Franklin County Court Records

Court records in Franklin County include dockets, motions, transcripts, and other documents generated, received, or retained by courts regarding their judicial proceedings. As these documents provide information on cases handled by courts, individuals may seek to access them to review proceedings, prove actions, or enforce court decisions.

Generally, details contained in Franklin County court records may include:

• Case filing date and status
• Case number and type (civil, criminal, traffic, etc.)
• Names of parties (plaintiff, defendant, and attorney)
• Case summary with relevant dates
• Final judgment or disposition.

Similar to Washington court records, Franklin County court records serve as tools of court transparency and public information.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

Court records in Franklin County are considered public unless otherwise exempted from public disclosure by law. The Washington Public Records Act guides access to Franklin County public records, including court records. This Act authorizes government agencies to release or withhold public records in line with state laws, federal statutes, or rules. Hence, court records may be publicly unavailable if deemed confidential by law or protected under court seal. Exemptions under the Washington Public Records Act include:

• Preliminary notes and drafts
• Health or medical records
• Information on victims of domestic violence or sexual assault
• Adoption records
• Agencies employee records
• Commercial, financial, or proprietary information
• Juvenile records
• Sensitive security data
• Personally identifying data
• Other information that may invade personal privacy or harm an individual’s safety or property

Agencies must provide non-exempt records to the public upon request and may also redact exempted sections from a document before releasing it. Individuals denied access may also file a motion for judicial review of the agency’s actions or decisions at a Superior Court if they feel the denial unwarranted.

Franklin County Court Records Search

Persons seeking Franklin County court records may get them following online searches or requests to the appropriate Public Records Officer or custodian keeping the records. Record seekers should, therefore, determine whether a paper copy is needed or whether to view records online instead.

Generally, individuals may search for any type of court records with the Washington Courts case search tool according to party names, case details, or attorney details. Additionally, Superior Court records are available online through the Odyssey Portal, where users may search for case summaries or register to the Clerk’s Office-enhanced Odyssey portal to access court documents.

Lastly, physical files are available from the court clerk where proceedings took place. These clerks generally allow people to view public court records in person for free or to obtain copies for a fee.

Interested persons should determine the custodian and then send request letters (containing specific case details and identifying the needed document) to the clerk through acceptable channels. When required, requesters should also pay fees and provide valid identification to prove their right to obtain restricted information or records.

Franklin County Courts

Franklin County has Superior, District, and Municipal Courts serving the county under different jurisdictions. These courts are:

Franklin County Superior Court
1016 North 4th Avenue,
Room B306
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3525

Benton-Franklin Counties Juvenile Justice Center
5606 West Canal Drive,
Suite 106
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 783-2151
Fax: (509) 736-2728

Franklin County District Court
1016 North 4th Avenue,
Room B218,
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3593
Fax: (509) 545-3588

Pasco Municipal Court
1016 North 4th Avenue,
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3491
Fax: (509) 543-3494

Franklin County Criminal Records

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) gathers and maintains criminal records for Franklin County and the entire state. Therefore, individuals seeking Franklin County criminal records should send requests to this agency. However, note that criminal history record information may be restricted in line with state laws. For instance, conviction records are publicly available, while releasing non-conviction information like older Franklin arrest records may be limited to criminal justice agencies and the record subject.

To obtain Franklin criminal records, run online background checks through the WATCH portal or make in-person or mailed requests by providing completed request forms, fees, valid identification, and fingerprint cards (if needed) to the WSP at:

In-person:

Washington State Patrol - Olympia Office
106 11th Avenue SW
Suite 1300,
Olympia WA 98501

Mail:

Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633,
Olympia, WA 98504-2633

Online checks cost $11 each, while other checks may cost $32 or $58 for name or fingerprint-based checks, respectively. Notarized letters cost an added $10 each. For Franklin County arrest records, direct requests to the arresting agency or find related information in inmate, criminal, or court records.

Note: Public access to Franklin County arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Get Franklin County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Franklin County are documents filed or created during civil suits like breach of contract, landlord-tenant disputes, and personal injury cases. Franklin County civil court records are available at the court that heard the case. Therefore, interested persons should directly request to inspect documents or obtain copies from the appropriate filing court, ensuring that specific case details are provided and that appropriate copy fees are paid when required.

Online access to Franklin court records is available through the Odyssey Portal (Superior Court records only) or with the Washington Courts case search tool.

Franklin County Marriage Records

The Franklin County Auditor issues marriage licenses and copies of Franklin County marriage certificates. Additionally, persons may search the Washington State Archives or obtain copies through the Washington Department of Health (DOH), Center for Health Statistics, which keeps statewide records of marriages from 1968 till date.

