Find Civil Court Records in Richland
Civil court records for Richland, Washington are filed at Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick, which serves the entire Tri-Cities area.
Richland Quick Facts
Benton County Superior Court
All civil cases from Richland go to Benton County Superior Court. This is the main court for civil lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, family law cases, and other civil filings. The courthouse is in Kennewick, about 10 miles from central Richland.
The court is at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone is (509) 736-3071. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Benton County Superior Court Clerk's office handles all filings, records requests, and certified copies for cases in the Tri-Cities area including Richland.
Richland is entirely within Benton County, so there is no question about jurisdiction. Whether your case is a contract dispute, a personal injury claim, or a family law matter, you file at Benton County Superior Court. Staff can tell you which forms to use and what the current fee is before you show up to file.
| Office | Benton County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Bldg A Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | (509) 736-3071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.benton.wa.us |
How to Search Richland Civil Court Records
Benton County Superior Court is on the Washington State Odyssey Portal. You can search civil cases online through the statewide system. The Odyssey Portal is at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. Select Benton County when you search to narrow results to local cases.
Washington State also has a public case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov. This covers most courts statewide. It is useful for finding cases across multiple counties or if you are not sure where a case was filed. Both systems are free to use for basic searches.
To get the best results, use at least one party's full legal name. Having a filing year helps narrow things down. Case numbers are the fastest way to pull up a specific file. The online portals show case status, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. They do not always include full document images. For complete files or certified copies, you need to contact or visit the clerk's office.
In-person access is available at the courthouse during business hours. You can use public terminals in the clerk's office to search and view case records. Staff can help with older cases that may not appear in the electronic systems. If you need certified copies, plan for a fee of $5 for the first page and $1 per page after that.
Richland Municipal Court
Richland has its own Municipal Court. This court handles lower-level matters within city limits but does not take civil lawsuits. Cases it handles include misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and parking violations under city ordinances and municipal code.
The Richland Municipal Court is at 871 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352. Phone is (509) 942-7325. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Online fine payment is available through the court's website.
Municipal Court records are completely separate from Superior Court civil records. The Odyssey Portal does not include Richland Municipal Court cases. If you need records from the Municipal Court, contact that office directly. Records requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. Public access to court calendars is available during business hours.
If you received a traffic ticket, a parking citation, or a city code violation notice in Richland, that case goes to the Municipal Court at 871 George Washington Way. For any civil lawsuit or larger civil matter, you go to Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick.
Types of Civil Records Available
Civil court records from Richland cases filed at Benton County Superior Court cover a wide range of case types. Most documents in civil cases are public records unless a judge has ordered them sealed. Common documents include complaints, responses, motions, orders, judgments, and final decrees.
Case types you can find include:
- General civil lawsuits (debt collection, contract disputes, property damage, personal injury)
- Family law cases (divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders)
- Probate and guardianship matters
- Name change petitions
- Civil harassment and protection order cases
- Small claims appeals from District Court
- Adoption cases
Small claims cases for amounts up to $10,000 are filed in Benton County District Court, not Superior Court. The District Court is a separate court with its own clerk. Call the Benton County District Court for information on small claims filings in Richland.
Filing Fees at Benton County Superior Court
Civil filing fees at Benton County Superior Court depend on the case type and claim amount. Most standard civil filings cost in the range of $200. Fees are set under Washington State law, so they are similar across counties, but some local fees may vary. Call the clerk at (509) 736-3071 to confirm the current fee before you file.
Common civil filing costs:
- General civil complaint: approximately $200 or more depending on case type
- Small claims in District Court: $14 to $100 based on claim amount
- Certified copies: $5 first page, $1 each additional page
- Service of process by sheriff: approximately $40 to $60
- Filing a response to a complaint: varies by case type
Washington courts offer fee waivers for people who cannot afford to pay. You file a motion with a declaration of financial status. If your income is below 200% of the federal poverty level, or you receive public benefits like food assistance or TANF, you likely qualify. Waiver forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms or at the courthouse.
Legal Help in Richland
Free and low-cost legal help is available to Richland residents for civil court matters. Several organizations serve the Tri-Cities area. It is worth reaching out before you try to handle a civil case on your own, especially if the other side has an attorney.
Northwest Justice Project provides civil legal aid to low-income residents throughout Washington, including Benton County. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit nwjustice.org to see if you qualify and to find out what help is available for your type of case.
Washington Law Help at washingtonlawhelp.org has free step-by-step guides for many civil legal topics including family law, housing, and consumer issues. Official Washington court forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms.
The Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. They can connect you with an attorney in the Tri-Cities area. Some attorneys offer free or low-cost first consultations. The Benton-Franklin Counties Bar Association may also have referral resources for local legal help.
Richland City Website
Richland city services include the Municipal Court for local violations. Civil filings go to Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick.
Benton County Court Page
Richland civil cases are filed at Benton County Superior Court. Visit the county page for full details on the courthouse, search tools, and local legal resources.
Nearby Cities
Kennewick and Pasco are the other Tri-Cities. Civil cases from those cities also go through Benton County or Franklin County Superior Court.