Franklin County Court Records
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Franklin County sits in southeastern Washington State, with Pasco as its county seat. The county's judicial system centers on the Benton-Franklin Superior Court — a combined judicial district shared with neighboring Benton County — along with the Franklin County District Court and the Pasco Municipal Court. Together, these courts generate records for felony prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, probate matters, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims, and more. The Franklin County Clerk's Office, located inside the Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco, is the primary record-keeper for Superior Court files, while the District Court and Municipal Court each maintain their own separate case files.
Several tools are available to anyone searching for court records in Washington State. The Franklin County Clerk's Office accepts walk-in, telephone, online, and mail requests during regular business hours. The state judiciary also offers free electronic case-search systems covering courts at every level. WashingtonStateCourts.us can help you find publicly available case information, court contact details, forms, and procedural guidance across all Washington counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
The right approach depends on the court and the type of record you need. Franklin County provides several ways to locate case information.
Online Case Search Statewide Tool
The Washington Courts case search tool is a free public system covering Superior Court and courts of limited jurisdiction — including District and Municipal Courts — across the state. You can search by:
- Party name (plaintiff or defendant)
- Case number
- Attorney name
- Filing date range
Results show docket entries, case type, hearing dates, and disposition information for cases in the Franklin County Superior Court, Franklin County District Court, and Pasco Municipal Court.
Online Case Search Odyssey Portal
For Superior Court cases specifically, the Odyssey Portal provides case summaries and docket sheets. If you need access to actual court documents rather than just index information, you can register for the Enhanced Odyssey Portal through the Franklin County Clerk's Office. Registration requires a completed portal master registration form and a signed confidentiality agreement. A $50 modification fee applies for any subsequent changes to your account.
In-Person Searches
You can review public court records in person at the following locations during business hours:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Superior Court (Clerk's Office) | 1016 N. 4th Ave., Room B306, Pasco, WA 99301 | (509) 545-3525 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m. |
| Franklin County District Court | 1016 N. 4th Ave., Room B218, Pasco, WA 99301 | (509) 545-3593 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30–4:00 p.m. |
| Pasco Municipal Court | 1016 N. 4th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301 | (509) 545-3491 | Mon–Fri |
All three courts are housed in the Franklin County Courthouse at 1016 North 4th Avenue, Pasco.
Mail Requests
The Clerk's Office accepts written requests for Superior Court records by mail. Complete the Superior Court Clerk Records Request Form and send it with payment — cashier's check or money order only, no personal checks — to:
Franklin County Clerk's Office
Superior Court Records Request
1016 N. 4th Avenue B306
Pasco, WA 99301
Mail orders incur a $2.50 postage fee and a $2.00 handling fee on top of copy costs.
Phone Directory for the Clerk's Office
When you call (509) 545-3525, the automated system routes calls by topic:
- Option 1 — Financial/fine payments, bail and bonds
- Option 2 — Civil, probate, guardianships
- Option 3 — Domestic, civil protection orders, parentage
- Option 4 — Criminal felony matters, adult drug court
- Option 5 — Financial manager, accounts
- Option 6 — Juvenile offender, truancy, dependency
- Option 7 — Jury questions
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Washington law establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including court records.
Washington Public Records Act
The Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) requires government agencies to make records available for public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. Court records from Franklin County courts fall within this framework. Agencies must release non-exempt records upon request and may redact any exempted portions before handing over a document. If you're denied access, you can file a motion for judicial review in Superior Court.
