SeaTac Criminal History Records

SeaTac criminal history records are held by the King County Sheriff's Office for police and arrest data, the SeaTac Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases, and King County Superior Court for felony matters. Like Sammamish and Shoreline, SeaTac contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services rather than operating its own police department. This page covers each source, how access works, what fees apply, and how the statewide WATCH background check system covers SeaTac residents.

King County Superior Court Records

Felony criminal cases involving SeaTac residents are filed in King County Superior Court. The court operates at the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, which is the nearest location to SeaTac. The King County Clerk holds charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and complete case files for all felony matters in the county.

King County uses the LINX system for public case lookups. Search by name or case number to see whether a felony case exists and how it ended. Actual documents require a request to the Clerk's office. Records filed before July 1, 1979 and stored on microfilm are only available in person at the downtown Seattle Clerk's office.

All Superior Court records are public under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless sealed. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page.

King County Sheriff Records for SeaTac

Because SeaTac contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services, all arrest records and incident reports involving SeaTac are held by the Sheriff's Office Records Division. You can submit a request in writing, online, or in person at a King County Sheriff's Office location.

Conviction records held by the Sheriff's Office are public. Non-conviction data is restricted under RCW 10.97. Only criminal justice agencies and the subject of the record may receive non-conviction data. Active investigation files are exempt until the case closes. Once closed, most records become available under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW.

The Sheriff's Office also operates the King County Jail in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center Jail in Kent. If someone from SeaTac is in county custody, the jail roster can be checked through the King County adult detention system.

The King County Sheriff's Office site provides information on records requests, jail operations, and other law enforcement services for cities including SeaTac that contract for county police coverage.

Submit police records requests for SeaTac incidents through the King County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

SeaTac Municipal Court

The SeaTac Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance charges within SeaTac city limits. Cases include first-offense DUI, simple assault, petty theft, and traffic infractions. The court keeps records for every case it hears, and those are public under Washington Court General Rule 31.

Municipal Court records can be accessed in person during business hours at SeaTac City Hall. Contact the court to ask about available search options and fee schedules. Forms are available for anyone who needs to represent themselves in a SeaTac Municipal Court proceeding. If you have a case number or party name, bring it along to make the search faster.

City of SeaTac Public Records

For SeaTac city agency records that are not court documents or police reports, use the City of SeaTac Public Records Request system. This covers city meeting minutes, permits, city correspondence, and other administrative files. Police reports must go through the King County Sheriff's Office. Court records go through the Municipal Court. Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond within five business days. Fees cover only actual copying costs.

King County District Court

Some misdemeanor cases involving SeaTac residents may go to King County District Court rather than SeaTac Municipal Court. The District Court operates at multiple locations throughout King County, including Seattle, Kent, Bellevue, and Shoreline. Court records are public and searchable through the LINX system. For cases not showing up in SeaTac Municipal Court, check King County District Court as an alternate source.

The King County District Court page shows the locations and records request options for the district court system serving SeaTac and other King County cities.

Use King County District Court for misdemeanor case records that may not have been filed in SeaTac Municipal Court.

Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH

For a full criminal history on a SeaTac resident, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system provides the most complete picture. The WATCH online search costs $11.00, accepts credit or debit cards, and returns results immediately. It draws from a fingerprint-linked statewide database covering all Washington counties.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for name-based searches or $58.00 for fingerprint-based searches. Mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days. The WSP Criminal History office is at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page.

To review your own record, including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia office in person at no charge for up to thirty minutes. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You may be fingerprinted for confirmation. The personal review shows everything, including data not available in standard public searches.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, sets clear rules about public access to criminal records. Conviction records, cases ending in a guilty plea or verdict, are fully public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them.

Non-conviction data covers arrests and charges that did not end in a conviction and are no longer active. Only criminal justice agencies and the subject of the record can receive this data under RCW 10.97.030. If a file holds both types, the agency must redact non-conviction data before any public release.

If your own record has errors, submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. The Criminal History Records Section reviews the challenge. Old non-conviction records can be deleted under RCW 10.97.060, subject to waiting periods and conditions including no prior convictions.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a SeaTac resident currently in a Washington state prison, use the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, current facility, and age. Federal inmates are not included. For those, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.

Registered sex offenders in the SeaTac area can be found through the WASPC Sex Offender Information registry. Class A sex offenses require lifetime registration. Class B requires fifteen years. Class C requires ten years. Offenders must register at the King County Sheriff's Office under RCW 9A.44.130.

Historical Court Records

For older King County criminal cases that predate online systems, the Washington State Digital Archives may help. The archives hold Superior Court records from across the state. For very old King County files, an in-person visit to the Clerk's office in Seattle may be needed to access microfilm records predating digital systems.

County Records Office

All SeaTac felony cases are filed in King County. The King County Superior Court operates at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. The King County Clerk's office handles certified copies and full case files for all King County criminal matters.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near SeaTac with their own criminal history record pages are listed below.