Criminal records in Snohomish County, Washington, are available through several channels—from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. SnohomishCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Washington State Courts portal, the Snohomish County Clerk's Office, and the sheriff's public records division. Below is a practical guide on how to search, understand, and obtain these records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Snohomish
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the individual (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- SnohomishCourt.us — enter a name or case number to find public information about county criminal cases.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — a statewide portal covering Superior Court and District Court cases. Note: the data on the portal is for reference, and the official record is kept directly in the court.
- Jail Register and Bail Information — allows you to check if a person is currently in county jail, including municipal facilities in Lynnwood and Marysville.
- Washington State Patrol — Criminal History — for official statewide criminal history checks. The check is fingerprint-based and includes data from law enforcement agencies and courts across the state.
In Person
Visit the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk's Office at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. There are public terminals available for viewing court cases. You can also contact the District Court — it provides records in accordance with General Rule 31 and General Rule 31.1 of the Washington State court rules.
The sheriff's public records division allows free document viewing in person, by appointment.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a request to the sheriff's office:
For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request to the Washington State Patrol. You can also use the county public records portal to submit and track requests online.
Search Snohomish Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Washington State courts have a standard format. A typical structure looks like this:
- County Code — a two-digit number identifying the county (for Snohomish County — 31)
- Case Type — a letter code, for example: 1 (criminal felony in Superior Court) or C (criminal case in District Court)
- Sequential Number and Year — a sequential number assigned upon case registration, along with a two-digit year
Example: a number starting with "31-1-" indicates a felony in Snohomish County Superior Court. Knowing the exact case number will yield the fastest result—without the need to filter through namesakes. Enter it on the state portal or contact the court clerk.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Snohomish
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code (RCW) | Reference to the Revised Code of Washington — the specific law article under which the charge is filed |
| Severity Level | Felony (a serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Gross Misdemeanor or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecution may change the initial charges — reduce the degree or add new counts |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is in progress
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedures are completed, and the case is archived
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court hearing where the charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed (for felonies)
- Pre-Trial — preparation for trial, discussion of agreements
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea
- Review — checking compliance with the conditions of the sentence (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after substantive review |
| Deferred / Withheld Judgment | The court postpones the sentence — usually under certain conditions; if successful, the charge may be dropped |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Snohomish
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions.
Superior Court
Contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Requests can be submitted online, in person, or by mail.
What you need for the request:
- Full name of the party in the case
- Case number (if known)
- Type of document needed
- Valid ID (for in-person requests)
District Court
District Court administrative records are provided in accordance with GR 31 and GR 31.1. Submit a request through the District Court records request page.
Sheriff and Jail Records
Police reports, arrest records, and jail records are requested through the sheriff's public records division. Inmate medical records require a separate confidentiality release procedure.
Statewide Criminal History
Washington State Patrol processes official criminal history checks. This is a separate process from county court records — it includes data from all state jurisdictions.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Snohomish
Fees depend on the type of request and the institution. The sheriff accepts cash, checks, or money orders.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (Superior Court) | Depends on the number of pages | Contact the clerk for the current price list |
| Document certification | Additional fee to the copy cost | Certified copies cost more than regular ones |
| In-person sheriff record viewing | Free | By appointment |
| Copies of sheriff records | According to county rates | Cash, check, or money order |
| Criminal history check (WSP) | Set by Washington State Patrol | Separate state-level procedure |
| Recorded document search (Auditor) | Search fee when calling 425-388-3483 | Online search — free |
Snohomish County may waive fees in certain cases. Processing times depend on the request volume: simple requests are usually completed within a few business days, more complex ones take longer. Track the status through the public records portal.