Yakima County Court Records
What Is Yakima County Court Records
Court records in Yakima County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records constitute a comprehensive repository of judicial activities as defined under Washington State's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Court records typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and responses
- Docket sheets chronicling case events and filings
- Court orders and judicial decisions
- Judgments and decrees
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing records and probation reports
- Marriage and divorce decrees
- Probate filings and estate settlements
Court records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics (birth/death certificates), and tax assessments, which are maintained by separate county departments. In Yakima County, court records are maintained by several judicial bodies, including:
- Yakima County Superior Court
- Yakima County District Court
- Yakima Municipal Court
- Grandview Municipal Court
- Sunnyside Municipal Court
- Toppenish Municipal Court
- Yakima County Juvenile Court
These courts generate records pertaining to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic infractions, small claims, and juvenile matters. Pursuant to Washington Court General Rule 31, court records are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute or court rule.
Are Court Records Public In Yakima County
Court records in Yakima County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Washington State's commitment to governmental transparency. The Washington State Constitution, Article I, § 10 establishes that "Justice in all cases shall be administered openly," creating a constitutional foundation for public access to court proceedings and records.
The Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) further codifies this right, declaring that public records shall be available for inspection and copying by any person. Additionally, Washington Court General Rule 31 specifically addresses access to court records, establishing the presumption of openness while defining certain exceptions.
Records generally available to the public include:
- Civil case files (with limited redactions for sensitive information)
- Criminal case files after charges have been filed
- Court dockets and calendars
- Judgments, orders, and decrees
- Hearing schedules and court calendars
- Marriage and divorce records
- Probate proceedings
However, certain records may be sealed or redacted pursuant to statute or court order, including:
- Juvenile records (with exceptions under RCW 13.50.050)
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Records containing certain personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
- Cases sealed by judicial order upon showing of compelling privacy or safety concerns
- Grand jury proceedings
- Search warrant applications prior to execution
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the Eastern District of Washington (which includes Yakima County) are governed by federal rules and accessed through the federal PACER system rather than county or state repositories.
How To Find Court Records in Yakima County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Yakima County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county maintains multiple access points to accommodate various research needs:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the clerk's office of the specific court where the case was filed
- Complete a records request form specifying the case number or party names
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees (typically $0.25-$0.50 per page)
- For certified copies, additional certification fees apply
Online Access:
- Navigate to the Washington Courts Case Search portal
- Accept the terms of use
- Select Yakima County from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or filing date range)
- Review search results and select specific cases to view available information
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk's office
- Include specific case information (names, approximate dates, case types)
- Provide return address and contact information
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for response
- Include payment for anticipated copy fees
Electronic Records Request:
- Email the court clerk's office with specific record request details
- Receive fee estimate and payment instructions
- Submit payment electronically or by mail
- Receive electronic copies or instructions for pickup
For specialized records such as probate files or sealed cases, requestors may need to file a formal motion with the court demonstrating legal interest or statutory authority for access. Currently, the county is expanding digital access while maintaining traditional in-person services to accommodate all residents.
How To Look Up Court Records in Yakima County Online?
Yakima County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records online, providing convenient alternatives to in-person visits. Each system contains different record types and search capabilities:
Washington Courts Case Search:
- Access the Washington Courts public case search portal
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Select "Yakima County" from the jurisdiction menu
- Choose the appropriate case type (Civil, Criminal, Domestic, Probate)
- Enter search parameters (name, case number, or date range)
- Review results showing case numbers, filing dates, party names, and case types
- Select individual cases to view docket information and case status
Washington State Courts Name and Case Search:
- Visit the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search
- Enter party name or case number
- Select Yakima County from available jurisdictions
- Review results showing basic case information
- Note that complete documents are not available through this portal
Yakima County Clerk's Office Portal:
- Navigate to the Yakima County Clerk's Records Search
- Register for a user account (free registration required)
- Search by name, case number, or document type
- Access available document images for non-restricted cases
- Pay applicable fees for document downloads
Yakima Municipal Court Records:
- Visit the Yakima Municipal Court website
- Select "Case Information" from the menu
- Enter citation number or name to search
- View case status, hearing dates, and fine information
- Access payment portal for applicable fines
Users should note that online systems typically provide index information and basic case details, while complete case files may require in-person requests. Additionally, certain sensitive documents and sealed cases are not available through public online portals regardless of access method.
How To Search Yakima County Court Records for Free?
Washington State law guarantees the public's right to inspect judicial records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.120, agencies may charge for the actual costs of providing copies but cannot charge for inspection or locating public records.