Records That Are Publicly Accessible
Most court filings are open to the public, including:
- Criminal case dockets, charging documents, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, judgments, and writs
- Dissolution (divorce) decrees and custody orders
- Probate petitions, wills, and estate inventories
- District Court and Municipal Court case records
Records That Are Restricted or Exempt
The following categories are generally not available for public inspection:
- Juvenile offender and dependency records
- Adoption records
- Sealed records (including confidential name changes)
- Domestic violence victim information and sexual assault records
- Health and medical records
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Personally identifying information that could endanger safety
- Agency employee records
- Commercial, financial, or proprietary information
- Grand jury materials and ongoing investigation records
Copy Fees (Superior Court Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies — first page per document | $5.00 |
| Certified copies — each additional page | $1.00 |
| Authenticated/exemplified certificate (per seal) | $3.00 (plus certified copy fee) |
| Search fee (cases 1983 and older) | $30.00 per request (plus copy fees) |
| Expedited record services | $30.00 |
| Ex parte presentation of orders or record searches | $30.00 per hour or portion |
| Audio copy of court proceedings | $25.00 per court day |
| Postage (mail requests) | $2.50 |
| Handling fee (if no SASE provided) | $2.00 |
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Franklin County are prosecuted in the Superior Court (felonies) and the District Court (misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors). The Pasco Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances and certain traffic offenses within Pasco city limits.
Where Criminal Records Are Maintained
The Franklin County Clerk's Office maintains all Superior Court criminal case files, including charging documents, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and appeal filings. District Court criminal records are maintained separately — contact (509) 545-3593 to access them.
Searching Criminal Court Records
To locate a criminal case:
- Start with the Washington Courts case search tool, which lets you search by defendant name, case number, or attorney across all Franklin County courts.
- For Superior Court cases, the Odyssey Portal provides docket information.
- For felony matters, call the Clerk's Office at (509) 545-3525, Option 4.
- For District Court misdemeanors, call (509) 545-3593 or visit Room B218 at the courthouse.
No filing fee is charged for criminal cases at initiation; costs are assessed upon conviction or guilty plea under RCW 36.18.020.
Statewide Criminal History Records
Formal criminal history background checks are handled by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) through its Identification and Background Check Section. Conviction records are publicly available, but non-conviction information — such as older arrest records — is generally restricted to criminal justice agencies and the record subject under RCW 10.97.050.
You can obtain criminal history records from WSP in the following ways:
- Online: Use the WATCH portal — $11.00 per search
- Mail (name-based): Submit a completed request form, valid ID, and $32.00 fee to: Washington State Patrol, P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633
- Fingerprint-based: $58.00 per search
- Notarized letter: Additional $10.00
Arrest Records
For Franklin County arrest records, direct your request to the arresting law enforcement agency. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Pasco Police Department each maintain their own arrest and booking records. Inmate information may also be available through county jail records.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Franklin County is split between the Superior Court (unlimited jurisdiction) and the District Court (claims up to $100,000).
Superior Court Civil Cases
The Superior Court handles civil actions including breach of contract, personal injury, real property disputes, unlawful detainer (eviction), foreclosures, and appeals from lower courts. Civil case records are maintained by the Clerk's Office and are searchable through the Odyssey Portal and the Washington Courts case search tool.
To request copies, submit the records request form online, in person, or by mail with the appropriate fees.
Selected Superior Court Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Civil action (including name changes) | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Civil arbitration statement of arbitrability | $220.00 | RCW 36.18.016(24) |
| Counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Residential unlawful detainer (default) | $135.00 | RCW 36.18.012(4) |
| Foreign judgment (civil) | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Judicial review | $290.00 | RCW 34.05.514 |
| Jury demand — 12 jurors | $250.00 | RCW 36.18.016(3) |
| Jury demand — 6 jurors | $125.00 | RCW 36.18.016(3) |
| Writ (original and one conformed copy) | $20.00 | RCW 36.18.016(5) |
| Transcript of district court judgment | $20.00 | RCW 36.18.012(2) |
Civil protection orders, vulnerable adult protection orders, extreme risk protection orders, and sexual assault protection orders carry no filing fee.
