Washington Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search the Washington State Patrol criminal history repository for all 39 counties in one order.
BCS Background Screening LLC returns convictions, pending arrests and offender registration status in real time.
What Does a Washington Statewide Criminal Background Check Include?
Washington keeps one central criminal history file for the entire state.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) manages it through its Identification and Criminal History Section.
Every arrest in that file links to a fingerprint card sent by a local agency.
As a result, one Washington criminal records search reaches reports from all 39 counties.
Under RCW 10.97.050, WSP may release conviction records without restriction.
Our Washington statewide criminal background check therefore reports these public categories.
Felony Convictions
Class A, B and C felony convictions appear with the RCW cite, count and class.
Misdemeanor Convictions
Gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions also appear when an agency fingerprinted the person.
Pending Arrests
Arrests under one year old with no final disposition show up as pending.
Offender Registration
Sex and kidnapping offender registrations fill their own section of the transcript.
Department of Corrections
Known Department of Corrections (DOC) numbers and custody details appear when WSP holds them.
Disposition and Sentence
Each conviction lists the disposition date, the court case number and the full sentence.
Washington Statewide Criminal Search Price
You pay one flat price per name, with no hidden research charges.
First, our search fee covers the order, review and report.
Then, the state fee passes through at cost to cover the WSP access charge.
- BCS search fee: $20
- Washington state fee: $11
- All 39 counties in one repository search
- Full disposition and sentence detail on every hit
What Every Order Includes
Every order includes online ordering through your secure client portal.
In addition, a researcher reviews each possible match before the report posts.
You also receive an FCRA-ready report that you can share with the applicant.
Need more reach? Add a county criminal court search for any Washington county.
WSP Repository vs. County Court Search
A Washington statewide criminal background check and a county court search answer different questions.
The repository search sweeps the whole state quickly, while a county search goes deep in one courthouse.
For most hires, the smartest plan pairs both searches.
| Feature | Washington Statewide (WSP) | County Court Search |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | All 39 counties at once | One county per order |
| Source | WSP criminal history repository | Superior, district and municipal court files |
| Record link | Fingerprint-supported arrests | Court filings, with or without prints |
| Nonconviction data | Only arrests under 12 months | Depends on court and FCRA limits |
| Speed | Real time | Varies by court |
| Price | $20 + $11 state fee | $18 + court fees |
Where the Repository Can Fall Short
The WSP file only holds cases that an agency supported with fingerprints.
So a cited-and-released misdemeanor may never reach the repository.
Likewise, a late court disposition can leave an arrest looking unresolved.
For these reasons, we recommend adding county searches for recent addresses.
How to Order a Washington State Criminal History Check
Ordering takes only a few minutes once your account is active.
- 1
Open Your Account
Register online and we verify your business purpose.
- 2
Collect Consent
Give the applicant a standalone FCRA disclosure, then get a signed authorization.
- 3
Enter the Applicant
Type the full legal name and date of birth, then submit the search.
- 4
Review and Decide
Read the report and follow the Fair Chance Act steps before any adverse decision.
Who Orders a Washington Criminal Records Search?
Employers across the state use this search as a fast first screen.
Here is how different teams put it to work.
Employers and HR Teams
HR teams screen new hires after a conditional offer, as the Fair Chance Act requires.
Staffing Agencies
Staffing firms clear temporary workers quickly, because one order covers every county.
Care and Youth Programs
Some care roles also need a fingerprint check through the DSHS Background Check Central Unit.
Contractors and Volunteers
Nonprofits and contractors vet volunteers and field crews before they work on site.
Washington Background Check Laws Employers Must Follow
Washington regulates when and how employers use criminal records.
Read our full Washington background screening laws guide for every statute and agency.
Meanwhile, here are the rules that shape each statewide order.
Fair Chance Act: Ask After the Offer
The Washington Fair Chance Act (RCW 49.94.010) bars criminal history questions on job applications.
Instead, you may ask only after a conditional offer.
The law also bans blanket “no felons” policies and job ads.
Roles with unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults are exempt.
New Duties Since July 1, 2026
House Bill 1747 amended the Fair Chance Act for employers with 15 or more workers on July 1, 2026.
Smaller employers follow on January 1, 2027.
Now, you cannot take adverse action based on arrest records or juvenile convictions.
An adult conviction needs a legitimate business reason tied to the job.
You must also weigh six factors, such as the time elapsed and proof of rehabilitation.
Before you reject anyone, identify the record and hold the job open for two business days.
After that, send a written decision that explains your reasoning.
The Attorney General enforces the law, and penalties reach $15,000 per repeat violation.
Washington’s Seven-Year Rule
Washington’s own FCRA, RCW 19.182.040, caps old arrests, indictments and convictions at seven years.
