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WATCH Help System · FAQ Page
Information obtained through this site
may be incomplete or inaccurate for several reasons:
Searches based on names and dates of birth are not always accurate. It
is common for arrested persons to attempt to avoid detection by using a
name and or date of birth other than their own. Therefore, WASIS
criminal history files may contain incorrect names and identifiers.
When performing a background search, it is important to include all
previous names, such as the maiden name, or an alias name. The record
may not be found, if the name used in the search does not correspond
with the name used at the time of the arrest booking.
All criminal history record information (CHRI) is provided to WSP by
courts and criminal justice agencies. Records contained in WASIS are
fingerprint based, therefore, if a person was not fingerprinted at the
time of arrest or those prints were not submitted to us or were of
insufficient quality for identification purposes, the record will not be
in our system.
The only way to positively identify someone to a criminal record is
through fingerprint verification.
Local law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, courts and
juvenile facilities in the counties where cases were adjudicated may
have additional information regarding an individual not on file with the
state.
The criminal history record
information (CHRI) provided through this web site is public information
and may be used by anyone for any purpose.
However, it is your responsibility to make sure the records you access
through this site pertain to the person you are seeking information
regarding.
Extreme care should be exercised in using any information obtained from
this web site. Neither the WSP nor the State of Washington shall be
responsible for any errors or omissions produced by secondary
dissemination of this data.
Chapter 10.97.050(7), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), requires WSP to
maintain information pertaining to every dissemination of CHRI.
Information pertaining to disseminations shall include: requestor’s
name, date and details of records disseminated, information on the
subject of record, and a description of the information disseminated.
This information will be retained for a period of not less than one
year.
The Washington State Patrol
Identification and Criminal History Section responds to requests for
criminal history and sex and kidnap offender registration information
submitted in several formats:
How can I review my entire record?
The subject of the criminal history record information (CHRI) has three
options to review his/her complete record including non-conviction
information. Non-conviction information is CHRI which has not led to a
conviction or other disposition adverse (negative) to the subject.
Examples of non-conviction information include the information about
charges that were dismissed or charges that were never filed in the
court of law.
Option 1) Submit a completed record review/challenge fingerprint card
and $12.00 to the Washington State Patrol Identification and Background
Check Section at P.O. Box 42633 Olympia, WA 98504-2633. A copy of your
entire CHRI will be returned to the address on the completed fingerprint
card. You may request a record review/challenge fingerprint card by
contacting the WSP Criminal History Records Section at (360) 534-2000 Option 5,
or crimhis@wsp.wa.gov. You may
also obtain the fingerprint card at the time of fingerprinting if you
are printed at another law enforcement or criminal justice agency.
Option 2) You may visit our office located at 106 11th Ave SW,
Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, and request a review of your complete criminal
history record. You will be asked to fill out a form and provide
fingerprints. Upon successful determination that the record to be
reviewed does belong to the subject, you will be provided with a copy of
your criminal history record. A reasonable period of time, not to exceed
thirty minutes, shall be allowed for a person to examine their state
level CHRI. Retention or reproduction of CHRI is not allowed except for
the purpose of challenge or correction of entries submitted by
Washington State criminal justice agencies. There is no fee for this
request. You may also choose to keep a copy of your record for a $12.00
fee. Any questions regarding the record will be answered by the
Washington State Patrol staff.
Option 3) If you are unable to come into our Olympia office you may
inspect your complete CHRI by having your local law enforcement office
submit a completed fingerprint card with the reason fingerprinted
indicated as RECORD REVIEW/CHALLENGE. The Criminal History Support Unit
(CHSU) will then provide a copy of your transcript of record to the law
enforcement agency for your inspection. A reasonable period of time, not
to exceed thirty minutes, shall be allowed for a person to examine their
state level CHRI. Retention or reproduction of CHRI is not allowed
except for the purpose of challenge or correction of entries submitted
by Washington State criminal justice agencies. There is no fee for this
request.
How can I delete or expunge my record?
