Yakima County Court Records

Yakima County court records are official documents that detail the proceedings and outcomes of legal cases within the County. Court records are essential in legal matters, as they provide a comprehensive account of judicial actions, including rulings, judgments, and case histories. Attorneys, judges, researchers, and the public use such records to verify decisions, conduct background checks, track legal causes, and support court arguments.

These typically include case numbers, parties involved, docket entries, orders, motions, filings, judgments, and exhibits. They can be accessed through various Washington Court records databases provided by the state’s court system. The Yakima County superior court clerk's office and the district and municipal courts also provide options to allow members of the public view and obtain case documents and details.

Are Court Records Public in Yakima County?

Yes. The Washington Public Record Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make Yakima court records available to members of the public. However, exceptions exist for specific sensitive records.

For instance, the identities of certain victims or witnesses are exempted from public access to protect them. Family court records such as suicide notes, juvenile proceedings, and adoption records are considered confidential. The identity of confidential informants are also restricted to protect law enforcement sources and the integrity of ongoing investigations. Further, sealed and expunged Yakima County criminal records are not available to the general public.

Yakima County Court Records Search

To perform a general search for court records in Yakima County, interested persons have several options. The superior, district, and municipal courts offer mail-in, in-person, and online records request options at the local level. Individuals can visit courthouse locations and view physical copies of court records at no cost.

People also have the option to use the Washington Courts records portal to search for case information in the state by entering details such as case numbers, party names, or other relevant information.

Further, third-party websites are available to members of the public who want to search various Yakima County public records from one place.

Yakima County Court Records Search by Name

Conducting a court records search by name involves looking up information about legal cases involving a specific person or an organization. One can input the subject’s name in the search parameter on online search databases provided by the Washington courts.

Additionally, individuals can use third-party websites that offer name search queries.

Yakima County Courts

Yakima County is served by a Superior, district, and multiple municipal courts. Below are their physical addresses and contact details:

Superior Court

Yakima County Superior Court
Yakima County Courthouse
128 North 2nd Street
Room 314
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
Phone: (509) 574-2710
Fax: (509) 574-2701

Yakima County Superior Court – Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
1728 Jerome Avenue
Yakima, WA
98902-1820
Phone: (509) 574-2090
Fax: (509) 574-2051

District Courts

Yakima County District Court
Yakima County Courthouse
128 North 2nd Street,
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
Phone: (509) 574-1804
Fax: (509) 574-1801

Yakima County District Court - Grandview
1313 West Wine County Road
Grandview, WA 98930-1015

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 100
Grandview, WA 98930-0100
Phone: (509) 574-2192
Fax: (509) 574-1801

Municipal Courts

Granger Municipal Court
Granger City Hall
102 Main Street
Granger WA 98932
Phone: (509) 854-0238
Fax: (509) 854-2103

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1100
Granger, WA 98932-1100

Mabton Municipal Court (Under Yakima District Courts)
Yakima County Courthouse
128 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
Phone: (509) 574-1804
Fax: (509) 574-1801

Moxee Municipal Court (Under Yakima District Courts)
Yakima County Courthouse
128 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
Phone: (509) 574-1804
Fax: (509) 574-1801

Selah Municipal Court
115 West Naches Avenue
Selah, WA 98942-1323
Phone: (509) 698-7329
Fax: (509) 698-7338

Sunnyside Municipal Court (Also Toppenish Municipal Court)
Law & Justice Center
401 Homer Street
Sunnyside, WA 98944
Phone: (509) 839-4427
Fax: (509) 836-6272

Union Gap (Under Yakima District Courts)
Yakima County Courthouse
128 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
Phone: (509) 574-1804
Fax: (509) 574-1801

Wapato Municipal Court
205 South Simcoe Avenue
Wapato, WA 98951
Phone: (509) 877-6269
Fax: (509) 877-4589

Yakima Municipal Court
Richard Zais Justice Center
200 South 3rd Street,
Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 575-3050
Fax: (509) 575-3020

Zillah Municipal Court
111 7th Street
P.O. Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953
Phone: (509) 829-3543
Fax: (509) 829-5605

Yakima County Superior Court Case Search

Superior Courts are the courts of general jurisdiction in the Washington judicial system. While the Yakima County Superior Court can adjudicate every case, it mostly handles cases outside the jurisdiction of lower courts. These include major felonies, misdemeanors not assigned to other courts by law, insolvency proceedings, divorce actions, and marriage annulment matters.

Individuals can view case records online and order court hearing recordings and copies of paper documents using avenues offered by the state’s court system and Yakima County Superior Court.

Washington Courts’ Public Case Search

The Washington Courts’ Public Case Search is a central electronic database for all court case records in the Washington court system. Individuals can access this tool for free without registering on the website. The database allows users to select a court level and search by name, case number, and business name. One can narrow down searches by case type, filing date, and the court name.

The search engine displays basic case information such as the parties’ names, case number, and judgment. When the complete court case record is unavailable or individuals need to verify information contained in the search results, they can contact the Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court’s office. The database is updated every24 hours.

Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court Copy Requests

The Superior Court clerk offers members of the public different methods for requesting court hearings on CDs and physical copies of court documents.

People requesting to listen to court hearings can fill out the Court Hearings/FTR-JAVS Request form on paper or electronically. Paper forms can be mailed or submitted in person at the County Clerk’s office. The following are the costs for mailing CDs to requesters:

• One to two CDs: $3,
• Three to four CDs: $6
• Five to six CDs: $9

Requesting copies of documents involves completing the Copy Request Form and submitting it in person or by mail using the following information:

Yakima County Clerk
128 North 2nd Street
Room 323
Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 574-1430

Copies of documents cost the following:

• Paper Copies: 50 cents per page (minimum order of $1)
• Email/electronic copies: 25 cents per (minimum order of $1)
• Certification: $5 for the first page plus $1 per additional page of each document
• Research fees: $20 per hour of clerk staff time

Washington State Digital Archives

The Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, serves to make public records available online to the public. Users can search for cases heard in Yakima county courts using various parameters including names, case numbers, and keywords. The Detailed Search option allows individuals to choose the specific type of record they want to find, such as Superior Court cases.

Yakima County District Court Records

The Yakima County District Court adjudicates civil cases related to damages and contracts up to $100,000 and small money recovery matters up to $5,000. The court also hears traffic and non-traffic, misdemeanor, name changes, and harassment and stalking proceedings.

Individuals can request district court case files through the Yakima County official website. Requests are typically filed 48 hours after they are made. Requirements for completing a request include:

• Filling out the request form on the website with personal and record details including the case number if available. Individuals are advised to include as much information in the request form as possible for faster requisition.
• A valid ID

The District Court also charges for document copies. For example, criminal history documents cost 25 cents per page, audio copies of court hearings on a case cost $20 per CD, general court records are 50 cents per page, and certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per subsequent page for each document.

People looking to view files online for free can do so using the web search portal operated by the state’s judiciary.

Yakima County Criminal Records

Yakima County criminal records can be obtained through law enforcement agencies like the Sheriff's office and the police department. These records typically contain Yakima County arrest records, list of criminal charges, and warrant information.

One can access Yakima criminal records through the Washington State Patrol search portal. It comprises records submitted by every court and criminal justice agency in the state of Washington. Searchers are required to pay $11 per name, regardless of the search outcome.

They can also visit the inmate lookup system or the Yakima City Jail Roster and other police departments under Yakima County to inquire about arrest records especially when the inmate has not been charged to court. However, not all arrest records will be made available to the public, as some are exempt from public disclosure. Third-party access for restricted details will require either a court order or a signed release from the inmate.

Certain websites owned by private individuals and businesses also offer Yakima County arrest records for free. They provide basic information, such as the names of arrestees, their charges, and arrest date and location.

Yakima County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Yakima County’s superior, district, and municipal courts handle various types of criminal cases. Persons performing a criminal court case lookup would first need to know the type of court case they are interested in to determine the court in charge.

Once determined, they can use resources provided by either the appropriate court to access the criminal cases they want to obtain. People looking to obtain records maintained by any municipal court can visit the court’s website or physical address. They can also use the Washington courts system’s case search portal and select municipal courts.

Get Yakima County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are legal disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities, where one party, known as the plaintiff, seeks compensation or another form of remedy from another party, known as the defendant. Civil cases fall under the jurisdictions of the Yakima district and superior courts.

Individuals can request related civil court records from the presiding court depending on the nature of the case. For example, the district court handles cases worth up to $100,000 while anything above that is adjudicated by the Yakima County Superior Court. To access civil records held in these courts, one can submit requests in person at the clerk's office or use its online forms.

Yakima County Family Court Records

Family court is a division of Yakima County Superior Court and it hears cases that fall under family law. These matters include divorce, child custody, paternity, support, and welfare.

Individuals can contact the superior court clerk's office for family court records or use the Washington courts’ records search portal. It should be noted that certain family court records, such as adoption, are considered confidential and can only be accessed by eligible requesters.

Yakima Dissolution of Marriage Records

Persons seeking dissolution of marriage records in Yakima county need to consider two things:

• The type of marriage dissolution record they want
• The date of the dissolution

The State of Washington provides two types of dissolution of marriage records namely a divorce certificate and a divorce decree. The former is a one-page document issued on a certified security paper stating that two parties were divorced and the date it took place. The latter is a multiple page document detailing the terms of the divorce such as grounds for divorce, division of property and debt, child and spousal support, and authorization for either spouse to change their names. Each document requires a different process to access them. However, only divorce records from 1968 are available.

Obtaining a divorce certificate

Divorce records in Yakima County are issued by the Washington State Department of Health as “certificates”. Anyone can request a copy without providing proof of identity. Interested persons are to submit an application with the department alongside the required pieces of information and a fee which include:

• First and last name of the parties on record
• City or county where the divorce occurred
• Approximate date of the divorce

Divorce records can be ordered by mail for a nonrefundable fee of $25. This option typically takes 6-8 weeks to ship. Interested persons should mail their order form to:

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

Alternatively, one can order online through the department approved third-party vendor, which costs $40.50. This shipping option typically takes 3-7 business days after payment is confirmed.

For divorces that occurred before January of 1968, applicants are advised to contact the county superior court clerk.

Obtaining a divorce decree

Copies of divorce decrees are issued by the superior court clerk's office. Interested parties must provide the case number or names of the divorced parties when filling out the copy request form. The completed form can be submitted to the clerk's office by mail or in person.

Yakima County Marriage and Divorce Records

Applicants seeking Yakima County divorce records can follow the steps outlined in the previous section of this article.

Anyone interested in accessing a certified copy of a Yakima County marriage certificate or license can go through various county offices. First is to request certified copies of Yakima County marriage records through the county auditor. This request can be processed in person at the auditor’s office or by mail.

Using the mail option will require a $3 processing fee, names of both parties as at the time of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. One may also order through the office's online vendor for $10.

As an alternative, one can obtain Yakima County marriage records through the Washington State Department of Health using the same processes, cost, and requirements as divorce records outlined in the previous section.

Yakima Birth and Death Records

A Yakima County birth certificate legally proves identity and citizenship and is essential for accessing government services, enrolling in schools, and completing driver's license and passport applications. They are also key for family history research.

A death record legally proves a person’s death. It is necessary for estate closure and benefit processing.

These birth and death documents are called Yakima vital records and they are not public information. Individuals can only access their records and those of relatives unless they are legally authorized to obtain someone else's vital record. Eligible individuals must provide valid IDs when requesting these documents.

One can order certified copies of Yakima County birth records and death certificates from 1921 to present through the Yakima Yakima Health District. Birth and death records from 1907 can be obtained through the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics for $20. Birth records before 1907 can be obtained by sending a request to the Yakima County Auditor's Recording Division for a fee of $1 per copy and $3 per certified copy.

Yakima County Probate Court Records

Yakima County probate court, handled by the Superior Court, deals with wills, estates, and guardianships of incapacitated adults. Court records include filings related to:

• Will administration
• Estate distribution
• Guardianship petitions and orders

To access these records, individuals can visit the Yakima County Superior Court Clerk's office or use the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search portal.

Yakima County Property Records

The Yakima County Assessor's office maintains property records including ownership, property details, and tax assessments. The office provides various resources to assist the public in searching through Yakima property records including in-person services at the assessor's office:

Yakima County Assessor’s Office
128 N 2nd Street,
Room 112, Yakima,
WA 98901

Individuals can use the county's parcel search tool to look up property details. They can enter the property's 11-digit parcel number, address, or owner's name into the search field. Available details include:

• Property ownership
• Assessed value
• Property description
• Sales history
• Tax information
• Building details
• Maps and aerial view (if available)

Yakima County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Washingtoncourtrecords.us offer a convenient and faster way to access Yakima County public records. These platforms enable users to search for and retrieve court records from the comfort of their homes, often featuring user-friendly interfaces and advanced search options. They can save significant time compared to in-person visits to the court clerk's office. Additionally, these services may provide comprehensive searches that include records from multiple jurisdictions across Washington.

However, users must understand that third-party sites are not government agencies. They are private businesses that rely on official sources to provide records.