Free access options in Yakima County include:
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Yakima County Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files using public access terminals
- No fee is charged for viewing records on-site
- Self-service research is permitted in public viewing areas
Free Online Resources:
- Washington Courts Case Search - Provides free access to case indices and docket information
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search - Offers free basic case information lookup
- Yakima County District Court Calendar - Provides free access to upcoming court dates
Public Library Access:
- Yakima Valley Libraries offer free public computer access
- Library staff can assist with navigating court record systems
- Digital archives of local legal newspapers are available
Law Library Resources:
- The Yakima County Law Library provides free access to legal research tools
- Professional staff can assist with locating court records
- Legal reference materials explain court procedures and record systems
While inspection is free, standard copy fees apply when requesting physical or electronic reproductions. Currently, these fees are $0.15 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified documents. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors pursuant to court rules.
What's Included in a Yakima County Court Record?
Yakima County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings, with contents varying by case type and court level. A typical court record file includes:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions in civil matters
- Information or indictments in criminal cases
- Summonses and service of process documentation
- Initial appearances and arraignment records
- Filing fee receipts and case assignment notices
Procedural Documents:
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Responses and replies to motions
- Court orders and rulings
- Scheduling notices and continuances
- Discovery-related filings (when filed with the court)
- Certificates of service
Evidentiary Materials:
- Affidavits and declarations
- Exhibits admitted during hearings or trials
- Deposition transcripts (when filed)
- Expert witness reports
- Documentary evidence
Disposition Documents:
- Trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Jury instructions and verdict forms
- Judgments and decrees
- Sentencing orders in criminal cases
- Findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Settlement agreements (when filed)
Post-Judgment Materials:
- Appeals notices and briefs
- Satisfaction of judgment filings
- Enforcement proceedings
- Probation reports and compliance documents
- Modification requests
Administrative Records:
- Case management notes
- Judicial assignment history
- Court reporter logs
- Interpreter requests and appointments
- Fee waiver determinations
Each case file also contains a register of actions (docket sheet) that chronologically lists all events and filings in the case. For specialized proceedings such as probate, family law, or juvenile matters, additional case-specific documents like guardianship reports, parenting plans, or dependency findings are included.
How Long Does Yakima County Keep Court Records?
Yakima County adheres to the Washington State Records Retention Schedule for court documents, as established by the Washington State Archives and mandated by RCW 40.14. Retention periods vary significantly based on case type, disposition, and historical significance:
Superior Court Records:
- Felony cases (Class A): Permanent retention
- Felony cases (Class B and C): 20 years after case completion
- Civil litigation: 6-10 years after case closure
- Domestic relations cases: 50 years after final decree
- Probate proceedings: 30 years after estate closing
- Guardianship cases: 10 years after termination of guardianship
- Adoption records: Permanent retention
- Mental illness commitments: 20 years after case closure
District Court Records:
- Criminal misdemeanors: 10 years after case completion
- Traffic infractions: 3 years after adjudication
- Small claims judgments: 10 years after judgment
- Civil cases: 6 years after case closure
- Domestic violence protection orders: 75 years
Municipal Court Records:
- Criminal misdemeanors: 10 years after case completion
- Traffic infractions: 3 years after adjudication
- Parking violations: 2 years after resolution
- Local ordinance violations: 6 years after case closure
Juvenile Court Records:
- Dependency cases: 10 years after child turns 18
- Juvenile offender records: Until individual turns 23, or longer for serious offenses
- Truancy petitions: 8 years after filing
Certain historically significant cases may be designated for permanent preservation regardless of case type. After the retention period expires, non-permanent records are destroyed according to secure disposition protocols. Digital conversion efforts are currently underway to preserve older paper records, with priority given to permanent retention categories.
It should be noted that while the physical or digital court file may be destroyed after the retention period, index information about the case may be maintained indefinitely in court management systems.
Types of Courts In Yakima County
Yakima County's judicial system encompasses multiple court levels with distinct jurisdictions and authority. The following courts operate within the county:
Yakima County Superior Court
128 N 2nd Street, Room 314
Yakima, WA 98901-2639
509-574-2710
Yakima County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Yakima County District Court
128 N 2nd Street, Room 226
Yakima, WA 98901
509-574-1800
Yakima County District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Yakima Municipal Court
129 N 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
509-575-3050
Yakima Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunnyside Municipal Court
401 Homer Street
Sunnyside, WA 98944
509-836-6383
Sunnyside Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Grandview Municipal Court
207 W 2nd Street
Grandview, WA 98930
509-882-9211
Grandview Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Toppenish Municipal Court
21 W 1st Avenue
Toppenish, WA 98948
509-865-4500
Toppenish Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Yakima County Juvenile Court
1728 Jerome Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902
509-574-2055
Yakima County Juvenile Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The court hierarchy follows the Washington State judicial structure, with municipal courts handling city ordinance violations, district courts addressing misdemeanors and civil matters under $100,000, and superior courts presiding over felonies and major civil litigation. Appeals from these courts proceed to the Washington Court of Appeals, Division III, and potentially to the Washington Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Yakima County Courts Hear?
