Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County court records are maintained by the County Clerk at the Superior Court in Pasco, Washington. You can search case information using the statewide Washington Courts portal or visit the courthouse directly to request copies. The clerk handles all Superior Court records, including civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters. If you need to find a case filed in Franklin County, the online search tools give you a solid starting point. For certified copies or full case file documents, you can contact the Franklin County Clerk's Office by phone or in person at 1016 North 4th Avenue in Pasco.

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk

The Franklin County Clerk is a duly elected constitutional officer, established under the Washington State Constitution Article 11, Section 5. The Clerk also serves as Clerk of the Superior Court by virtue of the office, as set out in Article 4, Section 26. The Honorable Michael J. Killian has held this position since 2001. The office is the official record keeper for all Superior Court proceedings in Franklin County. Staff process and manage judicial records along with all financial transactions tied to the court.

The scope of records maintained by this office is broad. The clerk handles civil and criminal case files, family law and probate matters, juvenile offender records, truancy cases, at-risk youth proceedings, civil commitment matters, and passport services. The office provides support for seven Superior Court Judges and five Court Commissioners. A Chief Deputy and multiple Deputy Clerks assist with daily operations. The office is committed to maintaining accuracy, efficiency, and public access across all of its functions.

The Franklin County Clerk's Office is located at 1016 North 4th Avenue, Room B306, Pasco, WA 99301. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the clerk by phone at (509) 545-3525 or by fax at (509) 545-3526. Staff cannot provide legal advice or legal opinions but can assist with locating and copying records.

The clerk's office page at franklincountywa.gov lists contact information, services, and links to records request forms. This is the best place to start when you need documents from a Franklin County Superior Court case.

Search Franklin County Court Records

There are several ways to find Franklin County court records. The easiest starting point for most people is the statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search at dw.courts.wa.gov. This tool covers municipal, district, superior, and appellate court cases filed across Washington State. It is updated every 24 hours at 3:00 a.m. You can search by person name or case number. Results give you reference information and point you toward the official court record held by the clerk of record.

Keep in mind that the online search tool shows case summaries and docket entries. It does not provide copies of case file documents. To get actual documents, you need to contact the Franklin County Clerk's Office directly. That means visiting in person, mailing a written request, or using the records request form available on the county website. You should have the case number, the names of the parties, and an idea of when the case was filed. This helps staff locate the record quickly.

The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is another option. It provides online search access for Superior Court cases in Franklin County. You can also use the Washington Courts Name and Case Search for a broad statewide lookup. For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds older court documents that have been scanned and indexed.

The court records page at franklincountywa.gov/231/Court-Records links directly to the Odyssey Portal, the Superior Court Clerk Records Request Form, the Washington Courts Case Search, and the Digital Archives. It is a useful hub for anyone starting a records search in Franklin County.

Note: For best search results, use the correct spelling of names and know the approximate year the case was filed.

Franklin County Court Dockets and Calendars

Court dockets in Franklin County show the schedule of cases set for hearing on specific dates. Each docket entry lists the case number, the names of the parties, the type of hearing, and the assigned judge or commissioner. Dockets cover criminal, civil, domestic, and probate matters. They are updated regularly but can change due to settlements, continuances, or emergency situations. If you have a scheduled hearing, verify the date and time the day before or the morning of your appearance.

The court calendar system at Franklin County allows you to search by date, case type, and court department. Motion calendars run on specific days of the week for different case types. Trial calendars are set weeks in advance and require compliance with pretrial orders. Ex parte hearings are held at set times and need proper notice to all parties. Attorneys can request special hearing times through the court administrator's office.

The docket page at franklincountywa.gov/236/Court-Docket links to the Odyssey Portal, Superior Court cases, court schedules, procedures, and the Clerk's home page. Hearings may be held in person, by phone, or by video depending on the type of matter.

Court hearings in Franklin County may be conducted in person, by telephone, or by video conference. The specific format depends on the case type and court order. Check the official docket or contact the clerk's office to confirm how your hearing will be held.

Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Court

Franklin County shares its Superior Court with Benton County. The Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Court is located at the Benton County Justice Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336. The main phone number is (509) 736-3071. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits, family law, probate, and juvenile matters for both counties. The court strives to adjudicate all cases in a timely, fair, and impartial manner.

Even though the Superior Court is based in Kennewick, records for Franklin County cases are maintained by the Franklin County Clerk in Pasco. Public records requests for Franklin County court documents should go to the clerk's office in Pasco, not Kennewick. This is an important distinction when requesting copies or certified records. The court provides online access to case information through the Odyssey Portal, and public access terminals are available at both courthouses.

Note: The Clerk's Office assumes no liability for legal consequences arising from information provided. You are responsible for ensuring that the records you request meet your needs.

Laws That Govern Court Record Access

Access to court records in Washington State is governed by several statutes and court rules. RCW Chapter 36.23 sets out the duties and responsibilities of the county clerk, including the obligation to maintain public access to court records. The clerk keeps all filings, judgments, and docket entries as part of the official court record.

General Rule 31 (GR 31) is the primary court rule governing access to court records in Washington. It defines what records are public, what may be sealed or restricted, and how the public can request access. Most court records in Franklin County are presumptively open to the public. Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption cases, and certain mental health proceedings.

RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act, applies to administrative records held by government agencies. Court records themselves are governed by GR 31 rather than RCW 42.56, but administrative records at the clerk's office may fall under both frameworks depending on their nature. RCW Chapter 2.68 addresses electronic filing and access to court records in the state's digital systems.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County's largest city is Pasco, which is also the county seat. All Superior Court filings for Franklin County go through the clerk's office in Pasco.

Other communities in Franklin County include Connell, Kahlotus, Mesa, and unincorporated areas. All court matters for these communities go through the Franklin County Superior Court and District Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If you are unsure which county handles your court case, verify the address where you reside or where the matter occurred.