>Columbia County Warrant Search Online

Columbia County, Washington Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Columbia County, Washington?

Pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), warrants are considered public record in Columbia County, Washington. The statute mandates that government records be accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. Warrant information falls within the scope of records that must be made available for public inspection and copying.

Columbia County maintains warrant records in accordance with state law requirements. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Providing notice to individuals who may be subject to legal proceedings
Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
Supporting public safety through information sharing
Ensuring judicial transparency and accountability

Members of the public seeking warrant information should note that certain details may be redacted pursuant to privacy exemptions under RCW 42.56.230, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in Columbia County?

Warrant records maintained by Columbia County typically contain the following information as required by Washington State law:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and/or age of the subject
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Last known address (may be partially redacted)
Date of warrant issuance
Warrant type classification (arrest, bench, search, etc.)
Case number and associated court information
Alleged offense(s) and statutory citations
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Issuing judge or judicial officer
Serving agency designation

The level of detail may vary depending on the type of warrant and the stage of the judicial process. Records pertaining to sealed cases or juvenile matters may have restricted access pursuant to RCW 13.50.050.

How to Check For Warrants in Columbia County For Free

Columbia County provides several no-cost methods for members of the public to verify warrant status:

In-person inquiries at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office located at 341 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Telephone inquiries to the Sheriff's Records Division at (509) 382-2518 during regular business hours.
Self-service computer terminals available at the Columbia County Courthouse, 311 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328, accessible Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Washington State Department of Corrections warrant search for warrants related to DOC supervision violations.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name, date of birth, and other relevant details to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days.

Columbia County Sheriff Warrants

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority of RCW 10.31.030 and include:

Felony arrest warrants authorized by superior court judges
Misdemeanor arrest warrants issued by district court judges
Bench warrants for failure to appear at court proceedings
Civil warrants related to contempt of court or child support enforcement
Search warrants authorized under RCW 10.79.015

The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals with active warrants. Deputies are dispatched to execute warrants based on priority levels determined by the severity of the alleged offense and public safety considerations.

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
341 E Main Street
Dayton, WA 99328
(509) 382-2518
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Columbia County in 2025

Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Columbia County in 2025 may utilize several official channels:

Direct verification through the Columbia County Clerk of Court at 311 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (509) 382-4321.
Electronic verification through the Washington Courts Case Management System, accessible via public terminals at the courthouse.
Written requests submitted to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division, with proper identification documentation attached.
Attorney-assisted inquiries through the court system, which may provide additional confidentiality protections.

Pursuant to Washington Court Rule GR 31, court records are presumptively open to public access unless specifically sealed by court order. Individuals with concerns about outstanding warrants are advised that appearing voluntarily to resolve the matter may result in more favorable consideration by the court.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Columbia County

Columbia County provides multiple methods for verifying outstanding warrant status in compliance with the Public Records Act:

The Columbia County District Court maintains warrant records for misdemeanor offenses. These records may be accessed at 311 E Main Street, Room 214, Dayton, WA 99328. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (509) 382-4321.
The Columbia County Superior Court maintains felony warrant records at 311 E Main Street, Room 217, Dayton, WA 99328. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (509) 382-4321.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive warrant database that includes both misdemeanor and felony warrants. In-person inquiries may be made at 341 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328.
Electronic verification is available through the Washington Courts Judicial Information System (JIS) for cases filed after 1990, pursuant to GR 31(c)(4).

Requestors should note that warrant information is updated continuously, and verification of current status is recommended before taking any action based on search results.