Search Yakima Police Records
The City of Yakima uses the RecordTrac portal at records.yakimawa.gov to manage public records requests for police reports, incident records, and other law enforcement documents. The Yakima Police Department Public Records Act Office is located at 200 South 3rd Street, Yakima, WA 98901, and can be reached at 509-575-6037.
Yakima Police Records Overview
Yakima Police Department Public Records
The Yakima Police Department handles law enforcement for Yakima city and maintains the records for all incidents within city limits. The department's Public Records Act Office is located at 200 South 3rd Street, Yakima, WA 98901. The phone number is 509-575-6037. The Yakima Police Department is the correct agency for incidents that occurred inside city limits. For incidents in unincorporated Yakima County, records are held by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office at 1822 S 1st Street, Yakima, WA, phone (509) 574-2500.
The City of Yakima uses RecordTrac as its records management system. You can submit a request, check status, and receive records through the portal at records.yakimawa.gov. The portal is available at any time. It is the preferred method for submitting requests because it creates a record of your submission and allows you to track progress. Staff will respond within five business days as required by the Washington Public Records Act.
Fees for Yakima police records follow a set schedule. Scanning fees are $0.10 per single-sided page. The fee threshold for charging is $20.00, meaning the city will not charge fees if the total comes to less than $20.00. For larger requests, scanning and other costs accumulate and the city will provide a cost estimate before processing begins.
How to Request Yakima Police Records
The RecordTrac portal at records.yakimawa.gov is the primary way to request Yakima police records. The portal accepts requests online and allows you to monitor the status of your request from submission to completion. You can also contact the Public Records Act Office directly by phone at 509-575-6037 if you have questions about your request or need help with the process.
When submitting a request, be specific. Include the date and time of the incident, the location, and names of parties involved. Case or incident numbers help staff find records faster. Under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, you do not have to explain why you want the records. The city cannot deny a request simply because you did not give a reason. They must either provide the records, give a timeline, request clarification, or deny in writing with a specific legal citation.
The city may also respond to public records requests through the Yakima County records system for certain documents. Knowing which agency created the record you need helps ensure your request goes to the right place. The Yakima Police Department handles city incidents. The Yakima County Sheriff handles county incidents. The Yakima County Superior Court at 128 N 2nd Street holds court records for cases filed in the county.
Criminal Records in Yakima County
Criminal records in Yakima County fall into several categories. Arrest records are created when law enforcement takes someone into custody. Conviction records document guilty verdicts or pleas. Felony records cover serious crimes with potential sentences over a year. Misdemeanor records cover less serious offenses. Each category has different rules for public access under RCW 10.97, Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act.
Multiple agencies maintain Yakima County criminal records. The Yakima Police Department at 200 S 3rd Street holds city records. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office at 1822 S 1st Street holds county records. The Yakima County Superior Court at 128 N 2nd Street holds court records. Washington State Patrol at 2715 Rudkin Road, Union Gap, holds statewide records. Each agency only holds its own records, so knowing which agency was involved in the incident you are researching is important.
Access to adult conviction records is generally open to the public in Washington. Non-conviction records, including arrests that did not lead to charges or that were dismissed, have restricted access. Ongoing investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure. Juvenile records have stricter confidentiality rules under RCW 13.50.050. Sealed records are not available to the public regardless of the type.
Yakima County Sheriff's Office Records
For incidents that occurred in unincorporated Yakima County rather than within city limits, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office is the correct agency. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (509) 574-2500. Public records requests for Sheriff's records can be submitted through the Sheriff's online public records portal. Chief CarriAnn Ross is the Yakima County Sheriff's Office Public Records Manager, located at 1822 S 1st St, Yakima, WA 98903.
The Sheriff's portal allows fast, secure, 24/7 request submission. When submitting, be as specific as possible. There may be up to a five business day wait for a response. The Sheriff's Office also handles Concealed Pistol License applications for people who live outside of Yakima city limits. City residents apply through the Yakima Police Department's website.
Statewide Background Checks and Court Records
For a certified statewide criminal history background check, use the Washington State Patrol WATCH system at fortress.wa.gov/wsp/watch. The fee is $11. Results are typically immediate. This covers criminal history from all Washington law enforcement agencies, not just Yakima. WATCH is commonly required for professional licenses, volunteer programs, and similar purposes where a certified record is needed.
Court records showing case filings, charges, and final outcomes can be searched through the Washington Courts name and case search. Yakima cases go to Yakima County Superior Court or Yakima County District Court depending on the type of charge. Court records are distinct from police records. Police records document what happened at the scene. Court records show what happened in the legal process that followed.
You can also request records directly through the WSP criminal history page, which explains the different types of records available and the process for requesting them. The WSP holds the official statewide repository and can provide information that no single local agency holds on its own. Fees for accessing WSP records vary by record type and requester category.
Collision Reports and Traffic Records
Traffic collision reports from Yakima incidents are requested through the Washington State Patrol, which is the central repository for all Police Traffic Collision Reports statewide. Use the WSP collision records system for $10.50 per report. This covers collisions handled by Yakima Police, the Yakima County Sheriff, or WSP troopers. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office website also links to the WSP Online Collision Report system for filing your own report after a crash.
For collision reports that can be filed by citizens, the WSP Online Motor Vehicle Collision Reporting (OMVCR) system accepts citizen-submitted reports for certain types of crashes. Check the WSP website for eligibility. Crashes involving injury, significant damage, or criminal conduct typically require an officer response and a department-generated report.
Washington Public Records Law
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives any person the right to request public records from any state or local agency. You do not need to be a Washington resident. You do not need to give a reason. Agencies must respond within five business days. Denial requires a written statement citing specific legal exemptions. Fees follow a set schedule and must be disclosed before the city begins charging.
If records are wrongly denied, you can ask the Washington State Attorney General's Office to review the denial, or you can file suit in superior court. Courts apply the Public Records Act strictly. Agencies that fail to respond or withhold records without justification can face financial penalties, including attorney fees and per-day fines. Washington law puts the burden on the agency, not the requester, to justify any denial or delay.
Yakima County Police Records
Yakima city police records are maintained by the Yakima Police Department. The city sits in Yakima County, and county records for unincorporated areas are held by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Yakima and handle police records through their own departments.