In certain instances, non-conviction arrest data may be expunged from a
record. Non-conviction information consists of criminal history record
information (CHRI) which has not led to a conviction or other
disposition adverse to the subject. Expungement requests must meet the
criteria outlined in RCW 10.97.060. Please make sure to review the
eligibility information, before you submit a form.
Click http://www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/criminal-history/
Once the request is processed, the Washington State Patrol will inform
you of the outcome of your request via mail. Please note that the
completion of this process with the Washington State Patrol
Identification and Criminal History Section has no effect on records
maintained by the court in the Judicial Information System (JIS). Please
contact the court of origin to discuss deletion of your record from
their files.
Additional Resource:A guide on when and how to challenge, seal, vacate
or expunge.
Click www.courts.wa.gov and use the key word "Criminal
records brochure".
How do I make corrections to my record?
You may request the Section to purge, modify, or supplement your record
pursuant to RCW 43.43.730. You may submit a completed Request for
Modification of Record form from the link below or contact the
Identification and Criminal History Section for more information at
(360) 534-2000 Option 5 or crimhis@wsp.wa.gov.
Click Request for Modification of Record
How can I search the Sex and Kidnap Offender
Registration Database?
Pursuant to RCW 9A.44.130, any adult or juvenile residing in Washington
State who has been found to have committed or has been convicted of any
sex or kidnapping offense, shall register with the county sheriff in the
county of the offender’s residence.
The county sheriff shall then forward the registration information and
fingerprints obtained to the WSP Identification and Criminal History
Section. The registration information is then entered into the criminal
history database and will be provided to persons requesting background
checks for public information or child and adult abuse.
To search the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs sex
and kidnap offender public web site click here.
How do I establish a Personal Identification
Record/Compromised Identify Claim (CIC)?
The Identification and Background Check Section will accept and file the
fingerprints submitted voluntarily by any resident of this state for the
purpose of positive identification. There is a $58.00 fee for submitting
your fingerprint card to the Washington State Patrol.
It is not uncommon for offenders to use someone else's name and date of
birth at the time of arrest. An offender may use a relative's,
acquaintances, or a stolen identity to avoid using his or her own name.
Personal Identification records help secure a more certain and easy
identification in the case of death, injury, loss of memory, or other
circumstances.
A person, whose identity has been compromised, may submit a compromised
identity claim (CIC). The CIC provides the claimant with a letter
identifying the claimant’s state identification number (SID) and
verifying the claimant is not the same person as the other individual(s)
in the database with similar name and date of birth descriptors. The
claimant is issued a wallet card bearing the claimant’s name, SID, and
photograph. A notation is disseminated on a background
check stating a compromised identity claim fingerprint card is on file with the
section. This service helps increase the claimant’s credibility and
makes it easier for them to prove their true identity to potential
employers, landlords, or others.
For more information contact the Identification and Background Check Section at (360) 534-2000 Option 2
or at watch.help@wsp.wa.gov.
You may download the Compromised Identity Claim form to take to your local
law enforcement agency.
How can I obtain a notarized letter?
Notarized letters cost $10 each. You may request the notary letter online after completing the Criminal History Search. Go to the WATCH Inbox tab if it has been less than 7 days since you ran the background (if it is more than 7 days, click on the Archive tab). Click on the underlined result next to the name and date of birth. On the next page, to the right of your search, there is a drop down menu for you to request how many notary letters you need ($10 per notary letter). Click the Request button and you will be directed to the payment screen. Your notary letter will be mailed to the address associated with the account.
If you are unable to order the notary online, but it has not been 60 days since you purchased your background check, you will want to follow these steps. Please go to "Forms", complete and print the Bank Card Authorization Form and email both the form and Web Search Transcript to watch.help@wsp.wa.gov or Fax to (360) 534-2073. Requests may take 7-14 business days to complete.
If you would like your notary letter mailed by means of special handling please provide the envelope and a completed mailing label including the account to be billed. Mail the Web Search Transcript including a ($10 per notary letter) check or money order in US funds to the Washington State Patrol, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633.