Access Yakima Family Court Records
Yakima family court records are maintained by Yakima County Superior Court, which is located in Yakima since the city is the Yakima County seat. All dissolution, custody, child support, parenting plan, legal separation, and protection order cases for Yakima residents go through Yakima County Superior Court and are filed with the Yakima County Clerk. This page explains how to search those records online, how the filing process works, what fees apply, how to get certified copies, and where to find legal help in the Yakima area.
Yakima Overview
Where Yakima Family Court Cases Are Filed
Yakima is the county seat of Yakima County. The courthouse is in the city, so residents can file and retrieve records locally. Yakima County Superior Court handles all family law matters for the city and the surrounding county. You do not need to travel to another city to access these records.
Yakima County is one of the larger counties in Washington by land area. It covers the Yakima Valley, a major agricultural region in south-central Washington. Cities like Selah, Union Gap, Sunnyside, and Wapato are also in Yakima County and use the same courthouse as Yakima.
| Office | Yakima County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Yakima County Courthouse 128 N 2nd St Yakima, WA 98901 |
| Phone | (509) 574-1430 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | yakimacounty.us/154/Clerk-of-Superior-Court |
Parking is available near the courthouse on North 2nd Street. Bring a photo ID for the security checkpoint. The Clerk's office can confirm filing fees and tell you what documents are on file, but staff cannot give legal advice. For questions about case status, have the case number ready.
Yakima County also has a Municipal Court that handles traffic and misdemeanor violations for the City of Yakima. That court does not handle family law cases. For all dissolution, custody, and protection order matters, you file at Yakima County Superior Court.
Searching Yakima Family Court Records Online
Yakima County Superior Court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts Odyssey portal. The system is free to use and open to the public. You can search by party name or case number. Results show case type, party names, filing date, and docket entries. Family law cases appear in the public index unless sealed by court order.
The image below shows the Odyssey portal that Yakima residents use to find Yakima County Superior Court family law records.
Access the portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/odyportal. Use the party name search with Smart Search to find cases even when you have an approximate name. Confidential case types are not shown. Contact the Yakima County Clerk at (509) 574-1430 for records not available online or to request certified copies. More information about the Clerk's services is at yakimacounty.us.
The statewide search at dw.courts.wa.gov also covers Yakima County. It is useful when you need to search across multiple courts or are not sure which county filed a particular case.
The screenshot below shows the central Washington Courts search tool that Yakima residents can use alongside the Odyssey portal.
High-volume users can subscribe to JIS-Link at courts.wa.gov/jislink for $0.145 per transaction with a $13 monthly minimum. This service is used mostly by attorneys and professional researchers who access many courts regularly.
Filing Family Court Cases in Yakima County
Yakima residents file family law cases under RCW Chapter 26.09, the main dissolution statute. Washington is a no-fault state. The petition only needs to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No fault on either party's part needs to be shown or proven. One spouse must be a Washington resident or an active-duty service member stationed here.
You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at Yakima County Superior Court. The filing fee is approximately $314 for a standard dissolution. Once the other party is served, a 90-day waiting period starts. No dissolution can be finalized before those 90 days pass. An agreed case can be resolved after the waiting period if all required documents are complete and on file.
Cases involving children require a parenting plan under RCW Chapter 26.44 when abuse or neglect is a factor, and under RCW Chapter 26.09 for standard custody arrangements. Yakima County typically requires both parents to complete a parenting seminar before the case closes. Child support follows the Washington State Child Support Schedule based on both parents' incomes, the number of children, and the time each parent spends with the children.
Contested cases may be referred to mediation before a trial date is set. Yakima County Superior Court may require mediation for disputed custody and property issues. If mediation does not resolve the matter, the case proceeds to a hearing or bench trial.
All official forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. You will find packets for dissolution, parenting plans, child support, temporary orders, and protection orders. The Guide and File tool provides step-by-step help for self-represented filers.
Fee waivers are available if you cannot pay the filing fee. Ask the Yakima County Clerk for an application. You qualify if you get public benefits or if your household income is under 200% of the federal poverty level.
Certified Copies and State Vital Records
The Yakima County Clerk can issue certified copies of dissolution decrees, parenting plans, and court orders. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for official purposes like name changes, property transfers, and estate matters. Plain copies are less expensive but may not meet requirements for all official uses.
Washington State also maintains statewide divorce and marriage records through the Department of Health. These are separate from the full court file. The state record shows party names, date, and county of the decree but does not include the detailed case documents. Records go back to 1968 and each copy costs $25.
The image below shows the state portal where Yakima residents can order certified marriage and divorce certificates.
Order at doh.wa.gov. No ID is required. VitalChek expedited service is available for faster processing. For older historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Superior Court materials from before electronic filing systems were in use.
Types of Family Court Cases in Yakima
Yakima County Superior Court handles the full range of family law cases for Yakima residents. The case type matters when you search records or prepare to file paperwork.
Dissolution of marriage ends a legal marriage. Legal separation keeps the marriage in place but divides assets and sets support and parenting obligations. A declaration of invalidity addresses a marriage that was void from the start. All three types are filed at Yakima County Superior Court and follow a similar initial process.
Non-married parents can file parentage cases to establish legal parent-child relationships, set custody and a parenting plan, and order child support. These cases go through the same court. Modifications to existing orders are filed when something significant has changed, such as a parent's relocation, a major income change, or a shift in the child's needs.
Protection orders make up a notable portion of the court's workload. Domestic violence protection orders can be filed the same day you visit the courthouse. The court enters a temporary order right away and schedules a full hearing within 14 days. Filing is free. Anti-harassment orders and sexual assault protection orders follow the same general process and are also filed here.
Dependency cases, where the state seeks to remove a child from parental custody due to abuse or neglect, are also heard in Yakima County Superior Court. These involve the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and follow a distinct process from typical family law proceedings.
Guardianship matters, including the appointment of guardians for minors, are also handled in Yakima County Superior Court. These cases require separate petitions and court review but go through the same courthouse as dissolution and custody cases.
Legal Resources for Yakima Residents
Northwest Justice Project serves Yakima County and provides free legal help for low-income residents. Call (888) 201-1014 or visit washingtonlawhelp.org for guides on dissolution, custody, protection orders, and parenting plans. The site has multilingual resources. Yakima has a large Spanish-speaking population, and many of the guides on washingtonlawhelp.org are available in Spanish.
Yakima County has a Family Court Services office that provides evaluations and recommendations in contested custody cases at the court's request. This is separate from legal aid. The Washington State Bar Association referral line is (206) 443-9722. Local family law attorneys in Yakima can represent you in Yakima County Superior Court.
The Yakima County Courthouse may have a self-help center or facilitator available for people who represent themselves. Contact the Clerk at (509) 574-1430 to ask about current availability. All official forms are free at courts.wa.gov/forms. Only use official Washington court forms, as unofficial versions may be rejected.
Legal aid organizations can also help with emergency protection orders, fee waivers, and crisis-related family law needs. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Then contact a legal aid organization to help with any protection order filing.
Yakima County Family Court Records
Yakima is in Yakima County. All family law cases go through Yakima County Superior Court.
Nearby Cities
Wenatchee to the north and the Tri-Cities area to the east are the closest qualifying cities, each served by their own county Superior Court for family law matters.
Kennewick and Richland are nearby but do not currently have dedicated pages on this site. Check the Cities page for all available city pages.