About Spokane County
Spokane County is located in the eastern portion of Washington State, serving as the economic and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest region. The county seat is Spokane, Washington's second-largest city, situated at 1116 West Broadway Avenue. Spanning approximately 1,781 square miles, Spokane County has a population of over 540,000 residents as of recent estimates. The county was created from Walla Walla County in 1858 and officially organized in 1879.
Major landmarks include Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane, the historic Davenport Hotel, Mount Spokane State Park, and the Spokane River featuring the iconic Spokane Falls. The county encompasses diverse geography from the Columbia Plateau's agricultural lands to the forested slopes of the Selkirk Mountains. What makes Spokane County unique is its position as the primary metropolitan area between Seattle and Minneapolis, its vibrant arts scene, and its role as a regional medical and educational center.
The County Recorder's Office is located at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Room 100, Spokane, WA 99260. The Spokane County Clerk operates from the Spokane County Courthouse at 1116 West Broadway Avenue. The County Assessor's Office, responsible for property valuations, maintains offices at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Room 130.
These agencies serve the county's incorporated cities including Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Deer Park, Medical Lake, and Airway Heights, along with numerous unincorporated communities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the Spokane County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in various community programs and initiatives aimed at crime prevention and public safety. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the Investigative Division, which handles major crimes, and the Traffic Unit, which focuses on road safety and enforcement.
Police Departments
Spokane County is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Spokane Police Department, Spokane Valley Police Department, and Cheney Police Department. Each agency operates within its jurisdiction, with the Sheriff's Office covering unincorporated areas and the city departments handling urban areas. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives to ensure comprehensive law enforcement coverage throughout the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1100 West Mallon Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and contract cities throughout the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (509) 477-2278, and their website at spokanecounty.org/sheriff provides access to various public safety resources.
- Arrest records in Spokane County are public records governed by Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), and requests can be submitted to the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office Records Division.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the online inmate roster maintained by Spokane County Detention Services, showing current arrestees.
- Historical booking photos require a formal public records request submitted to the Sheriff's Office.
- Processing times vary from immediate for online records to several business days for archived materials.
The Spokane County Detention Services operates the Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Center, with inmate lookup available through the Sheriff's website using the Inmate Roster search tool, where citizens can search by name, booking number, or date of birth to locate current inmates and view booking information. Municipal police departments serve incorporated cities including the Spokane Police Department (city of Spokane), Spokane Valley Police Department, Cheney Police Department, Liberty Lake Police Department, Deer Park Police Department, Medical Lake Police Department, and Airway Heights Police Department. The Spokane Tribe of Indians operates its own Tribal Police Department with jurisdiction on tribal lands, and the Spokane Indian Reservation falls partly within Spokane County boundaries.
Citizens should note that some law enforcement records may be exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240 if they involve ongoing investigations or sensitive criminal intelligence.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Spokane County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Washington State Patrol provides statewide criminal history information. Residents can request background checks through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system, which provides access to public criminal records for a fee. The Washington Bureau of Investigation also assists in providing criminal history information for residents.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Spokane County are maintained by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the respective municipal police departments. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through these agencies, typically requiring a formal request under the Washington Public Records Act. A Spokane County arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. These records are crucial for legal proceedings and background checks.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Spokane County Detention Services operates the Spokane County Jail, which is located in Spokane. The facility handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are fingerprinted, photographed, and assessed for bail eligibility. Inmate information, including booking details and charges, can be accessed through the county's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and require scheduling in advance, with both in-person and video visitation options available.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Spokane County are taken and retained by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a public records request. Washington state does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement or if charges are dropped.
Courts & Case Records
Spokane County's judicial system operates through multiple court levels serving the region's legal needs. The Spokane County Superior Court, located at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2211), handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $100,000, divorces, adoptions, and appeals from lower courts. The Spokane County District Court, also at 1116 West Broadway Avenue (phone: 509-477-3662), has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, protection orders, and preliminary felony hearings.
- The Spokane County Clerk maintains court records with fees of $0.50 per page for copies, $5.00 for certified copies, and varying fees for document filing.
