Find Probate Court Records in Franklin County

Franklin County probate court records are filed and maintained at the Franklin County Superior Court in Pasco. The Superior Court Clerk handles all probate matters for the county under RCW Title 11, including estates, wills, guardianship orders, trust registrations, and small estate matters. Records can be searched online through the Odyssey Portal or in person at the clerk's office. Franklin County publishes its full probate fee schedule online, which is one of the more detailed fee schedules available in Washington State.

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk

The Franklin County Clerk's Office is responsible for processing and managing all Superior Court records including civil, probate, criminal, family law, and juvenile offender cases. The clerk is the financial officer for the court, collecting and disbursing fees, fines, bail, child support payments, and court-ordered funds. For probate matters, the clerk files petitions, stores wills, issues letters testamentary, and provides certified copies of estate documents.

The Franklin County Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. There is a lunch break closure from noon to 1:00 PM. The office is located in Pasco. For probate and guardianship questions, call Option 2 on the office phone menu.

Franklin County also has a Pasco Municipal Court at (509) 545-3491 and District Court Records at (509) 545-3593. These handle different case types from probate. All estate and guardianship matters go through the Superior Court Clerk.

The Franklin County Probate and Guardianship fee schedule lists all filing fees for estate cases, guardianship petitions, letters testamentary, will repository, and related probate services in Franklin County Superior Court.

Franklin County publishes one of the most detailed probate fee schedules in Washington State, with specific amounts for every type of filing covered under RCW 36.18.020 and related statutes.

Franklin County Probate Filing Fees

Franklin County has a detailed probate fee schedule published on the county website. The standard probate filing fee is $290 per RCW 36.18.020(2,5,6). This applies to standard probate cases, escheat probate proceedings, notice to creditors for non-probate assets, petitions admitting or contesting a will, and trust registration. Guardianship (adult) is $290, with no fee for cases where assets are under $3,000. Minor guardianship filing is $290, with no fee when the potential guardian is a relative.

Other probate-related fees include: Letters of Administration, Testamentary, or Guardianship at $5 per letter under RCW 36.18.016(9). A Will Repository deposit (filing a will for safekeeping before death) costs $20 under RCW 36.18.016(28). Will Only filings with no active probate case cost $20. A Department of Revenue Affidavit filing is $2. A TEDRA Non-Judicial Binding Agreement on an existing case is $20. Opening a new case for a TEDRA agreement is $290.

Copy fees for records requests are: uncertified documents at $0.50 per page, email documents at $0.25 per page, and certified documents at $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each subsequent page. Authenticated or exemplified copies carry an additional $3.00 per seal. Mail requests go to Franklin County Clerk's Office, Superior Court Records Request, 1016 N 4th Avenue B306, Pasco, WA 99301. Payment must be by cashier's check or money order only. Include a stamped self-addressed return envelope.

The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk Records Request page provides the form and instructions for requesting probate case records by mail or in person.

Franklin County accepts mail requests with cashier's check or money order payment only, and requests for cases from 1983 and older include a $30 search fee in addition to copy fees.

Search Franklin County Probate Records

Franklin County probate records are searchable online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. Use the Smart Search feature with the person's last name first. The portal shows case status, docket entries, and party information for Superior Court cases including probate and guardianship matters.

You can also search in person at the clerk's office in Pasco. Staff can look up records by name or case number. Viewing records in person is free. The clerk's office phone menu has Option 2 for Civil/Probate/Guardianship questions if you want to ask about a specific case before making a trip. For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov covers older Franklin County court cases.

Historical Franklin County probate records from ca.1889 to ca.1980 are also held at the Eastern Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives, 960 Washington Street, Cheney, WA 99004, phone (509) 235-7500. This branch serves Franklin County and other eastern Washington counties. In-person research is available by appointment.

Franklin County Probate Record Contents

Probate court records in Franklin County document the full estate administration process. The case file begins with a petition and court order, followed by the personal representative's oath, notice to creditors, and estate inventory. As the case progresses, documents accumulate showing how assets were identified, debts paid, and property distributed to heirs.

Key documents found in Franklin County probate files include original wills and codicils, probate petitions and court orders, letters testamentary or letters of administration, estate inventories, creditor claims and objections, distribution orders, and final accounting and decree of distribution. If a trust was involved, trust registration documents may also be in the file.

The Franklin County Clerk also maintains a Will Repository for wills filed for safekeeping before the testator dies. Under RCW 11.12.265, anyone can file their original will with the court during their lifetime for a $20 fee. These wills are stored separately from active probate cases but can be retrieved when needed. Ask the clerk specifically about the will repository if you are looking for a pre-death will deposit.

Probate Resources in Franklin County

Free official court forms are available at courts.wa.gov/forms. These cover all stages of probate from opening the case through final distribution. The Washington State Legislature website has the full text of RCW Title 11 covering all Washington probate law. For current case searches use the Odyssey Portal and for historical records use the Washington State Digital Archives.

Columbia Legal Services serves Franklin County and the Tri-Cities area. Call (509) 586-2532 for information on free legal assistance for qualifying residents. The Washington State Bar Association referral service is at (206) 443-9722. WashingtonLawHelp at washingtonlawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for handling probate matters without an attorney.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County is home to Pasco, one of the three Tri-Cities communities. All probate matters for residents of this county go through the Franklin County Superior Court.

Other communities in Franklin County include Connell and Mesa. All probate matters are handled by the Franklin County Superior Court in Pasco.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Franklin County. Where the decedent lived determines which county court handles the probate.