Benton County Probate Court Records
Benton County probate court records are maintained at the Benton County Superior Court, which has locations in Kennewick and Prosser. If you need to search an estate case, look up a will, find guardianship orders, or get copies of probate filings in Benton County, the Superior Court Clerk handles all probate matters under RCW Title 11. Online access is available through the statewide Odyssey Portal. The county clerk's office can assist with in-person searches, certified copies, and mail requests during regular business hours.
Benton County Overview
Benton County Superior Court Clerk
The Benton County Clerk's Office manages all Superior Court records including probate cases. The clerk files petitions, stores original wills, issues letters testamentary and letters of administration, and provides certified copies of estate documents. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and assist with records requests during office hours.
Benton County has two clerk office locations. The Kennewick location at the Benton County Justice Center handles most current filings. The Prosser location at the main courthouse also accepts filings and provides records access. Either office can help you find a probate case. Call ahead to confirm which location has the records you need.
| Office | Benton County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Kennewick Address | 7122 W Okanogan Place, Suite A210 Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Prosser Address | 620 Market Street Prosser, WA 99350 |
| Phone | (509) 735-8388 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| clerk@co.benton.wa.us |
The County Clerk is Josie Delvin. The clerk's office collects all filing fees, processes court documents, and maintains the official court record for every probate case in the county. If you need to open a new probate case or get copies of an existing one, the clerk's office is your first stop.
Search Benton County Probate Records
Benton County probate court records are searchable online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by party name or case number. It shows docket entries, filings, case status, and scheduled hearing dates. The portal covers Benton County Superior Court cases including probate, guardianship, and conservatorship matters.
You can also search in person at either clerk's office location. Staff can look up records by name or case number on the court's internal system. Viewing records in person during business hours is free. If you need copies, the clerk can make them while you wait for a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but carry the clerk's seal and signature.
For historical records, the Central Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives serves Benton County. The branch is at Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg, 400 E University Way, MS 7547, Ellensburg, WA 98926, phone (509) 963-2136. Historical court and probate case files from ca.1889 to ca.1980 are kept there and are open for research by appointment.
Note: Adoption, dependency, and mental competency files are restricted from public access. Contact the clerk's office to request those record types through the appropriate process.
The Benton County Superior Court handles all probate, guardianship, trust, and estate cases filed in the county with court staff available at locations in Kennewick and Prosser.
Probate cases filed in Benton County are accessible through the Odyssey Portal for online searches or in person at either clerk's office location during business hours.
Benton County Probate Fees
The standard probate filing fee in Benton County is approximately $290, consistent with Washington State fee schedules under RCW 36.18.020. This fee covers opening a probate estate case with the Superior Court. Guardianship filings carry the same fee. There is no fee for estates with assets under $3,000.
Copy fees in Benton County follow the standard Washington schedule. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. Authenticated or exemplified copies carry an additional $3.00 per seal charge plus the certified copy rate. If you need copies by mail, include a stamped return envelope with your request.
Letters testamentary and letters of administration cost $5.00 each when issued under RCW 36.18.016(9). You will need these letters to manage estate assets, close accounts, and deal with financial institutions. Request as many as you think you will need when you open the case.
Note: The Benton County Clerk does not accept personal checks. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card, money order, or cashier's check. A processing fee applies for credit card payments.
Benton County Probate Record Contents
Probate court records in Benton County include the full set of documents filed during estate administration. The case file typically starts with a Petition for Probate of Will or Petition for Letters of Administration. These are followed by court orders, the oath of the personal representative, notice to creditors, an estate inventory, and eventually a final accounting and decree of distribution.
Other documents commonly found in Benton County probate files include original wills and codicils, letters testamentary or letters of administration, creditor claims and notices, settlement agreements, and guardianship orders if the decedent had dependents. Each document is dated and filed in order as the case progresses. The full case file gives you a picture of how the estate was handled from start to finish.
Wills filed for safe storage without any active probate case are also held by the clerk. Under RCW 11.12.265, a testator can file an original will for record before death. These are kept separate from active probate cases but can be retrieved by the clerk. If you are trying to find a will filed during someone's lifetime, ask the clerk to check the will repository records.
Most Benton County probate records are public under Washington law. Sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers are redacted in the versions made available to the public per Washington Court General Rule 31. Contact the clerk if you need information about accessing records with restricted content.
Probate Resources in Benton County
Washington Courts offers free official probate forms at courts.wa.gov/forms. These include petition forms, oath of personal representative, notice to creditors, and final distribution forms. Using the official forms ensures your filings meet court standards. The Benton County clerk can also point you toward local forms if any are required beyond the state set.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is a free resource for searching historical Benton County court records. For current cases, the Odyssey Portal is the primary online access tool. The Washington State Legislature site has the full text of RCW Title 11, which covers all probate and trust law in Washington.
Columbia Legal Services serves the Tri-Cities area including Kennewick and Richland. Call (509) 586-2532 for information on free or low-cost legal help with estate and probate matters. The Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (206) 443-9722. Their searchable directory is at wsba.org. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has plain-language guides on handling estates and small estate affidavits.
Cities in Benton County
Benton County includes several major communities in the Tri-Cities area. All residents file probate cases at the Benton County Superior Court.
Other communities in Benton County include Prosser and West Richland. All probate matters go through the Benton County Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Benton County. Check where the decedent lived to confirm which court has jurisdiction over the estate.