In Washington, criminal records provide law enforcement with a means of learning the criminal activities and past of individuals. However, there is a growing demand for these records to be made public, and they now are. The public has the ability to search for any criminal records through a state provided and maintained database. The goal is to help educate others on the criminal activities of those they may know. Employers, for example, are using this data to help determine if a person is worthy of hiring. Not all information contained in these reports is available to the public, but a great deal is.

In the state of Washington, criminal records are formed once a person is charged with a crime. From that point on, if the individual is found guilty or not guilty, there is a notation of the actions within this file. Obtaining access to these records can provide a broad picture of whether or not the individual is trustworthy enough to work with, live with or get to know. To obtain a copy of these records, individuals will need to provide as much information as possible about the individual's identity including full, legal names, date of birth, address and Social Security number, if possible.

The State of Washington Criminal Records Repository contains all of the necessary information. This is maintained through the Washington State Department of Corrections. It is possible to use the agency's database to find offenders, gather information about the most wanted in the state and to verify the ability to work with any individual. To contact the agency, you can visit in person at the following address:

Department of Corrections

7345 Linderson Way SW

Tumwater, Washington 98501

It is also possible to send a formal letter making the request to the following address:

Washington Department of Corrections

PO Box 41100, Mail Stop 41100

Olympia, Washington 98504

It is possible to use the agency's other contact information, including databases to gather a great deal of information including offender information such as their location, contact information or convictions.

Gathering Washington criminal records can be a challenge in that there are numerous ways to search for this information. In situations where the individual remains a juvenile defined as anyone under the age of 18 it is necessary to apply for a court order to open these files. This is very rarely done, and it is only done when there is reason to believe an individual is suffering as a result. A judge will order a person’s criminal record sealed in other instances. This may happen if there is very sensitive information contained within the file. These records are not available for researching or searching at any database.

Washington criminal records can provide a good deal of information for those that need them, including the name, address and other information about the individual. It is also a good idea for individuals who live or work in the state to conduct a criminal records search on their personal data to ensure it is accurate.

• Washington Crime Reports & Statistics

• Washington Sex Offender Registry Search