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The WSP Identification and Criminal History Section maintains the statewide criminal history records repository. Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) maintained by the WSP is also provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for inclusion in the Interstate Identification Index (III)..

On this page you will find the following resources:

Who can request a Criminal History Record (Background Check)?
How to obtain a Criminal History Record (Background Check)
Criminal History Request Statutes
Criminal Records Privacy Act
Child & Adult Abuse Information Act
Contact Information

Who can Request Criminal History Records (Background Check)?

Certified criminal justice agencies may request and receive unrestricted criminal history record information (CHRI) from the WSP Identification and Criminal History Section for criminal justice purposes.

The public may request and receive CHRI for non-criminal justice purposes, but it is limited to conviction information only and arrests less than one year old with dispositions pending, and information regarding registered sex/kidnapping offenders.

Obtaining a State Criminal History (Background Check)

Conviction criminal history record information (CHRI) as defined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 10.97.030, relates to an incident that has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject. In addition to the conviction CHRI, non-criminal justice requestors (the public) may receive pending arrest offenses under one year old without a disposition, and sex/kidnapping offender registration (SOR) information.

CHRI may be obtained from the State Patrol in two ways:

Online

You may run a background check and receive the results immediately by going online and using WATCH (Washington Access To Criminal History). This feature requires either a credit card, or a pre-established billed or non-profit account.

NOTE: If you cannot access WATCH please review the instructions for checking and updating to 128-bit encryption.

PDF Form

You may make a request for conviction CHRI by submitting a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History form, along with applicable fees to the Identification and Criminal History Section:

• Through the mail using a check or money order, OR

• Via fax or email using the Bankcard Authorization Form.

To apply for a billed or non-profit account, print and fill out the application packet and submit by mail, fax or e-mail. All forms are available in the WATCH forms directory.

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Criminal History Request Statutes

Depending on the purpose, the Identification and Criminal History Section responds to public inquiries under two different statutes.

• Criminal Records Privacy Act
• Child & Adult Abuse Information Act

The results for either check are the same. Both include all convictions, information on pending arrests less than one year old, and sex/kidnapping offender registration (SOR) information.

Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97)

Under the Criminal Records Privacy Act, conviction criminal history record information (CHRI) may be made public to anyone without restriction and without the consent of the subject of the record. The requestor must either:

• Submit a Request for Conviction Criminal History Record form (by mail, fax or email), or online through WATCH,OR

• Submit a full set of the subject's fingerprints.

Instructions for completing a Request for Conviction Criminal History Record PDF form (3000-240-569):

• Part A: Print or type applicant’s full name, all alias names (including birth and married names) and date of birth. The applicant’s sex and race are optional.

• Part B: Print or type date, requestor’s name and title, telephone number, and requestor’s business, organization, or agency name and address. If you would like to receive results electronically check the box provided, print or type your email address and submit a password. Be sure requestor signs name on the appropriate line.

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Child and Adult Abuse Information Act (RCW 43.43.8321 or 43.43.830)

Under the Child and Adult Abuse Information Act, requests for CHRI are available at no charge to non-profit businesses or organizations licensed in the state of Washington; any agency of the state; or other governmental entities that educate, train, treat, supervise, house, or provide recreation to developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults, or children under 16 years of age. Background checks may also be requested by a business or organization that qualifies for exemption under section 501 (c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501 (c)(3) and that provides emergency shelter or transitional housing for children, persons with developmental disabilities, or vulnerable adults.

These background checks are for initial employment or engagement decisions only, or for volunteers working with vulnerable adults and/or children. The requesting agency must get permission from the subject and notify them of the Section’s response.

Create Online WATCH Account

• The requestor must apply for a WATCH account by filling out and returning the WATCH Account Application Packet.

• The organization is required to submit proof that they qualify as a 501(c)(3) with the IRS, and

• Each user is required to sign the Child/Adult Abuse Record Search Guidelines.

Once the WATCH account is set up the requestor will run the applicant using the on-line account.

Request Fees (all fees are non-refundable)

Mailed requests must include a check or money order made payable to the Washington State Patrol. Personal and/or business checks are accepted. Fees may be paid using a Bankcard Authorization Form. This form may be filled out and mailed, faxed or emailed along with the request.

There is no fee for Washington state organizations that qualify as a non-profit.

Request Responses: Timeline & What to Expect

WATCH (Online): Immediate
Mailed/faxed/e-mailed: 7-14 business days

If a record exists, a copy of the record will be attached to the returned form. It will include a state of Washington record of convictions, any pending crimes against persons less than one year old, and sex/kidnapping offender registration information. If the search reveals that no CHRI exists, a no record result will be provided.

Dissemination Notice

Secondary dissemination of the CHRI is prohibited, unless in compliance with RCW 10.97.050.

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Contact Information

Please note that some of the documents provided on this page are available in Adobe® PDF format only and will require the Adobe® Reader in order to view or print them from your Web browser.

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Quick Links

• Criminal History Home
• Fingerprinting Services
• Update an Existing Criminal History Record

Resources

• Contact Information
• Fingerprinting Service Locations (Non-WSP)