Washington Criminal Records

Washington criminal records are official documents that detail an individual's interactions with the state's justice system. These records cover a wide range of information, ranging from warrants, arrests, charges, and convictions to court proceedings, case dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration details. According to recent figures, Washington records a violent crime rate of approximately 3.76 incidents per 1,000 residents, with an overall crime rate of about 37.32 per 1,000.

Several agencies in Washington generate and maintain copies of criminal records, including city police departments and county sheriff's offices, trial courts, and the Department of Corrections. However, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history information and consolidates data from various sources, primarily local law enforcement agencies and courts, which it then disseminates to interested parties.

Are Criminal Records Public in Washington?

Criminal records in Washington are considered public records, meaning that they are generally accessible to any interested member of the public in line with relevant state laws, primarily the Washington Public Records Act and the Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act. However, there are certain exemptions when it comes to publicly accessing these criminal records. For instance, records involving juveniles are deemed confidential and cannot be viewed by the general public. Likewise, information about arrests that didn't result in a conviction may be publicly viewable; however, official copies of these records cannot be obtained. Other information exempt from public disclosure includes sealed records and records that might disclose the identities of crime victims, confidential informants or compromise ongoing investigations.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Washington?

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) offers interested parties official copies of criminal records upon request; however, the scope of information obtainable primarily depends on the requester. The general public and non-criminal justice entities can only typically access conviction information, information on arrests that are less than one year old and still have pending dispositions, and information related to registered sex/kidnapping offenses. On the other hand, certified criminal justice agencies may receive unrestricted criminal history record information.

You may obtain Washington criminal records from the WSP by submitting a request to the agency online through its Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) platform. There is an $11 fee (per request) for this option, and results are provided immediately. You may also request a notarized letter, in addition to the criminal record, for $10. The WSP also offers requesters the option of verifying the online generated report at no cost. To do this, requesters must add a verified right thumbprint for the subject in question at the bottom right corner of the finalized report. Once this step is finished, the report must be mailed in, alongside a simple letter that explains the information request to the following address:

Requests may also be made to the WSP by sending a finalized form of Request for Conviction Criminal History (for name-based checks) or a complete fingerprint set (for fingerprint-based checks), either via mail to the address provided above or in person at the WSP's Olympia office located at:

Name-based checks cost $32 per request, while fingerprint-based requests cost $58. Notarized letters may also be requested alongside the background checks for an additional $10 fee.

You may get direct inquiries and/or get more information regarding obtaining criminal records from the WSP by calling (360) 534-2000.

How To Search Washington Arrest Records?

Washington arrest records are primarily generated by local law enforcement agencies (city police departments and county sheriff's offices); however, the Washington State Patrol also creates and maintains records of arrests executed by its troopers. A Washington arrest record typically contains the following details:

• The arrestee's name and date of birth
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• A brief description of the alleged offense(s)
• The name of the arresting officer and arresting agency
• A case/citation number

To access arrest records in Washington, you will need to contact the appropriate local agency directly and submit a formal records request. Note that there may be fees for obtaining copies of these records. Be aware that records of arrests that did not result in a conviction are typically restricted from public access.

How to Search Washington Warrants?

A warrant in Washington is a court order that authorizes law enforcement to carry out a specific action, such as executing a search or carrying out an arrest. These warrants are typically issued by judges and magistrates, and they include:

• Arrest Warrants: These allow officers of law enforcement to successfully arrest suspected individuals who may have committed the crime detailed. Warrants of arrest are provided based on probable cause.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when an individual fails to comply with a court order or requirement and authorize the arrest of the individual in question.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement officers to search a specified location for evidence relevant to a criminal investigation.
• Secretary's Warrants: These warrants are issued by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections (DOC), are specifically for individuals under the department's jurisdiction, and authorize the arrest of offenders who have violated the conditions of their community custody.

Once issued, a warrant typically remains active until it is executed, lifted by judicial order, or otherwise resolved. However, it should be noted that, under state law, search warrants must be executed within 10 days of being issued.

There is no unified statewide tool for searching all active warrants in Washington. Nonetheless, you may get warrant information by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency or court in the jurisdiction where you believe the warrant was issued. The DOC also offers an online search tool that may be used to access information on secretary's warrants that have been open for more than 60 days.

Can I Obtain a Washington Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain a copy of another person's criminal history record from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) by requesting a background check online via the agency's WATCH platform or completing and submitting a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form to the agency at:

For Mail-In Requests:

For In-Person Submissions:

Online requests cost $11, while mail-in and in-person requests cost $32. It should be noted that, as a third-party requester, the provided record will only include information on convictions, arrests less than one year old that still have pending dispositions, and certain sex/kidnapping-related offenses. You may contact the WSP at (360) 534-2000 for more information.

How To Expunge or Seal Washington Criminal Records

Washington law makes provisions for individuals with criminal records to have these records sealed, vacated, or deleted/destroyed. When a record is sealed, it is hidden from public view and may only be accessed by authorized parties, including law enforcement, while vacating (setting aside) a record nullifies the conviction, legally making it seem like it never happened. This process is sometimes referred to as expungement; however, vacated records are not permanently destroyed and may still be publicly accessible.

You will typically need to meet certain eligibility criteria to get your record vacated, sealed, or deleted/destroyed, primarily determined by the type of record:

• Vacation: Most misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies may be vacated; however, violent felonies, DUI-related offenses, domestic violence-related offenses, and sex crimes are typically ineligible for this process. Depending on the offense, you must also have completed a waiting period of up to three years (for misdemeanors) or 10 years (for felonies).
• Sealing: Record sealing is usually only available after the record has been vacated or if the court determines that sealing the record is necessary to protect the person's safety and/or privacy.
• Deletion/Destruction: Record deletion/destruction is typically limited to juvenile records and non-conviction adult records. For adult records, at least two years must have passed since the disposition, and you must meet other conditions, such as having no prior felony or gross misdemeanor convictions.

Once you have determined your eligibility, you will need to file a petition with the court that handled the case and may also be required to notify certain parties, such as the prosecutor's office. Forms may be obtained online via the Washington Courts' official website or through the clerk at the appropriate local court. The court will review your petition and may schedule a hearing to consider the case and hear from relevant parties before deciding on whether to grant or deny the request.

What Are the Limitations to Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Washington?

Both federal regulations and Washington state laws impose limits on how criminal records may be used by employers, licensing agencies, and housing providers. At the federal level, the Fair Chance Act prevents contractors as well as federal agencies from sending requests for information regarding criminal history before they first extend applicants a conditional job offer. Federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also provide guidance stating that employment and housing decisions based on criminal records must be relevant, accurate, and free from blanket discrimination.

At the state level, the Washington Fair Chance Act equally restricts most public and private employers from asking applicants, verbally or in writing, about criminal history or performing background checks until after they have determined that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the position. Municipalities like Seattle have also enacted similar ordinances for their respective jurisdictions. Likewise, Section 9.96A.020 of the Revised Code of Washington prohibits blanket disqualification from licensing and employment based solely on criminal records.

Can I Access Washington Criminal Records for Free Online?

Several private websites claim to offer access to Washington criminal records, either at no cost or for a nominal fee. However, these websites may not always provide complete information that reflects recent updates. As such, to ensure that you obtain accurate and up-to-date criminal records, it is best to utilize official resources like the Washington State Patrol's WATCH platform and the Washington Courts' public search platform. You may also consider reputable third-party platforms like WashingtonPublicRecords.us that aggregate data from official and trustworthy sources.