Start with the Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov for statewide court records. For criminal background checks, use the Washington State Patrol WATCH system ($32 fee). For property, start with the County Assessor, then the County Auditor for deeds (Washington uses 'Auditor' as the recording officer, not 'Recorder').
Sources verified by SearchSystems.net, the first public-records directory since 1997.
Washington Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Browse the databases below. Each links directly to an official government portal.
Sex Offender Registry — WASPC
DOC — Offender Search
Vital Records — Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
Business Search — SOS
How to Search Washington Criminal Records
No single statewide portal covers all 39 counties, but Washington compensates with WATCH — the State Patrol's criminal background check at watch.wsp.wa.gov. Eleven dollars gets you a statewide conviction history search with fast turnaround. That's the practical starting point. For case-level detail, go to the specific Superior Court (felonies) or District Court (misdemeanors) in each county — King County (Seattle) and Pierce County (Tacoma) have the most developed online search. The DOC offender search is statewide. The sex offender registry is maintained by the State Patrol. Washington's public records law (RCW 42.56) is one of the strongest in the country, which helps when making direct requests to courts.
How to Search Washington Court Records
Use dw.courts.wa.gov — Superior Court handles felonies, civil over $100,000, family, and juvenile. District Court handles misdemeanors, civil under $100,000, and small claims under $10,000. Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations. Washington has 39 counties across 40 judicial districts.
How to Search Washington Property Records
Start with the County Assessor for property valuations and ownership. Then go to the County Auditor for deeds, mortgages, and recorded documents — Washington uses the Auditor as the recording officer, not a separate Recorder. For tax bills, go to the County Treasurer. King County has excellent online tools.
How to Get Washington Vital Records
For birth and death certificates, order from the Washington DOH, Center for Health Statistics. For marriage licenses, go to the County Auditor. For divorce records, search dw.courts.wa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Washington court records? ▼
Use the Washington Courts search at dw.courts.wa.gov. It covers district, municipal, and superior courts statewide.
Is there a free statewide criminal search? ▼
The Washington State Patrol WATCH program offers criminal history checks for a fee. Court records are searchable for free through the courts website.
How are Washington property records organized? ▼
Each county has an Assessor for valuations and a County Auditor who records deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Auditor serves as the recorder in Washington.
What is WATCH in Washington? ▼
WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) at watch.wsp.wa.gov is the State Patrol's $11 online criminal background check. It covers statewide conviction records and is available to the general public.
Who records property deeds in Washington? ▼
The County Auditor records property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents in Washington — not a County Recorder or County Clerk. Each of the 39 counties has a separately elected County Auditor.
BBB A+ Rated