| County Clerk (Superior Court) | Benton County Clerk (Superior Court) |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | Benton County Clerk, Benton County Justice Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A210, Kennewick, WA 99336 (Prosser office: 620 Market Street, Prosser, WA 99350) |
| Phone | 509-735-8388 (Kennewick); 509-786-5624 (Prosser) |
| Hours | Kennewick office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Prosser office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | $0.50 per page (non-certified) at most superior court clerks; some counties charge $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy fee | $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page |
Benton County, in the Tri-Cities region of southeastern Washington, is one of the few counties whose county seat (Prosser) is not where most court business happens. Superior Court sits at the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick, and the Benton County Clerk keeps its main office there in Suite A210, with a second office at the historic Prosser Courthouse. Benton and Franklin Counties share a single Superior Court bench, but each county's clerk holds the files for cases filed in that county.
Benton County uses the statewide Odyssey Portal for case summary information, but it does not use Odyssey's document management system, so no filed documents can be viewed online even with a registered account. Copies of documents, record searches, and hearing recordings are ordered instead through the Benton County Clerk's Office Request Site, an nCourt-hosted form and payment page. The Clerk has not accepted personal checks since 2010.
Benton County District Court, in Suite A110 of the same Justice Center with a branch in Prosser, hears misdemeanors, infractions, and small claims and also serves as the municipal court for Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, and Prosser. It directs the public to Tyler's re:SearchWA for case information and documents and has short retention periods — most closed cases are destroyed after three years.
Search Benton County court records online
County Clerk (Superior Court)
Benton County Clerk (Superior Court)
- Cost
- Free case information on Odyssey; copy, search, and recording fees per the Clerk's fee schedule (effective June 11, 2026) plus an nCourt convenience fee for online orders
- Coverage
- Superior Court felony, civil, family law, probate, and guardianship case files for Benton County; juvenile matters are handled at the Juvenile Justice Center
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate
The Clerk does not handle District Court cases (traffic infractions, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors). Personal checks have not been accepted since October 1, 2010. Certified copies follow the statewide RCW 36.18.016 rate of $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page.
Other courts
Odyssey Portal (Benton County Superior Court)
- Cost
- Free
- Coverage
- Benton County Superior Court case summary information — parties, charges, and hearing dates
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate
Benton County does not use Odyssey's document management system, so document access is not available through the portal even with a registered account; the Clerk says document access by subscription is being considered for a later date.
Other courts
Benton County Clerk's Office Request Site (nCourt)
- Cost
- Copy, search, and recording fees plus a convenience fee and shipping/handling where applicable
- Coverage
- Online ordering of document copies, record searches, and hearing recordings from the Benton County Clerk's Office
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate
Each request requires the appropriate request form and payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover; the Clerk advises you of the final cost before completing the request. Linked from the Benton-Franklin Superior Court records page.
Other courts
Benton County District Court (Records Request)
- Cost
- Research $20.00 per hour; certified copies $5.00 first page plus $1.00 per additional page; document copies $0.50 per page on paper or $0.25 per page emailed; court recordings $10.00 per CD or thumb drive plus the search fee
- Coverage
- Benton County District Court misdemeanor, infraction, and civil cases, including municipal cases for Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, and Prosser
- Records
- Criminal, Civil, Traffic
Search case information and documents first on re:SearchWA (researchwa.tylerhost.net); use the online Records Request form if you cannot find them. Retention is 3 years for closed criminal, civil, and infraction cases and 10 years for DV, DUI, and open civil judgments — older cases are destroyed. Office at 7122 W Okanogan Place, Suite A110, Kennewick; phone 509-735-8476; Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
What is available online
Benton County Superior Court case summaries, parties, and hearing dates are free on the Odyssey Portal, but no documents are viewable online because the county has not adopted Odyssey's document management system. Document copies, record searches, and hearing recordings are ordered through the Clerk's nCourt request site and delivered after payment. District Court case information and documents are on re:SearchWA, with a records request form as a fallback; District Court destroys most closed cases three years after closing, so older misdemeanor and infraction records may no longer exist.
Which clerk has your record
In Washington, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Washington page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Courts (one per county, some counties share) | Felony criminal cases; Divorce, custody, and other family-law cases; Civil cases above $100,000 (or any amount not limited to district court) | Clerk of the Superior Court for the county |
| District Courts | Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors; Civil cases up to $100,000; Traffic and non-traffic infractions | District Court Clerk/Administrator for the county |
| Municipal Courts | Misdemeanors under city ordinance; Traffic infractions issued by city police; City code violations | Municipal court clerk for that city |
Request records in person or by mail
Benton County clerk offices
Benton County Clerk, Benton County Justice Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A210, Kennewick, WA 99336 (Prosser office: 620 Market Street, Prosser, WA 99350)
Phone: 509-735-8388 (Kennewick); 509-786-5624 (Prosser)
Hours: Kennewick office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Prosser office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Online. Look up the case on the Odyssey Portal to confirm the case number and parties, then go to the Benton County Clerk's Office Request Site (nCourt) and complete the form for copies of documents, a record search, or a hearing recording. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover; a convenience fee and shipping are added, and the Clerk confirms the final cost before completing the order.
In person. Visit the Clerk's Office in Suite A210 of the Justice Center at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., or the Prosser office at 620 Market Street (closed for lunch noon–1:00 p.m.). Bring the case number or party names. Personal checks are not accepted.
By mail. Write to the Clerk at the Kennewick address with the case number, the documents needed, and whether you need certified copies, and ask for a fee quote. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page under RCW 36.18.016; confirm the current plain-copy rate with the office, which posted a new fee schedule effective June 11, 2026.
Odyssey registration. Attorneys and frequent users can send the Portal Master Registration Form and a confidentiality agreement to the Kennewick office for enhanced Odyssey access, but this still does not unlock documents in Benton County.
District Court records. Search re:SearchWA first. If the documents are not there, submit the District Court's online Records Request form (case type, case number, name, and date of birth). Research is $20 per hour, copies are $0.50 per page on paper or $0.25 emailed, and recordings are $10 per CD or thumb drive. Pay in person or through nCourt.
Judicial administrative records (court policies, budgets, and other non-case records) are requested from the Superior Court Administrator under GR 31.1, not from the Clerk.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Washington |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $0.50 per page (non-certified) at most superior court clerks; some counties charge $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page |
Superior court clerk fees are set by RCW 36.18.016; district and municipal court fees are set by RCW 3.62.060. Both statutes set the $5.00 first-page / $1.00 additional-page certified-copy fee, but counties vary on the non-certified per-page rate, search fees for older records, and add-ons like expedited service or electronic delivery — confirm the current amount with the specific clerk before sending payment.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Washington court records are presumed open under General Rule 31 (GR 31), but several categories are not available in any public search:
The Washington guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
Can I view Benton County Superior Court documents online?
No. Benton County uses Odyssey for case summary information but has not adopted its document management system, so filed documents are not viewable online even with a registered account. Order copies through the Clerk's nCourt request site instead.
Which office do I go to — Kennewick or Prosser?
Either. The Clerk's main office is in Suite A210 of the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick (509-735-8388), where Superior Court sits; the Prosser Courthouse office at 620 Market Street (509-786-5624) also handles clerk business and closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Where are Benton County misdemeanor, traffic, and Kennewick or Richland city cases?
In Benton County District Court, Suite A110 of the Justice Center, which also acts as the municipal court for Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, and Prosser. Search re:SearchWA or file a records request; the Clerk's Office does not hold these cases.
Why can't Benton County District Court find my old ticket or misdemeanor case?
District Court's retention schedule destroys closed criminal, civil, and infraction cases after three years (ten years for domestic violence, DUI, and open civil judgments). Once the retention period passes, the record no longer exists at the court.
Sources
- Benton County Clerk — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/government/elected_officials/clerk/index.php
- Benton County Clerk — Odyssey Portal — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/government/elected_officials/clerk/odyssey_portal.php
- Benton County Clerk — Fee Schedule — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/government/elected_officials/clerk/fee_schedule.php
- Benton-Franklin Superior Court — Judicial Records Request (case records guidance) — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/departments/courts_and_judicial_services/superior_court/superior_court_administration/judicial_records_request/index.php
- Benton County District Court — Records Request — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/departments/courts_and_judicial_services/district_court/records_request.php
- Benton County District Court — Contact — https://www.bentoncountywa.gov/departments/courts_and_judicial_services/district_court/contact/index.php
- Washington State Court Directory — Benton County — https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/orgs/263.html
- Washington Courts — About the Courts — https://www.courts.wa.gov/
- Washington Courts Case Search — https://dw.courts.wa.gov/
- Odyssey Portal — https://odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/odyportal
- Washington Appellate Courts Public Document Portal — https://acdocportal.courts.wa.gov/PublicAccess/search_ca.html
- WATCH — Washington State Patrol Criminal History Search — https://watch.wsp.wa.gov/public/watch
- GR 31 — Public Access to Court Records — https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_31_00_00.pdf
- RCW 9.94A.640 — Vacation of Judgment (felony) — https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.94A.640
- RCW 9.96.060 — Vacation of Conviction (misdemeanor) — https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.96.060
- RCW 36.18.016 — Superior Court Clerk Fees — https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=36.18.016
- RCW 3.62.060 — District and Municipal Court Fees — https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=3.62.060
See also: all Washington counties.