Frequently Asked Questions

The Sheriff is the top law enforcement officer in Yakima County. The Sheriff's Office focuses on areas in the county without police departments. For issues within city limits, please contact your local police departments.

To file a police report, you contact the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over where the crime occurred. For crimes occurring in the unincorporated areas of Yakima County (outside a city’s limits), or within the towns of Harrah and Naches, you may contact the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch for non-emergencies at 509-574-2500 ext. 0. For emergencies and crimes in progress, please call 9-1-1.

Of course, the 1st thing you should do is call your local law enforcement agency. Do a walk-through of your home, making a note of all the items that are missing. Try not to touch anything that would appear to be evidence or used in the crime. Look for shoe prints (if they kicked the door. Contrary to popular TV shows, it is unlikely that fingerprints will be of much help. But if you do find a set on some glass or in some dust that doesn't belong there, let the officer know. The officer will also want to know the time of your departure from and return to your home.

If you know the name of the deputy assigned to your case, please contact them directly if they provided you with a business card. If you know the name of a detective assigned to your case, you may contact them at 509-574-2500 ext. 3. If you do not know the name of the deputy assigned to your case but believe your case is still under active investigation, you may contact records at 509-574-2500 ext. 2, option 2.

If you would like to submit a request for Yakima County Sheriff’s Office records, please click here: Public Records Portal.

We issue dog licenses for residents living in the county, not the city limits of a city. We have applications at our office and on our website, or you can purchase them online.

Proof of current rabies vaccination is mandatory.

Proof of spay/neuter if applicable. Highly recommended.

To obtain information on registered Level II and Level III Sex Offenders and Kidnap Offenders in your neighborhood, please use the online Sex Offender Search.

The Jail Roster contains the names of all inmates currently housed in the Yakima County Jail. This list does not include persons on home detention, at Western State Hospital, or on probation.

Apply for a concealed pistol license with the County Sheriff if you live in the country areas. If you live in the city limits of Yakima, apply with the Yakima Police; otherwise, visit your local police department.

To get information on the laws dealing with firearms, go to the Department of Licensing Firearms Desk website.

Visit the Washington State Attorney General’s website for reciprocity agreements with other states and general firearms FAQs. To find out if other states honor Washington’s CPL, check with each state you plan to visit.

To transfer firearm ownership, you may contact any federally licensed firearms dealer.

Criminal History can be obtained from the "WSP WATCH" program on the Washington State Patrol website, wsp.wa.gov. You may also get a synopsis called a DCH (Defendant Case History) from the District Court located in room 225 on the 2nd floor of the Yakima County Courthouse, 128 N 2^nd St, Yakima.

You may contact your local law enforcement office to ascertain if they take fingerprints for personal needs.

If you live within the city limits of Yakima, you may schedule a fingerprint appointment on their website.

If you live in the unincorporated area of Yakima County, you may schedule a fingerprint appointment on the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office website.

You can find crime statistics online at crime statistics.

Follow this link to find a location for a safe, free, and convenient place to drop off household medications.

If protection is needed from a person with whom you are related or have a domestic relationship, go to:

Superior Court
128 N 2nd Street, 3rd Floor
Yakima, WA 98901

If protection is needed from a person with whom you have no relation or domestic relationship, go to:

District Court
128 N 2nd Street, 2nd Floor
Yakima, WA 98901

You must provide information on all the persons involved, including birthdays and contact information.

Paying fines can be confusing because where to pay depends on the police agency that issued the ticket.  If you have the ticket, check for the court’s name, address, and phone number on it.  If you do not have the ticket or do not find the court contact, and the ticket is from Washington State Patrol, call the district court in the county where you received the ticket.  Be ready with your full name and driver’s license number.  For tickets received from other police agencies, contact them directly.

Contact our office at 509-574-2500 ext. 0. An officer will need three pieces of information:

•    A description of the vehicle

•    A license plate number

•    A description of the driver

To become a deputy, read our Deputy Tips page.