Kennewick Civil Court Records Search
Civil court records for Kennewick, Washington are maintained at Benton County Superior Court, with city-level matters handled by Kennewick Municipal Court for certain infractions and code violations.
Kennewick Quick Facts
Where Civil Cases Are Filed in Kennewick
Kennewick is the county seat of Benton County. That means the Benton County Superior Court is located right in the city. Civil cases including personal injury claims, contract disputes, family law matters, and probate cases are all filed here. You do not need to travel to another city to access the courthouse.
Benton County Superior Court handles the full range of major civil matters for Kennewick and the surrounding area. The Tri-Cities region, which includes Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, uses Benton County Superior Court and Franklin County Superior Court depending on which county you live in. Kennewick and Richland are in Benton County. Pasco is in Franklin County.
| Office | Benton County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | (509) 736-3071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bentonwa.gov/departments/courts |
Kennewick Municipal Court
Kennewick has its own Municipal Court. This court handles city-level matters including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking violations, and violations of Kennewick city ordinances. The Municipal Court is separate from Benton County Superior Court and keeps its own records.
If you received a traffic ticket in Kennewick, were cited for a city code violation, or have a misdemeanor case in the city, Kennewick Municipal Court handles that. Records from this court are separate from the county court records. You can contact the Municipal Court directly for records related to city cases.
| Office | Kennewick Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 W. Albany Avenue Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | (509) 585-4246 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | go2kennewick.com/departments/municipal-court |
The Municipal Court offers online fine payment. Court records requests can be submitted in person during business hours. The court has forms available and handles violations bureau services for traffic and parking matters. Online payment is available for those who need to pay fines without coming to the office.
How to Search Kennewick Civil Court Records
You can search Benton County civil court records online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. Go to odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov and select Benton County. The portal lets you look up cases by party name or case number. It shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries.
The Washington Courts statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov is another option. This tool searches across all counties and is good when you are not certain where a case was filed. It covers both Superior Court and District Court records across Washington State.
When searching, have at least one party's full name ready. A case number will make the search faster and more exact. If you know roughly when the case was filed, filtering by year narrows the results. Case type filters (civil, family law, probate) can also help.
For the actual case documents, you need to visit the Benton County Courthouse in person or submit a written request to the clerk. The clerk can pull the file and provide copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee than plain copies. Call (509) 736-3071 to ask about what documents are available and how to request them.
Types of Civil Cases Filed in Kennewick
Benton County Superior Court handles a wide range of civil matters for Kennewick residents. Here are the main case types you might need to search for or file:
- Personal injury lawsuits including car accidents and slip-and-fall cases
- Contract disputes between individuals or businesses
- Real property disputes including title issues, boundary disagreements, and foreclosures
- Family law cases such as divorce, child custody, child support, and modifications
- Protection orders and domestic violence restraining orders
- Probate and estate administration cases
- Business and commercial litigation
- Debt collection lawsuits where the amount is significant
- Small claims (at the District Court level, up to $10,000)
Benton County District Court handles smaller civil disputes and small claims. If your case involves a lesser dollar amount, District Court may be the right option. Cases involving $100,000 or less can potentially be filed there. Small claims up to $10,000 go through a simpler and faster process designed for people without attorneys.
Civil Court Fees in Benton County
Filing fees for civil cases in Benton County Superior Court follow Washington State guidelines. The exact fee depends on the case type and the amount at issue. Most civil filings start at around $240 or more. Complex commercial cases or those involving large amounts may have higher fees.
Other costs to plan for:
- Civil complaint filing fee: approximately $240 or higher
- Certified copy of court documents: $5 first page, $1 per additional page
- Plain copy: typically $0.25 per page
- Service of process: varies by method, sheriff service is around $40 to $60
- Small claims filing fee: $14 to $29
If you cannot afford to pay the fees, you can apply for a waiver. Submit a motion and declaration to the court explaining your finances. People receiving public assistance or earning below 200% of the federal poverty level often qualify. Fee waiver forms are available at the courthouse or at courts.wa.gov/forms.
Legal Help in Kennewick
Residents of Kennewick who need civil legal help and cannot afford an attorney have options. Free and low-cost services are available in the Tri-Cities area.
Northwest Justice Project serves eastern Washington including Benton County. They handle family law, housing, public benefits, and other civil matters for residents who qualify financially. Call (888) 201-1014 or go to nwjustice.org for more information.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org provides free online guides for civil legal topics in plain language. You can download all official Washington State court forms at no cost from courts.wa.gov/forms. Benton County Superior Court also has staff who can help you find the right forms and understand the filing process, though they cannot give legal advice.
Kennewick Municipal Court
The image below shows the Kennewick Municipal Court portal, which handles city-level infractions, traffic violations, and code enforcement matters.
Benton County Civil Court Records
Kennewick is the county seat of Benton County, and the Superior Court is located in the city. For complete details on the county court system, fee schedules, and search resources, see the Benton County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in or near the Tri-Cities region of eastern Washington.