Kennewick Court Docket Lookup
Kennewick does not have its own municipal court. Court docket records for Kennewick cases are held by Benton County District Court for misdemeanors and traffic infractions, and by Benton County Superior Court for felony cases, family law, and larger civil matters. Kennewick is part of the Tri-Cities area. This page explains how to find Kennewick court docket records, how to request public records, and what tools are available for free online searches.
Kennewick Overview
Kennewick Court System: Benton County Courts
Kennewick does not operate a municipal court. All judicial matters for Kennewick residents and cases within city limits are handled by Benton County courts. Benton County District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims up to $10,000, and civil cases under $100,000. Benton County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $100,000, family law, and probate matters.
Benton County is part of the Tri-Cities area, which also includes Richland and Pasco in neighboring Franklin County. The Benton-Franklin shared Superior Court serves both counties for certain case types. The Benton County Justice Center is at 7122 W Okanogan Place, Building A, Kennewick, WA 99336. That is where both District Court and Superior Court operations are based for this area.
The Odyssey Portal is the case search tool for Benton County Superior Court. You can search by case number, party name, or other identifiers. Basic case summary searches are free. Document downloads may require fees or a registered account.
Kennewick Public Records Online Search
The City of Kennewick maintains a robust public records online search tool at go2kennewick.com. This portal covers a wide range of city records, including accident reports, council meeting agenda items, council meeting minutes, certificates of occupancy, interlocal agreements, ordinances, permitting and planning records, code enforcement records, public meeting agendas and packets, resolutions, and site plans.
One useful feature is the Public Records Provided for Prior Requests section. This allows keyword searches of previously published request documents. Not all prior request records are published, but many commonly requested items are available here. If you are searching for something that was likely requested by other people, check this section first before submitting a new formal request.
The screenshot below is from the Kennewick public records requests page, which is the main portal for requesting city records separate from court docket filings.
Use this portal for Kennewick city records. Court docket filings are handled through Benton County courts, not the city's portal.
Kennewick City Records Request Process
The City of Kennewick is committed to transparency under RCW 42.56. Its formal public records policy ensures that rights under the Public Records Act are upheld. To submit a formal records request, contact the Public Records Officer by email or at 509-585-4578. Links on the city's records page point to Kennewick Police Department records requests, City and Fire records requests (including traffic camera footage), and interagency requests for law enforcement records.
Commonly requested records may be available on the public records online search tool without a formal request. Check that portal first. If you can not find what you need there, submit a formal request through the city's process. The city responds per RCW 42.56 standards and will either provide the record, estimate availability, or explain any exemptions that apply.
Note: City records and court docket records are separate systems. A public records request submitted to the city will not give you access to Benton County court case files. Court records must be requested from Benton County District Court or Superior Court directly.
The image below is from the Kennewick public records online search portal, showing the searchable categories available for Kennewick city records without a formal request.
This tool provides quick access to many Kennewick city records without the need for a formal request submission.
Kennewick Police Records and Body Worn Camera Footage
Kennewick Police Department records requests, including body worn camera footage, have their own process. The BWC FAQ at go2kennewick.com explains what information to include in a BWC request: the name of persons involved, incident or case number, date, time and location, and the identity of the officer involved. Being specific helps the department locate the footage quickly.
Payment for police records is accepted by mail or in person at the Kennewick Police Department, located at 211 W 6th Avenue, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Payment in person accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card. Mail payment is limited to check or money order. Copies can be provided through the public records request portal (quickest and least expensive option), by mail, or for pickup in person.
The screenshot below is from the Kennewick BWC FAQ page, which explains how to request police body worn camera footage related to Kennewick cases.
Police records are separate from court docket records. Use this resource for Kennewick Police Department video and incident files.
Statewide Search for Kennewick Cases
The Washington Courts DW Case Search is free and covers courts of limited jurisdiction statewide, including Benton County District Court cases from Kennewick. Results update daily. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. Results show case summaries and docket status without document images.
For Benton County Superior Court cases, the Odyssey Portal is the right search tool. The main Washington Courts site at courts.wa.gov links all tools and provides context on what records are public under GR 31. If you are looking for Tri-Cities regional cases involving Franklin County courts, those are at a different courthouse and use the same Odyssey Portal system.
Benton County Court Docket Records
Kennewick is in Benton County. All court docket records for Kennewick cases are handled by Benton County District Court and Benton County Superior Court. Visit the Benton County page for the full range of available court records and search tools.
Nearby Cities
Other Tri-Cities area cities near Kennewick also rely on county courts for all court docket filings. These nearby cities have their own records resources and case search tools.