Washington Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in Washington

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), warrants are considered public records in Washington State. This transparency measure is maintained to uphold the principles of accountability and public safety within the judicial system. The Washington State Legislature has established that the release of warrant information is governed by public record laws which ensure that members of the public have access to information that affects community welfare and safety.

The accessibility of warrant records allows individuals to stay informed about legal actions that may impact them or their community. This access serves as a mechanism for ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law as established under RCW 10.93.070, which outlines the powers of general authority peace officers when executing arrest warrants or search warrants. The Washington State Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public access to these records supports a transparent judicial process.

Certain exceptions may apply to the public disclosure of warrant information, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or matters of national security. These exceptions are specifically outlined in RCW 42.56.240, which addresses exemptions for effective law enforcement.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Washington?

Warrant records in Washington State typically contain several key components as mandated by state law and judicial procedure. These records include:

Full legal name of the individual: The complete legal name of the person against whom the warrant is issued, including any known aliases or variations.
Date of issue: The specific date on which the warrant was authorized by a judicial officer.
Issuing jurisdiction: The court or legal authority under which the warrant was issued, including the county or municipal jurisdiction.
Nature of the offense: A description of the charges or legal reasons for the issuance of the warrant, including the relevant statute numbers (RCW citations).
Bail amount: If applicable, the set bail amount for release pending a court hearing, as determined by the issuing judge.
Case number: The unique identifier assigned to the case associated with the warrant.
Warrant status: Information indicating whether the warrant is active, served, or recalled.

These contents are standardized across Washington jurisdictions to ensure consistency in the administration of justice and to facilitate inter-agency cooperation as outlined in RCW 10.93.070.

How to Check For Warrants in Washington For Free

Members of the public may check for warrants in Washington State without incurring costs through several official channels. The Washington State Legislature has established provisions for public access to this information through the following methods:

Washington Courts Search Case Records: The Administrative Office of the Courts provides a free online service where individuals can search for case records, including outstanding warrants.
Department of Corrections Warrant Search: The Washington State Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database of warrants for individuals under their jurisdiction.
Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Many county sheriff's offices and police departments offer warrant verification services at no cost. For example:

King County Sheriff's Office
516 Third Avenue, Room W-150
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 296-4155
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Spokane County Sheriff's Office
1100 W. Mallon Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
Phone: (509) 477-2240
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification when making in-person inquiries, as required by RCW 42.56.080 regarding public records requests.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Washington in 2025

To determine if there is an active warrant issued in your name in Washington State in 2025, individuals may utilize the following official resources:

Washington Courts Case Search Portal: The Washington State Courts maintain a comprehensive database that allows individuals to search for court cases and associated warrants by name. This system is regularly updated to reflect current judicial actions.
Washington State Patrol WATCH Program: The Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system provides criminal history information, which may include warrant status. While some searches may require a fee, basic information may be available without cost.
County Clerk's Offices: Each county maintains records of warrants issued within their jurisdiction. For example:

Pierce County Clerk's Office
930 Tacoma Avenue S, Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to RCW 10.31.100, which governs arrests without warrants, individuals should be aware that active warrants may result in immediate detention by law enforcement officers. Therefore, resolving any outstanding warrants promptly is advisable.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Washington

Washington State residents seeking to verify the existence of outstanding warrants may access this information through several authorized channels, in accordance with the Public Records Act:

Online Court Records: The Washington State Courts provide an online portal where members of the public may search for outstanding warrants using name and date of birth information.
Department of Corrections Database: The Washington State Department of Corrections maintains a searchable warrant database for individuals under their supervision.
County Sheriff's Warrant Units: Each county sheriff's office maintains a warrant unit responsible for tracking and serving warrants within their jurisdiction. For example:

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Warrant Unit
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 388-3845
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals should note that pursuant to RCW 10.93.070, law enforcement officers have the authority to execute arrest warrants throughout the state, regardless of the issuing jurisdiction. This inter-jurisdictional cooperation is facilitated by the Washington Criminal Justice Information System.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants in Washington State are issued by United States District Courts and are distinct from state and local warrants. To search for federal warrants, individuals may utilize the following resources:

United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
700 Stewart Street, Suite 2310
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 370-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Western District Court maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction.
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
920 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 840
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 458-3400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Eastern District Court provides access to federal warrant information for eastern Washington counties.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Seattle Field Office
1110 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 622-0460
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

It should be noted that federal warrants are executed under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3041 and may involve different procedures than state warrants. The Keep Washington Working Act places limitations on state and local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement, which may affect certain types of federal warrant execution.