How to Search Washington Public Records

Washington's court, criminal, vital, property, voter, and licensing records are maintained across state agencies and the 39 counties listed below. Use the tabs to filter by record type, or jump directly to any source.

  • Courts: The Washington Supreme Court sits at the top of the system; trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court, District Court, Municipal Court. Most courts publish dockets and case lookups online.
  • Criminal history: The state's criminal-history repository handles official background checks. Fees and procedures are set by the state agency — see the linked official source.
  • Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the Washington State Department of Health (Center for Health Statistics) and may also be available locally.
  • Property & recorded documents: Maintained at the county level by the Assessor, Recorder, or Clerk's office.
  • Business filings: The Secretary of State (or equivalent) operates the official business-entity search.
Population
7,958,180
Households
3,037,300
Median Income
$91,306
Median Home Value
$519,200

Licenses Databases

26 official Washington licenses sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Licenses

Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner - Licensing Requirements | Washington State Department of Health
Official Free
Applicants must graduate from a college or program accredited by the Accredidation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or a department-approved school · Applicants must request official transcript(s) with degree and date posted ...
🌐 doh.wa.gov
Get your license: Appraisal management companies | Washington State Department of Licensing
Official Free
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to apply, upload your paperwork, and pay the licensing fee. ... Mail your forms and a check or money order for the application fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to: Appraisal Management Company Program Department of Licensing PO Box 3777 Seattle, WA 98124-3777
🌐 dol.wa.gov
Architect firms | Washington State Department of Licensing
Official Free
Learn the requirements and how to apply for a license to operate as an architect firm. Apply for your license Renew or update your license License fees News and updates Forms · You need architecture work experience to qualify for an architect license .
🌐 dol.wa.gov
Legal Profile
Official Free
Member of the following groups: · In some cases, discipline search results will not reveal all disciplinary action relating to a Washington licensed legal professional, and may not display links to the official decision documents
🌐 www.mywsba.org
Banks Laws and Rules
Official Free
The authority of the Division of Banks to regulate Washington's state-chartered commercial banks, stock savings banks, mutual savings banks, alien banks, independent trust companies, and savings and loan associations is derived from the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Rev. 7-2015 State of Washington DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Official Free
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS · DIVISION OF BANKS · P.O. Box 41200  Olympia, Washington 98504-1200 · Telephone (360) 902-8704  TDD (360) 664-8126  FAX (360) 704-6904 · http://www.dfi.wa.gov/banks · OUT-OF-STATE TRUST COMPANY · INFORMATION AND APPLICATION · Out-of-State ...
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Franchises FAQs
Official Free
Salesman Disclosure Form For each officer, director, or employee who will be selling the offering - if you are using third parties to sell your franchise they will have to register as Franchise Brokers. Consent of Accountants to the use of their audited financial statements of your company in connection with the offering (photocopy is OK). Advertising (all advertising must be filed with the Division at least five days prior to use). RCW 19.100.060 provides for a minimum filing period of at least 15 business days before the offering is effective in Washington.
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
capstone certified public accountants llc
Official Free
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off. They help with setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling out forms, using our chat support, or managing the security of our website · These cookies help us improve the website by tracking ...
🌐 ald.nasba.org
Charitable Trusts - Washington Secretary of State - | WA.gov
Official Free
A charitable trust is any entity ... When operating under Washington State jurisdiction, such entities are required to register with the Office of the Secretary of State, Charitable Trust Program ....
🌐 www.sos.wa.gov
Corporations & Charities - Washington Secretary of State
Official Free
The Corporations & Charities Division has opened a new branch in Eastern Washington. View our press release regarding this opening. View Eastern Regional In-Person Service info.
🌐 www.sos.wa.gov
List of Washington State Chartered Credit Unions
Official Free
Verity Credit Union 11027 Meridian Ave N PO Box 75974 Seattle, WA 98175-0974 206-440-9000 800-444-4589 Fax 206-361-5300 www.veritycu.com CEO: Tonita Webb ... Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) 330 Union Ave SE PO Box WSECU Olympia, ...
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Escrow Agent and Officer Licensing
Official Free
The definition of "escrow" now includes the collection and processing of payments and the performance of related services by a third party on seller-financed loans secured by a lien on real or personal property .
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Hunting | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Official Free
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains opportunities for seasoned and first-time hunters alike. Learn about the steps every hunter must take before heading afield, and how to report your harvest after a successful hunt. ... Whether deer, elk, waterfowl, or upland game, the hunt ...
