About Fife

Fife is a city in Pierce County, Washington. Use the official town and county resources on this page to reach the clerk, court, assessment, public records, and Freedom of Information request pages serving residents and researchers.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Fife

Fife Police Department

If this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you would like to report a not-in-progress crime or incident, or file a police report, please call the non-emergency phone number 800-562-9800 or visit our website for Online Reporting. For all other matters, please email the Fife Police Department.

https://www.fifewa.gov/273/Police-Department

Pierce County Sheriff's Office

In addition to his formal career. enjoys competing in motorsports and spending quality time adventuring in the mountains with family and friends. Major Dobson has served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department since 2000.

https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1924/Sheriffs-Command-Staff

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Fife

Municipal Court Record Requests | Fife, WA

Additional paper records are available at the Fife Municipal Court, located at 3737 Pacific Highway E, STE100, Fife, WA 98424. To request non-electronic court records, fill out an Access to Court Records Request Form. All records requests need to be submitted by filling out an Access to Court.

🔗 https://www.fifewa.gov/205/Municipal-Court-Record-Requests

🏠 Property & Public Records in Fife

Pierce County Auditor

Property records for Fife, Washington are maintained by the Pierce County Auditor. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Pierce County, including Fife.

Public Records & Services in Fife

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Fife, Pierce County, Washington are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Pierce County school administration or the Washington Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Fife, Pierce County, Washington is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Fife police department or the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Fife Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Pierce County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Fife, Washington residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Pierce County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact local police (where present) or the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Washington Attorney General or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Fife — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

Pierce County operates its main detention facility in Tacoma. Upon arrival at the Pierce County Jail, individuals go through a booking process that includes photographing and fingerprinting. The sheriff's office provides an online inmate lookup tool where the public can access information about current detainees, including charges and bond amounts. Visitation at the facility requires appointments and follows a specific dress code. Those posting bail can do so through the jail's cashier or by working with a bail bondsman, following Washington's established bail procedures.

Arrest Records

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department and local police departments maintain arrest records for their respective jurisdictions. Residents and attorneys seeking these records must submit a formal request through the appropriate law enforcement agency, typically invoking the Washington Public Records Act. A standard arrest record contains the individual's personal information, the charges filed, and details about the arresting officer. This process supports transparency and accountability in how law enforcement operates throughout Pierce County.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Pierce County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request criminal history information through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system. The Washington State Patrol offers additional resources for background checks.

Vital Records

Individuals seeking birth certificates, death records, or marriage licenses for Fife, Washington can turn to the state's Department of Health Vital Records office. This centralized resource provides access to vital statistics for the entire state, including the 98424 ZIP code that serves the Fife community. The Fife Washington Vital Records portal on the state website offers detailed instructions and contact information for requesting these important documents.

Business & Licensing Records

Entrepreneurs and business owners in Fife can tap into resources ranging from the City of Fife's Departments page to the Fife Regional Chamber of Commerce website. These platforms offer information on business licenses, zoning regulations, and permit requirements for commercial and industrial activities within city limits. The chamber also provides networking opportunities, advocacy efforts, and other services helps local businesses establish themselves and grow.

Economy & Demographics

Fife's strategic location and well-developed infrastructure have attracted a diverse range of businesses to the city, from manufacturing and logistics to retail and hospitality. Major employers in the area include Amazon, Milgard Manufacturing, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, which operates a regional facility in Fife. The city's economy is further supported by the Fife Regional Chamber of Commerce, which supports local businesses and promotes the community as an attractive destination for investment and economic development.

Elections & Voter Records

The Pierce County Auditor's Office, Elections Division serves Fife voters from its office at 2501 South 35th Street, Suite C, Tacoma, WA 98409 (phone: 253-798-VOTE or 253-798-8683, website: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/elections). Washington operates as a vote-by-mail state, with all registered voters receiving ballots approximately 18 days before each election. Registration is available online through the Washington Secretary of State at https://voter.votewa.gov, with deadlines set at 8 days before Election Day for online and mail registration.
Same-day registration remains available in person at the Elections Office or designated voting centers through Election Day. The state requires standard voter registration information but does not require ID when voting by mail, though first-time voters who registered by mail may need to provide identification. Municipal elections in the city include the Mayor and City Council positions. Fife elects its Mayor and seven City Council members, with staggered terms making sure of continuity. The most recent general election took place in November 2023, with the next municipal elections scheduled for odd-numbered years. Residents can find information on local candidates, ballot measures, and city positions at the City of Fife website https://www.cityoffife.org and through the Pierce County Elections voter information portal. Checking voter registration status, ballot drop-box locations, and voting center locations is available at https://voter.votewa.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Fife voters are published by the Washington Secretary of State Elections (https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections).S. House of Representatives for Washington's 9th Congressional District (which includes Fife), Washington State Governor (2024 was the election year, next in 2028), state legislative races for Washington State Senate and House of Representatives (10th and 29th Legislative Districts serve portions of Fife), Pierce County Executive, Pierce County Council positions, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer, Pierce County Auditor, and various county judicial positions, along with potential local ballot measures and special district positions. Washington's all-mail ballot system allows voters to return ballots by mail (postmarked by Election Day), at official drop boxes throughout Pierce County (until 8 PM on Election Day), or at voting centers. Ballot tracking is available through the state's Where's My Ballot system. Election records that are public in Washington include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports through the Public Disclosure Commission at https://www.pdc.wa.gov, candidate filings and declarations, precinct-level election results, and ballot measures text. The Pierce County Elections website provides detailed results for all races at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/elections after each election.
City Info
StateWashington
CountyPierce
Population10,902

Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Fife, Washington, residents can register online through the Washington Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Pierce County elections office. Washington requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Washington Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Fife, contact the Pierce County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Fife, Washington are maintained by the County Assessor's Office and the County Auditor. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The County Auditor maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Washington counties provide online property record searches through their county websites.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Fife, Washington residents are available through both county and state offices. The Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, located in Olympia, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Washington. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.