Search Richland Court Records
Richland court records are maintained across several courts depending on the case type: the Richland Municipal Court for city-level matters, Benton County District Court for civil and misdemeanor cases across the county, and Benton County Superior Court for felonies, family law, and major civil matters. If you need to find a Richland case, request copies of court documents, or verify a judgment, this page explains how each court works and where to go for records.
Richland Overview
Richland Municipal Court and Police Records
Richland Municipal Court handles city-level misdemeanor cases, traffic infractions, and municipal code violations within Richland city limits. For municipal court records, contact the court directly. The Richland Police Department Records Division is located at 625 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352. Phone is (509) 942-7340. The Records Division handles police reports and related records for Richland. If you need a police report related to an incident in Richland, this is the right contact point.
The Richland Police Department Records page at richlandwa.gov provides information on how to request police records and access reports tied to incidents in Richland. Police records and municipal court records are separate from one another. Police records belong to the police department, while court case records are held by the court itself and follow different access rules under General Rule 31 (GR 31).
Richland Municipal Court operates alongside and in coordination with the Benton County court system. Cases that begin as municipal matters can, depending on the outcome, interact with the county courts for sentencing, appeals, or related civil proceedings. For questions about which court has your case, the Washington Courts statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov is a good first step. It covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across Washington and is updated every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m.
| Police Records | Richland Police Department Records Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 625 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 |
| Phone | (509) 942-7340 |
| Municipal Court Records | Contact Richland Municipal Court directly |
Richland City Public Records Requests
The City of Richland handles public records requests through its Public Records Request Portal. The city provides a link to its Public Records Disclosure Policy and lists records available online at no charge. Requestors can check the status of existing requests through the portal. The city responds to all requests under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. The Richland Public Records page at richlandwa.gov is the starting point for submitting requests and reviewing city policies.
City administrative records and court records are handled through separate channels. Court records (case files, dockets, orders) are governed by court rules under GR 31 and must be requested from the court that holds them. Administrative records follow the Public Records Act and go through the city portal. If you are not sure which type of record you need, start with the court search tools, then contact the appropriate office based on what you find.
Note: The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search is updated at 3:00 a.m. each day. It provides reference information only. Actual documents must be ordered from the clerk's office at the court where the case was filed.
Benton County District Court in Richland
Benton County District Court serves Richland and other Benton County cities. This court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000. For Richland residents with matters that fall outside municipal court jurisdiction, including civil disputes under $100,000, small claims, and certain misdemeanors, Benton County District Court is the next step. Richland Municipal Court is located within Benton County and coordinates with the county court system for overlapping case types.
The Benton County District Court page at co.benton.wa.us has current contact information and details on case types. For case information on Benton County District Court matters involving Richland, use the Washington Courts statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov or the Name and Case Search at courts.wa.gov. Both tools cover Benton County courts and are updated daily.
Benton County Superior Court Records
Benton County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $100,000, family law matters, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The court is located at 7122 W Okanogan Pl, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone is (509) 735-8388. If you need court records for a Richland resident involved in a felony case, a divorce, a child custody matter, or a significant civil judgment, the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Kennewick maintains those records. The Clerk's Office is the official record keeper for all Superior Court filings.
The Benton County Superior Court page at co.benton.wa.us covers the court's jurisdiction, the Clerk's Office address and contact information, and how to request copies of court documents. For family law matters specifically, divorce decrees, child support orders, and custody agreements are all held by the Superior Court Clerk and cannot be obtained from the District Court or Municipal Court. For records prior to the current digital filing system, you may need to contact the clerk directly as older records may not be in the online index.
Richland is part of the Tri-Cities area along with Kennewick and Pasco. All three cities fall under Benton and Franklin County court systems. Cases involving parties from Richland, Kennewick, and West Richland typically go through Benton County Superior Court. For cases tied to Pasco or other Franklin County communities, Franklin County Superior Court handles those separately.
How to Search Richland Court Cases
There is no single Richland-specific online case portal. Most searches start with one of two statewide tools. First, try the Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov. Search by name or case number to find cases filed in Benton County courts, including Richland Municipal Court, Benton County District Court, and Benton County Superior Court. Second, the Washington Courts Name and Case Search at courts.wa.gov covers all courts statewide including municipal, district, superior, and appellate levels.
Results from both tools point to the official court record held by the court of record. You cannot download case documents through either statewide tool. Once you find the case, contact the appropriate court clerk to order copies. For Richland Municipal Court records, contact the court directly. For Benton County District Court records, use the Benton County contact at co.benton.wa.us. For Superior Court records, call the clerk at (509) 735-8388 or visit the court in Kennewick.
Benton County Court Records
Richland is in Benton County. Felony cases, family law filings, and major civil matters all flow through the Benton County court system. For more on Benton County courts, records access, and the Superior Court Clerk's Office, visit the Benton County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Richland also have court records pages. Pasco falls under Franklin County courts while other Tri-Cities communities share the Benton County system.