Yakima County Court Records Search

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    Yakima County spans a large portion of south-central Washington and serves as a significant judicial hub within the state. The county seat of Yakima houses the primary courthouse, where the Superior Court, District Court, and several municipal courts process criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Whether an individual needs to verify a pending case, obtain copies of court filings, or conduct a background inquiry, Yakima County’s court system offers multiple pathways to access records — though the right approach depends on the type of case and the court that handled it.

    Those searching for court records in Washington State can draw on a combination of official resources. Clerk offices at the courthouse maintain physical case files open for public inspection, and online databases operated by the state judiciary provide remote access to case information across all court levels. WashingtonStateCourts.us can help individuals locate publicly available court case information and identify the appropriate court and clerk office for a given matter. Public access terminals at courthouse locations also allow on-site electronic searches at no cost.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Yakima County?

    Several methods are available for locating case records in Yakima County, ranging from free online databases to in-person requests and mail-in orders.

    Washington Courts Public Case Search

    The Washington Courts case search portal is a free, statewide database maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. No registration is required. Users can select a court level — superior, district, or municipal — and search by:

    • Party name
    • Case number
    • Business name

    Results can be narrowed by case type, filing date, and specific court name. The database displays basic case information, including party names, case numbers, and judgments. It is updated every 24 hours.

    A separate name search tool allows individuals to look up cases statewide by entering a person’s name across all court levels simultaneously.

    Requesting Records from the Clerk of Superior Court

    For Superior Court matters, the Clerk of Superior Court maintains all filings, exhibits, and official records. Copies can be ordered in person, by mail, or through an online form.

    Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court
    Address: 128 North 2nd Street, Room 323, Yakima, WA 98901
    Phone: (509) 574-1430
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (closed holidays)

    To request paper document copies, complete the Copy Request Form and submit it in person or by mail.

    Superior Court Copy Fees (per RCW 36.18.016(4)):

    ServiceFee
    Paper copies$0.50 per page ($1 minimum)
    Electronic/emailed copies$0.25 per page ($1 minimum)
    Certified copies$5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page per document
    Exemplified copies$9.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page per document
    Research fee$20.00 per hour (billed in 15-minute increments)

    Requesting Court Hearing Recordings

    Audio recordings of Superior Court proceedings can be ordered on CD. Requesters must complete the court hearings request form — available as a paper form or electronic submission. Mailing costs for CDs are:

    • 1–2 CDs: $3
    • 3–4 CDs: $6
    • 5–6 CDs: $9

    Washington State Digital Archives

    The Washington State Digital Archives provides online access to historical court records, including older Yakima County Superior Court case files. Users can search by name, case number, or keyword and filter by record type.

    Are Court Records Public in Yakima County?

    Washington State maintains a strong presumption of public access to court records. Two primary legal frameworks govern this access.

    The Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) requires state and local agencies to make public records available upon request. While the PRA applies broadly to county government records, court records are specifically governed by General Rule 31 (GR 31) and GR 31.1, which are adopted by the Washington Supreme Court.

    Under GR 31, the public has the right to access all court records except where restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. Viewing court records at the courthouse cannot be subject to a fee.

    Redaction Requirements

    GR 31 requires parties to omit or redact certain personal identifiers from all court filings, including:

    • Social Security numbers (only last four digits permitted)
    • Financial account numbers (only last four digits permitted)
    • Driver’s license numbers

    The responsibility for redacting these identifiers rests with the filing party and their counsel — the court and clerk will not review filings for compliance.

    Records Restricted from Public Access

    Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:

    • Sealed and expunged criminal records
    • Juvenile court records (not displayed on publicly accessible court websites, though accessible at the clerk’s office)
    • Adoption records
    • Certain family court records involving victim or witness safety
    • Suicide notes referenced in proceedings
    • Confidential informant identities
    • Records restricted by specific court order

    Juror information beyond a juror’s name is presumed private. Access to additional juror details requires a petition demonstrating good cause.

    Yakima County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Yakima County are heard across multiple courts depending on the severity of the charge. The Superior Court handles all felonies and certain misdemeanors, while the District Court and municipal courts adjudicate misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and infractions within their jurisdictions.

    Online Criminal Case Searches

    The Washington Courts case search portal covers criminal cases at all court levels. Users can search by defendant name or case number to view charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. For cases handled in Superior Court, additional documents may be obtained through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office.

    District Court Criminal Records

    The Yakima County District Court processes misdemeanor cases for the cities of Union Gap, Grandview, Mabton, Tieton, and Moxee. Records can be requested through the district court’s online case record request form or by contacting the records line directly at (509) 574-1848. Requests are typically fulfilled within 48 hours.

    District Court record fees:

    ServiceFee
    Criminal history documents$0.25 per page
    General court records$0.50 per page
    Audio copy of court hearing$20.00 per CD
    Certified copies$5.00 first page + $1.00 each additional page per document

    Requesters must provide a valid ID when submitting a records request.

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and investigative files. Records requests can be submitted through the office’s Public Records Portal or by submitting a printable request form in person.

    Yakima County Sheriff’s Office – Public Records
    Address: 1822 S. 1st Street, Yakima, WA 98903
    Phone: (509) 574-2625
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4:30 PM

    Responses may take up to five business days. Traffic collision reports for insurance purposes can also be obtained through LexisNexis Police Reports.

