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Criminal
History Records
The Washington State Patrol is responsible for maintaining the statewide
repository for fingerprint-based criminal history record information
(CHRI).
You can obtain criminal histories from the State Patrol in two ways:
- Going on-line by using WATCH
(Washington Access To Criminal History). This feature requires
either a credit card or a pre-established account. A $10 fee is charged
for each name search, regardless of the outcome of the results of
the search.
NOTE: If you cannot access the WATCH site please review
the instructions for checking and updating to 128-bit
encryption.
- Forms are available through the WATCH link above. Return the completed
background forms to us through the US Postal Service. If setting up
an account print and fill out an application packet and submit by
mail or the fax number on the form. (Sorry, we don't have downloadable
forms at this time.)
If you are new to criminal history requests, please read About Criminal
Histories below. We describe the two types of requests and their purposes,
the information they contain, the laws that allow them to be given out,
the cost to you, and the time it takes to receive them. We've included
a glossary to help you understand the terms. If
you have any questions or wish to request forms, write or call the Identification
and Criminal History Section. A service representative will be happy
to help you.
About Criminal Histories
The Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section
is the statewide repository for fingerprint-based criminal history record
information (CHRI). Local criminal justice agencies are required by law
to submit felony and gross misdemeanor arrest and disposition information
to the State Patrol, where it is included in a CHRI data base. The requested
record information is furnished solely on the basis of name and/or description
similarity with the subject of your inquiry. Positive identification or
non-identification can only be determined upon receipt of fingerprints.
Who May Request CHRI?
Certified criminal justice agencies may request and receive unrestricted
CHRI from the Identification and Criminal History Section for criminal
justice purposes. The public may request and receive CHRI for non-criminal
justice purposes, but it is limited to conviction information only.
Conviction CHRI is defined in the Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) 10.97.030, and it relates to an incident that has led to a
conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject. In addition
to the conviction CHRI, non-criminal justice requestors (the public)
may receive a record showing pending arrest offenses under one year
old without disposition, and if the subject is a registered sex offender
or kidnapper.
Two Types of Criminal History Requests
Depending on the purpose, the Identification and Criminal History Section
responds to non-criminal justice inquiries under two different statutes:
On-line information from WATCH is immediate. However, it takes from 7-14
business days for us to respond to written requests.
Criminal Records Privacy Act
Under the Criminal Records Privacy Act, conviction CHRI may be made
public to anyone without restriction and without the consent of the
subject of the record. The requestor must submit either a Request for
Conviction Criminal History Record (using Form 3000-240-569
or WATCH) or a full set of the subject's fingerprints.
- Fees
A non-refundable $35 fee is required for each record requested by
name and date of birth through the mail. A non-refundable $30 fee
is required for a fingerprint search. Fees must be submitted with
the request for information, payable to the Washington State Patrol
by a cashier's check, money order, or commercial business account.
There is a $10 processing fee for a name and date of birth check through
WATCH.
Notarized letters
are an additional $5 per notary seal. Please go to "Forms"
on the WATCH website, print the "Credit Card Authorization"
form, complete and fax the form with your web search transcript
to (360) 534-2073.
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Instructions for Completing Form
3000-240-569
Part A - Write in the applicant's full name, date of birth,
and alias names--including birth and married names. The subject's
sex, race, and social security number are helpful in searching for
CHRI.
Part B - Print your (the requester's) full name, telephone
number, and complete address. Be sure to fill in the date and sign
your name.
Responses
Each written response takes from 7-14 business days to complete.
If a record exists, a copy of the record will be attached to the
returned form. It will include all state of Washington conviction
CHRI and pending arrest offenses under one year old without disposition.
If the subject is a registered sex offender or kidnapper, it
will be disclosed on the record you receive.
If our search reveals that no CHRI exists, a no record WATCH report
will be attached. Secondary dissemination of the CHRI is prohibited,
unless in compliance with RCW
10.97.050.
Child and Adult Abuse Information Act
Under the Child and Adult Abuse Information Act, requests for CHRI are
limited to businesses or organizations licensed in the state of Washington;
any agency of the state; or other governmental entities that educate,
train, treat, supervise, house, or provide recreation to developmentally
disabled persons, vulnerable adults, or children under 16 years of age.
The requestor may submit either a Request for Criminal History Information
Child/Adult Abuse Information Act (using Form
3000-240-430 or WATCH) or a full set of the subject's fingerprints.
- Fees
If you are a for-profit organization, a non-refundable $35 fee is
required for each record requested by name and date of birth through
the mail. A non-refundable $30 fee is required for a fingerprint search.
Fees must be submitted with the request for information, payable to
the Washington State Patrol by a cashier's check, money order, or
commercial business account. There is a $10 processing fee for a name
and date of birth check through WATCH. There is no fee for organizations
legally classified as non-profit. By definition, "Non-Profit
Organization" means an organization that is incorporated under
state laws and approved by the state's secretary of state and its
taxing authority to operate for educational, charitable, social, religious,
civic, or humanitarian purposes.
Notarized letters
are an additional $5 per notary seal. Please go to "Forms"
on the WATCH website, print the "Credit Card Authorization"
form, complete and fax the form with your web search transcript
to (360) 534-2073.
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Instructions for Completing the Form 3000-240-430
Part A - Print or type in the complete name and address of
the business, organization, or agency. An authorized signature is
required.
Part B - Check the block that applies.
Part C - Print or type in the applicant's (subject of the
background check) name, date of birth, and alias names--including
birth and married names. The applicant's sex, race, social security
number, and driver's license number are helpful for search purposes.
Part D - You must include the name of the requesting agency
and the applicant's (subject's) name and full mailing address. The
applicant's signature and right thumbprint are optional.
Responses
Each written response takes from 7-14 business days to complete.
If a record exists, a copy of the record will be attached to the
returned form. It will include state of Washington record of convictions
and any pending crimes against persons for which the applicant is
currently being processed by the criminal justice system and sex
offender and kidnapper registration information. The requestor
is required to provide a copy of the CHRI response to the applicant
(subject).
If our search reveals that no CHRI exists a no record WATCH report
will be attached.
Secondary dissemination of the CHRI is prohibited, unless in compliance
with RCW
10.97.050.
Want to order forms, set up a WATCH account,
or get more information?
If you need fingerprint cards or have questions call a customer representative
at (360) 534-2000. Also, you can write us at following addresses:
watch.help@wsp.wa.gov
or
Identification and Criminal History Section
Washington State Patrol
PO Box 42633
Olympia WA 98504-2633
Please include your telephone number in case we have any questions.
Glossary of Terms
See RCW
43.43.830 and RCW
10.97.030 for additional definitions.
Adverse to the defendant -- Referring to conviction information; any disposition
of charges, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal,
except when the acquittal is due to a finding of not guilty by reason
of insanity.
Applicant -- The subject of the background check, request, or record.
(See also subject of the record.)
CHRI -- Criminal history record information. Information contained in
records collected by criminal justice agencies, other than courts, on
individuals, consisting of identifiable descriptions and notations of
arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, or other formal criminal
charges, and any disposition arising therefrom, including sentences, correctional
supervision, and release.
Conviction -- Disposition adverse to the subject.
Disposition -- Final arrangement or settlement of the case.
RCW -- Revised Code of Washington. A catalog or directory referencing
all current Washington State laws. The laws are listed by numbers and
letters that are punctuated by periods. The first set of numbers indicates
the title; the second set indicates the chapter.
Requester -- The person, agency, organization, or business making the
inquiry.
Subject of the record -- The person about whom the inquiry is being made.
(See also applicant.)
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