Find Criminal History Records in Edmonds
Edmonds criminal history records are divided among the Edmonds Municipal Court for misdemeanors, Snohomish County Superior Court for felonies, and the Edmonds Police Department Records Section for incident reports and arrest data. The Police Department also offers fingerprinting services for employment and licensing background checks. This guide covers each office, how to request records, and how to get a full statewide check through the Washington State Patrol.
Edmonds Overview
Edmonds Municipal Court Records
The Edmonds Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations filed within Edmonds. This includes offenses like first-offense DUI, theft under $750, simple assault, reckless driving, and related matters. All cases filed here are public records under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless sealed by a judge.
Case summaries for Edmonds Municipal Court are searchable online at no cost through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. The portal shows party names, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and final dispositions. It does not include the actual court documents or exhibits. For those, you must contact the court clerk directly.
Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. The court provides forms for people who represent themselves. Call ahead to confirm current business hours before visiting in person. Mail requests are accepted with a written description of the case and the applicable fees included.
The Edmonds Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor and infraction cases filed within city limits. Use the Odyssey Portal to verify a case before requesting copies from the clerk's office.
Snohomish County Superior Court Felony Records
Felony criminal cases involving Edmonds residents are filed at Snohomish County Superior Court, not at the Edmonds Municipal Court. The Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk holds records for all felony charges including robbery, assault in the first or second degree, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses. The courthouse is at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201.
Snohomish County Superior Court case information is also available through the Odyssey Portal. Search by party name or case number to confirm whether a felony case exists before requesting documents. The clerk's public counter is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Copy fees match the standard state schedule: $0.50 per page for regular copies and $5.00 plus $1.00 per additional page for certified copies.
If you cannot travel to Everett, you can mail a written request to the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk. Include the case number, the full name of the party, and a specific list of documents you need. The clerk will send a cost estimate before pulling the records. Payment must be sent before the clerk releases any files. Older records stored off-site may take additional time to retrieve.
Edmonds Police Department Records and Fingerprinting
The Edmonds Police Department Records Section processes requests for police reports, incident records, and arrest logs from within Edmonds. You can submit a request online, by mail, or in person. The department responds under Chapter 42.56 RCW and must give an initial response within five business days.
The Records Section also provides fingerprinting services for employment and licensing background checks. Fingerprinting is typically done by appointment. If you need fingerprints for a federal background check, a professional license, or an adoption proceeding, the police department can assist. Call ahead to schedule an appointment and confirm current fees.
Conviction records are public. Non-conviction data is restricted under RCW 10.97. If your request turns up arrests that did not result in a conviction, the department will redact those entries before releasing the record to you. Open investigation files are exempt while the case is active. All requests must be in writing. Phone inquiries cannot be used to process records requests.
Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH
For a full statewide criminal history on an Edmonds subject, use the Washington State Patrol. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) gives online results within minutes for $11.00 per search. You pay by credit or debit card. Results appear right away. WATCH pulls from a fingerprint-linked statewide database covering all 39 Washington counties, not just Snohomish County.
Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based search or $58.00 with a fingerprint card for a more precise match. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. You can also visit the WSP office in person at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you want to review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, you can do that in person at the Olympia office at no charge, for up to thirty minutes. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You may be fingerprinted to confirm your identity before the review begins.
Note: WATCH results show conviction records and arrests less than one year old with pending dispositions. Non-conviction data older than one year is not included in public results.
City of Edmonds Public Records Requests
For city agency records that are not court documents or police reports, use the City of Edmonds Public Records Request process. This covers city emails, meeting minutes, contracts, permits, and other documents held by city departments. Police reports and court records require separate requests to the police department or the courts.
Edmonds must respond to public records requests within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. The city will either provide the records, give a timeline, or deny the request with a specific legal reason. You do not need to state why you want the records. Fees cover only actual copy costs. Electronic delivery is often available and typically faster and cheaper than paper. If a request is denied, you may appeal to Snohomish County Superior Court.
Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, controls what gets released and to whom. Conviction records are fully public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them from courts, law enforcement, or the WSP. Non-conviction data is restricted to the subject of the record, criminal justice agencies, and those specifically authorized by law.
If a record contains both conviction and non-conviction entries, the agency must separate them. Only conviction data goes to the general public. If you think your own record has errors, you can submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the WSP Criminal History Records Section. If the challenge is valid, the section makes the correction. Conditions for deleting old non-conviction records entirely are in RCW 10.97.060. These include no prior convictions and waiting periods that depend on the type of offense.
DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry
If someone from Edmonds is in a Washington state prison, check the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For release dates or supervision status, contact DOC directly. Federal inmates are not in this database. Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those.
For registered sex offenders in Edmonds, the statewide registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Adults with Class A sex offense convictions must register for life. Class B offenses require fifteen years. Class C offenses require ten years. Offenders register in person with the Snohomish County Sheriff under RCW 9A.44.130. The Snohomish County Sheriff handles registration for Edmonds residents.
Edmonds Crime Statistics
The Edmonds Police Department Crime Statistics page provides aggregate crime data and maps showing criminal activity within the city. Statistics come from police reports filed with the department. This data is useful for understanding general crime trends but does not give you access to individual case files.
For any specific incident report, you need to file a formal public records request with the Records Section. The department compiles data in line with state and federal reporting standards. Snohomish County and the Washington State Patrol also receive Edmonds crime data as part of statewide reporting requirements. If you need data on a specific case rather than general statistics, a records request is the right path.
Historical Court Records
For older Edmonds criminal cases that predate the Odyssey Portal, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. The archives maintain Superior Court records from multiple Washington counties. Availability varies by county and time period. For older Snohomish County cases, the Digital Archives or the Snohomish County Clerk's office are the best starting points.
The Snohomish County Clerk can advise on retrieval timelines for cases stored off-site. Call before submitting a written request for very old records to get an estimate of how long retrieval will take. Some older case files may have been transferred to archival storage and require advance notice to pull.
County Criminal Records
Edmonds criminal cases are filed and managed through Snohomish County. All felony cases go to Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett. The Snohomish County Sheriff and the county prosecuting attorney handle county-level criminal matters for Edmonds and surrounding cities.
Nearby Cities
Other Snohomish County and northwest King County cities with criminal record offices include: