Common Questions About Yakima County Court Records
How do I search Yakima County court records?
Use the Washington Courts Case Search for a statewide index, then Odyssey Portal for the most current Yakima Superior Court files. Pick the court level, court name, search type, case type, year, and a name or case number. The state warns that results may point to the official record but can miss complete or current dockets, judgments, or document links. For full details, confirm with the court of record or the Clerk. More search help sits on the court records page.
Are Yakima County court records public?
Many are, under Washington General Rule 31. Access is not unlimited, though. The county states that court records follow GR 31 and GR 31.1, not the Public Records Act. Records can be restricted by federal law, state law, court rule, court order, or case law. Adoption, dependency, mental illness, some paternity, sealed pleadings, and certain juvenile records stay confidential. For the broader framework, see the public records page.
Is a public records request the right way to get a case file?
Usually no. The Public Records Act covers county departments and offices but excludes the Yakima County Courts. Court case files follow GR 31 and GR 31.1 instead. For a Superior Court case file, use the Clerk's copy request, Odyssey Portal, or contact the Clerk directly. Court administrative records use a separate request route under GR 31.1. The public records page breaks down which rule fits which record.
How do I get copies of Superior Court documents?
Use the Yakima County Clerk copy request page or its FormCenter copy request. Name the case number, the parties, and the documents you need. Copy fees run $0.50 per paper page or $0.25 per electronic page, with a $1 minimum. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page plus $1 per added page. Sealed or confidential pleadings need a court order or party status and may require photo ID. See the Clerk of Superior Court page for the full steps.
What does the Clerk of Superior Court do?
The Clerk is the executive officer of Superior Court and the keeper of its records. The office receives and processes court documents, maintains files and exhibits, assists court proceedings, runs jury functions, collects and disburses court money, and issues writs, subpoenas, and warrants when a court orders them. It keeps civil, felony criminal, domestic, probate, guardianship, juvenile, dependency, and adoption records. Read more on the Clerk of Superior Court page.
Where is Yakima County Superior Court?
Yakima County Superior Court is at 128 N 2nd Street, Room 314, Yakima, WA 98901. The phone is 509-574-2710. Hours listed on the courts page are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, closed daily from noon to 1:00 PM. The Clerk of Superior Court is one set of rooms away in Room 323, phone 509-574-1430. For the court profile and judge list, see the Superior Court page.
How many judges does Superior Court have?
State law sets eight Superior Court judges for Yakima County. Each is elected to a four-year term. The judges sit in numbered departments, from Department 1 through Department 8, and rotate across civil, criminal, family, and probate calendars. The county courts and judges page lists each sitting judge and the term year. The full department and judge table is on the Superior Court page.
What cases does District Court handle?
Yakima County District Court handles traffic and non-traffic infractions, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, civil disputes up to $100,000, small claims up to $5,000, name changes, and antiharassment or stalking protection orders. It also runs municipal court services for Union Gap, Grandview, Mabton, Tieton, and Moxee. Felonies, divorce, and probate go to Superior Court instead. The Superior Court page compares the court levels side by side.
How do I find a court date?
Use Washington Courts "Find My Court Date" for future district and municipal court dates. Select the court, type the first and last name, and click Search. The tool queries the real-time database court staff use, so it may slow down during peak hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For non-calendar research, use the standard Case Search instead. The court dockets page explains calendars and dockets in more depth.
Can I use the court search as a background check?
No. Washington Courts says its search should not be used to find someone's criminal record. The Washington State Patrol keeps the official state criminal history, and the WATCH service is the proper route. Court search can show cases, but results may be incomplete, out of date, or unable to confirm identity. For arrest and booking information, see the arrest records page.
How do I search the Yakima County jail roster?
Use the official Yakima County Inmate Lookup page, which embeds the jail roster in a Power BI report. The county Jail Records page says roster information is available for public release. If a person is not listed, call the Department of Corrections at 509-574-1700 to verify custody status. Most other jail records, including booking photos, stay confidential under state law. The inmate records page covers the roster in detail.
Are booking photos public in Yakima County?
No, in most cases. The county Jail Records page says most inmate jail records, including booking photos, are confidential and exempt under RCW 70.48.100. The public roster is open, but a booking photo or deeper jail file usually needs a release from the inmate, a signed authorization, or a court order. Medical records need a separate health-care authorization or a judge's order. The arrest records page explains what is public.
Can I search for released inmates?
The county's official sources show a current jail roster, not a broad released-inmates list. The roster may show planned release dates for current inmates, but once a person is released they may drop off it. Use VINELink for custody notifications, call the Department of Corrections at 509-574-1700, or search the state DOC or federal BOP if the person moved to other custody. The released inmates page lists each tool.
How do I quash or recall a warrant?
Yakima County District Court runs a Warrant Recall Program. Defendants with outstanding bench warrants from District Court, Union Gap Municipal Court, or Grandview Municipal Court can file a motion or appear on a walk-in recall calendar. The county page says warrant fee payment and a bail bond are not required to get scheduled. The warrant stays active until a judge grants the request. The warrant records page explains the process.
Where do I get a marriage license?
Marriage licenses come from the Yakima County Auditor's Recording Division, not the court. The office is at 128 N 2nd Street, Room 117, Yakima, WA 98901. Both parties usually must appear together with valid government photo ID. The fee starts at $176, plus card fees. There is a three-day waiting period, and the license is valid only in Washington. The marriage and divorce records page has the full process.
Where do I get divorce records?
Divorce records are Superior Court family law files held by the Clerk of Superior Court. Search Yakima Superior Court records through Odyssey Portal or Washington Courts, then request copies from the Clerk. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page plus $1 per added page. Some family documents may be confidential or require photo ID or a court order. The marriage and divorce records page covers searches and fees.
Where are probate records kept?
Probate and guardianship matters are Superior Court records kept by the Yakima County Clerk. Search by Yakima County Superior Court and case type Probate or Guardianship in Washington Courts, or use Odyssey Portal. The Clerk issues letters testamentary, letters of administration, and letters of guardianship. A will deposited by a living person is not public record, though the Clerk can confirm a deposit. See the probate records page.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket?
Traffic cases in Yakima County are handled by District Court and the city Municipal Courts, not Superior Court. Search a citation by name or citation number through Washington Courts, and choose the right District or Municipal Court. The court traffic record is a separate file from your state driver record. DUI and other criminal traffic charges route to the criminal side. The traffic court records page walks through searches, fees, and contests.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see the Clerk of Superior Court and the Superior Court pages. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate.