About Washington Public Records

Washington public records are governed by the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), which establishes a strong presumption that records of state and local agencies are open for public inspection. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) administers statewide criminal history under RCW 10.97, county Auditors hold land records under RCW 65.04, and the Administrative Office of the Courts publishes case information through courts.wa.gov.

Washington Public Records

Court Records

Court Directories
Official Free
Search for individuals and courts in the Washington State Supreme, Appeals, County, & tribal court system.
🌐 courts.wa.gov
Court Records | Municipal & District, Superior, Appellate
Official Free
Search Washington Municipal & District, Superior, and, Appellate court records. Includes criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, probate, traffic, infraction, parking, and small claims court filings. Also available are judgments, attorney calendars, and a broad name search feature that covers all courts.
🌐 dw.courts.wa.gov
Criminal Records
Official Free
Search Systems Premium database of Washington statewide criminal records. Includes: felonies and misdemeanors from District, Municipal and Superior Courts; Department of Corrections inmate records; the Washington sex offender registry; and tribal registries from the Yakama Nation, Colville Reservation, Upper Skakit Tribe, and the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
🌐 searchsystems.net

Criminal Records

Criminal Histories
Official Free
Washington State Patrol, Identification and Criminal History Section service. Request, view, and print criminal history conviction records. Search fee: $10.
🌐 watch.wsp.wa.gov
Inmates | VineLink
Official Free
VineLink database of inmates in Washington. Search by facility, offender ID, name, date of birth, or age range.
🌐 vinelink.com
Most Wanted
Official Free
List of most wanted fugitives from the Washington State Police.
🌐 wsp.wa.gov
Most Wanted | Child Support
Official Free
Names, photos, and personal & debt information on those wanted for non-payment of child support in Washington State.
🌐
Registered Offenders
Official Free
Search this Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs database of Level II and Level III registered offenders by county, city, zip code, street, name, and/or type of conviction.
🌐 waspc.org

Property Records

Campaign Finance
Official Free
Washington State Public Disclosure Commission campaign finance records, including registered candidates and committees, contributions, and expenditures.
🌐 pdc.wa.gov
Companies | Business Tax Records
Official Free
Search the Washington Department of Revenue Business Records Database for Washington corporation, LLC, LLP, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, limited partnership, and assumed business name tax records.
🌐 secure.dor.wa.gov
Unclaimed Property
Official Free
Search the Washington Department of Revenue for unclaimed property, including financial assets, etc. by name or keyword.
🌐 ucp.dor.wa.gov

Vital Records

Death Records
Official Free
Search this Washington Secretary of State database of the Social Security Death Index for persons who had a Social Security card issued in Washington, last residence in Washington,or their last benefit payment was mailed to an address in Washington.
🌐 sos.wa.gov
Marriages | Archives
Official Free
Choose "Marriage Records" in the Record Series menu to search Washington State Digital Archives records for Washington marriage records by bride or groom name, marriage year or county.
🌐 digitalarchives.wa.gov

Licenses

Civic

Child Support Payments
Official Free
Washington State Department of Social & Health Services Child Support Internet Payment service. Search for and track your latest child support payments online. A Secure Access Washington (SAW) id is required.
🌐 dshs.wa.gov
City & County Codes
Official Free
Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington list of city municipal codes and county codes.
🌐 mrsc.org
Coastal Maps
Official Free
Browse this Washington State Department of Ecology Coastal Atlas for maps biological/habitat features, physical features, regulated features, jurisdicitonal delineations, and transportation features.
🌐 ecology.wa.gov
Cougar Sightings
Official Free
Use this Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife service to search for cougar incident reports by keyword, county, and/or year, or browse by date for the last 30 days.
🌐 wdfw.wa.gov
Employee Phone Directory
Official Free
Search the Washington State Government telephone directory. Includes listings for state agencies, educational institutions, and many local government organizations.
🌐 wa.gov
Washington State Home Page
Official Free
Use the official Washington state site to find government officials, offices, services, agencies, and more.
🌐 wa.gov

Other

Breath Test Discovery Materials
Official Free
Search the Washington State Patrol "Web Based Discovery Materials Site" for Breath Test Program test results, instrument maintenance, CV's, manual, and procedures.
🌐 wsp.wa.gov
Census Records 1847-1910
Official Free
Select "Census Records" in the Record Series menu to search the Washington Secretary of State Digital Archives database by name for Federal census records in Washington State between 1847 and 1910.
🌐 digitalarchives.wa.gov
Missing Children | State Police
Official Free
Washington State Police list of missing children. Information includes photo, name, DOB, contact info/#, physical description, and circumstances, date and city of disappearance.
🌐 wsp.wa.gov
Ships and Shipping
Official Free
This database contains a searchable index of more than 13,000 ships. It provides full text information on 1,000 ships built on the Pacific Coast and ships with a connection to the Pacific Northwest.
🌐 cdm17061.contentdm.oclc.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Washington?

Washington provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Washington public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Washington?

Washington public records are governed by RCW 42.56 (Washington Public Records Act), which presumes records of every public body are open for inspection unless specifically exempted.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Washington agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).