Chelan County Criminal Records
Chelan County criminal history records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk, the District Court, and the Sheriff's Office, all based in Wenatchee. The county also shares a regional jail with Douglas County. This guide covers how to access felony case records, misdemeanor filings, arrest logs, and statewide background check data for Chelan County subjects, including fees, locations, and online tools.
Chelan County Overview
Chelan County Superior Court Criminal Records
The Chelan County Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction and handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official records at the Chelan County Courthouse, 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 503, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Walk-in access is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Records on file include charging documents, arraignment orders, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per page after that. These are public records under Washington Court General Rule 31. Sealed cases are not available without a court order lifting the seal.
Recent cases are searchable online for free through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. The portal shows party names, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Documents are not posted online and must be ordered from the clerk's office directly. For older cases that predate the Odyssey system, staff can pull physical files from the courthouse archive.
The Chelan County Superior Court website links directly to the Odyssey Portal for online case searches.
Check the portal for a free case summary before ordering paid copies from the courthouse clerk.
Chelan County District Court Misdemeanor Records
The Chelan County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, civil matters under $100,000, and small claims. The court is at 350 Orondo Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, and serves Chelan County along with the cities of Wenatchee, Chelan, and Cashmere. Hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
District Court records are public and most recent cases appear on the Odyssey Portal. Cases covered include first-offense DUI, simple assault, theft under $750, and similar misdemeanor-level matters. For documents or older records not on the portal, contact the District Court clerk in person or by mail with the case details and applicable copy fees. The court also provides forms for self-represented litigants in small claims and other civil matters.
District Court handles misdemeanor cases for both incorporated cities and unincorporated Chelan County areas.
Note: Felony records are at the Superior Court Clerk on the fifth floor of the Chelan County Courthouse, not the District Court.
Chelan County Sheriff Arrest Records and Jail Logs
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county. The office is at 401 Washington Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801. The records division handles public requests for arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking information in line with the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW.
Arrest records are generally public once a case closes. Active investigation files are exempt from release until the case concludes. Conviction records can go to anyone. Non-conviction data, arrests that did not lead to a conviction where the case is no longer pending, is restricted under RCW 10.97.080 to criminal justice agencies or the subject of the record. Mixed rap sheets get the non-conviction portions redacted before release to the public.
The Sheriff's Office also operates the Chelan County Regional Jail in partnership with Douglas County. This shared facility serves both counties. Booking and custody records for both county agencies flow through this joint operation. For a full statewide check, the Sheriff's Office will direct you to the WSP WATCH system.
Contact the Sheriff's records division for incident reports and arrest log requests that are not covered by the Odyssey Portal.
WSP WATCH Background Check for Chelan County
The fastest and most reliable way to get conviction records for a Chelan County resident is through the Washington State Patrol's WATCH system. An online search costs $11.00 and returns results immediately. WATCH is fingerprint-linked through WASIS, which prevents the false matches that can occur with name-only database searches. Pay by credit or debit card.
Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based check. Submitting a fingerprint card raises the fee to $58.00 but gives a definitive biometric match. Send requests to: Identification and Background Check Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633. Mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days. In-person service is at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.). Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page.
Note: WATCH shows conviction records and arrests under one year old with pending dispositions. It does not show non-conviction data older than one year for public searches.
Public Records Requests in Chelan County
For county agency records that are not court documents, submit a request through the Chelan County Public Records system. This covers Sheriff's Office incident reports, county correspondence, and other government records. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. Court records must be requested directly from the court clerks, as they operate under court rules (GR 31) rather than the Public Records Act.
Under RCW 42.56.520, Chelan County must respond within five business days. The response may provide the records, acknowledge receipt with a timeline, or deny the request with the applicable statutory exemption. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Fees may only cover actual copy costs, not staff search time. Electronic delivery is available and generally costs less than paper.
Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data Rules
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, sets clear rules. Conviction records, cases ending in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse disposition, are public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them without restriction. Non-conviction data covers arrests and charges that did not end in a conviction and where the case is no longer pending. Under RCW 10.97.030 and RCW 10.97.080, this data can only go to criminal justice agencies or the person whose record it is.
If you think your own record has errors, you can submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. The Criminal History Records Section will review and correct substantiated challenges. RCW 10.97.060 covers the rules for deleting old non-conviction records, including conditions like no prior convictions and specific waiting periods that must pass before deletion is allowed.
DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry
If a Chelan County resident is currently in a Washington state prison, search the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. Contact DOC directly for release dates and supervision details. The DOC database does not include federal inmates; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for federal cases.
Registered sex offenders in Chelan County are listed in the statewide registry maintained by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The public registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Adults convicted of Class A sex offenses register for life; Class B requires 15 years; Class C requires 10 years. Offenders register in person at the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence under RCW 9A.44.130.
Historical Chelan County Court Records
For older cases that predate the Odyssey system, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. The archives hold Superior Court records from multiple counties, including older criminal case files and judgment rolls. Chelan County records fall under the Eastern regional branch in Cheney. Some records go back to the county's formation in 1899. The MRSC Criminal History and Arrest Records overview explains the statewide disclosure rules that apply to all counties, including Chelan.
Cities in Chelan County
Chelan County is home to Wenatchee, which has a qualifying population for a dedicated page on this site. Other cities in the county such as Cashmere, Chelan, and Leavenworth are served by the same Superior and District Courts in Wenatchee.
Nearby Counties
Chelan County borders several other Washington counties. Each has its own criminal record offices and court clerks.