- Online access to many court records is free for case searches, though certified documents require in-person or mail requests with appropriate fees.
- Requests for archived or sealed records require written application to the court administrator with justification for access.
Case lookup is available through the Washington State Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov using the statewide case search portal, or through Spokane County's Superior Court case search system accessible via spokanecounty.org. Municipal courts operate independently in cities including Spokane Municipal Court, Spokane Valley Municipal Court, Cheney Municipal Court, and Liberty Lake Municipal Court, handling traffic infractions and city ordinance violations within their respective jurisdictions. Washington's court records are governed by GR 31, which establishes public access to court records while protecting certain confidential information such as sealed cases, juvenile records, and specific personal identifiers.
The Superior Court also handles probate matters including estates, guardianships, and conservatorships through its Probate Department.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Spokane County are maintained by the Spokane County Recorder's Office, located at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Room 100, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-4716). The Recorder's Office website at spokanecounty.org/recorder provides comprehensive access to recorded documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, reconveyances, easements, covenants, restrictions, plat maps, and surveys dating back to the county's founding.
- Recording fees include $110 for the first page of most documents and $1 for each additional page, with additional fees for specialized documents.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page and can be requested in person, by mail, or through the online ordering system.
- The County Treasurer's Office handles property tax collection and can be reached at 509-477-4713 for payment inquiries and tax statement requests.
The office maintains an online Document Search system allowing free searches by name, document type, legal description, or recording number for documents recorded from 1984 forward, with earlier records requiring in-person research or special assistance. The Spokane County Assessor's Office, at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Room 130 (phone: 509-477-3698), maintains property tax assessment records, parcel information, and ownership data accessible through their website at spokanecounty.org/assessor. The Assessor provides a free online Property Information Search allowing citizens to look up parcels by address, parcel number, or owner name, displaying assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, and tax information.
Spokane County maintains a robust Geographic Information System (GIS) accessible at gis.spokanecounty.org, offering interactive parcel maps, zoning overlays, flood plains, and other spatial data layers.
Vital Records
Vital records for Spokane County, Washington, are managed through both local and state offices depending on the document type and date. Birth certificates for births occurring in Spokane County can be requested through the Spokane Regional Health District's Vital Records Office, located at 1101 West College Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201 (phone: 509-324-1442).
- Death certificates are also available through the Spokane Regional Health District Vital Records Office at the same fee structure and processing times.
- Marriage licenses in Spokane County are issued by the Spokane County Auditor's Office at 1116 West Broadway Avenue (phone: 509-477-2262), with a fee of $64 and no waiting period required.
- Marriage certificates (proof of marriage) cost $15.
- Divorce records, formally called Dissolution of Marriage decrees, are maintained by the Spokane County Superior Court Clerk and require a $5 certification fee per copy.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an additional service fee, offering expedited processing and delivery.
The fee for a certified birth certificate is $25 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, with processing times of approximately 1-2 weeks for mail requests and same-day or next-day for walk-in requests if records are immediately available. For records older than several years or when the local office cannot locate records, the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics serves as the centralized state repository and can be contacted at PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507-9709 (phone: 360-236-4300). Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as defined under RCW 70.58A, which restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders.
Informational (non-certified) copies may have different eligibility requirements.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Spokane County are accessible through multiple agencies depending on the type of business registration or license required. The Spokane County Auditor's Office maintains business name registrations, trade names, and fictitious name filings (Doing Business As - DBA) for businesses operating in unincorporated Spokane County. These records can be searched by visiting 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, or by calling 509-477-2262. The filing fee for a DBA registration is approximately $50.
- The Secretary of State's office processes annual reports, business formations, and foreign entity registrations.
For comprehensive business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, the Washington Secretary of State maintains the Corporations & Charities Filing System accessible online at sos.wa.gov/corps, offering free searches by business name, Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, or registered agent. Professional and occupational licenses in Washington are generally issued at the state level through the Washington Department of Licensing, which can be searched at dol.wa.gov. The City of Spokane and other municipalities within the county require separate business licenses for operations within city limits, administered by each city's Finance or Community and Economic Development departments.
