About Sumner

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Sumner

Sumner Police Department

Our greatest asset as a department is our officers and support staff. They understand the importance of what they do and have a strong sense of duty and pride when it comes to protecting and serving you. Click here for a full message from Chief Moericke. Watch the video and hear Deputy Chief Andy McCurdy share an overview of the Sumner Police Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening it

https://sumnerwa.gov/police/

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 Sumner

Public Records – City of Sumner

The City of Sumner uses NextRequest web portal to assist you in requesting public records. A public record is any record containing information relating to the conduct of government business, which is prepared, owned, used, or retained by an agency. Public records are retained by the City in.

🔗 https://sumnerwa.gov/public-records/

🏠 Property & Public Records in Sumner

Pierce County Auditor

Property records for Sumner, 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 Sumner.

Public Records & Services in Sumner

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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, 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 Sumner 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 Sumner 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 Sumner, 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 the Sumner Police Department 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 Sumner — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

Pierce County operates its main detention facility in Tacoma, where arrestees are booked through a standard process of photographing and fingerprinting. The sheriff's office maintains an online inmate lookup tool that provides current information on charges and bond amounts for those being held. Visitation at the facility requires scheduling appointments in advance and following established dress code requirements. Bail can be posted either through the jail's cashier window or by working with a licensed bail bondsman, with all procedures following Washington state bail protocols.

Arrest Records

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department and local police agencies maintain arrest records for incidents occurring within their jurisdictions. Those seeking copies of these records, whether residents, attorneys, or other authorized parties, typically submit formal requests under the Washington Public Records Act to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Each arrest record contains the arrestee's identifying information, the specific charges filed, and details about the arresting officer. This system provides documented accountability for law enforcement actions across 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

For those in need of vital records, such as birth certificates, death records, or marriage licenses, the Sumner Washington Vital Records office, operated by the Washington State Department of Health, is the primary source. This office maintains records and can assist local residents and those with connections to the Sumner community in obtaining the necessary documentation.

Business & Licensing Records

The city supports local enterprise through economic development resources covering business licenses, zoning requirements, and permit procedures. Entrepreneurs looking to launch, expand, or relocate operations in Sumner can access detailed information through the City of Sumner's website, where the economic development team also provides guidance tailored to specific business needs. These resources help streamline the process of establishing a commercial presence in the community.

Economy & Demographics

Sumner's diverse economy is anchored by a mix of healthcare, retail, and manufacturing businesses, as well as a thriving small business community that adds to the city's unique character. Key employers in the area include local healthcare providers, major retail chains, and manufacturing companies that use Sumner's strategic location and skilled workforce.
The city's economic development initiatives, supported by the City of Sumner and the local chamber of commerce, work to attract new businesses and foster the growth of existing enterprises, contributing to the overall economic vitality of the community.

Elections & Voter Records

The Pierce County Auditor's Office, Elections Division handles all election administration for Sumner voters from its office at 2501 South 35th Street, Suite C, Tacoma, WA 98409 (phone: 253-798-VOTE/8683, website: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/elections). Pierce County conducts elections entirely by mail, with all registered voters receiving ballots approximately 18 days before each election. Eligible citizens can register to vote online at https://voter.votewa.gov, a process requiring either a driver's license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.
Registration deadlines fall eight days before Election Day for online or mailed submissions, though in-person registration continues through Election Day itself. Sumner operates under a mayor-council government structure with seven at-large council members. Local candidate information, ballot measures, and election results appear on both the City of Sumner website at https://www.sumnerwa.gov and the Pierce County Elections site. Voters can locate their assigned ballot drop box locations through the Pierce County elections website or by calling the office; these boxes remain accessible around the clock during election periods, accepting ballots until 8:00 PM on Election Day. Washington's Public Records Act makes certain election materials publicly accessible, including voter registration lists (with some protected information excluded), campaign finance reports, candidate filings, precinct-level results, and ballot measures, all available through county elections offices and the Washington Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.wa.gov. While individual ballot choices remain confidential, aggregate voter participation data is public record. One U.S. Senate seat is not up that cycle. State legislative races will fill positions across all 98 districts, including seats for Sumner's district (typically the 25th or 31st Legislative District), covering both State Senate and House positions. County races may include the county executive (depending on term cycle), county council seats, assessor-treasurer, auditor, prosecutor, and sheriff. City and town council positions throughout Pierce County will also appear, along with potential local measures addressing school levies, transportation funding, or other community issues. Washington's all-mail voting system automatically sends ballots to every registered voter for each election, with postage-paid return envelopes included. Completed ballots can be mailed back (postmark deadline on Election Day), deposited in official drop boxes (until 8:00 PM on Election Day), or submitted at accessible voting centers where assistance is available for those needing help marking ballots. The BallotTrax system at https://voter.votewa.gov lets voters track their ballot from mailing through counting, confirming receipt and tabulation.
City Info
StateWashington
CountyPierce
Population10,674

Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Sumner, 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 Sumner, contact the Pierce County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Sumner, Washington are maintained by the Pierce County Assessor's Office and the Pierce County Auditor. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Pierce County, including parcels in Sumner. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Pierce County Auditor maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Washington counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Pierce County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Sumner, 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 Pierce County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Pierce 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.