San Juan County Criminal History Records
San Juan County criminal history records are held by the Superior Court Clerk and District Court in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. As an island county, all physical record requests require either a ferry trip or mail correspondence, making the online search tools especially useful here. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records and jail data for the county. The Washington State Patrol WATCH system provides the most complete statewide criminal history check for any San Juan County subject. This guide explains each record source and how to access them.
San Juan County Overview
San Juan County Superior Court Criminal Records
The San Juan County Clerk of Superior Court holds official records for all felony criminal cases in San Juan County. Records include charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, judgment rolls, and probation conditions. The clerk's office is at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Walk-in visits are accepted Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Because of the island location, many requestors opt for mail requests or the online portal.
Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Bring the defendant's name or case number when visiting in person. The clerk also holds family law, probate, and civil records over $100,000. All are public records under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless sealed by a judge's order.
The San Juan County Superior Court page, shown below, provides current procedures and contact information for the clerk's office.
Access the San Juan County Superior Court page for records request procedures and clerk office contact details in Friday Harbor.
Many recent cases can be searched online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal before contacting the clerk for certified copies or full documents.
San Juan County District Court Cases
The San Juan County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil matters under $100,000. The court is at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, sharing the courthouse complex with the Superior Court. Cases like DUI, simple assault, and misdemeanor theft are filed here. For residents of Orcas Island, Lopez Island, or other outer islands, mail requests or the Odyssey Portal are the practical options for accessing records.
The District Court page is shown below with current contact and request procedures.
The San Juan County District Court in Friday Harbor handles all misdemeanor criminal cases for the county's island communities.
District Court records are also searchable through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal for free, which is especially helpful for those who cannot travel to Friday Harbor in person.
Note: Misdemeanor cases go to the District Court; felony cases go to the Superior Court Clerk. Both are at 350 Court Street in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.
San Juan County Sheriff Arrest Records
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office serves all the islands in the county and operates the county jail on San Juan Island. The records division maintains arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking information. These are public records under Chapter 42.56 RCW, with active investigation records generally exempt until a case closes.
Conviction records can be released to the public without restriction. Non-conviction data is protected under RCW 10.97.080. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction, with the case now closed, may only go to criminal justice agencies or to the subject of the record. If a record mixes both types, the non-conviction parts must be redacted before any public release. Mail requests are practical for records requests given the island geography.
For a complete statewide criminal history, the Sheriff's Office will point you to the WSP WATCH system, which links records through fingerprints rather than just names and covers all Washington counties in one search.
Public Records Requests in San Juan County
For county agency records other than court documents, the San Juan County Public Records Request process covers Sheriff's Office incident reports, county agency emails, permits, meeting minutes, and similar materials. Court records are governed by Washington Court General Rule 31 and must be requested from the court clerks.
The San Juan County public records portal is shown below with current contact and submission procedures.
Access the San Juan County Public Records Request portal to submit requests for non-court government records from county agencies.
Under RCW 42.56.520, San Juan County must respond to any public records request within five business days. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees cover only the actual cost of copying, not staff time. Electronic delivery is available and is cheaper than paper.
WSP WATCH Statewide Background Checks
The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) is the most thorough option for a San Juan County background check. The online fee is $11.00 per search with immediate results. You pay by credit or debit card. WATCH uses a fingerprint-linked statewide database, so it catches records from all Washington counties, not just San Juan.
Mail requests use the official Request for Conviction Criminal History Form. The fee is $32.00 for a name-based search or $58.00 with a fingerprint card. Mail processing takes about 7 to 10 business days. In-person service is at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. To review your own complete record in person, including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia office at no charge for up to thirty minutes. Bring valid photo ID. Fingerprinting may be required for identity confirmation.
Note: WATCH results include conviction records and arrests under one year old with pending dispositions. Non-conviction data older than one year is not included in public searches.
Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, separates conviction records from non-conviction data. Conviction records, cases that ended in a guilty plea, guilty verdict, or another adverse disposition, are public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone may request them without restriction.
Non-conviction data is different. This covers arrests that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is closed. Under RCW 10.97.080, this data may not be copied or distributed to the general public. Only criminal justice agencies and the subject of the record can receive it. If a record mixes both types, the non-conviction parts must be redacted before any public release. This rule applies to all agencies in San Juan County, including courts, the Sheriff, and any city police departments.
If your own record has errors, submit a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. The Criminal History Records Section will review and, if the challenge is valid, correct the record. Procedures for removing old non-conviction records are in RCW 10.97.060.
DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry
If someone from San Juan County is in a Washington state prison, find them through the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For release dates or supervision conditions, contact DOC directly. Federal inmates are not included; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those.
For registered sex offenders in San Juan County, use the statewide registry at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Class A sex offense convictions require lifetime registration; Class B carries fifteen years; Class C carries ten years. Offenders must register in person at the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence under RCW 9A.44.130. San Juan County residents register at the Sheriff's Office in Friday Harbor.
Historical San Juan County Court Records
For older San Juan County criminal cases that predate the Odyssey Portal, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. The archives hold Superior Court records from many counties, including older criminal case files, judgment rolls, and court proceedings. Availability varies by county and time period. San Juan County's island location means some older records may be less complete in the digital archives than mainland counties.
MRSC's reference at Criminal History and Arrest Records explains the statewide rules that govern criminal record access in all Washington counties, including San Juan. This is a useful starting point if you are not sure whether a specific record type is public or restricted.
Cities in San Juan County
All criminal cases in San Juan County, whether from Friday Harbor, Eastsound on Orcas Island, or Lopez Village, are processed through the San Juan County Superior or District Court in Friday Harbor. No cities in San Juan County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
San Juan County is an island county, but the nearest mainland Washington counties for context are listed below.