Auburn Background Check Records
Auburn background check records are spread across several offices depending on the type of record you need. The Auburn Police Department holds local arrest and incident records, the Auburn Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and traffic case files, and King County Superior Court manages all felony criminal cases for Auburn residents. You can search court records online for free using the statewide Washington Courts case search portal, or you can go directly to the Auburn Police Records Division or City Clerk's office to request copies. This page explains each source and how to access Auburn background check information.
Auburn Overview
Auburn Police Department Records
The Auburn Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. Their Records Division handles requests for police reports, incident reports, arrest records, and concealed pistol license (CPL) fingerprinting. The department is located at 340 E Main Street and serves residents across the city seven days a week.
You can submit a records request by visiting the Records Division in person, by mail, or through the city's GovQA online portal. Under RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act, the Auburn Police Department must respond to your request within five business days. They will either provide the records, ask for more time, or explain any exemptions. Non-emergency calls go to (253) 931-3080 and the Records Division can also assist with questions about what records are available and how to request them.
| Department | Auburn Police Department - Records Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 340 E Main Street Auburn, WA 98002 |
| Non-Emergency | (253) 931-3080 |
| Website | auburnwa.gov/departments/police |
The Auburn Police Department also handles online crime reporting for certain incidents and provides fingerprinting services for CPL applicants. Fingerprinting hours may differ from general office hours, so call ahead before going in.
The statewide Washington Courts Case Search gives you free public access to court case records across all 39 counties. You can search by name or case number to see if a person has criminal filings in any Washington court.
This free search tool is often the quickest starting point for an Auburn background check. It displays case status, party names, docket entries, and charge information for cases in the Superior Court system.
Auburn Municipal Court Background Check Records
Auburn Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and civil code violations for the city. All case files from the Municipal Court are public records and are part of a complete Auburn background check for lower-level offenses. The court is located in the same building as the Police Department at 340 E Main Street.
Court records at the Municipal level include case filings, charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. You can contact the court clerk directly at (253) 931-3040 to ask about specific cases or find out how to request copies. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Records requests follow the same five-business-day response rule under RCW 42.56.
Misdemeanor cases that go through Auburn Municipal Court include DUI, minor in possession, trespassing, and petty theft. These records show up in court background checks and are distinct from the felony records held by King County Superior Court.
| Court | Auburn Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 340 E Main Street Auburn, WA 98002 |
| Phone | (253) 931-3040 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | auburnwa.gov/departments/municipal-court |
Note: Auburn Municipal Court records appear in the statewide court search system, so you can often find case status online without calling the court directly.
Auburn City Clerk Public Records Requests
The Auburn City Clerk's office serves as the main public records request hub for city government documents. If you need records from any city department other than the Police Department, this is usually your starting point. The City Clerk is located at 25 W Main Street, Auburn, WA 98001 and can be reached at (253) 931-3000.
Auburn uses the GovQA online portal for public records requests. You can submit requests online, track them, and receive documents electronically. Mail requests are also accepted at the City Clerk's address. The city follows the five-business-day response rule set by RCW 42.56, which is Washington's statewide public records law. If the city needs more time, they must notify you in writing before the initial deadline.
City Clerk records relevant to background checks can include code enforcement actions, city licensing records, and other administrative matters. Most criminal background check needs go through the police or courts, but the City Clerk handles everything else.
| Office | Auburn City Clerk - Public Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 W Main Street Auburn, WA 98001 |
| Phone | (253) 931-3000 |
| Records Portal | auburnwa.gov - Public Records Request |
King County Records for Auburn Background Checks
Auburn sits primarily in King County, with a small portion crossing into Pierce County. Felony criminal cases for Auburn residents are handled by King County Superior Court in Seattle or at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. When you need a full Auburn background check that includes felony-level offenses, King County court records are the key source.
The King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 263-2103 handles law enforcement records for unincorporated King County and also coordinates sex offender registration for the county. Auburn has its own police department, so most city crime records stay with the Auburn PD, but the King County system picks up felony cases after arrest. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs sex offender registry is the best tool for checking registered sex offenders linked to any Auburn address.
The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system is the most complete tool for a statewide Auburn background check. WATCH searches the central criminal history database maintained by WSP and covers records from all Washington law enforcement agencies. Online requests cost $11. Mail requests cost $32. Fingerprint-based checks cost $58 and return the most thorough results. The WSP Criminal History Section is at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, and you can reach them at (360) 534-2000 or visit wsp.wa.gov/crime/criminal-history.
Washington's RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act, sets rules for how criminal history information can be shared and used in the state. It limits certain disclosures and gives individuals rights related to their own records.
For Auburn residents who need to check DOC records on someone previously incarcerated, the Washington Department of Corrections offender search is free and available online.
King County Background Check Records
Auburn falls within King County, and felony-level background check records are held at King County Superior Court. The county court system also manages the Sheriff's records unit and coordinates with state agencies on criminal history. For full county-level background check details, visit the King County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Auburn. Each has its own police department and court system for local background check records.