State of Washington Most Updated Online Public and Criminal Records Portal

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Washington Public Records Search

Washington index of public records of divorces, lawsuits, criminal records. Request death records, birth records, marriage search and other vital information. Access courts for bankruptcies file in the state's courts. Link to official sites that will provide property records and fictitious business names filings and registration data search of other personal assets. Liens, judgments, juvenile and probate records, updated court calendars upcoming cases. Order official Washington documents with an easy referenced list of agencies statewide. The state of Washington's public agencies are the primary custodians and providers of many forms of information and records requested by individuals and private entities. Each department, under state statutes must maintain means to their information without undue burden. About Washington Public Records

Washington Public Records and Court Information

Washington gained statehood in 1889, making it the 42 state in the U.S. The state's economy benefits greatly from the Columbia river and the largest hydroelectric dam and the biggest hydropower plant in the U.S.,the Grand Coulee dam. Today's economy includes Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon and electronics. The state also produces natural products such as lumber and aluminum. Washington has a monopoly over all liquor and spirits sales in the state (known as an Alcoholic Beverage Control State) only state-run or state-contracted stores can sell these items, 17 other states share the same law.

With over 71,000 square mile territory, Washington state is the 18th largest with a population of 6,724,540 residents. Washington's state government is comprised of 3 branches. The Washington legislative branch has a 49 member state senate and a 98 member state house of representatives. The executive branch is headed by the governor and other elected officials such as commissioners, treasurer, attorney general, auditor, public instruction superintendent, secretary of state and its departments. The judicial branch is the state's courts and contains the supreme court, appellate divisions, district and lower courts.

The re are 39 counties and 281 cities in the state. The re were 34 counties formed prior to Washington gaining statehood making it the state's oldest form of government. The last county formed was in 1911 bringing it to today's total of 39. Counties function as an arm of the state government and provide services such as law enforcement, maintenance of records, property assessment, road construction, courts and tax collections. Cities have a mayor, council members, local law enforcement, municipal courts as well as other local services.

One of the ways residents stay informed about their government is with Washington's Open Public Records and Meeting Laws. Enacted in 1972, the state passed both laws in efforts to keep its agencies transparent. Agency officials no longer have the authority to turn away requests of records that are deemed open to the public. This allows the public to request records, without revealing confidential information, and access to information from all of Washington's state and public agencies without providing a reason. Many request are for perceived government oversight issues, such as financial corruption, and are uncovered by reporters or watchdog groups.

Many requests from various agencies are not related to discovery of government malfeasance. Numerous requests are made for recorded documents such as birth certificates from 1907 to present and marriage certificates from 1968 to present The Washington Department of Health provides death, marriage and divorce records. Any member of the public can request a background criminal investigation from the Washington State Patrol. Washington law demands all local justice agencies to submit arrest and disposition information of felony and gross misdemeanor arrests to the state patrol where a complete criminal background can be conducted. Washington courts offer free online search of municipal, district, superior and appellate cases. Cases involving civil and criminal trials, judgments, liens, tax warrants, family court details of divorces and other filings can also be found in the state's court system. The assessor's office provides real estate information with an instant parcel search for homeowners or any member of the public that wants to view property details such as the land value and ownership. State offices that license professionals offer an instant online search to verify status and other details regarding a professional practicing within the state.

Washington municipal courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve misdemeanors, traffic, domestic violence matters, parking violations and general ordinance violations.

District courts are the state's trial courts and have jurisdiction to hear torts, contracts from $0 to $50,000, have exclusive small claims jurisdiction, $4,000 and further extends to various misdemeanors, domestic violence cases, traffic, parking violations, and other general violations, hold venue to preliminary hearings with available jury trials, except in traffic and parking matters.

Magistrate courts have jurisdiction to hear cases of tort, contract, real property rights from $0 to $5,000, misdemeanors, traffic, domestic, violence matters and hold venue to preliminary hearings, Jury trials are available in magistrate courts.

Superior courts have jurisdiction over torts, and contracts from $0 and up, exclusive jurisdiction over real property rights from $0 and up, estate, mental health, civil appeals and miscellaneous civil matters, have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases that involve domestic relations, felonies, criminal appeals and juvenile cases.

The court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction to hear cases involving civil, non-capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, and original proceeding matters, has discretionary jurisdiction in administrative agency, and interlocutory decision cases.

State's highest is the supreme court with mandatory jurisdiction to hear civil, capital criminal, criminal, administrative agency, juvenile and certified questions from federal court cases, has discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases.

Washington Statewide Public Records

What is the process for someone who is arrested in Washington to go through the jail and court system?

If you are arrested in Washington, you will likely be taken to the local jail in the county where you were arrested. For example, if you were arrested in King County, you would be taken to the King County Correctional Facility. Your court proceedings would take place in the county courthouse. For example, if you were arrested in King County, your court proceedings would take place at the King County Courthouse.

What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Washington Library?

You can find public records in Washington Library. The library has a variety of resources available to help you find public records, including online databases, print materials, and reference librarians who can help you locate the records you need.

What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Washington, and what information is provided in the records?

Washington vital records can be obtained from the Washington State Department of Health. The records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. To obtain a vital record, you must submit a completed application form, a valid photo ID, and the applicable fee. The application form can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website. The records will include the name of the person, the date of the event, and the place of the event. Depending on the type of record, additional information may be included, such as the names of the parents or the names of the parties involved in a divorce. The address of the person is not included in the record.

Where is the best place to locate police reports in Washington?

Police reports in Washington can be obtained from the Washington State Patrol. You can request a copy of a police report online, by mail, or in person at any of the Washington State Patrol offices.

What information is typically included in a Washington background check?

A Washington background check typically includes a search of criminal records, driving records, and sex offender registry records. Depending on the type of background check, it may also include a search of financial records, education records, and employment records.

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