Find Residents in Kennewick
The Kennewick Residents Directory gathers public records from the City of Kennewick, the Kennewick Police Department, and Benton County. Kennewick is a Tri-Cities anchor city on the south bank of the Columbia River. The city runs an online search portal for the most common records and takes formal requests for everything else. This page explains the main tools, the fees, and the contacts you need for a fast Kennewick public records lookup.
Kennewick Residents Directory Basics
The City of Kennewick follows the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. The Kennewick public records page is the main front door. It lets you pick the right path: police records, city and fire records, or interagency requests.
The city has a formal public records policy to make sure every requester is treated fairly. Under RCW 42.56.070, the city must make non-exempt records open for inspection and copying. Some info may be withheld under RCW 42.56.240, but the city will cite the exact statute when it does.
Before you file a formal request, check the city's self-service search. Kennewick publishes a lot of files online, and a quick look may give you what you need for free. If the record is not there, file a request through the portal. Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must answer within five business days.
Kennewick Residents Directory Online Search
The Kennewick Public Records Online Search is the fastest tool for a self-serve people search. It covers accident reports, council meeting agendas and minutes prior to May 2023, ordinances, resolutions, site plans, permits, code enforcement records, and prior published requests.
You can search prior published requests by keyword. This is gold for anyone doing repeated Kennewick public records lookup work. Someone may have already asked for the exact file you want. If they did, you can pull the answer for free.
If the record is not there, click through to the Kennewick NextRequest portal to submit a new request.
The NextRequest portal is the tool the PRO uses to route requests. You log in, create a request, and wait for a response. The city tracks everything in one place and you get email updates as the request moves through the queue.
Kennewick Police Records
The Kennewick Police Department Records Unit handles all paperwork from the Patrol and Investigations Units. The unit processes reports, citations, warrants, and court orders. It is the first stop for most citizens looking for police files on a Kennewick resident.
The Information Unit processes case reports, record checks, concealed pistol license requests, and speaker or tour requests. For most residents, this unit is the initial contact. Fingerprinting is available by appointment only. It costs $21 for the first two sets and $5 for each set after.
For a full state criminal history, the city points people to WATCH, the Washington Access to Criminal History system run by the State Patrol. WATCH costs $11.00 per name-based search and returns convictions from Washington courts. It is governed by RCW 10.97.
The Records Unit is at 211 W 6th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone 509-585-4208. Under Ordinance No. 5805, police records requests go to the Public Records Specialist at that same address. Fax is 509-582-9528.
Kennewick City Clerk Role
The Kennewick City Clerk is the custodian of public records. The Clerk keeps ordinances, resolutions, and meeting minutes. The Clerk is also the registered agent for the city under KMC 1.32.015. Any claim against the city goes through the Clerk's office.
The Clerk makes sure the public is notified of new ordinances, public meetings, and City Council hearings. Citizens can observe, comment, and testify at those meetings. Meeting dates, notices, agendas, and minutes are posted on the public meetings portal on the city website.
For city and fire records, Kennewick residents contact the Public Records Officer in the City Clerk's Office at 210 West 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 6108, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone 509-585-4578. Fax 509-585-4445. Email PRRequest@ci.kennewick.wa.us. The Public Records Request Center is the primary and preferred method. There is also a computer kiosk in the lobby of City Hall.
Benton County and State Tools
Kennewick is in Benton County. Superior Court cases, deeds, and many vital records live at the county level. For a broad case search, use the Washington Courts name and case search. It pulls from municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across the state.
For vital records, use the Department of Health vital records page. Birth and death records go back to 1907. Marriage and divorce records go back to 1968. The first certified copy is $25. Access is limited under RCW 70.58A.560 to qualified applicants.
For business filings, use the Secretary of State Corporations and Charities system. You can search by business name, UBI, or registered agent. Most filings are free PDF downloads. See the Benton County Residents Directory page for more county-level tools.
Note: Kennewick sits in both Benton and Franklin County boundaries in some annexed areas, so always confirm which county a given address is in before filing.
Fees and Rules for Kennewick Requests
Fees follow the Kennewick adopted schedule. Many mirror the RCW 42.56.120 defaults. Photocopies are $0.15 per page. Scans are $0.10 per page. Electronic uploads are $0.05 per four files. Electronic transmission is $0.10 per gigabyte. Inspection at City Hall is free.
If the total estimate is more than $25, the city may require a 10% deposit. Under RCW 42.56.080, every request must be for identifiable records. The city is not required to create new records. You can ask for any existing file that fits the definition in RCW 42.56.010.
- Check the online search first
- File a formal request through NextRequest if needed
- Use the police records unit for law enforcement files
- Use WATCH for state criminal history
- Use DOH for vital records
Related Pages
Kennewick is the largest Tri-Cities city and sits in Benton County. For county-level tools, see the Benton County Residents Directory. Nearby cities with their own pages include Richland and Pasco.