Benton County, WA Public Records
Benton County public records are documents in every format, whether paper or electronic, that concern government activities. They are available for public viewing and inspection, provided there are no legal exemptions to consider. Vital records are only available to eligible requesters like spouses, parents, legal representatives, and the person on the record. Births and deaths can be accessed via the Benton Franklin Health District. Marriages may be sourced from the County Auditor’s Office, while divorces are obtained via the County Clerk’s Office. Depending on the type of record, the cost may vary from 25 cents to $25. Property records are also available to all interested parties. These may be accessed via online portals provided by the County Auditor, Treasurer, and Assessor’s offices.
Courts in Benton County
Court Records in Benton County, Washington
Benton County court records are accessible to all record seekers, provided there are no legal restrictions. Interested parties may access court records via the Superior or District courts. The county clerk maintains copies of civil cases, so requesters may submit applications in person or via mail. These requests have to be detailed information on names, calendar dates, docket numbers, and judgments. The County Clerk’s office also presides over the criminal court records which are available to eligible requesters. Alternatively, record seekers may use the Washington administrative office of the courts for case searches. Some records, though, are not available to all parties, especially if they contain juvenile information, child custody, or other expunged documentation. The courts may also prevent access to records with confidential information.
Jails and Prisons in Benton County
Find Inmate Search and Jail Records in Benton County, Washington
Benton County inmate records are accessible to all interested parties following local laws. They are maintained by the County sheriff’s office, which also provides a daily jail roster. The portal requires the user to enter the inmate’s name, subject or booking number, booking dates, and the housing facility. It is then possible to view their physical description, charges, and bond status. Inmates are also allowed visitors on a weekly basis though some of the county jails only provide permit video interactions. Any party may schedule an online visit by first creating an account. All inmates are permitted two free local visits every week, between Sunday and Saturday. There are five jails and prisons in the county serving 210,025 residents. It is ranked 28th out of 39 in jails per capita.
Police Departments and Sheriff Offices in Benton County
Arrest Records in Benton County, Washington
Benton County arrest records are available to every record seeker, provided there are no legal restrictions. These are generated and maintained by local law enforcement agencies such as the Sheriff’s office or police departments. Requesters may issue requests to the Sheriff’s office detailing a description of the desired records. These may entail the person’s name, birth date, description of the incident, and location. Record seekers may also access background information from the Washington Access to Criminal History platform. Some records, though, are not available to all record seekers, especially if they entail ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile information, or other confidential data. There are eight police departments in the county, and it is ranked 25th out of 39 in stations per capita. The crime rate is 33.69 per 1,000 residents.
Other Counties in Washington
Popular Cities in Benton
- Benton City
- Kennewick
- Paterson
- Plymouth
- Prosser
- Richland
- West Richland