Pasco Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Pasco are filed and maintained at Franklin County Superior Court, located in Pasco, which has jurisdiction over all estate administration, wills, and guardianship cases for Franklin County residents under RCW Title 11.
Pasco Overview
Where Pasco Probate Cases Are Filed
Franklin County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for Pasco residents. Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County and the location of the Franklin County Courthouse. The clerk's office is on North 4th Avenue in downtown Pasco. There is no separate probate court in Pasco.
Pasco Municipal Court at 525 N 3rd Avenue handles city ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and misdemeanors within city limits. It has no jurisdiction over probate or estate matters. All estate and guardianship filings go to Franklin County Superior Court at (509) 545-3525. When calling, select option 2 for probate matters. The clerk's office hours are 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
| Office | Franklin County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1016 N 4th Avenue, Suite B306 Pasco, WA 99301 |
| Phone | (509) 545-3525 (option 2 for probate) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Online Search | Odyssey Portal |
Pasco is one of the Tri-Cities area communities, along with Kennewick and Richland. Each city is in a different county. Pasco is in Franklin County; Kennewick and Richland are in Benton County. Residents should file probate in the county where the decedent lived. The Franklin County Courthouse is in central Pasco, easily accessible from I-182 or US-395.
How to Search Pasco Probate Records
Franklin County probate records can be searched online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. Enter the decedent's name or case number to find probate filings in Franklin County Superior Court. The portal shows case type, party names, case status, and docket entries. The search is free.
For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 1016 N 4th Avenue, Suite B306 in Pasco. Hours are 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Bring the decedent's full name and approximate year of filing. Viewing records in person is free.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Franklin County court records. Use the Detailed Search feature and select Superior Court Cases. For older materials, the Eastern Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives in Cheney serves Franklin County.
Pasco Probate Filing Fees
The probate filing fee in Franklin County is approximately $290 for a standard estate case per RCW 36.18.020. Contact the clerk at (509) 545-3525, option 2, to confirm the current fee before filing. Copy fees follow the standard Washington State schedule. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. Letters testamentary and letters of administration each cost $5.
What Pasco Probate Records Contain
Probate case files document estate administration from the opening petition through final distribution. Standard documents include the original will if one exists, the probate petition, the personal representative's oath, notice to creditors, estate inventory and appraisement, creditor claims, court orders, and the final decree of distribution.
Pasco estates may include residential real estate in Franklin County, agricultural land in the Columbia Basin, commercial property, and financial accounts. Pasco is a growing city and one of the fastest-growing in Washington. Franklin County is a major agricultural area, and estates sometimes include farmland and irrigation rights with specialized valuation needs.
Washington allows a Small Estate Affidavit for estates not exceeding $100,000 under RCW Chapter 11.62. These affidavits are not filed with Superior Court and do not appear in public records. Personal identifiers are redacted from public records under Washington Court Rule GR 31(e).
Probate Resources in Pasco
Free official probate forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Online case search is at the Odyssey Portal. Historical records are at the Washington State Digital Archives. Full Washington probate law is at RCW Title 11.
Columbia Legal Services serves eastern Washington residents. Northwest Justice Project serves residents at (888) 201-1014. Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. Self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County and the location of the Superior Court handling all probate matters. For more information on the court and records access, visit the Franklin County probate records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Pasco file probate cases through their respective county courts.