Tacoma Criminal History Records

Tacoma criminal history records are held by three main agencies: the Tacoma Police Department for arrest and incident reports, the Tacoma Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases, and the Pierce County Superior Court for felony cases. Tacoma is Pierce County's largest city with around 220,000 residents and is the county seat. This page covers where each type of record is kept, how to request them, and how to run a statewide background check through the Washington State Patrol.

Tacoma Police Department Records

The Tacoma Public Records Office processes requests for Police Department records, including administrative files, investigative files, photos, and body camera footage. You can submit a request through the online Tacoma Public Records Request Center, by mail (PO Box 11007, Tacoma, WA 98411), by phone at 253-231-0240, or by email at publicdisclosure@tacoma.gov. The online portal is the fastest method.

South Sound 911 is the records coordinator for Tacoma Police Department incident reports, CAD reports, traffic citations, and 911 call audio recordings. So if you need an incident report or dispatch log, your request may need to go to South Sound 911 rather than directly to Tacoma PD. For crash reports specifically, those are held by the Washington State Patrol, which serves as the central repository for all police traffic collision reports in Washington.

The Tacoma Police Records page explains what each type of record contains and where to direct your request. Conviction records are public. Non-conviction data, meaning arrests that did not lead to a conviction where proceedings have ended, is restricted under RCW 10.97.

The Tacoma Public Records Office page shows the city's online portal and request options for police and other city department records.

Use the online portal for the fastest response. Requests submitted by other methods are entered into the same portal by city staff.

Tacoma Municipal Court Records

The Tacoma Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations within Tacoma city limits. This includes first-offense DUI, simple assault, domestic violence misdemeanors, theft under $750, and most traffic matters. The court maintains records for every case and releases them to the public under Washington Court General Rule 31.

The Tacoma Municipal Court page shows court contact information, records request forms, and how to look up case information.

To request court records, contact the Municipal Court directly and review the Court's Access to Administrative Records policy. A Tacoma Municipal Court Records Request Form is available for this purpose. Pierce County uses the LINX case management system. You can search Tacoma Municipal Court cases at LINX Online. The system shows basic case information at no cost.

Pierce County Superior Court Felony Cases

All Tacoma felony cases are filed at the Pierce County Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk maintains charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls for every felony criminal matter. Because Tacoma is the county seat, the courthouse is located within the city at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for self-service case searches.

Pierce County uses LINX rather than the statewide Odyssey Portal. Search Superior Court records at LINX Online at no cost. The system shows case summaries, docket entries, and party names. For the complete case file or certified copies, contact the clerk's office. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page.

For older cases not in LINX, the Washington State Digital Archives may have historical Pierce County criminal records going back to the 1800s. The Western Regional Branch serves Pierce County and has digitized many older case files. Availability varies depending on the time period and case type.

City of Tacoma Public Records

For city government records beyond police materials, the City of Tacoma Public Records Office is the central point for requests covering all city departments. An appeal from the closure of a request can be submitted to jkauffman@tacoma.gov within two business days of receiving the closure notice. The city responds to all requests within five business days as required by RCW 42.56.520.

Certain records are exempt from disclosure under state and federal law, including attorney-client privilege, personnel records, and active investigation files. The city's public records page includes links to the Washington Public Records Act, the Attorney General's Model Rules, and other open government resources. Court records must be requested from the court clerks, not the general public records office.

Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH

The Washington State Patrol provides the most reliable statewide criminal history check. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) delivers results online right away for $11.00 per search. WATCH is fingerprint-linked, meaning records are connected through biometric data rather than just names. This prevents false matches for people with common names.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based search or $58.00 with a fingerprint card, and take 7 to 10 business days. In-person service is available at the WSP office at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The full process is described at the WSP Criminal History Records page. You can also request a notarized background check letter through WATCH for an additional $10.00 fee.

WATCH results include conviction records and arrests under one year old with pending dispositions. Non-conviction data older than one year does not appear in public searches. To review your own complete record including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia WSP office at no charge. You are allowed up to thirty minutes and must bring valid government-issued photo ID.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, draws a firm line between conviction records and non-conviction data. Conviction records, meaning cases that ended in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse finding, are fully public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them and there is no restriction on their use.

Non-conviction data covers cases that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is no longer active. Under RCW 10.97.030 and RCW 10.97.080, these records may only go to criminal justice agencies, the person whose record it is, or others specifically allowed by statute. If a rap sheet contains both types, the agency must redact the non-conviction portions before release to the public. This applies equally to Tacoma Police records and Pierce County court records.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a Tacoma resident currently in a Washington state prison, use the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The DOC database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For more details like release dates or supervision conditions, contact DOC directly. Federal inmates are not in this database.

For registered sex offenders in Tacoma, check the statewide registry at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Adults with Class A sex offense convictions must register for life. Class B offenses require fifteen years. Class C requires ten years. Offenders register at the Pierce County Sheriff's Office in person under RCW 9A.44.130.

Pierce County Records

All Tacoma felony cases and county-level records are managed through Pierce County. Visit the Pierce County Criminal History page for details on the Superior Court, District Court, Sheriff, jail records, and the LINX case search system.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Tacoma with dedicated criminal history pages include: