Court Records

Residents, researchers, and legal professionals often need to locate case information fast—whether for due diligence, personal matters, or compliance. This in-depth guide explains where Benton County, Washington court records live, who keeps which records, and the exact steps to view, request, and obtain certified copies. You’ll also learn the difference between case records and administrative judicial records, what you can and can’t see, how to narrow your search, and how local dockets and calendars fit into the process.

Master the Basics: What “Benton County WA Court Records” Covers

Benton County court records fall into a few plain-English buckets, each maintained by a specific county or court office:

Superior Court case records (civil, criminal felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, juvenile, and more) are maintained by the County Clerk. The Clerk is the statutory custodian of the Superior Court case file.

District Court case records (gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, certain traffic and civil matters within District Court jurisdiction) are maintained by the Benton County District Court.

Judicial administrative records (non-case, administrative documents of the courts, like policies, meeting notes, or administrative communications) are distinct from case files and are handled under a different rule and process by court administration.

Knowing which office holds your record determines the fastest route to the file.

Start Here: The Primary Pathways to Court Case Records

Use the proper rule for court case files (GR 31)

If you need a document from a court case—pleadings, orders, judgments, registers of actions—your request is governed by General Rule 31 (GR 31), which sets out public access to court case records. Benton County provides a dedicated gateway to submit such requests. To initiate a case-records request, use Court Records Requests (GR 31), which explains what’s available and how to ask for it through the county’s established channels.

Begin with Court Records Requests (GR 31) to submit a case-record inquiry or request certified copies.
Link: Court Records Requests (GR 31)

Contact the statutory custodian for Superior Court case files

Because the Clerk maintains the Superior Court file, many requests—especially for certified copies—flow through the Clerk’s processes. Visit the Clerk’s Office page for hours, services, and procedural information that affects how you obtain Superior Court documents or file materials.

For Superior Court case file questions, start with the Clerk’s Office.
Link: Clerk’s Office

Use the District Court’s records channel for District Court cases

District Court maintains its own records and distinct request workflows. If you’re seeking a District Court case file (for example, a misdemeanor disposition, infraction case file, or a District Court civil case), follow the Records Request process specifically set by District Court.

For District Court records, use the District Court Records Request page.
Link: Records Request

Follow the Paper Trail: Dockets, Calendars, and Daily Schedules

Before you request documents, it helps to confirm you’re working with the correct case and hearing date. Benton County publishes docket and calendar resources that complement your records search:

Court Dockets: Use dockets to see how cases are set across the local courts during a given period.
Link: Court Dockets

Superior Court Daily Schedule: Use the daily schedule to verify hearing times, courtroom assignments, and judge calendars for Superior Court matters.
Link: Superior Court Daily Schedule

These scheduling tools are especially useful if you need to pinpoint a particular hearing date to request a transcript, order, or minute entry from that day.

Map the Record Holder: Which Office Keeps What

Superior Court (County Clerk as custodian)

The County Clerk is the recordkeeper for the Superior Court’s case files. That includes:

Civil: contracts, torts, real property, injunctions, and other general civil matters.

Criminal (felony): information, charging documents, plea paperwork, sentencing orders.

Family law: dissolutions, parenting plans, support orders, domestic relations.

Probate & guardianship: wills admitted to probate, letters, accountings, guardianship/monitoring filings.

Juvenile (confidential by law): offense and dependency records carry significant statutory restrictions.

Appeals (from lower courts): filings connected to Superior Court appellate review.

For most certified copies of Superior Court records—final decrees, judgments, and orders—your request routes through the Clerk. Fees vary by copy type (plain vs. certified) and number of pages.

District Court (its own custodian)

The District Court maintains the official case file for:

Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal matters.
Infractions and traffic cases within District Court jurisdiction.
Small civil claims and other District Court civil proceedings authorized by statute.

District Court records are separate from the Superior Court’s file system. Use the court’s Records Request process for copies, certifications, and case-file inspection specific to the District Court.

Superior Court Administration (judicial administration and operations)

Superior Court Administration supports the operations of the Superior Court bench, manages calendars, and publishes local processes, policies, and schedules. It also provides contacts and instructions for court participants, including information relevant to public access. Explore the administration page for case-type processes and calendar structures that help you identify what to ask for when making a records request.