    The Yakima County inmate lookup system and the Yakima City Jail Roster provide current booking information for individuals in custody.

    Statewide Criminal History Checks

    Formal criminal background checks are not available through local courts or the Sheriff’s Office. The Washington State Patrol maintains statewide criminal history records compiled from courts and criminal justice agencies across Washington. The fee is $11 per name searched, regardless of the outcome.

    Yakima County Civil Court Records

    Civil disputes in Yakima County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $100,000, while the District Court handles claims up to $100,000, small claims up to $5,000, name changes, and harassment and stalking matters.

    Searching Civil Case Records

    The Washington Courts public case search portal covers civil filings at both the superior and district court levels. Users can filter results by case type to isolate civil matters.

    For Superior Court civil records, the Clerk’s office at 128 North 2nd Street, Room 323, processes copy requests. The Copy Request Form can be submitted in person or by mail. Electronic filing is available through eFileWA, the state’s electronic filing system.

    For District Court civil records, requests can be made through the district court’s online request form, by phone at (509) 574-1848, or by visiting either courthouse location:

    Yakima District Court – Yakima
    Address: 128 North 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901
    Phone: (509) 574-1804
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

    Yakima District Court – Grandview
    Address: 1313 West Wine Country Road, Grandview, WA 98930
    Phone: (509) 882-2192
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)

    Municipal Court Civil Matters

    Several municipal courts within Yakima County handle infractions, traffic violations, and certain civil matters within their city limits. Key municipal courts include:

    Yakima County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Yakima County are heard in the Family Court division of the Superior Court. This division handles divorce, legal separation, child custody and placement, child support, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, and guardianship of minors.

    Accessing Family Court Records

    Family court filings can be searched through the Washington Courts case search portal by selecting “Domestic” as the case type under Yakima County Superior Court. Copies of family court documents are available through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office using the standard copy request process and fee schedule.

    Certain family court records carry confidentiality restrictions. Adoption records are sealed under Washington law and not available to the general public. Juvenile dependency proceedings are confidential. Records involving victim safety concerns may also be restricted by court order.

    Divorce Records

    Washington State issues two types of dissolution of marriage records:

    1. Divorce certificates — One-page certified documents confirming the divorce occurred. Available from the Washington State Department of Health for a nonrefundable fee of $25 by mail (allow 6–8 weeks) or $40.50 online through an approved vendor (3–7 business days). The order form should be mailed to:

      Washington State Department of Health
      Center for Health Statistics
      P.O. Box 9709
      Olympia, WA 98507-9709

      Only divorces from 1968 onward are available through this office. For earlier records, contact the Yakima County Superior Court Clerk.

    2. Divorce decrees — Multi-page court documents detailing the terms of the dissolution, including property division, child custody, and support. Available from the Clerk of Superior Court through the Copy Request Form at standard copy fees.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses are issued by the Yakima County Auditor’s office. The application fee starts at $176. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained through the Auditor’s Recording Division or ordered through the county’s online records vendor. Marriage certificates are also available from the Washington State Department of Health using the same mail-in process as divorce certificates for $25.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are managed by the Yakima Health District, which operates as the local vital records office.

    Yakima Health District
    Address: 1210 Ahtanum Ridge Drive, Union Gap, WA 98903
    Phone: (509) 575-4040
    Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Tuesday: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM

    Certified copies cost $20 each (cash and check accepted; credit and debit cards accepted with a service fee). These records are not public — only the named individual, direct family members, legal representatives, or government agencies may request them. Applicants must present valid identification.

    Birth records from 1907 onward and death records are also available from the Washington State Department of Health for $20. Birth records predating 1907 may be obtained from the Yakima County Auditor’s Recording Division for $1 per copy or $3 per certified copy.

    Yakima County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Yakima County fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. The court processes cases involving the administration of estates, validation of wills, appointment of personal representatives, and establishment of guardianships for incapacitated adults.

    Types of Probate Records

    The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records for:

    • Formal and informal probate proceedings
    • Estate administration filings, including inventories and accountings
    • Will contests and trust disputes
    • Guardianship petitions and orders for incapacitated persons
    • Small estate affidavits

    Original wills of living persons can be deposited with the County Clerk for safekeeping through the Wills, Probate & Guardianship section of the county website.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information is available through the Washington Courts case search portal by selecting “Probate” as the case type and specifying Yakima County Superior Court. The Washington State Digital Archives may also contain historical probate records for genealogical or research purposes.

    Requesting Probate Documents

    Copies of probate filings — including wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, estate inventories, and guardianship orders — can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court at 128 North 2nd Street, Room 323, Yakima, WA 98901. The standard copy fee schedule applies: $0.50 per page for paper copies, $5.00 plus $1.00 per additional page for certified copies, and $9.00 plus $1.00 per additional page for exemplified copies. Research fees of $20 per hour may apply when staff time is needed to locate specific records.

    Requests can be submitted using the Copy Request Form in person or by mail. Requesters who mail forms should include a self-addressed stamped envelope or expect to be billed for postage. For questions about probate filings or record availability, contact the Clerk’s office directly at (509) 574-1430.