Yakima County Background Check Records
A Yakima County background check pulls from several local sources: the Sheriff's Office, the Superior Court Clerk, and the District Court. The Sheriff runs an online public records portal at yakimacounty.us that lets you submit requests any time. The Superior Court Clerk holds criminal, civil, domestic, and probate case files at 128 N 2nd Street in the city of Yakima. For statewide criminal history you go through the Washington State Patrol WATCH program. This page covers all of those resources and explains how to access Yakima County background check records from each source.
Yakima County Overview
Yakima County Sheriff Background Check
The Yakima County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records for the county. Their public records request portal is available online 24/7 at yakimacounty.us/220/Sheriffs-Office. To submit a request, click "Sheriff Public Records" in the left navigation menu on that page. The system is described as fast and secure.
Concealed pistol license applications for residents of unincorporated Yakima County go through the Sheriff's Office. City of Yakima residents apply through the Yakima Police Department. Other city residents must contact their respective police departments. Out-of-state residents can apply at any Washington State law enforcement agency.
Collision reports for incidents in Yakima County can be filed online through the Washington State Patrol. The Sheriff's Office coordinates with the WSP for traffic-related documentation. For arrest records and jail-related inquiries, contact the Sheriff's Office directly through the online portal or by phone.
Yakima County Public Records Request
All county government records in Yakima County are governed by the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Note that court records are handled separately by the court system and are not covered by the county public records process.
The Public Records Officer for Yakima County is Patricia Andersen. You can reach her at:
| Public Records Officer | Patricia Andersen |
|---|---|
| Address | 128 N 2nd Street, Room 211 Yakima, WA 98901 |
| Phone | (509) 574-1200 |
| Fax | (509) 574-1201 |
| recordsrequest@co.yakima.wa.us |
When submitting a request, be as specific as possible in your description. A vague request can slow the process. The county has five business days to respond under state law. A printable form is available for those who cannot use the online system.
Note: Court records fall outside the county public records office. For Superior Court case files, contact the County Clerk at the courthouse.
Yakima County Sex Offender Registry
The Yakima County Sheriff's Office maintains sex offender registration records under RCW 9A.44.130. The Offender Watch website contains the official, most up-to-date registered addresses of all Level II and Level III offenders in Yakima County.
The public can register an email address through Offender Watch to receive notifications when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood. This notification system was established through the 1990 Community Protection Act, which aims to give communities notice about offenders residing in the area. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office considers protection from sex offenders a top priority and works closely with community members to promote public safety.
Only Level II and Level III offenders appear in the public Offender Watch database. Level I offenders are considered lower risk and are not listed publicly. Offenders are required to register with the Sheriff's Office, and the information must stay current. Abuse of registry information to harass or threaten registered offenders is a violation of law and can affect the availability of this information to the public.
Yakima County Superior Court Records
Yakima County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, juvenile cases, and probate. It sits at the same address as the county public records office: 128 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901. For court administration, call (509) 574-2700. The court is open during standard business hours Monday through Friday.
The Superior Court Clerk maintains all case files. Records include criminal convictions and charges, civil filings, domestic relations cases, and probate proceedings. Public access to court records is available during business hours. Staff can pull files and make copies. Certified copies are available for use in legal matters and carry a fee above the standard copy rate.
You can also search Yakima County court records online using the statewide Washington Courts Case Search tool. It covers all Washington counties and is free to use. Results show party names, case type, case status, and hearing dates. For the full case file or certified copies, visit the Clerk's office in person.
Statewide Background Check Resources
Beyond county sources, several state-level tools support Yakima County background checks. The Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH program for criminal history checks. The state sex offender registry supplements the local Offender Watch database.
The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) is operated by the WSP Criminal History Section at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501. Fees are $11 online, $32 by mail, and $58 for fingerprint-based checks. Online checks use name and date of birth and return conviction records. The fingerprint check is more thorough and ties results to an actual identity.
The Washington State Department of Corrections runs an offender search tool for people currently in state custody or under DOC supervision. This is separate from county jail records. For federal criminal records in the Eastern District of Washington (which covers Yakima), use PACER.
Note: Driving records for Yakima County residents are available through the Washington State Department of Licensing and are not part of a criminal history check.
Cities in Yakima County
The city of Yakima is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Yakima residents can access background check resources through both city and county offices.