King County Criminal Records
What Is King County Criminal Records
Criminal records in King County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within King County, Washington. These records are maintained pursuant to Washington State Public Records Act § 42.56, which establishes the framework for public access to government records.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18, which are typically sealed under RCW § 13.50.050 and have restricted access
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions
Multiple agencies maintain these records within King County:
King County Sheriff's Office
516 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 296-4155
King County Sheriff's Office
King County Superior Court
516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1400
King County Superior Court
King County District Court
516 3rd Avenue, Room W-230
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 205-9200
King County District Court
Washington State Patrol
3000 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 534-5088
Washington State Patrol
Criminal records typically document the entire criminal justice process, including charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information.
Are Criminal Records Public In King County
Criminal records in King County are generally considered public information under the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.070, which states that "each agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records." This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Washington Public Records Act specifically provides that:
"Agencies shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (8) of this section, this chapter, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records."
While the presumption favors disclosure, certain categories of criminal records have restricted access:
- Adult Conviction Records: Generally available to the public without restriction
- Adult Non-Conviction Records: Accessible but may be subject to sealing or expungement under certain circumstances
- Court Proceedings: Open to public observation and documentation per Washington Constitution Article I, § 10
- Ongoing Investigations: May be temporarily exempt from disclosure to protect investigative integrity
- Sealed Cases: Records ordered sealed by a court are not publicly accessible
- Juvenile Records: Subject to confidentiality protections under RCW § 13.50.050
- Certain Victim Information: Protected from disclosure to prevent privacy violations
The Washington State Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, noting in Dreiling v. Jain that "the public's right of access is grounded in the public's right to know about the administration of justice."
How To Look Up Criminal Records In King County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in King County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing various types of criminal justice information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
King County Superior Court Clerk's Office
516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
To obtain criminal records from the King County Sheriff's Office, requestors may:
- Submit a request through the Sheriff's Records Request Portal
- Complete a Public Disclosure Request Form specifying the records sought
- Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth)
- Submit the request electronically or by mail to the Sheriff's Records Unit
- Pay applicable fees for copies (first 100 pages are typically $0.15 per page)
For court records, requestors may:
- Access the King County District Court Case Search for district court cases
- Visit the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search for superior court cases
- Provide the case number if known, or search by name
- Review case summaries online or request complete case files from the clerk's office
- Pay applicable fees for certified copies ($5 for the first page, $1 for each additional page)
For background checks, individuals may:
- Submit a request to the Washington State Patrol Criminal History Section
- Complete a Criminal History Record Request form
- Provide fingerprints for a complete record check
- Pay the required fee ($32 for a fingerprint-based check)
- Allow 2-4 weeks for processing
How To Find Criminal Records in King County Online?
King County provides several online portals for accessing criminal records electronically. These systems offer varying levels of information and search capabilities to meet different needs.
The King County Sheriff's Records Request Portal allows users to:
- Submit requests for incident reports, arrest records, and investigation documents
- Track the status of pending requests
- Receive electronic copies of approved records
- Pay applicable fees online
For court cases, the King County District Court Case Search provides:
- Case number search functionality
- Basic case information including charges, hearings, and dispositions
- Document lists (though actual documents may require in-person requests)
- No registration requirement for basic searches
The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search offers:
- Statewide search capabilities for superior court cases
- Name-based or case number searches
- Case type, filing date, and disposition information
- Links to related cases and parties
For property and official records, the King County Recorder's Office Online Records Search provides:
- Access to documents recorded since August 1, 1991
- Search by name, document type, or recording number
- Viewable document images
- Free access for basic searches
The King County Jail Inmate Lookup Service allows users to:
- Search current jail population
- View booking information and charges
- Check custody status and facility location
- Access without registration
Users should note that while basic information is available online, comprehensive criminal history reports require submission of fingerprints to the Washington State Patrol and payment of applicable fees.
Can You Search King County Criminal Records for Free?
The Washington Public Records Act RCW § 42.56.120 permits agencies to charge "actual costs" for providing copies of records but mandates that "no fee shall be charged for the inspection of public records or locating public documents and making them available for copying." This statutory provision ensures that members of the public may inspect criminal records without cost, though fees may apply for copies.
Free inspection options include:
King County Superior Court Clerk's Office
516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
King County District Court - Seattle Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue, Room W-230
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 205-9200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Several online resources provide free access to criminal record information:
- The King County District Court Case Search offers free access to basic case information without registration
- The Washington State Courts Name and Case Search provides free statewide court record searches
- The King County Jail Inmate Lookup allows free searches of current jail population
- The King County Sheriff's Active Warrants Database provides free access to outstanding warrant information
While inspection and basic online searches are free, fees apply for:
- Printed or electronic copies of records ($0.15 per page for standard copies)
- Certified court documents ($5 for first page, $1 for each additional page)
- Complete criminal history reports from Washington State Patrol ($32)
- Expedited processing of records requests
- Records requiring extensive redaction or special processing
What's Included in a King County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in King County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency but generally includes:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Bail amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and prosecutor information
- Formal charges and corresponding statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney details
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Related traffic violations
- Domestic violence indicators
- Firearm possession restrictions
The level of detail available depends on the stage of the criminal justice process and the specific agencies involved in the case. Records maintained by the King County Sheriff's Office may contain different information than those held by the King County Superior Court or the Washington State Patrol.
How Long Does King County Keep Criminal Records?
King County retains criminal records according to schedules established under the Washington State Archives Records Retention Schedule. These retention periods vary by record type and are governed by state law.
Key retention periods include:
- Felony Case Files: Homicide cases are retained permanently; other felonies are kept for 10 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Generally retained for 5 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: Maintained for 3 years after the arrest date for non-charged arrests; longer if charges are filed
- Booking Records: Retained for 3 years after release from custody
- Investigation Reports: Homicide investigations are permanent; other investigations are kept 10 years after case closure
- Court Dockets and Indexes: Maintained permanently as historical records
- Conviction Records: Adult felony convictions are retained permanently in court records
- Non-Conviction Records: May be eligible for earlier destruction or sealing under certain circumstances
- Juvenile Records: Subject to special sealing provisions under RCW § 13.50.050
- Sex Offender Registration: Maintained for the duration of registration requirement, which may be lifetime
- Domestic Violence Records: Retained for 10 years after case closure
The Washington State Patrol maintains criminal history record information in the state's central repository indefinitely unless a court orders expungement or sealing. These records include fingerprints, arrest data, and disposition information from courts throughout the state.
Records may be retained beyond the minimum periods at the discretion of the maintaining agency or if subject to legal holds, ongoing investigations, or other statutory requirements.
Lookup Criminal Records in King County
Records requests - King County Sheriff's Office
King County District Court Case Search
King County Recorder's Office Online Records Search