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Benton County, Washington
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Census Records  •  County Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Benton County Washington Map

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Benton County was created in 1905 and was formed from Yakima County, Klickitat County . The county was named for Thomas Hart Benton . The county seat is Prosser .

Early wagon roads from Walla Walla to Puget Sound also traversed the county. In the 1880s the coming of railroads brought settlers to the region and the irrigation projects of the 1890s created a rich agricultural economy. Today the county enjoys a diversified economy based on agriculture, wood products, food production and government installations.

Benton County is bordered by Grant County ( north), Franklin County ( northeast), Walla Walla County ( east), Umatilla County, Oregon ( south), Morrow County, Oregon ( south), Klickitat County ( west), Yakima County ( west).

Cities and Towns in Benton County include Benton City (2,624), Finley (5,770), Highland (3,388), Kennewick (67,180), Prosser (4,838), Richland (38,708), West Richland (8,385).

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.benton.wa.us/ .

Below is a list of Benton County Genealogical and Historical Socities, Mail-List, Libraries and Archives Addresses and/or Links. See Also Washington Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

  • Benton County Historical Society, Inc., PO Box 591, Prosser, WA 99350. Phone 509-786-3842.
  • East Benton County Historical Society, 205 Keewaydin Drive, PO Box 6964, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone 509-582-7704. Operates the East Benton County Historical Museum.
  • Tri-City Genealogical Society, PO Box 1410, Richland, WA 99352-1410. Membership available. Tri-City Genealogical Society's holdings are located at the Richland Family History Center.
  • Washington State University Tri-Cities Library, Max E. Benitz Library, 100 Sprout Rd, Richland, WA; 99352-1643. Phone 509-372-7430. Fax 509-372-7281.
  • Benton/Franklin County Law Library, Columbia Basin College Library, 2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA; 99301. Phone 509-547-0511 ext. 2290.
  • Kennewick Family History Center, 895 W Gage Blvd, Kennewick, WA. Phone 509-628-8332.
  • Prosser Family History Center, 1835 Highland Drive, Prosser, WA. Phone 509-786-3860.
  • Richland Family History Center, 1314 Goethals, Richland, WA 99352. Phone 509-946-6637.
  • Tri-City Herald Library, PO Box 2608, Tri Cities, WA 99302. Not generally open to the public.
  • Mid-Columbia Library, 4101 E Lattin Rd, West Richland, WA 99353. Phone 509-627-0285. Fax 509-545-2054. The following are branches of this library system:
    • Benton City Branch, 708 Ninth St, Box 369, Benton City, WA 99320. Phone 509-588-6471.
    • Kennewick Branch, 405 S Dayton, Kennewick, WA 99336-5690. Phone 509-586-3156.
    • West Benton Branch, 614 Sixth St, Prosser, WA 99350. Phone 509-786-3777. Fax 509-786-3777.
    • West Richland Branch, 3803 W Van Giesen, West Richland, WA 99353. Phone 509-967-3191.
  • Prosser Public Library, 902 7th St, Prosser, WA 99350-1454. Phone 509-786-2533. Collection includes northwest history materials and microfilm of local newspapers back to 1903.
  • Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate, Richland, WA 99352-3539. Phone 509-942-7450.
  • Family History Library
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Benton County, WA Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records

See Also Washington Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Although originally held in the county seat, many county land, probate, and court records have been transferred to the state archive's regional branches.

Even today, few people escape mention in court records at some time during their lives as witnesses, litigants, jurors, appointees to office, or as petition signatories. However, Americans of a few generations ago also expected to attend local court proceedings when they were in session. It was a civic duty and they could be fined if they did not attend. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in court records.

Unless otherwise noted, All Deparments are in the County Courthouse located at 620 Market St, Prosser, WA 99350. Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm..

Benton County Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1884 and Probate Records from 1884 . Contact the County Clerk's department at Room 101, Benton County Justice Center, 7320 W Quinault, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone 509-786-5624 or 509-735-8388. Fax 509-783-1058. Bring as much information as possible, e.g. names of parties, type of action, approximate time frame. Most records are on microfilm. Copy charge is $1 per page. There is a search fee if the office does the searching. Requests for research must be in written form with check payable to Benton County Clerk. Policy is to collect fees in advance. For judicial purposes, many of the Washington counties were attached to other counties.

Benton County Auditor has Marriage Records from 1905 and Land Records from 1885 . The Couty Auditor also has Birth and Death Records from 1905 to 1907. See County Vital Records for info on Birth and Death Records after 1907. Contact the County Auditor's department at PO Box 470. Phone 509-786-5620. Fax 509-786-5528. Name(s) and a range of years are needed to search our records.

Benton County Assessor has Tax Records. Contact the County Assessor's department at PO Box 902. Phone 509-786-2046. Fax 509-786-5657.

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Court, Probate, Land or Tax Records Records EMAIL US with websites links to Benton County Court Records

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Benton County, WA Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Washington

Washington State Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Benton-Franklin Health District is located at 506 McKenzie, Richland, WA 99352. Phone 509-943-2614. Fax 509-546-2916. Satellite offices: 1020 Prosser Ave, Prosser, WA 99350. Phone 509-786-1633; 1218 N 4th, Pasco, WA 99301. Phone 509-547-9737; 800 W Canal Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone 509-586-0207.

  • Benton County Birth Records
    • For records from July 1, 1907 to present: you can order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For records from January 1, 1921 to present: you can order through local health departments.
    • For records before July 1, 1907 in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane: contact the local health department.
    • For all other counties for records before July 1, 1907: contact the county auditor.
  • Benton County Marriage Records
    • For recent marriage certificates from the last 4 months: contact the county auditor where the license was filed.
    • For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics
    • For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the county auditor where the license was obtained.
  • Benton County Divorce Records
    • For recent divorce certificates from the last four months: contact the county clerk where the event was filed.
    • For certificates from January 1, 1968 to four months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For certificates before January 1, 1968: contact the county clerk where the event occurred.
  • Benton County Death Records
    • For recent records, in the current or previous month, please contact the Local Health Department where the event occurred.
    • July 1, 1907 to 2 months before the present: order through the Center for Health Statistics.
    • For records before July 1, 1907: contact the Research Office of the Washington State Archives.

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Benton County Vital Records

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Benton County, WA Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Records that exist for Washington

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Benton County, Washington are 1910, 1920 and 1930.

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Benton County Census Records by clicking the link below:

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Census Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Benton County Census Records.

1910 Benton County Census Records

1920 Benton County Census Records

1930 Benton County Census Records

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Benton County, WA Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Washington

Cemetery records and headstone inscriptions are also sources of birth and death information. The records of this type most commonly found are church burial registers, sextons' records, cemetery deed and plot registers, burial permit records, grave opening orders, and monument (gravestone) inscriptions.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Benton County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Benton County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Benton County Cemetery & Church Records.

The following cemeteries and churches are listed in the US Geological Survey web site as being in this County. And there are more not listed.
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Benton County, WA Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Washington

For periods before the advent of civil registration of vital statistics, church records rank as the best available sources for information on specific vital events: birth, marriage, and death. Bible records is a good primary source for genealogy research and information. You will find many different surnames listed in many of these Bibles which include old photos, obituaries and other facts such as birth and death dates.

Below is a list of online resources for Benton County Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to Benton County Cemetery & Church Records.

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