🌐 wdfw.wa.gov
Home | Washington State Gambling Commission
Official Free
Gambling Questions? Download our UPDATED brochures. ... Since 1973, the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has helped protect the public by ensuring that gambling is legal and honest . The accredited law enforcement agency oversight includes several forms of gambling, such as punch ...
🌐 wsgc.wa.gov
Online Instructions | Washington State Department of Health
Official Free
If you experience problems with the SAW site, contact WATech at 855-928-3241 or email support@watech.wa.gov. Log in to your SAW account using your SAW user ID and password you previously created. Select the “Add a New Service” link. On the right column, select “Department of Health.” ...
🌐 doh.wa.gov
Find an agent, agency or company | Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Official Free
Use the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's agent and company search tool to discover if a company or insurance producer is licensed in Washington state.
🌐 fortress.wa.gov
Agent and company lookup tool | Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Official Free
Use this tool to find helpful information about insurance agents, agencies, and the companies they work with. Start your search Choosing the right insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. Our agent and company lookup tool is designed to help you understand your insurance choices better ...
🌐 www.insurance.wa.gov
Lobbyist Employers | Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)
Official Free
Registration is initiated by lobbyists. Lobbyist employers may terminate registrations by submitting a written statement identifying which lobbyist is being terminated and as of what date.
🌐 www.pdc.wa.gov
Consumer Access - Company
Official Free
Information made available through NMLS Consumer AccessSM is derived from NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System / Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry), the financial services industry's online registration and licensing database.
🌐 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives - Title Info: Department of Licensing, Business and Professions…
Official Free
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
🌐 digitalarchives.wa.gov
Securities Registration, Notification, and Exemptions
Official Free
File Complaint | Verify License | Contact Us · The offering of securities in Washington is governed by RCW 21.20, the Securities Act of Washington . The Division of Securities reviews applications for registration, exemption notice filings, ...
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
WSAJ - About Us
Official Free
Our attorneys and legal professionals ensure that injured Washington citizens have access to a fair civil justice system and state worker’s compensation system when they need it the most. Our mission is simple. We are dedicated to safeguarding the Seventh Amendment constitutional right to a trial by jury.
🌐 www.washingtonjustice.org
About the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC)
Official Free
Our goal is to maintain public trust in the appraisal profession by ensuring that appraisers are effectively regulated. ... The ASC has seven members, each designated by the head of their agency. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) ... U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Title XI also requires the FFIEC to appoint a Chair from the member representatives to serve a two-year term.
🌐 www.asc.gov
List of Washington State Chartered Banks
Official Free
Legal Service: Bank CEOs and Presidents receive legal service on behalf of Washington State banks and savings institutions. Bank of the Pacific 300 East Market Street P.O. Box 1826 Aberdeen, WA 98520 President & CEO: Denise Portmann (360) 533-8870 FAX (360) 533-6049 www.bankofthepacific.com
🌐 dfi.wa.gov
Child Care / Early Learning Providers | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Official Free
Read More about Family, Friends and Neighbor Providers ... Prepares 3-4 year olds from low-income families for success in school and life. Read More about Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program ... Guides and facilitates collaboration among Head Start agencies. Read More about Head Start Collaboration Office ... CCHC is required for licensed child care centers that serve infants. Read More about Child Care Health Consultants ... Information about subsidies for Washington state child care services.
🌐 www.dcyf.wa.gov
Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
Official Free
Use our Verify tool to see if a business you want to work with has an active contractor registration; an active and paid-to-date workers' comp account covering any employees. At the same time, you can check for safety violations, other information, lawsuits against their surety bond and more.
🌐 secure.lni.wa.gov

Washington Counties

39 Washington counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

King Pierce Snohomish Spokane Clark Thurston Kitsap Yakima Whatcom Adams Asotin Benton Chelan Clallam

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.

Washington's court system is headed by the Washington Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court, District Court, Municipal Court. Many Washington courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.

The Washington Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.

The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.

Washington vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Washington State Department of Health (Center for Health Statistics) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.

Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.

The Washington sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.

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