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across Washington. Members of the public may use this tool to locate upcoming hearing dates and case status information for Benton County proceedings.

Search steps for the Name and Case Search portal:

Navigate to the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search page
Select the search type: by name or by case number
Enter the required information and select Benton County as the jurisdiction
Review the list of results and select the relevant case
View available case details, hearing dates, and docket entries

How To Search Benton County Court Records for Free?

Washington State law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect court records at no charge. Under RCW 42.56.080, agencies may not charge fees for the inspection of public records; fees may only be assessed for the actual cost of copying or transmitting records. This provision applies to court records maintained by Benton County Superior Court and District Court.

The following resources are currently available at no cost:

Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — free online access to case index information statewide
Washington Courts Case Search (Limited Jurisdiction) — free access to district and municipal court case data
Find My Court Date — free statewide portal for hearing schedules and case status
In-person inspection at the clerk's office — members of the public may inspect physical court files at the Superior Court Clerk's office or District Court Clerk's office without charge during regular business hours

Fees are assessed only when requesting certified copies, paper reproductions, or electronic transmittal of records. The Benton County Superior Court Clerk's office publishes its current fee schedule at the public counter.

What's Included in a Benton County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (information or indictment)
Arrest and booking information
Bail and bond orders
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts and exhibits
Jury instructions and verdict forms
Sentencing orders and conditions of supervision
Probation or parole terms

Civil Case Records:

Complaint and summons
Defendant's answer and counterclaims
Motions and supporting memoranda
Discovery orders
Summary judgment rulings
Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
Writs of execution or garnishment

Family Law Records:

Petitions for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
Parenting plans and custody orders
Child support worksheets and orders
Domestic violence protection orders
Adoption decrees (some sealed by statute)

Probate Records:

Petition for probate and letters testamentary
Inventory and appraisal of estate assets
Creditor claims
Final accounting and order of distribution

Traffic and Infraction Records:

Notice of infraction
Hearing request and disposition
Payment records and license status notations

Small Claims Records:

Claim form and defendant notice
Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
Satisfaction of judgment

How Long Does Benton County Keep Court Records?

Benton County courts retain records in accordance with the Washington State Archives retention schedules established by the Washington State Archives and Records Management Division. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.

Current retention periods for principal record categories include:

Superior Court case files (felony criminal) — retained permanently
Superior Court case files (civil, family law, probate) — retained permanently for judgments; supporting documents retained for varying periods
District Court case files (misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor) — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 3 years
Small claims records — retained for a minimum of 6 years following judgment
Juvenile court records — subject to special retention and sealing rules under RCW 13.50

The Washington State Archives publishes the official Local Government Common Records Retention Schedule (CORE), which governs the minimum retention periods applicable to all county court records. Courts may retain records beyond the minimum period at their discretion.

Types of Courts In Benton County

Benton County's court system operates within a hierarchical structure that mirrors Washington State's judicial framework. Cases originate in courts of limited jurisdiction (municipal and district courts) and may be appealed upward through the Superior Court, the Washington Court of Appeals (Division III), and ultimately the Washington Supreme Court.

Benton County Superior Court

Benton County Superior Court 7122 W Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 736-3071 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Benton County Superior Court

Benton County District Court 7122 W Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 736-3080 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Benton County District Court

Kennewick Municipal Court 210 W 6th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 585-4260 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Kennewick Municipal Court

Richland Municipal Court 625 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 (509) 942-7535 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Richland Municipal Court

Prosser Municipal Court 601 7th St, Prosser, WA 99350 (509) 786-2322 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Prosser Municipal Court

Washington Court of Appeals, Division III 500 N Cedar St, Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 456-3082 Washington Court of Appeals Division III

Washington Supreme Court 415 12th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98504 (360) 357-2077 Washington Supreme Court

What Types of Cases Do Benton County Courts Hear?

Each court within Benton County's judicial system exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Washington State law.

Benton County Superior Court hears:

Felony criminal cases (Class A, B, and C felonies)
Civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000
Family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, and adoption
Probate and guardianship proceedings
Juvenile dependency and offender cases
Appeals from District Court and Municipal Court decisions

Benton County District Court hears:

Gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor criminal cases
Civil claims up to $100,000
Small claims matters up to $10,000
Traffic infractions and violations
Domestic violence protection order petitions (initial hearings)
Landlord-tenant disputes

Kennewick, Richland, and Prosser Municipal Courts hear:

Violations of city ordinances
Traffic infractions occurring within city limits
Misdemeanor offenses committed within the respective municipality
Parking violations and code enforcement matters

How To Find a Court Docket In Benton County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders entered in a specific case. Members of the public may access Benton County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search:

Use the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search to locate docket entries for Superior Court and District Court cases by party name or case number
Access the Find My Court Date portal to view scheduled hearings and case status across all Washington court levels, including Benton County proceedings
Use the Odyssey Portal for document-level access to Superior Court filings

In-Person Access:

Visit the Benton County Superior Court Clerk's office at 7122 W Okanogan Place, Kennewick, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Visit the Benton County District Court Clerk's office at the same address during counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Request docket sheets by case number; staff will assist in locating the relevant file

By Mail or Written Request:

Submit a written public records request to the appropriate clerk's office, specifying the case number and the docket or documents sought
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting copies by mail

Which Courts in Benton County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial decisions are enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have more limited jurisdiction.

Under Washington State law, specifically RCW 3.02.010, district courts in Washington are designated as courts of record. However, certain municipal courts operating under limited charters or by agreement may function in a manner consistent with courts not of record, particularly when they do not maintain verbatim audio or written transcripts of all proceedings.

In Benton County, the following courts may operate with characteristics associated with courts not of record in specific procedural contexts:

Prosser Municipal Court — operates as a court of limited jurisdiction; appeals from its decisions are heard de novo (anew) in Benton County Superior Court, which is the standard appellate process for courts not of record under Washington Court Rules
Benton County District Court — while designated a court of record under RCW 3.02.010, appeals from district court are also subject to de novo review in Superior Court in certain circumstances

When a court is not a court of record, parties dissatisfied with the outcome are entitled to a completely new trial in Superior Court rather than a review limited to the lower court's record. This distinction is significant for parties considering an appeal of a municipal court decision in Benton County.