Building permits, land use permits, zoning approvals, and development applications for unincorporated areas are handled by Spokane County's Building and Planning Department, located at 1026 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane (phone: 509-477-7506), with online permit search available through the county website. The Greater Spokane Incorporated (spokaneindependent.org) serves as the region's chamber of commerce and economic development organization, providing business resources, networking, and advocacy for Spokane County businesses.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Spokane County are administered by the Spokane County Elections Office, located at 1033 West Gardner Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2320, website: spokanecounty.org/elections). The Elections Office manages voter registration, ballot distribution, vote counting, and election results certification for all federal, state, and local elections within the county.
- Voters who did not receive a ballot or need a replacement can request one through the Elections Office website, by phone, or in person.
- Citizens can request observer status to watch ballot processing and tabulation at the Elections Office.
Voter registration in Spokane County can be completed online through the Washington Secretary of State's VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the Elections Office or other designated locations including the Department of Licensing offices. The voter registration deadline in Washington is 8 days before any election for online and mail registration, with same-day registration available in person at voting centers through Election Day. Washington is a vote-by-mail state, meaning all registered voters automatically receive a ballot in the mail approximately 18 days before each election, eliminating traditional polling places in favor of ballot drop boxes and vote centers.
Spokane County maintains numerous official ballot drop box locations throughout the county, listed on the Elections Office website, which remain accessible 24/7 during the voting period. Election records that are public in Spokane County include voter registration lists (available for purchase under RCW 29A.08.720 for political or government purposes), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission, candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and ballot statistics. The November 2024 general election saw approximately 73% voter turnout in Spokane County, reflecting strong engagement in the presidential election cycle.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races (including Washington's 5th Congressional District which covers Spokane County), and state legislative races for Washington State Senate and House positions. Accessible voting equipment is available at the Elections Office and designated voting centers for voters with disabilities.
Washington's elections transparency is governed by Title 29A RCW, which mandates public access to voter registration databases, election results data, and ballot reconciliation reports. Campaign finance records are searchable through the Washington Public Disclosure Commission at pdc.wa.gov, showing contributions and expenditures for local, state, and federal campaigns.
Economy & Demographics
Spokane County's economy is anchored by a diverse mix of healthcare, education, military, manufacturing, and service industries that provide stability and growth to the region. Major employers include Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Providence Holy Family Hospital, MultiCare Health System, Washington State University Spokane campus, Gonzaga University, Fairchild Air Force Base (a significant KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus base), and Amazon's Spokane fulfillment centers.
- The median household income in Spokane County is approximately $62,000, slightly below the Washington state average but with a lower cost of living compared to western Washington.
Key economic sectors include healthcare and social assistance (the largest employment sector), educational services, aerospace and defense contracting supporting Fairchild Air Force Base, advanced manufacturing, food processing and agriculture (the county produces wheat, barley, and cattle), and an emerging technology and innovation sector. Major corporations with significant operations include Kaiser Aluminum, Itron (energy and water metering technology), Astronics Corporation, and numerous regional financial institutions. The county's agricultural production, particularly in the southwest portions, contributes substantially to the Palouse region's wheat production.
Unemployment in Spokane County typically tracks slightly above the state average, ranging from 4-6% in recent years, with seasonal variations related to agriculture and tourism. Notable economic development projects include the University District redevelopment in Spokane, expansion of the Spokane International Airport, the North Spokane Corridor (freeway completion project), and substantial investments in downtown Spokane revitalization. The Spokane Tribe operates the Spokane Tribe Casino and Two Rivers Resort & Casino, contributing to employment and economic activity.
Tourism related to outdoor recreation, including skiing at Mount Spokane and nearby resorts, contributes significantly to seasonal employment.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online Access | Overall Score: 8.5/10 — Spokane County demonstrates excellent public records accessibility with comprehensive online portals for property searches, court case lookup, current jail rosters, and election information, though vital records require direct agency contact.
Official Government Resources
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Cities & Towns in Spokane County
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Nearby Counties
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