However, the cap lifts for jobs paying $20,000 or more a year.
In practice, most full-time roles fall above that line.
Vacated Records and Local Rules
A court can vacate many convictions under RCW 9.94A.640 and RCW 9.96.060.
Once WSP records the vacation, the conviction drops out of public results.
Seattle and Spokane also add local fair chance rules on top of state law.
Full Washington Compliance Guide
See the statutes, agencies, lookback limits and eight employer FAQs on our Washington screening laws page.
How We Confirm the Right Washington Record
The WSP runs every public search by name, not by fingerprint.
In fact, its own transcript states that positive identification needs a fingerprint comparison.
That is why our team checks every possible match before you see it.
Name and Date of Birth
We match the full name and date of birth against the WSP master record.
Physical Descriptors
Next, we compare sex, height, weight, eye color and hair color with the file.
Common-Name Flags
When a name is common, we flag the result and suggest county follow-up.
Fingerprint Route
If doubt remains, the applicant can confirm identity through a WSP fingerprint check.
Washington Statewide Criminal Background Check Sample Report
Below is a full sample of a WSP conviction transcript, as it appears in your portal.
All names, numbers and dates are fictitious.
Pursuant to the purpose of inquiry, a possible match was found in the Washington State Criminal History Repository based on the descriptors provided.
WSP Notice on This Transcript
The following transcript of record is furnished for official use only.
Secondary dissemination of this criminal history record information is prohibited unless in compliance with the Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act, Chapter 10.97 RCW.
Positive identification can only be based upon fingerprint comparison.
Because additions or deletions may be made at any time, a new copy should be requested for subsequent use.
When explanation of a charge or disposition is needed, communicate directly with the agency that supplied the information to the Washington State Patrol.
The conviction record includes information for which a person may be currently being processed by the criminal justice system.
Master Information
Person Information
Photograph: No photograph on file.
Conviction and/or Adverse Finding Summary
| Category | Count | Offense | Disposition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony | 1 | Assault-3, Class C Felony | 01/22/2025 |
| Gross Misdemeanor | 0 | None | None |
| Misdemeanor | 0 | None | None |
| Classification Unknown | 0 | None | None |
DOC Summary: No known DOC information.
Criminal History Record Information
The arrests listed may have been based on probable cause at the time of arrest or on a warrant. Probable cause arrests may or may not result in the filing of charges. Contact the arresting agency for information on the formal charges and/or dispositions. An arrest is not a conviction or finding of guilt.
CT(S) 1; FJS; CONFINE: JAIL, 1 MOS; PROB: 12 MOS; CONSECUTIVE WITH OTHER SENTENCES; CTS DET BY CORR.
In plain terms: the court entered a felony judgment and sentence on count 1.
The sentence carried one month in jail and 12 months of probation, served consecutively.
Registration and Corrections
Resources
Washington Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
How much does a Washington statewide criminal background check cost?
Our price is $20 per name plus a $11 state fee, so the total is $31.
That price covers all 39 counties in one WSP repository search.
What records does a Washington State Patrol search return?
It returns adult conviction records, arrests under one year old with pending dispositions and sex or kidnapping offender registrations.
It also lists known Department of Corrections information.
How far back does a Washington criminal background check go?
The WSP repository keeps conviction records with no fixed time limit.
However, RCW 19.182.040 limits reports to seven years for jobs paying under $20,000 a year.
How fast will I get Washington statewide search results?
The WSP returns most searches in real time.
Still, a researcher reviews each possible match, so some reports take a little longer.
When can a Washington employer run a criminal background check?
Under RCW 49.94.010, you must wait until after a conditional job offer.
Also, you need the applicant’s written FCRA authorization first.
Our Washington screening laws page explains every exemption.
What changed in the Washington Fair Chance Act on July 1, 2026?
House Bill 1747 now requires a legitimate business reason and a six-factor assessment before rejecting an applicant for a conviction.
It also adds a two-business-day hold, written decision notices and higher penalties.
Employers with fewer than 15 workers must comply by January 1, 2027.
Does a WSP search show dismissed charges?
No, WSP treats dismissals as nonconviction data and does not release them to the public.
Similarly, arrests older than one year without a conviction stay off the public report.
Is a statewide search enough, or do I need county searches too?
For most roles, pair the statewide search with county searches where the applicant lived.
That way, you catch cases that never reached the fingerprint-based repository.
Order Your Washington Statewide Criminal Background Check Today
Open a business account and run your first Washington search in minutes.
Every account also includes optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF) protection for all users.
The sample report uses a fictitious subject, and any resemblance to a real person is coincidental. This page offers general information, not legal advice, so consult counsel about your hiring policy.