District Court Civil Cases
The Franklin County District Court processes small claims (up to $10,000 for individuals, $5,000 for businesses) and general civil complaints up to $100,000. District Court fees include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summons and complaint | $83.00 |
| Small claims | $50.00 |
| Anti-harassment petition | $83.00 |
| Appeals | $280.00 |
| Jury demand | $125.00 |
| Writ of garnishment | $12.00 |
| Supplemental proceedings | $20.00 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 |
| Photocopies | $0.50 per page |
The District Court is located at 1016 N. 4th Avenue, Room B218, Pasco, WA 99301. Phone: (509) 545-3593 | Fax: (509) 545-3588
Franklin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Franklin County are heard in the Superior Court, with the Clerk's Office maintaining all related case files. Franklin County offers Family Court Facilitator services on the domestic docket, available Monday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The facilitator fee is $35.00 for the first hour and $25.00 for each additional hour on the same case.
Dissolution of Marriage and Legal Separation
Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage, domestic partnership, or legal separation costs $364.00 under RCW 36.18.020 and RCW 36.18.016. Legal separation or invalidity filings cost the same. A counter-petition in a domestic relations action costs $310.00. Modifying an existing Franklin County decree costs $56.00, while modifying an out-of-county decree costs $310.00.
Divorce decrees and case files can be obtained from the Clerk's Office through the online request form, by walk-in visit, or by mail. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page; uncertified pages are $0.50 each.
Divorce certificates (as opposed to court decrees) from 1968 to the present are available through the Washington Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Mail a completed marriage/divorce order form and $25.00 fee to: Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507.
Child Custody, Parentage, and Support
The Uniform Parentage Act filing fee is $310.00. Wage assignment filings for paternity and child support enforcement also cost $310.00. Relocation objections on an existing case (modification) cost $56.00. No filing fee applies for domestic violence protection orders under RCW 26.50.040.
Adoption
Adoption filings cost $310.00. Certain adoption-related petitions — including those pending under Chapter 26.33 RCW, preplacement report filings, and revocations of consent — carry no fee.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and copies of marriage certificates are issued by the Franklin County Auditor at 1016 N. 4th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301. Historical marriage records may also be searched through the Washington State Digital Archives.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are available from the Benton-Franklin Health District at 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, WA 99336, Phone: (509) 460-4204 Each certificate costs $25.00. Under Washington's Vital Records Law (RCW 70.58A.540), birth records remain private for 100 years and death records for 25 years; during those periods, only qualified applicants — the subject, spouse, parents, children, siblings, legal guardians, legal advocates, government agencies, and courts — may obtain certified copies. Informational (non-certified) copies are available to any requester but cannot be used for legal purposes. The DOH Center for Health Statistics also provides statewide vital records by mail.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in Franklin County are heard by the Superior Court, with the Clerk's Office maintaining all related filings. Probate records include petitions, court orders, wills, bonds, letters testamentary or of administration, inventories, estate accountings, and final decrees.
How to Obtain Probate Records
- Online: Search the Odyssey Portal for case summaries, or register for enhanced access through the Clerk's Office.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office at 1016 N. 4th Avenue, Room B306, Pasco, WA 99301, during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.). Call (509) 545-3525, Option 2.
- Mail: Submit a completed records request form with payment (cashier's check or money order) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Clerk's Office.
- Email: Contact the Clerk's records division at clerkrecords@franklincountywa.gov.
Probate and Guardianship Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Probate filing | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Adult guardianship (no fee if assets under $3,000) | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6); RCW 11.88.030(4) |
| Minor guardianship (no fee if guardian is a relative) | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5); RCW 11.130.170 |
| Letters of administration, testamentary, or guardianship | $5.00 | RCW 36.18.016(9) |
| Will deposit only (no probate) | $20.00 | RCW 36.18.012(7) |
| Will repository | $20.00 | RCW 36.18.016(27) |
| Notice to creditors (non-probate) | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Registration of trust | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Certification of trust | $20.00 | RCW 36.18.012(3) |
| Escheat probate proceedings | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
| Appointment of special representative | $20.00 | RCW 11.96A.160 |
| Counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim | $290.00 | RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6) |
For small estates that don't require formal probate, Washington law offers a small estate affidavit procedure under RCW 11.62.010. This affidavit is not filed with the Clerk's Office. You can find additional information through Washington Law Help.
TEDRA Proceedings
Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) non-judicial binding agreements cost $20.00 when filed in an existing case and $290.00 when initiating a new case.