Kennewick Court Records
Kennewick court records are maintained by two main courts: the Benton County District Court Kennewick Office and the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court. Both are located at the Benton County Justice Center on West Okanogan Place. If you need to search a case, check a docket, or get a copy of a court document for a Kennewick matter, this page covers how to do it and which court handles what. The statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov is a good starting point for most Kennewick court record searches.
Kennewick Overview
Benton County District Court in Kennewick
The Benton County District Court Kennewick Office is the primary court handling most criminal and civil cases at the limited jurisdiction level for Kennewick residents. It sits at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A110, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone is 509-735-8476. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This court also handles municipal court functions for Kennewick, Prosser, Richland, and West Richland under interlocal agreements, so one location processes cases from all four cities.
Case types at the District Court include misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil cases under $100,000, and small claims. The court conducts arraignments, pretrials, bench trials, and jury trials. If you received a ticket, a criminal summons, or a civil claim in Kennewick, this is the court that will have your case. Payment options include in-person, mail, and online payment portals.
The image below comes from the Benton County District Court Kennewick page at co.benton.wa.us. It shows the court information for the Kennewick office, including address, phone, and hours.
Case records can be requested in person, by mail, or online. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for free case searches during business hours. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page. If you are not sure which case is yours, use the statewide search first to get a case number, then contact the court directly.
| Court | Benton County District Court, Kennewick Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A110, Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | 509-735-8476 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court
Felony criminal cases, major civil matters, family law, probate, and juvenile cases all go through the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court. This court is also at the Benton County Justice Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone is 509-736-3071 and fax is 509-736-3057.
The Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains records for felony criminal cases, civil suits, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. The Clerk's Office provides online access to case information through the Odyssey Portal. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for free viewing. Court dockets, FAQs, and fee waiver forms are available on the court website. Certified copies are available for a fee from the Clerk's Office, and the office notes it assumes no liability for legal consequences arising from information provided.
If you need to file in the Superior Court, or if you are looking for a felony case record for someone in the Kennewick area, this is the court to contact. In-person and mail requests are accepted at the Clerk's Office. The court strives to handle cases in a timely and impartial manner.
| Court | Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | 509-736-3071 |
| Fax | 509-736-3057 |
Searching Kennewick Court Records Online
The fastest way to search Kennewick court records is the Washington Courts Name and Case Search. This free tool covers Benton County District Court and Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court cases. You can search by name or case number. It provides case summaries, docket entries, and hearing schedules. The database updates daily at 3:00 a.m.
Keep in mind this tool gives reference information only. It is not the official court record. If you need certified copies or official documents, you must order them directly from the court. The statewide search includes a court directory with contact information and directions for each courthouse in Washington. It is a reliable first step before contacting the clerk's office.
The Odyssey Portal also covers Superior Court cases. Use it to search by case number or party name. Some features require creating an account. For District Court and municipal cases, stick with the Washington Courts search at dw.courts.wa.gov. Both tools are free and available 24 hours a day.
Note: The statewide search does not include sealed records, juvenile dependency cases, or other restricted case types. For those, you will need to contact the court clerk directly.
Requesting Copies and Making Payments
The Benton County Clerk's Office Request Site allows online payment for copies of documents, record searches, and hearing recordings. Each request requires completing the appropriate request form and submitting payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. A convenience fee is added to each transaction, along with shipping and handling fees if applicable. The site advises you of the final cost before you complete the transaction. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to use the site.
Requests can cover copies of court documents, record searches, and audio recordings of court proceedings. The court notes that the requestor is solely responsible for the use of information released. Neither the court nor clerk staff are liable for any misuse of released information. This is standard language across Washington courts, but it is worth knowing before you request and share records.
For in-person or mail requests, visit the Clerk's Office at the Benton County Justice Center. Bring a government-issued photo ID for sealed or restricted record requests. Most standard requests for open public cases can be submitted without a visit.
Court Record Access in Kennewick
Washington General Rule 31 governs access to court case records. This rule applies to Benton County District Court and Superior Court alike. Most adult criminal case records, civil cases, and dissolution cases are open to the public. Adoptions, paternity matters, mental illness cases, and juvenile dependency cases are confidential. Juvenile offender cases are open unless sealed by the court.
Open records can be viewed at the courthouse Clerk's Office or through the online portals described above. Photocopies cost $0.50 per page in many cases. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. If a request involves significant research time, additional fees may apply. Check with the Clerk's Office before submitting a complex records request to get an estimate.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is useful for older historical records that may not appear in the active online portals. This includes older Superior Court case files and archived court documents from across Washington. Non-certified copies are available at low cost through this archive.
Note: If you are searching for criminal history information for a person, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system at watch.wsp.wa.gov is the proper tool. The court case search is not designed for criminal history checks and will not give you a complete record.
Benton County Court Records
Kennewick is the county seat of Benton County. All felony cases, family law matters, probate, and major civil cases from Kennewick flow through the Benton County court system. For full details on Benton County courts, online access, and the clerk's office, visit the Benton County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Kennewick also have court records pages. Cases in the Tri-Cities area often overlap across Benton and Franklin County courts.