Official Government Sources
Washington Public Records Directory
All links go directly to official Washington government websites.
Washington Court Records
Washington State Criminal and Civil Superior Courts
Search criminal and civil records.
Washington State Civil and Criminal Courts
Criminal law links.
Washington State Court Forms
Judicial Council Form downloads.
Washington State Superior Courts
Search Juveniles, divorces and other family cases.
Washington State Supreme Court
Lookup upcoming cases.
Washington State Appellate Court
Court of appeal case search.
Washington Bankruptcy Records Search
Conduct a bankruptcy search through public records to find individual or corporate bankruptcy filings.
Washington State Law
Easy access to information on the law and more.
General Records
Washington State Patrol Criminal History Records
Criminal history record checks, fingerprint-based records and disposition information submitted by law enforcement and c
Washington Access To Criminal History
Public access to criminal history conviction records for the state of Washington.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Seattle Office
Obtain bureau records and Washington criminal background checks.
Washington Inmates and Offenders Search
Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Washinton Dept. of Corrections.
Washington Sex Offenders
Search the WA Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs database of registered offenders by name or location.
Washington Most Wanted
Current posting of fugitives and absconders in the state of Washington.
Washington Public and Criminal Record Expungements
Information and resources to assist in expunging criminal records state and nationwide.
Washington State Patrol
Law enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Licenses, permits, information and more
Washington Attorney General
Civil, criminal and appellate courts
Washington State University Police Department
Law enforcement, investigations, reports and more
Washington County Sheriff Arrest Reports
Directory to county Sheriff offices and reports in Washington.
Directory of Washington State Agencies, Boards and Commissions.
Search state agency information.
Search for State Financial Institutions
Financial institution information.
Washington State Visitors Information
Guide to the state of Washington State.
Washington State Elections and Voter Information
Voter data statewide.
Washington State Census Information
Census bureau quick facts and information.
Washington State Housing Information
Information For real estate professionals.
Washington State Library
Research using libraries and publications.
Washington State Schools
Search district schools.
Washington State Public Records Requests
Guidelines and information for public records.
Washington State Energy Commission Public Records
Energy information and resources.
Washington State Forestry and Fire Protection
Information to protect the property and resources of Washington State.
Washington State Maps
Map downloads.
Washington State Department of Transportation
Traffic and road information.
Search For Current Washington State Employees
Washington state employee name search.
Washington Vital Records
Request birth and death certificates, marriage records and divorce filings in Washington.
Washington Asset Search
Search government agencies open to the public to find assets of companies, corporations, or individuals.
Washington Business & Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Washington Secretary of State.
Washington Driving Records
Access online forms from the state DMV to request a drivers license, complete registration and more.
Washington Genealogy Records
Browse state archives, historical records, and online databases, search Washington census records to find info about anc
Washington Judgments and Liens
Find judgments, liens and UCC filings of any individual in Washington.
Washington Lawyer Lookup
Legal directory and discipline notices.
Washington Missing Children
Search Washington missing and exploited kids.
Washington Property Records
Obtain property tax info by contacting the Municipal Research and Services Center.
Washington Unclaimed Property
Search property and claim status by individual name or business thru the Dept. of Revenue.
Washington State Statewide Business Search
Obtain business, corporate and company information.
Washington State Statewide Professional License Records
Search licensing of professional and verify status and more.
Washington State Corporation Search
Find corporate information
Washington State Tax Information
State tax links and resources.
Search Washington State Law
Lookup Washington State codes and laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Washington Public Records
What is included in a Washington background check?
In Washington, background checks are governed by the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) (Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 42.56). They may include criminal history, sex offender status, court filings, arrest records, and vital statistics. Agencies must respond within 5 business days to respond with records, a denial, or a reasonable estimate of w. The law is administered by Washington Attorney General's Office, Open Government Division; Washington State Auditor for oversight complaints; (360) 753-7974.
Where can I find police reports in Washington?
Police reports in Washington are public records under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA). Submit your request to the agency that generated the report. Who may request: Any person - no residency requirement. Response deadline: 5 business days to respond with records, a denial, or a reasonable estimate of w. If access is denied, you may appeal to district or circuit court.
What are the procedures to obtain Washington vital records, and what is included in those records with address, not URLs?
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) in Washington are maintained by the state Department of Health or Vital Statistics. Standard fees: Actual cost of duplication; $0.15/page for standard copies; no charge for electr. Certified copies carry separate fee schedules. Fee waivers may be available for journalists, nonprofits, and public-interest requesters - always ask.
What is the school district and performance data for Washington?
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is responsible for collecting and reporting school district performance data for the state of Washington. The OSPI provides an online dashboard that allows users to view district-level performance data, including student achievement, graduation rates, and other indicators. The dashboard also provides information on school district demographics, such as student enrollment, staff, and funding.
What is the crime statistics for Washington?
Washington crime statistics are compiled by the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Crime Information & Records Section, and published in the annual Crime in Washington report at wsp.wa.gov. FBI UCR data covers Washington. In 2022, Washington reported a violent crime rate of approximately 330 per 100,000 residents. The Washington Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) publishes reports at wsac.wa.gov. Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma police departments publish city-specific crime statistics.
If I get arrested in Washington where would I go to jail and court? include address.
If arrested in Washington, you would be taken to the local county jail. Court appearances are scheduled in the county where the arrest occurred. Under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), arrest records and booking information are generally public. Oversight: Washington Attorney General's Office, Open Government Division; Washington State Auditor for oversight complaints; (360) 753-7974. Appeals go to district or circuit court.
Can I find Public records in Washington State Library?
Yes. Washington state and public libraries provide access to public records databases. The Washington Public Records Act (PRA) (Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 42.56) guarantees public access to government documents. Many libraries offer free access to LexisNexis, court records portals, and vital record indexes. Under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW § 42.56), Washington residents can access public records through state and local libraries. The Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Blvd S, Tumwater, WA 98501 maintains research collections including historical newspapers, land records, probate files, and legislative archives. Libraries also provide free access to LexisNexis Public Records and other subscription databases not available at home. Reference librarians are available to help navigate Washington government records portals and submit public records requests.
Where is the Washington State Library located?
The Washington Library is located at 200 W. 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889. In addition to its main location, the Washington State Library coordinates resources and services for public libraries statewide. Patrons can access LexisNexis, ProQuest Historical Newspapers, and PACER court records indexes through the library. Under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW § 42.56), government documents are available for public inspection during regular business hours. Reference librarians in Olympia, WA can assist with inter-library loans, records requests, and genealogical research inquiries.
Washington State fingerprinting office
Washington fingerprinting services are provided by the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Identification and Criminal History Section, at 453 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98502. Phone: (360) 534-2000. IdentoGO (MorphoTrust) operates fingerprinting locations in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Olympia - schedule at identogo.com or call 1-888-483-4632. Local police departments and sheriff offices in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties also provide fingerprinting services.