Kennewick Background Check Records

Kennewick background check records are spread across the city's own police and court offices as well as Benton County agencies. The Kennewick Police Department holds arrest and incident reports, the Kennewick Municipal Court holds misdemeanor case files, and the Benton/Franklin Superior Court handles felony cases for the Tri-Cities area. This guide covers each source so you can find the Kennewick criminal history records you need and understand how to request official copies.

Kennewick Police Department Records

The Kennewick Police Department is headquartered at 211 W 6th Ave in Kennewick. The Records Division handles public records requests for police reports, arrest records, and incident documentation tied to Kennewick. You can submit a records request in person at the department or by mail. The department also offers fingerprinting services, which are needed for identity-verified background checks. Fingerprinting appointments are available during business hours.

The Records Division coordinates with Benton County on cases that cross city and county lines. If an incident starts in Kennewick but involves the county or neighboring Richland, records may be split between the city and county systems. For most Kennewick-based law enforcement records, the Police Department Records Division is the right place to start. The non-emergency phone number is (509) 585-4208.

When submitting a records request, include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, and the approximate date of the incident. Physical copies are $0.15 per page under Washington law. The city acknowledges records requests within five business days per RCW 42.56.

Kennewick Municipal Court Criminal Records

The Kennewick Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases within the city. This covers DUI, minor assault, petty theft, traffic offenses, and similar charges. Municipal Court records form a key part of any Kennewick background check for lower-level offenses that do not rise to the felony level and would not appear in the Superior Court system.

The Municipal Court is at 900 W Albany Ave in Kennewick. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court phone is (509) 585-4290. If you need to check whether someone has a Kennewick misdemeanor on record, contact the Municipal Court directly. Municipal court records may also appear in the statewide Washington Courts case search, though local records are sometimes the most complete source.

Note: Felony cases filed on Kennewick residents do not stay in Municipal Court. Those are transferred to Benton County Superior Court, which is described in the next section.

Benton County Superior Court Felony Records

Felony criminal cases from Kennewick are handled by Benton County Superior Court. This court shares some judicial services with Franklin County and is often called the Benton/Franklin Superior Court. It sits at the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick at 7122 W Okanogan Place. For serious criminal matters, felony convictions, and major civil judgments tied to Kennewick residents, this is the primary records source.

The Superior Court uses the Washington Courts statewide case management system. You can search Benton County Superior Court cases at dw.courts.wa.gov by party name, case number, or date range. The search is free and shows docket entries, charge descriptions, party names, and case status. For certified copies, you must contact the Benton County Clerk. The Clerk has an office at the Justice Center in Kennewick at 7122 W Okanogan Pl, Suite A210.

The Superior Court handles all felonies, major civil cases over $75,000, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters. If someone living in Kennewick has a serious criminal record, this court is where those case files are maintained. The court also hears appeals from the Kennewick Municipal Court if a ruling is challenged.

Kennewick City Clerk and Public Records

The Kennewick City Clerk serves as the public records officer for all non-law enforcement city records. This includes permits, code enforcement actions, city council records, and municipal documents. If your background check touches city licensing, business permits, or code violations in Kennewick, the City Clerk's office is where to look. The Clerk can be reached at (509) 585-4205.

Public records requests to the City Clerk can be made in person, by mail, or by email. All requests are subject to RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. The city must acknowledge your request within five business days and explain when a full response will follow. Copy fees for physical records are $0.15 per page. The Kennewick City Clerk is located at City Hall.

Statewide Background Check Tools for Kennewick

The Washington State Patrol WATCH system gives you a statewide view of criminal history that goes beyond what Kennewick Police and Benton County records cover on their own. WATCH pulls from all 39 Washington counties and is the state's official criminal history database. An online check is $11, a mail check is $32, and a fingerprint-based check for identity verification is $58. All details are at the Washington State Patrol criminal history page.

The Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov is a free tool and covers Benton County Superior and District Court records. You can also check the Washington State Department of Corrections inmate search at doc.wa.gov to see DOC supervision and incarceration records. The sex offender registry is maintained by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and is searchable statewide. These three tools together provide a broad cross-section of public criminal records tied to any Washington address, including Kennewick.

For background checks that span Benton and Franklin counties, note that the two counties share some Superior Court judicial resources. The Washington Courts case search covers both in one search, which saves time when someone has history in multiple Tri-Cities area jurisdictions.

Washington Criminal Records Access Rules

Under RCW 10.97, Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, conviction records are public. Arrest records that did not result in conviction may be restricted. This applies statewide, including in Kennewick and Benton County. If a case was dismissed or the person was acquitted, public access to those arrest records may be limited depending on the circumstances.

Washington courts can vacate certain convictions on petition from the person convicted. If a conviction has been vacated, it may not appear in a public records search. The rules on vacating convictions vary by offense type and how much time has passed. If you are researching your own record or want to understand what shows up in a Kennewick background check, speaking with a Washington criminal law attorney can help clarify your specific situation.

• Online Washington Courts case search: dw.courts.wa.gov (free)
• WATCH statewide criminal history: wsp.wa.gov ($11 online)
• Kennewick Police records: in person or by mail, (509) 585-4208
• Kennewick Municipal Court: (509) 585-4290
• Benton County Clerk (court copies): (509) 735-8388
• Sex offender registry: waspc.org (free)
• DOC inmate search: doc.wa.gov (free)

Using the free tools first is the fastest way to start. The Washington Courts case search and sex offender registry give you a solid initial picture at no cost. Follow up with WATCH or a direct records request if you need something more formal or comprehensive.

Benton County Background Check Records

Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County. The county page covers the Benton County Sheriff, Superior Court, County Clerk, jail roster, and other records resources that work alongside the city's own offices.

View Benton County Background Check Records

Nearby Cities

Richland and Pasco are the other two cities in the Tri-Cities metro area and both have background check pages.