For policies, calendars, and case-type processes maintained by court administration, visit Superior Court Administration.
Link: Superior Court Administration

Know the Difference: Case Records (GR 31) vs. Judicial Administrative Records (GR 31.1)

Washington draws a clear distinction between case records and judicial administrative records:

Case records (GR 31) are the documents filed in a specific case—pleadings, orders, judgments, exhibits (with exceptions), and the docket/register of actions. These are the records you request when you need the official case file.

Judicial administrative records (GR 31.1) include non-case materials that document the administration of the courts—think policies, meeting notes, or general administrative communications not tied to a specific case filing.

If you need an administrative record rather than a case document, follow the GR 31.1 route:

To request judicial administrative records, use GR 31.1 Records Request.
Link: GR 31.1 Records Request

Expand Your Toolkit: Statewide Odyssey Portal, Local Dockets, and Calendars

When you’re researching or confirming a case, two resources often work hand-in-hand:

Odyssey Portal (statewide access point). Use Benton County’s link to the Odyssey Portal to search statewide case information permitted for public viewing. This is particularly helpful to verify a case number, party names, and basic register entries before you submit a document request.
Link: Odyssey Portal

Local docket and daily schedule. Once you identify a case through the Portal, cross-reference with the local Court Dockets and Superior Court Daily Schedule to match hearing dates and ensure you request the correct day’s minute entry, order, or transcript.

These tools reduce back-and-forth by giving you the right case number and session date the first time.

Request Smarter: Step-by-Step for Common Needs

Certified copies of final orders and judgments (Superior Court)

Identify the case number (use Odyssey Portal if needed).

Confirm the document name and date (check the Superior Court Daily Schedule or your own records).

Submit a GR 31 request via Court Records Requests (GR 31), specifying you need a certified copy of the exact document.

If the document was recently filed, provide the approximate filing date to help staff locate it quickly.

Be prepared to pay the copy and certification fees as assessed by the Clerk; fees are set per page and per certification and are collected before release.

District Court disposition or docket printout

Locate the District Court case number or party name.

Navigate to the District Court Records Request page to request the specific document type (e.g., judgment, docket, or minute entry).

Indicate whether you need certification (for employers or licensing, certified dispositions are often required).

Provide any date constraints to narrow the search.

Entire case file review (in person or copies)

For Superior Court, coordinate with the Clerk’s Office to review the file or request a copy set of selected documents. Older files may be archived; staff will advise on retrieval timelines.

For District Court, use the District Court Records Request online process to identify what to pull and whether you’ll review in person or have copies produced.

Administrative judicial records (non-case materials)

Identify the administrative record you need (for example, a policy in effect during a given year).

Submit a GR 31.1 request using the county’s GR 31.1 Records Request page.

Be as specific as possible regarding date ranges and subject matter to reduce search time and costs.

Respect the Lines: What’s Public vs. Restricted

Court transparency is balanced by privacy protections under Washington law and court rules. Your request may be limited or redacted if it involves:

Juvenile offense and dependency matters (heavily restricted, statutory confidentiality applies).

Sealed records (sealed by order; you must obtain a court order to unseal).

Confidential identifiers (social security numbers, certain medical or financial account details).

Protected party information in domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other safety-sensitive cases.

Evaluations, treatment records, and certain exhibits that are confidential by rule or statute.

When in doubt, submit your request through the correct channel. Staff will route it under the proper rule and advise if any exemptions apply.

Practical Tips That Speed Up Your Request

Have the case number. Nothing is more useful. If you don’t have it, use the Odyssey Portal first.

State the exact document you want (e.g., “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law entered on June 3, 2024”).

Specify certification if needed. Certified copies carry a separate fee and additional processing.

Narrow your date range (e.g., filings between March and July 2025).

Say how you want to receive it (in-person pickup or mail).

Expect that older or archived cases may require retrieval; plan accordingly, especially for time-sensitive filings.

Fees, Payment, and Delivery

Fees are assessed according to county schedules and Washington law:

Per-page copy fees apply to paper or digital copy production.
Certification fees apply per document that must bear a court seal and certification.
Postage or handling may apply if documents are mailed.

If you’re ordering from Superior Court (Clerk), use the methods posted by the Clerk for payment and receipt. For District Court, follow the payment instructions associated with the court’s Records Request process. If you need a rush or same-day turnaround, note that request fulfillment time depends on record type, volume, and staff availability.

Using Dockets and Calendars to Support a Transcript or Order Request

When you’re ordering a transcript or a specific order associated with a hearing:

Check the Court Dockets to confirm the case was set on the date you have in mind.

Verify the courtroom and judge on the Superior Court Daily Schedule for that day.

Reference the session date and courtroom in your records request so staff can retrieve the precise minute entry or order.

This small investment at the outset—confirming the hearing date and setting—improves fulfillment accuracy and speed.

Special Case Types: What to Expect

Family law (divorce, custody, support)

Final decrees, parenting plans, and support orders are generally public case records (with redactions as required by rule).

Financial declarations and child-specific information may be protected or partially redacted.

If a file involves sealed portions (e.g., confidential information forms), only the public components are released.

Probate and guardianship

Many probate filings are public. However, guardianship files—especially those containing medical and financial details—can include confidential sections.

If you’re a party or counsel, include your party status when requesting to help staff identify authorized access levels.

Criminal

Superior Court felony case documents are generally public unless sealed by order or restricted by law.

District Court misdemeanor files are public subject to the same carve-outs and redactions.

Present exact document names (e.g., “Judgment and Sentence”) and dates to reduce search time.

Juvenile

Juvenile offender and dependency records are governed by strict confidentiality rules. Public access is limited and may require a court order or statutory authorization. If you’re unsure, submit your request and staff will advise on the applicable restrictions.

When You Need Help Choosing the Right Channel

It’s common to be uncertain whether your request is a GR 31 (case file) or GR 31.1 (administrative) request. Benton County lists designated staff who coordinate public inquiries and can point you to the correct path:

Refer to Public Records Officers when you need guidance identifying the appropriate office or rule for your request.
Link: Public Records Officers

If you already know your request pertains to non-court county records (not case files and not judicial administrative records), use the county’s general public records process:

For non-court county records, routes and forms differ from court records; begin at Court Records Requests (GR 31) for case records or GR 31.1 Records Request for judicial administrative materials. For other county departments, follow the county’s posted procedures and contacts.

Research Like a Pro: Build a Reliable Case Snapshot

To assemble a complete and reliable picture before you order documents:

Search the case using Benton County’s link to the Odyssey Portal (confirm case number, parties, and register entries).

Check local dockets to confirm setting and docket type.

Verify the daily schedule for the hearing date and courtroom.

Submit a targeted GR 31 request that lists the specific documents and dates.

Ask for certification only when necessary—this saves fees and time.

This approach reduces backlogs and ensures the record you receive is the one you need.

Accessibility, Language Assistance, and Remote Participation Context

If your records request is connected to a hearing you attended remotely or need to reference, court administration publishes information relevant to courtroom technology, decorum, and schedules, which helps you pinpoint documents by date and department. Visit Superior Court Administration for operational information, and remember that case documents themselves are requested under GR 31 (or GR 31.1 if you’re seeking administrative records).

Departments and Offices (Addresses & Phone Numbers)

Benton County Clerk’s Office — 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A210, Kennewick, WA 99336-2359 — 509-735-8388

Benton County District Court — 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A110, Kennewick, WA 99336 — 509-735-8476

Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court Administration (Benton County) — 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A, Suite A130, Kennewick, WA 99336 — 509-736-3071

Benton County Court Records FAQs

How do I submit a request for Benton County case documents or certified copies?

Use the county’s Court Records Requests (GR 31) portal. Prepare the case number, exact document title, and—if possible—the filing date to speed retrieval. Specify whether you need plain or certified copies; fees are assessed per page and per certification. Include a narrow date range for large files and note any urgency. Requests are processed under Washington’s GR 31, with statutory limits for sealed, confidential, or restricted materials.

I’m looking for District Court records (misdemeanors, infractions, small civil). Where should I go?

District Court maintains its own records workflow. Submit requests through Records Request and identify the precise document type (e.g., judgment, docket printout, minute entry). Provide the case number or party name, and indicate if certification is required. District Court files are separate from Superior Court’s records, so using the correct channel avoids delays and duplicate requests.

How can I confirm the case number or basic case details before requesting documents?

Start with the county’s link to the statewide index via Odyssey Portal to verify parties, case numbers, and public register entries. Cross-checking here prevents mismatched requests and helps you pinpoint which specific pleadings or orders to ask for. Note that sealed or confidential case categories will display limited information consistent with court rules.

How do I verify hearing dates or target a specific day’s orders or minutes?

Consult Court Dockets to see matters set across local courts. Match the hearing date and department to the document you intend to request (for example, a signed order from a particular session). When submitting your records request, reference the hearing date and courtroom; this context helps staff locate the precise entry, especially for recent or high-volume calendars.