Criminal History Records, or background checks, consist of fingerprint-based records and disposition information submitted by law enforcement agencies and courts throughout Washington.
Request a Criminal
History Report
Online
You may run a background check and receive the results immediately by using WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History)
By Mail
You may make a request for conviction Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) by submitting a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form, along with applicable fees to the Identification and Background Check Section. See below for more info.
In Person
You may make a request for conviction CHRI based on an individual’s name and date of birth by completing a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form in person or you may make a request for conviction CHRI by submitting a full set of fingerprints in person. Note: Children are not allowed in the fingerprinting room and must be supervised at all times.
Resources & Questions
Who Can Request Criminal History Reports?
Certified criminal justice agencies may request and receive unrestricted criminal history record information (CHRI) from the WSP Identification and Criminal History Records 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 Background Check Online (WATCH)
You may run a background check and receive the results immediately by using WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History). This feature requires either a credit card, or a pre-established billed or non-profit account.
There is a $11.00 fee, payable by debit or credit Visa/MasterCard or American Express, and the response is returned immediately online.
To request a verification of your WATCH RAPsheet by fingerprint, place the subject’s right thumbprint on the front lower right hand corner of the report and mail the form and a letter explaining your request to:
Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section
PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633There is no additional fee for the thumbprint comparison. A notarized letter can also be requested online for a $10.00 fee.
To apply for a billed or non-profit account, print and fill out the application packet and submit by mail to Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia WA 98504-2633 or by email to WATCH.Help@wsp.wa.gov.
Obtaining a Background Check By Mail
You may make a request for conviction CHRI based on an individual’s name and date of birth by submitting a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form along with applicable fees to the Identification and Background Check Section.
There is a $32.00 fee for the processing of the Request for Conviction History form (link form), payable by check, money order, or by completing the Bankcard Authorization form.
OR
You may make a request for conviction CHRI by submitting a full set of fingerprints, along with applicable fees to the Identification and Background Check Section.
There is a $58.00 fee for the processing of a fingerprint card, payable by check, money order, or by completing the Bankcard Authorization form.
A notarized letter can also be requested for an additional $10.00 fee along with the requested background check.
All requests can be mailed to:
Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section
PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633Obtaining a Background Check In Person
You may make a request for conviction CHRI based on an individual’s name and date of birth by completing a Conviction Criminal History Form in person only at the Olympia office located at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia WA 98501.
There is a $32.00 fee for the processing of the Request for Conviction History form payable by cash, check or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accepted)
OR
You may make a request for conviction CHRI by submitting a full set of fingerprints in person.
There is a $58.00 fee for the processing of a fingerprint card, payable by cash, check credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accepted).A notarized letter can also be requested for an additional $10.00 fee along with the requested background check.
Fingerprint Service
Monday through Friday (Except legal holidays).
Fingerprints are only taken at the Olympia office 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia WA 98501.
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) please arrive by 4:30 p.m. to allow time for the fingerprinting event to take place
For a fee of $16.00 payable by cash, check or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accepted)
Valid Government issued picture identification required
Please review our Fingerprint Room Rules before your visit. Note: Children are not allowed in the fingerprinting room and must be supervised at all times.
Obtain a Copy of your Non-Conviction CHRI
To obtain a completed record review, send a fingerprint card and $12.00 to:
Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section
PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633A copy of your non-conviction CHRI will be returned to the address on the completed fingerprint card. This non-conviction information is for your personal use only.
Non-Conviction Record Review
Visit the Washington State Patrol Criminal History Records Section and request a record review during normal business hours, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and all legal designated holidays. There is no fee for this service and you may inspect your complete CHRI, including non-conviction information for a reasonable period of time not to exceed thirty minutes. You will not be able to obtain this CHRI at any other WSP office. You will be required to provide fingerprints to establish a positive identification.
Inmate Record Review
You may inspect your complete Washington State CHRI by having the correctional facility/jail where you are incarcerated submit a fingerprint card with the reason fingerprinted indicated as RECORD REVIEW/CHALLENGE. The Criminal History Records Section will then provide a copy of your transcript of record to the correctional facility/jail for your inspection. There is no fee for this request.