To obtain Franklin County marriage records locally, visit the Auditor’s Office at 1016 North 4th Avenue, Pasco, or mail requests to:

Franklin County Auditor
P.O. Box
Pasco, WA 99301

For official records through the Department of Health, mail completed request forms and $25 fees in money order or check to:

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

Franklin County Divorce Records

The Franklin County Clerk maintains records of divorces granted by the Superior Court in the form of decrees and case files. Also, Franklin County divorce certificates from 1968 to the present are available with the DOH Center for Health Statistics. Interested persons may request these records by providing relevant names, dates, or other case/event descriptions to the appropriate custodian and paying fees for certified or uncertified copies.

For divorce decrees or case files, visit the Franklin County Clerk’s Office or direct online or mailed requests to:

Franklin County Clerk’s Office
Superior Court Records Request
1016 N. 4th Avenue B306
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3525

The clerk charges $5 for the first page of a certified document, $1 each for subsequent certified pages and $0.50 per uncertified page. Mailed requests should include payments in money order or cashier’s check and a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope.

For DOH divorce certificates, mail completed request forms and $25 fees in money order or check to:

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

Franklin Birth Records

Franklin County birth certificates are available at the Benton-Franklin Health District and the DOH Center for Health Statistics for $25 per certificate. However, in line with the state’s Vital Records Law, these records are private until 100 years after the event, except for public informational copies that cannot be used for legal purposes. Certified copies are only obtainable by:

• The record subject
• Spouse or domestic partner
• Child, stepchild, and grandchild
• Parent, stepparent, grandparent, and great-grandparent.
• Sibling(s)
• Legal guardians
• Legal Advocates
• Government agencies and courts

Individuals may request certified or informational copies of Franklin County birth records from the Health District by making requests in person or sending completed request forms (certified, informational), $25 fees, and ID/eligibility requirements (for certified copy) to:

Benton-Franklin Health District
7102 W. Okanogan Place,
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 460-4204
Fax: (509) 460-4587

Similarly, individuals may request records from the DOH Center for Health Statistics by sending completed application forms (certified, informational), $25 fees, and other required documents to:

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

Franklin Death Records

The DOH Center for Health Statistics and the Benton-Franklin Health District issue records of deaths in the state from July 1907 to the present. However, as per state laws, these Franklin County vital records remain confidential for 25 years, with only informational copies available to the public. To access these records while they are confidential, the requester must be:

• The decedent’s spouse or domestic partner
• The decedent’s parent, stepparent, grandparent, or great-grandparent
• The decedent’s legal guardian
• The decedent’s child or stepchild
• The decedent’s sibling
• The decedent’s legal representatives
• The decedent’s next of kin
• A funeral home
• An authorized government agency or court.

To obtain informational or certified copies of Franklin County death certificates from the Health District, provide completed application forms (informational, certified), $25 fees, and required documents in person, via mail, or fax to:

Benton-Franklin Health District
7102 W. Okanogan Place
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 460-4204
Fax: (509) 460-4587

Alternatively, request death records from the DOH Center for Health Statistics by sending completed application forms (informational, certified), $25 fees, and other required documents to:

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

Franklin County Probate Court Records

Franklin County probate court records are documents relating to the administration and distribution of deceased persons' assets and estates following death. They also involve appointing a guardian or conservator to protect the well-being and finances of an incapacitated individual.

The Franklin County Superior Court handles probate cases in the county, and the Clerk's Office maintains the associated legal files, which include petitions, court orders, wills, bonds, administrations, orders, decrees, and other related documents. Individuals interested in obtaining these probate court records should make online, walk-in, or mail-in requests to the clerk at:

Franklin County Clerk’s Office
Superior Court Records Request
1016 N. 4th Avenue
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3525

The clerk charges $0.50 per uncertified page, $5 for the first page of a certified document, and $1 each for subsequent pages. Mailed requests should include payments in money order or cashier’s check and a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope.

Franklin County Property Records

In Franklin County, property records include documents that offer accurate details about real estate in the county, its characteristics, and its history. These documents may contain legal descriptions of the property, building types and uses, construction specifications, property ownership, property value, and encumbrances such as liens or mortgages.

However, these records may have different custodians in the county. For instance, individuals who want information concerning property value or appraisals should contact the Franklin County Assessor's Office at:

Franklin County Courthouse
1016 N 4th Avenue
A-104
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3506
Fax: (509) 546-5840
Email: assessor@franklincountywa.gov

The Assessor's Office also offers online property and map search tools, allowing visitors to browse for property information by parcel number, owner name, or address.

Additionally, the County Auditor's Office also records deeds, plats, surveys, and other related land documents. For information concerning these records, contact:

1016 N 4th Avenue
P.O. Box 1451
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-3502 (ext. 0)
Fax: (509) 543-2995
Email: Auditor@franklincountywa.gov

Franklin County Court Records Online

Third-party resources like Washingtoncourtrecords.us are useful resources for obtaining Franklin County court records. These websites compile records from different jurisdictions, making it easy for users to find documents from anywhere, using known case details like case number, filing date, or party names. However, these sites operate independently of any government agency. As such, they may provide incomplete or outdated results. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.