Spokane Background Check Records
Spokane is the largest city in Eastern Washington and the second largest city in the state, with a population close to 230,000 people. Running a background check in Spokane means working with several different agencies depending on what you need. The Spokane Police Department holds local arrest and incident data, Spokane Municipal Court covers misdemeanor cases filed within the city, and Spokane County Superior Court handles felony records for the region. For statewide criminal history, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system pulls together records from across the state. This page lays out each source and how to get records from it.
Spokane Overview
Spokane Police Department Records
The Spokane Police Department is located at 1100 W Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99260. The non-emergency line is (509) 625-3545. Their Records Division handles requests for police reports, arrest records, and incident data tied to Spokane. You can submit a public records request in person, by mail, or through the city's online portal. The department processes requests under RCW 42.56, which gives agencies up to five business days to respond or provide a timeline for larger requests.
Spokane PD also processes Concealed Pistol License applications. The Records Division manages those applications and coordinates with Spokane County on the background check process that goes through the Washington State Patrol. If you need fingerprinting for a state or federal background check, call the department ahead of your visit to confirm scheduling and any current requirements. Walk-in availability is not always guaranteed.
Police records from Spokane PD cover incidents within city limits. If you need records from calls in unincorporated areas of Spokane County, those go through the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, not the city department. Understanding the boundary matters when you are trying to locate a specific report.
| Agency | Spokane Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 W Mallon Ave Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Non-Emergency | (509) 625-3545 |
| Records Access | In person, mail, or online portal |
| Response Time | 5 business days per RCW 42.56 |
Note: Certain records are exempt from public disclosure, including active investigation files, juvenile records, and information protected by federal law or other Washington statutes.
Spokane Municipal Court Records
Spokane Municipal Court is located at 1100 W Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99260, sharing the same building complex as the police department. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the court at (509) 625-4400. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic infractions filed within city limits. Both online and in-person payment options are available for fines and fees.
Misdemeanor convictions from Spokane Municipal Court become part of a person's Washington State criminal history record. They show up in background checks that query the WATCH system. Common charges heard at this level include DUI, reckless driving, theft, and assault in the fourth degree. Even though these are below felony level, they carry real weight in a background check and are fully reportable under state law. The court clerk can look up cases by name or case number if you call or visit in person.
Case information from Spokane Municipal Court is also searchable through the statewide Washington Courts case search tool at dw.courts.wa.gov. That system returns party names, case status, charge descriptions, and hearing dates for many Washington courts. It does not always show complete docket details, but it is a fast way to confirm whether a case exists before you contact the court directly.
Spokane City Clerk and Public Records
The Spokane City Clerk's office manages public records requests for city government documents. You can reach the Clerk at (509) 625-6300. Requests can be submitted through the city's online portal, by mail, or in person. The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56, which governs public records access across all Washington agencies.
City Clerk records are different from police and court records. They cover permits, licenses, city contracts, council meeting minutes, and other government documents. These records can be useful in certain background check scenarios, such as checking whether a person or business holds a valid city license or has a history of code violations. The Clerk does not hold arrest records or criminal case files. Those remain with the police department and the courts. For arrest and court data, you need to contact those agencies directly or use the WATCH system.
The Spokane City Clerk also handles requests under RCW 42.56 for body camera footage and other police records that have been designated for public release. The process for those requests may differ from standard records requests, so confirm the correct submission method when you contact the office.
Spokane County Superior Court Records
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County, which means the Spokane County Superior Court is located right in the city. The Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and family law proceedings for all of Spokane County. Felony charges that originate in Spokane city go through the police department and then route to the Superior Court for prosecution. The resulting case files, sentencing records, and docket entries are all maintained by the Superior Court Clerk. For complete details on felony background check records at the county level, including contact information and search options, visit the Spokane County page.
You can search Spokane County Superior Court records using the Washington Courts statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov. That tool lets you search by party name and returns case numbers, charge descriptions, and current status. For certified copies or access to the physical case file, you need to contact the Superior Court Clerk directly.
Spokane County Superior Court covers Spokane, Spokane Valley, and every other community in the county. If you are running a Spokane background check and need to check felony-level records, this is the court that holds those files. The clerk can provide plain copies and certified copies depending on your needs. Certified copies carry a small per-page fee.
Washington State Patrol WATCH System
The Washington State Patrol WATCH system is the most complete tool for Spokane background check searches that need to cover the whole state. WATCH pulls records from all Washington courts and law enforcement agencies, not just Spokane. An online WATCH search costs $11 and runs through wsp.wa.gov/crime/criminal-history/. Mail requests are $32. Fingerprint-based searches cost $58 and are the most reliable for subjects with common names, because they tie results to a specific individual through biometrics rather than a name match alone.
Criminal records in Washington are governed by RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act. This law separates conviction records from non-conviction records. Convictions are generally available to the public through WATCH. Non-conviction records, meaning charges that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts, are restricted and will not appear in a public WATCH result. If you are trying to understand what a background check can and cannot reveal about a Spokane resident, knowing this distinction is essential.
For sex offender information, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs maintains a public registry at waspc.org/sex-offender-information. This registry lists Level II and Level III registrants by name and address. It is a separate search from WATCH and is specific to registered sex offenders. Spokane County listings are included in this statewide database.
The Washington State Department of Corrections inmate search at doc.wa.gov/information/inmate-search/ shows current and recently released individuals from state custody. This tool is useful if you need to confirm whether a person connected to Spokane is or was held at a state facility. It does not cover local custody at the Spokane County Jail, which is a separate lookup through the Spokane County Sheriff.
Spokane County Background Check Records
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County, and felony criminal case files for the city are held by the Spokane County Superior Court. The county page covers the Superior Court Clerk, the county jail search, the Sheriff's public records process, and other county-level sources for background check records. If your search needs to extend beyond city records, that is the right place to start.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Spokane. Spokane Valley shares the Spokane County court system for felony-level background check records.