Updating Existing Criminal History Record Information
Court orders processed within the Criminal History Section (Section) include juvenile seals, juvenile destroys, vacates, deletions, dismissals, certificates of discharge, and restorations of firearm rights. Copies of court orders may be provided to the Section to update criminal history records by fax, electronic mail, or regular mail.
Dismissal: A decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal, except when the acquittal is due to a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. This information is considered non-conviction and is not disseminated to the public. However, this information will remain available for criminal justice inquiries for the maximum state record retention period. This information may only be deleted pursuant to RCW 10.97.060 or upon an order from the court of jurisdiction. A dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of sentence shall be considered adverse to the subject and will remain “guilty” status with an update of “dismissed.”
Vacate: When a conviction is vacated, the “guilty” status is replaced with a status of “vacated,” and is no longer disseminated to the public. This information will remain available for criminal justice inquiries for the maximum state record retention period. Orders to vacate conviction records must be initiated by the court of jurisdiction. Please note the FBI disseminates ALL CHRI upon a fingerprint based record check, including incidents with a status of “vacated.”
Seal (Juvenile Records): When a juvenile case is sealed, any documents related to the arrest incident and disposition named in the order are sealed from public view. This information will remain available for criminal justice inquiries for the maximum state record retention period. Orders to seal juvenile records must be initiated by the court of jurisdiction.
Destroy (Juvenile Records): When a juvenile case is destroyed, any documents related to the arrest incident and disposition named in the order are physically destroyed and cannot be placed back into the state record at a later date. Orders to destroy juvenile records must be initiated by the court of jurisdiction.
Expungement/Deletion of Non-Conviction Information: Non-conviction information may be deleted upon request of the subject of the record under provisions stated by RCW 10.97.060. Do I qualify for an expungement with WSP? Use this Expungement Checklist (Updated 07-24) to find out.
To request an expungement/deletion, download and complete the Washington State Patrol’s Request for Expungement Deletion of Non-Conviction Records and mail it to the Criminal History Records Section.
Restoration of Firearm Rights: Restores the individual’s right to possess a firearm for the specific charge(s) stated in the order and/or the petition within the state of Washington. When the Criminal History Records Section receives an order restoring firearm rights, a notation to the corresponding case information is made which notes the date of judge’s signature, right to possess a firearm is restored, and the RCW specified in the order. The FBI record is also updated at this time. Restoration orders must be obtained by the court of jurisdiction or another Washington State superior court under a civil case number. For information on obtaining a court order, please see “A Guide to Sealing and Destroying Court Records, and Deleting Criminal History Records” located at the Administrative Office of the Courts website, or contact the court of jurisdiction. Please note the Washington State Patrol Criminal History Records Section does not determine your right to purchase or possess a firearm. For information on firearm purchase checks, please contact the FBI’s NICS Department toll free at (877) 324-6427.
Modify/Challenge Your Criminal History Record Information
An individual may request modifications to or challenges of their Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) by submitting the Request for Modification of Record Form. If the challenge is found to be substantiated, modification to the CHRI will be performed by the Criminal History Records Section. Updated information may be provided to persons or agencies who received the person’s CHRI prior to the update.
Compromised Identity Claim (CIC)
Criminal Identity Theft occurs when an individual gives another person’s name and date of birth as their own at the time of their arrest. When the arrest is submitted to the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) by a law enforcement agency, the victim’s name and date of birth become a permanent part of that thief’s CHRI.
At that time the victim’s identity is considered compromised and may become a problem for victims when potential employers, volunteer coordinators, or others conduct a name and date of birth background check. Individuals who have common names may also suffer from compromised identity if another person with a similar name and date of birth has a criminal history record on file.
The Compromised Identity Claim (CIC) program assists victims of compromised identity theft in the following ways:
- Provides the CIC claimant with a letter identifying the claimant’s state identification number (SID), and verifying that the claimant is not the same person as the other individual(s) in the database with similar name and date of birth descriptors.
- Provides the CIC claimant with a wallet card bearing the claimant’s name, SID, photograph, and thumbprint.
- A notation that a personal identification card has been submitted to the Identification and Background Check Section is disseminated on a background check.
- Allows the person to create a personal identification record with the Identification and Background Check Section.
