Court records of Yakima County, Washington, are available through several channels. YakimaCourt.us allows you to find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online tools of the state courts, the offices of the clerks of the Superior Court and District Court, as well as through public terminals installed directly in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system.
Yakima Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in the county, each handling specific categories of cases. The main court is the Yakima County Superior Court, located at 128 N 2nd St, Rm 314, Yakima, WA 98901. It has jurisdiction over the broadest range of issues.
Superior Court handles:
- Felony criminal cases (serious crimes)
- Civil claims over $100,000
- Family cases — divorce (in Washington state, this is called "dissolution of marriage"), custody, paternity establishment
- Inheritance and probate cases (the judicial process regarding the management of a deceased person's estate)
- Appeals from lower courts
For divorces, the county's website has a separate page with forms and instructions.
Yakima County District Court deals with smaller cases: misdemeanors (minor offenses), civil claims up to $100,000, traffic violations, protection orders, and small claims up to $10,000.
Yakima Municipal Court is a separate city court. It handles violations of city ordinances, traffic offenses within the city limits, and misdemeanors provided for by the city code. Do not confuse it with the District Court — they are different institutions with different databases.
General information about all county courts can be found on the official Yakima County Courts page.
Yakima Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Washington Courts Case Search system. This platform covers the Superior Court and allows you to search for cases by party name or case number. For future hearing dates of the Municipal Court or District Court, the system offers a separate calendar tab.
The daily docket of the Superior Court is also available directly at the court clerk's office by calling 509-574-2710. The Public Records page of the county directly lists the Superior Court Daily Docket among the most requested documents.
Some practical tips:
- Open the Washington Courts Case Search and select "Yakima County Superior Court."
- Enter the last name or case number.
- In the search results, review the scheduled hearing dates.
- For the Municipal Court, check separately on the city court's website.
Note: The information on the portal is for reference only. The official case record is kept directly at the court.
How to Get a Copy of a Yakima Court Document
Copies of court documents from the Superior Court are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court. There are two types of copies: regular (uncertified) and certified — with the clerk's seal confirming the authenticity of the document. Certified copies are usually required for official legal procedures.
Online: through the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search you can find case details, but you cannot download the documents themselves — they need to be ordered directly from the court.
In person or by mail:
To order a copy, specify the case number, the names of the parties, and the specific document you need. For mail requests, include payment by check or money order payable to Yakima County Clerk.
For city court documents or police reports, use the City of Yakima RecordsApp portal — this is a separate system for city public records requests.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family cases may be closed to public viewing under Washington state law.
Yakima Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies of Superior Court documents in Washington state are regulated by RCW 36.18.016. Below are the main rates applicable at the Yakima County Clerk's office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (first page) | $5.00 |
| Each additional page of a certified copy | $1.00 |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of an existing copy | $5.00 |
| Court record search (by name) | $20.00 per name |
These amounts are legislatively established and may change with updates to RCW 36.18.016. Check the current rates directly with the clerk's office by calling 509-574-1430.
Payment methods: in person, cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. For mail requests — check or money order payable to Yakima County Clerk. The possibility of credit card payment should be confirmed in advance by calling the clerk's office.
Requests for public records of the city of Yakima (police reports, city department documents) are submitted separately through RecordsApp. The cost depends on the volume of the request and is determined in accordance with the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56).