Each court within Yakima County's judicial system maintains specific subject matter jurisdiction as established by Washington state law. The distribution of case types is as follows:
Yakima County Superior Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases with claims exceeding $100,000
- Real property disputes and quiet title actions
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, child support)
- Juvenile dependency and offender cases
- Mental health commitments
- Appeals from lower courts
- Tax disputes and foreclosures
- Complex commercial litigation
- Class action lawsuits
Yakima County District Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Gross misdemeanor prosecutions
- Civil actions with claims up to $100,000
- Small claims cases (up to $10,000)
- Traffic infractions
- Domestic violence protection orders
- Anti-harassment orders
- Name change petitions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil infractions
- Impound hearings
Municipal Courts (Yakima, Sunnyside, Grandview, Toppenish):
- Violations of city ordinances
- Misdemeanor crimes occurring within city limits
- Traffic infractions within city boundaries
- Parking violations
- Code enforcement citations
- Animal control violations
- Public nuisance cases
- City tax and license violations
Yakima County Juvenile Court:
- Juvenile offender cases (under age 18)
- Dependency proceedings
- Truancy petitions
- At-risk youth petitions
- Child in need of services (CHINS) cases
- Juvenile diversion programs
- Juvenile drug court
Case assignment follows jurisdictional boundaries, with venue determined by the location of the alleged offense or the residence of parties in civil matters. Concurrent jurisdiction exists in some areas, particularly between district and municipal courts for certain misdemeanors. The Washington Courts Case Types and Definitions provides comprehensive classification of all case categories within the state judicial system.
How To Find a Court Docket In Yakima County
Court dockets in Yakima County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public can access these records through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Washington Courts Case Search portal
- Accept the terms of service
- Select "Yakima County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or date range)
- Review the register of actions showing all docket entries
- Note that document images are generally not available online
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the clerk's office for the appropriate court:
- Superior Court: 128 N 2nd Street, Room 314, Yakima
- District Court: 128 N 2nd Street, Room 226, Yakima
- Municipal Court: 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima
- Request the case file or docket sheet by case number
- Use public access terminals where available
- Request assistance from clerk staff if needed
Daily Court Calendars:
- Access the Yakima County Courts website
- Navigate to the "Court Calendars" section
- Select the specific court and date
- View listings of scheduled hearings and proceedings
- Note that calendars typically show upcoming matters rather than complete case histories
Specialized Docket Information:
- Criminal dockets: Contact the Yakima County Prosecutor's Office at 509-574-1210
- Probate dockets: Request from the Superior Court Clerk's Ex Parte Department
- Juvenile dockets: Contact Juvenile Court at 509-574-2055 (access restrictions apply)
For historical docket information (cases over 10 years old), researchers may need to request archived records, which typically require additional processing time. Pursuant to Washington Court General Rule 31, certain sensitive proceedings may have restricted docket access or redacted information.
Which Courts in Yakima County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Washington State, the distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" is established by RCW 3.30.015 and has significant implications for procedural rights and appeal processes. Courts not of record in Yakima County include:
Municipal Courts:
- Yakima Municipal Court
- Sunnyside Municipal Court
- Grandview Municipal Court
- Toppenish Municipal Court
These courts are classified as "courts not of record" because they do not routinely create verbatim transcripts of proceedings, though audio recordings are typically maintained. As courts not of record, they have the following characteristics:
- Appeals from these courts proceed to Superior Court as "de novo" trials (completely new proceedings)
- The Superior Court does not review for errors but conducts an entirely fresh trial
- No formal court reporter is required to transcribe proceedings
- Simplified procedural rules apply in many instances
- Judges are not required to be attorneys in some jurisdictions (though most are)
By contrast, Yakima County Superior Court is a court of record, as mandated by the Washington State Constitution, Article IV, § 11. The Yakima County District Court is also a court of record pursuant to RCW 3.30.010, which designates all district courts as courts of record.
The practical significance for litigants is that proceedings in courts not of record offer a "second chance" through de novo appeal, while appeals from courts of record are limited to reviewing the existing record for legal errors. This distinction affects strategic decisions about case presentation and the preservation of issues for appeal.
Lookup Court Records in Yakima County
Washington Courts case search system
Washington State Courts Name and Case Search
Yakima County Superior Court directory