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Criminal History Records · Obtaining a State Criminal History (Background Check)

Certified criminal justice agencies may request and receive unrestricted CHRI from the 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.

Conviction CHRI is defined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 10.97.030, and it 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 a record showing pending arrest offenses under one year old without a disposition, and if the subject is a registered sex/kidnapping offender.

You can obtain criminal histories from the State Patrol in two ways:

  1. Going on-line by using WATCH (Washington Access To Criminal History). This feature requires either a credit card or a pre-established account. A $10 fee is charged for each name search, regardless of the outcome of the results of the search.

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

  2. Forms are available through the WATCH link above. Return the completed background forms to us through the US Postal Service. If setting up an account print and fill out an application packet and submit by mail or the fax number on the form. (Sorry, we don't have downloadable forms at this time.)

Criminal History Requests

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

Criminal Records Privacy Act

Under the Criminal Records Privacy Act, conviction CHRI may be made public to anyone without restriction and without the consent of the subject of the record. The requestor must submit either a Request for Conviction Criminal History Record (using Form 3000-240-569 or WATCH) or a full set of the subject's fingerprints.

Instructions for Completing Request for Conviction Criminal History Record 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.

Child and Adult Abuse Information Act

Under the Child and Adult Abuse Information Act, requests for CHRI are limited to 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. The background check is for initial employment or engagement decisions only. The requesting agency must notify the applicant of the Section’s response.

The requestor may submit either a Request for Criminal History Information Child/Adult Abuse Information Act (using Form 3000-240-430 or WATCH) or a full set of the subject's fingerprints.

Instructions for Completing the Request for Criminal History Information Child/Adult Abuse Information Act Form (3000-240-430)

  • Part A - Print or type the complete name and address of the requesting business, organization, or agency, title of requestor, telephone number and date. An authorized signature is required on the line provided.

  • Part B - Check the box that applies. If you would like to receive results electronically check the box provided, print or type your email address and submit a password.

  • Part C - 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 D - Print or type the name of the requesting agency, business, or organization and the applicant's name and address. Be sure to get the required applicant signature on the line provided.

Fees

  • Name and date of birth (mail) $17
  • Fingerprint card (mail) $26
  • Name and date of birth (WATCH) $10
  • Notarized letter $10 each

All fees are non-refundable. Mailed requests must include fee(s) made payable to the Washington State Patrol by a cashier's check, money order, or commercial business account.

There is no fee for organizations legally classified as non-profit. By definition, "Non-Profit Organization" means an organization that is incorporated under state laws and approved by the state's secretary of state and its taxing authority to operate for educational, charitable, social, religious, civic, or humanitarian purposes.

Responses

  • On-line requests from WATCH: Immediate
  • Mailed requests: 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 and any pending crimes against persons for which the applicant is currently being processed by the criminal justice system and sex offender and kidnapper registration information. The requestor is required to provide a copy of the CHRI response to the applicant (subject).

If our search reveals that no CHRI exists, a no record result will be provided.

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

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Contact Information

Phone:

(360) 534-2000 and press option 2
Fax:

(360) 534-2073
Email:

watch.help@wsp.wa.gov
Mail:

Washington State Patrol
Identification and Criminal History Section
PO Box 42633
Olympia WA 98504-2633

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