Direct links to official Spokane County, Washington public records: courts, criminal, vital, property, business, licenses, and more.
Population
556K
County Seat
Spokane
Libraries
18
Schools
164
Searching Spokane County: what to expect
Searches in Spokane County run on two layers: a few county-run sources (2 below) and Washington's statewide databases for everything else. Court cases are the easy part: Washington's statewide search covers Spokane County filings, so start at the Washington court records page instead of hunting for a local docket. The standout local source is cp.spokanecounty.org, covering parcel and property-tax data. For recorded documents there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the Washington recorded documents page cover that piece. When the web runs out, the courthouse in Spokane holds the paper.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Spokane County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Washington state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Spokane County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Spokane County, Washington — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
555,947
Population
Census estimate
213,524
Households
Census estimate
$70,394
Median income
Annual household
$331,600
Median home value
Census ACS
Spokane
County seat
In Washington
Spokane County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
3 sources
Court records
1 source
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
5 sources
Vital records
2 sources
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Step 1 — Start at the Spokane County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Spokane County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Washington statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Washington state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Spokane County Records
MYTH"Spokane County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Spokane County are held by the Washington state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Spokane County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Spokane County data."
FACTOnly the official Washington state repository has verified, current Spokane County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Spokane County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Spokane County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Disclaimer: Spokane County does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information in this system, and shall not be held liable for losses caused by using this information. Portions of this information may not be current or accurate.
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Historical records index covering Spokane County, Washington. Local societies and volunteers maintain these — a thank-you or small donation keeps them going. Researchers use indexes like this to bridge years the official offices haven't digitized.
“Not everyone finds it convenient a payment online, over the phone or by mail as well.” · Those wishing to pay in person can visit Spokane Valley City Hall at 10210 E
The arrest and investigation were conducted by members of the United States Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office – Major Crimes, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), and the Washington State Department of Corrections - Community Response Unit (CRU) The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals-led partnership comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
Historical records index covering Washington. Researchers use indexes like this to bridge years the official offices haven't digitized. Original-record citations, where given, let you order the source document itself.
Select the Primary election to see all candidates who filed (select a county to see PCOs) · General Election candidates will display after the Primary is certified
The ERSC will periodically review the adopted Washington State Electronic Recording Standards in · response to changes in the technological environment. This guideline was prepared by members of the Electronic Recording Standards Commission (ERSC): Vicky Dalton, Spokane County Auditor, Chair ·
Law enforcement records from Spokane County, Washington. Reports post on the office's schedule, typically daily or weekly. Case numbers from these logs are the key to everything downstream — note them.
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of maps and other location-based data that can help you visualize information. Click on an image below to visit one of Spokane County's interactive maps, or choose a link to the left to view pdf maps or download GIS data.
Agendas prior to February 20, 2020 are located in the Agenda Center. Documents and Minutes related to the Board's actions can be found in the Resolution Directory. Notice of Special Meeting Amending Standards for the Delivery of Public Defender Services S.C.R.A.P.S. County Updated Code
Document Number Book/PageSeparate multiple values with a space. Separate ranges with a colon. '1 3 5' will search for 1, 3, or 5 while '1:5' will search for 1 through 5. (Don't include the quotes.) Recording Date Start Date End Date Grantor Last, First Search Type Exact Match Advanced Grantee ...
Spokane County court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts - Search Case Records portal: https://dw.courts.wa.gov/. Washington also operates a state-level case lookup through the WA Courts system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in Washington?
Yes. Active warrants in Washington appear on name-based criminal background checks through the Washington State Patrol system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
How long does an arrest stay on my record in Washington if I wasn't convicted?
In Washington, an arrest stays on your record indefinitely unless you petition the court to seal or expunge it, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Washington's rules for clearing non-conviction records are stricter than for convictions — start with the Washington State Patrol.
What's the difference between a court record and a criminal record in Washington?
A court record shows everything filed in a specific case — pleadings, motions, judgments. A criminal record (rap sheet) is a person-centric history from the Washington State Patrol that aggregates arrests and dispositions across all courts in Washington. Court records are searched by case; criminal records by person.