- To claim compromised identity, please complete the NEW – Compromised Identity Claim (CIC)_(8-20) .
Criminal History & Fingerprint Training Resources
If you’re looking for fingerprinting resources and other criminal history training resources, please see our Criminal History Training page.
Request Assistance Understanding Your Criminal History Records
Information on a Washington state Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) from a background check can be confusing at times, and we are here to help. If you have received a background check from the WSP, we may be able to assist you in clarifying the information contained in the CHRI. The Criminal History Records Section cannot answer any questions on the particulars of a court case — only the court of jurisdiction may do this. However, we are able to assist with navigating the Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAPsheet) and defining common terms associated with arrests and dispositions. If you need help, feel free to give us a call.
If you have received a background check through a company other than the WSP, you must contact that company for assistance on the information returned to you.
Rap Back Information
Certified criminal justice agencies may set up a Rap Back subscription to be notified when a person who has fingerprints on file with the FBI is arrested or has criminal activity associated with those fingerprints. What is Rap Back? (YouTube).
FAQs
What is the difference between a Conviction & Non-Conviction RAPsheet?
Conviction RAPsheet = “Conviction” record means criminal history record information (CHRI) relating to an incident which has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject. There is no restriction on dissemination of conviction criminal history information. Non Conviction RAPsheet = “Non conviction data” consists of all criminal history record information (CHRI) relating to an incident which has not led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject, and for which proceedings are no longer actively pending. Only criminal justice agencies are entitled to receive non-conviction information. RCW 10.97.030 and 10.97.050How do I delete non-conviction information?
Criminal history record information (CHRI) that consists of non-conviction information only may be deleted from the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) pursuant to RCW 10.97.060. This request may be made by submitting the Request for Deletion/Expungement of Non-Conviction Records form to the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section, ATTN: Criminal History Support Unit, PO Box 42633, Olympia WA 98504-2633. Please note that this process does not affect local records. Deletions apply to state and federal records only.How long does WSP retain criminal arrest information?
Criminal history record information (CHRI) is retained in the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) until an individual reaches 120 years of age. If the record contains multiple dates of birth, retention is based on the newest date of birth.How to order more fingerprint cards?
The FBI-CJIS Division supplies fingerprint cards, free of charge, to those agencies issued an Originating Agency Identification Number (ORI). To order fingerprint cards, complete the CJIS Requisition Form 1-178a. This request can be completed by phone, fax, or electronically.Phone: FBI, Customer Service (304) 625-5590
Fax: CJIS Division, Fingerprint Supply Center (304) 625-3984How are RAPsheet and Fingerprint Rolling Techniques classes scheduled throughout the state?
Washington State is divided into eight training regions. Training is scheduled in each region at least once annually. Additional classes may be added to the calendar based on need and trainer availability. There is a class minimum of ten registered attendees.What are the advantages of using the Washington State Patrol background check process as compared to other background check products offered over the Internet?
Other background checks from private companies are linked by name only. If an applicant has a common name, there can be convictions linked to that person which do not belong to him or her or they could deny a conviction that is in fact the actual subject.The Washington State Patrol retrieves Washington criminal history information from the WASIS/WACIC database. That database, in conjunction with the Washington State Patrol ABIS, connects all arrests based on fingerprints and not merely by name. If someone who has a criminal record is arrested under a false name and fingerprints are taken at the time of arrest, the current arrest will be linked to any previous criminal history, regardless of the false name that was given.
Also, if a criminal offense charge appears on a person’s criminal history background check and the person claims that it is not his or her arrest, that person can arrange to have a thumbprint taken and that thumbprint would be compared to the fingerprints from the arrest that allegedly is not his or hers. The Washington State Patrol will be able to positively confirm or exclude that person from that arrest/criminal history.
The WATCH background check is not based on comparison of fingerprints to fingerprints; instead it is based on a name query of the criminal history system that is linked by fingerprints. The Washington State Patrol records are based on submissions of fingerprint arrest cards from law enforcement arrests and not merely court records.
Contact
Phone
(360) 534-2000Physical Address
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Ave. SW
Suite 1300
Olympia, WA 98501Mailing Address
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Criminal History Section
PO Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday (except legal holidays)
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)