Bothell Criminal History Records
Bothell criminal history records sit across two counties. The city straddles the King and Snohomish county line, so felony cases go to either King County Superior Court or Snohomish County Superior Court depending on where the offense occurred. The Bothell Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases from within city limits, and the Bothell Police Department Records Unit holds local incident and arrest data. This guide covers each source, what it holds, how to request records, and how to get a statewide background check through the Washington State Patrol WATCH system.
Bothell Overview
Bothell Municipal Court Records
The Bothell Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, gross misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations within Bothell city limits. Records include charging documents, hearing dates, plea agreements, and case dispositions. All are public under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless a judge has ordered them sealed.
Bothell Municipal Court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal at no cost. The portal shows case summaries, charge descriptions, and outcomes. Full case documents are not available online. To order copies, contact the court. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page.
The Bothell Police Department provides crime prevention information and works with both King and Snohomish County agencies on criminal justice matters.
The Bothell Police crime prevention page gives context on public safety resources available to Bothell residents.
King County Superior Court and the Bothell King County Portion
The portion of Bothell that lies within King County falls under King County Superior Court jurisdiction for felony matters. The Superior Court operates at the King County Courthouse in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. The Department of Judicial Administration maintains all case records. The KC-Script/LINX public portal allows free name and case number searches for non-sealed criminal, civil, and family law cases.
For copies of King County records, contact the Clerk's Office at (206) 477-1400. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page. Records filed before July 1, 1979 are on microfilm and require an in-person visit to the downtown Seattle clerk's office during business hours.
If you are not sure which county your case falls under, the King County District Court also handles misdemeanors from the King County side of Bothell. The King County District Court operates at multiple locations and records are searchable through the Odyssey Portal.
Snohomish County Superior Court and the Bothell Snohomish Portion
The portion of Bothell within Snohomish County sends felony cases to Snohomish County Superior Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains records at the Snohomish County Courthouse, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Phone: (425) 388-3466. The court provides online access to records through the Odyssey Portal for limited case information at no cost. Subscription access is available for frequent users.
Copy fees follow state standards: regular copies are $0.50 per page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page. The Snohomish County District Court at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 508, Everett handles misdemeanor matters from the Snohomish side of Bothell. The District Court can be reached by email at SDC-PubDisclosure@snoco.org for records requests.
Note: Bothell spans both King and Snohomish counties. The county where the offense occurred determines which Superior Court and which District Court hold the records.
Bothell Police Department Records Unit
The Bothell Police Department Records Unit processes public records requests for police reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement records from within Bothell. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person. The department follows the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97.
Conviction records are public. Non-conviction data, meaning arrests that did not lead to a conviction and where proceedings are no longer active, is restricted under RCW 10.97.080. Only criminal justice agencies or the subject of the record may receive that type of data. Active investigation files are also exempt until the case closes. For a statewide criminal history picture, the Records Unit will refer you to the WSP WATCH system.
The department collaborates with both King and Snohomish County agencies given Bothell's dual-county location. This means some incidents may involve coordination between two sheriff's offices or district courts.
WSP WATCH Statewide Background Checks
The Washington State Patrol provides the most thorough option for a Bothell criminal history search. The WATCH system gives instant online results for $11.00 per search. Pay by credit or debit card. WATCH pulls from a fingerprint-linked statewide database that captures records from all Washington counties, so it covers both the King and Snohomish sides of Bothell in one search.
Mail requests use the Request for Conviction Criminal History Form from the WSP Criminal History Records page. Name-based mail searches cost $32.00. Fingerprint-based requests cost $58.00 and are more precise for people with common names. Mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days. In-person requests are accepted at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To review your own full record, including non-conviction data, you can go to the Olympia office at no charge for up to thirty minutes. Bring photo ID. You may need to provide fingerprints to confirm your identity.
Note: WATCH includes conviction records and arrests less than one year old with pending dispositions. Non-conviction data older than one year is excluded from public searches.
City of Bothell Public Records Requests
For records from other Bothell city departments, use the City of Bothell public records request page. This covers emails, permits, meeting minutes, and other city documents. Police records must go through the Police Records Unit. Court records are handled by the Municipal Court under GR 31, not the Public Records Act.
Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond within five business days. The response may provide the records, give a timeline, or deny with a specific statutory reason. You do not need to state why you want the records. Fees cover actual copy costs. Electronic delivery is encouraged and typically costs less than paper.
DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry
To check whether a Bothell-area person is currently in a Washington state prison, use the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database lists name, DOC number, age, and facility. For federal inmates, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website instead.
The WASPC Sex Offender Registry lists registered sex offenders in Bothell and the surrounding area. Offenders on the King County side register with the King County Sheriff. Those on the Snohomish side register with the Snohomish County Sheriff. Class A sex offense convictions require lifetime registration; Class B, fifteen years; Class C, ten years. Registration is required under RCW 9A.44.130.
Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Records in Bothell
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, sets clear rules on disclosure. Conviction records, meaning cases ending in a guilty plea or verdict, are public under RCW 10.97.050. Non-conviction data, under RCW 10.97.030, covers records from cases that did not lead to conviction and are no longer active. These can only go to criminal justice agencies, the record subject, or those specifically allowed by law.
If you think your own Bothell record has errors or improperly includes non-conviction data, submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. Corrections are made if the evidence supports the challenge. Conditions for deleting non-conviction records are set in RCW 10.97.060, which includes waiting periods and requires no prior convictions on file.
King County Criminal History Records
The King County portion of Bothell is served by King County courts and agencies for felony and county-level criminal records. The Snohomish County portion is served by Snohomish County courts.
View King County Criminal History RecordsNearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Bothell with their own criminal history record pages.