Yakima County Criminal History Records

Yakima County criminal history records are held by four main offices in Yakima: the Superior Court Clerk handles felony cases, the District Court covers misdemeanors, the Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs and jail records, and the county provides a centralized public records portal. The District Court also operates a location in Grandview for the lower Yakima Valley. This guide covers each office, what they hold, how to request records, and how to run a statewide background check through the Washington State Patrol for anyone connected to Yakima County.

Yakima County Superior Court Criminal Records

The Yakima County Clerk of Superior Court keeps official records for all felony criminal cases in the county. This includes charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final judgments. The office also holds civil cases over $100,000, family law matters, probate, and juvenile records. All records are public under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless sealed by a judge's order.

The courthouse is at 128 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901. You can visit in person Monday through Friday during regular business hours to view records at a public terminal or request copies. Copy fees follow the standard Washington state schedule. Bring the full name of the party or a case number to speed up the search. Recent case summaries are also available online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal, which shows party names, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions at no cost.

The Yakima County Superior Court at 128 N. 2nd Street handles all felony criminal cases for the county.

Check the Odyssey Portal or contact the clerk's office directly to confirm whether a specific case file is available for viewing or copying.

Yakima County District Court

The Yakima County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, civil matters under $100,000, and small claims. The court operates at two main locations: Yakima and Grandview, serving both the upper and lower Yakima Valley. Common cases include first-offense DUI, simple assault, and traffic-related misdemeanors.

These records are public and searchable through the Odyssey Portal. Court hours run Monday through Friday during standard business times. The court provides self-help forms and guidance for unrepresented parties. For records not available online, visit in person or mail a written request with the relevant case information and applicable fees.

The Yakima County District Court serves both the Yakima and Grandview court locations across the county.

District Court records cover misdemeanor-level offenses; felony cases are with the Superior Court Clerk at the same Yakima courthouse address.

Yakima County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Yakima County Jail. The Records Division maintains arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking information. These records are public under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, with exemptions for active investigation files and categories specifically protected by statute.

Conviction records are available to the public. Non-conviction data is restricted under RCW 10.97. Under RCW 10.97.080, records from arrests that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is closed can only go to criminal justice agencies or to the subject of the record. If a request turns up an arrest with no conviction, that portion will be redacted before release.

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records, jail bookings, and sex offender registration for the county.

For a comprehensive statewide criminal history check, the Sheriff's Office will direct you to the Washington State Patrol WATCH system.

Yakima County Public Records

For county agency records that are not court documents, use the Yakima County Public Records Request portal. This covers Sheriff incident reports, county department correspondence, and related county records. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. Court records must be requested directly from the court clerks, not through the county public records system.

Under RCW 42.56.520, Yakima County must respond to any public records request within five business days. The response may provide the records, give a production estimate, or deny the request with a specific statutory reason. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees are limited to actual reproduction costs. Electronic delivery is preferred when available.

The Yakima County Public Records portal handles requests for county agency records outside the court system.

Submit your request online through the portal for the fastest response on county department records.

Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH

The most reliable way to get a complete official conviction record for a Yakima County resident is through the Washington State Patrol. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) delivers results online right away for $11.00 per search. Pay by credit or debit card and get immediate access. WATCH draws from a fingerprint-linked statewide database, covering convictions from all Washington counties, not just Yakima.

Mail requests are also accepted. A name-based mail request costs $32.00. Adding a fingerprint card raises the fee to $58.00 but improves accuracy. Mail processing takes about 7 to 10 business days. Details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. To review your own complete record at no charge, including non-conviction data, visit the WSP Olympia office at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, for up to thirty minutes. Bring a valid photo ID.

Yakima County Auditor Records

The Yakima County Auditor Recording Division at 128 N. 2nd Street, Room 117, Yakima, WA 98901, maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records. While not directly related to criminal history, these records can be useful when researching someone's background in the county. The office also issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Recorded documents are public and available for searching online or in person. Search and copy fees apply as set by state law and county code.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data Rules

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, controls what Yakima County agencies can release. Conviction records from cases ending in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse disposition are public under RCW 10.97.050. Any member of the public can request them.

Non-conviction data is different. Under RCW 10.97.030, this covers records from cases that did not result in a conviction and where the case is closed. These can only go to criminal justice agencies, to the subject of the record, or to parties specifically authorized by law. If a report mixes both types, the agency must redact the non-conviction parts before any release to the public.

To fix errors in your record, submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. If the challenge is valid, the Criminal History Records Section corrects it. Rules for removing old non-conviction data are in RCW 10.97.060, which sets waiting periods and conditions including no prior convictions.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

If someone from Yakima County is currently in a Washington state prison, you can find them through the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The tool shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator separately.

For registered sex offenders in Yakima County, the statewide registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Class A sex offense convictions require lifetime registration. Class B offenses carry a fifteen-year registration period. Class C offenses require ten years. Offenders register in person at the Yakima County Sheriff's Office under RCW 9A.44.130. The MRSC Criminal History and Arrest Records guide provides additional context on Washington's public records rules for anyone new to the process.

Historical Court Records

For older Yakima County criminal cases that predate the Odyssey Portal, the Washington State Digital Archives may have archived Superior Court records. Some Yakima County records date back to the late 1800s when the county was established. What is available varies by case type and time period. The Eastern regional branch in Cheney serves Yakima County and other central and eastern Washington counties.

Cities in Yakima County

All felony cases from anywhere in Yakima County go through the Superior Court in Yakima. Misdemeanor cases within city limits are handled by those cities' municipal courts.

Nearby Counties

Yakima County borders several other central and eastern Washington counties, each with their own criminal record offices.