In accordance with law of Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act, conviction criminal history record information (CHRI) may be made public to anyone without any restriction and even without the consent of the subject of the record. The requestor must submit either a Request for Conviction Criminal History Record using Criminal record information form or a full set of the subject’s fingerprints.
For each record requested by name and date of birth through the mail a non-refundable $17 fee is required. A non-refundable $26 fee is required incase of fingerprint search. Fees must be submitted with the request for information, payable to the Washington State Patrol either by a cashier’s check, money order, or commercial business account. The processing fee for a name and date of birth check through WATCH is $10.
Fingerprint-based criminal history record information (CHRI): The Washington State Patrol is responsible for collecting and maintaining the statewide repository for fingerprint-based criminal history record information (CHRI). The requested record information is equipped solely on the basis of name and/or description similarity with the subject of your inquiry. Positive identification or non-identification of the fingerprints can only be determined upon receipt.
Washington criminal background check from the State Patrol can be obtained in two ways:
- Using on-line feature of WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History). This facility requires either a credit card or a pre-established account. A $10 fee is charged for each name search, despite of the outcome of the results of the search.
- Forms are available through the WATCH link provided above. Return the completed background forms through the US Postal Service. If setting up an account print and fill out an application packet and send it to its destination by mail or the fax number on the form.
If someone needs fingerprint cards or have questions, he can call a customer representative at (360) 534-2000. Also, he can write at following addresses:
Identification and Criminal History Section,
Washington State Patrol, PO Box 42633
Olympia WA 98504-2633.
Email can be dropped at: crimhis@wsp.wa.gov
Or dial (360) 534-2000.
In case of any query the person must include his telephone number.
After conducting the search against the subject of application, the form will be returned to the applicant with a stamp of No Record on it, if any public criminal information on file at WASHINGTON IDENTIFICATION AND CRIMINAL HISTORY Section is not present against the subject of the application. Otherwise if a criminal background check record is found against the subject, in such case the form will be accompanied by public criminal history information. It takes a time phrase of 10 business days for the WASHINGTON IDENTIFICATION AND CRIMINAL HISTORY SECTION to process the request and a reasonable mailing time by the postal service is also required in order to send the results of the criminal background check, back to the to the applicant.
All above mentioned ways to obtain a criminal background check in Washington are aimed to ensure the security of the people, there fore information obtained through any of the sources can be used by the public for number of legal purposes. How ever any illegal or unfair usage of the information is strictly prohibited and will be noticed under the laws of the state of Washington and could result in serious consequences.
Online Washington Criminal Background checks : The Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS), has established a web site as the official Internet source providing criminal history conviction records for the state of Washington. Database maintain by WASIS is updated regularly by the information sent by courts and criminal justice agencies throughout the state.