What are Washington D.C Public Records?
Per the District of Columbia’s FOIA, all information produced, filed, re-produced, and stored by government bodies are classified as Washington public records - except when legally exempted. Washington public records may be in the form of handwritten or typewritten documents, maps, audio recordings, videos, pictures, and emails. Certain portions or whole documents are legally exempted from the public if it contains the following information:
- Trade secrets
- Information about an ongoing investigation or court proceedings;
- Violates the personal privacy of the record subject.
Washington Crime Statistics
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) generates the crime statistics and data of all reported crimes in the city. It also tenders the annual crime statistics report to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)’s Uniform Crimes Report. According to the 2018 crime report, Washington recorded a total number of 36,606 crimes. Aggravated assault was the most common violent crime with 3,851 cases, while larcenies were the most reported property crime with 25,658 cases. When compared with the 2016 crime statistics, the total number of crimes reported decreased by seven percent - a noticeable decline in the crime rate. Larcenies dropped slightly by three percent. Aggravated assaults declined by one percent.
Are Washington Criminal Records Public?
Not all Washington criminal records fall under the jurisdiction of public records. In Washington, access to criminal records generated and compiled by the MPD is restricted to only the record bearer and anyone authorized by the record bearer. Washington criminal records only contain adult arrests and convictions and the completion of the issued sentence.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The MPD generates, collates, and provides access to public Washington records via in-person or mail-in requests. Requesters can obtain Washington police reports and arrest records by completing the Criminal History Request Form, which is available at the:
Henry J. Daly Building
MPDC Headquarters
300 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 1075
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-4245
At the MPDC Headquarters, requesters must provide one of the following proof of identification: non-driver’s ID, driver’s ID, social security card, or original birth certificates. More so, requesters should note that they can only request or authorize others to obtain their own arrest records. Arrest records cost $7 which is payable to the DC Treasurer in the form of a money order or checks.
Alternatively, requesters can also obtain arrest records by submitting a notarized letter to the:
Metropolitan Police Department
Criminal History Section
300 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 1075
Washington, DC 20001
The notarized letter must contain the applicant’s full name, social security number, date of birth, a $7 money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Washington?
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department is the central repository of the records of all convicted sex offenders in the city and state. Through an online sex offender database, the MPDC maintains and provides the details of all sex offenders residing in the city. Hence, requesters can search for sex offenders via the offender's name, address, MPD PSA or District, and other geographical areas.
How to Find Washington Inmate Records?
The Washington DC Department of Corrections publishes and regularly updates the general information of all inmates currently incarcerated in the city's correctional facilities. Requesters can look-up inmate information by inputting the inmate's first and last name and the DOC number. Conversely, requesters may choose to browse through the list of inmates on the Department of Corrections’ Official Platform. Inmate information such as the full name, the DOC number, age, and the location of the Correctional facility, is available on the platform.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Washington DC Correctional Facilities?
Friends and families of inmates can visit inmates at the DC County Jail via video visitations and in-person visitations. Visitors can schedule video visitations by calling these phone numbers: (888) 906-6394 or (202) 442-6155. Video visits are conducted from Wednesdays to Sundays within the timeframe of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visitors can also conduct video visitations with inmates at the following satellite locations:
Capitol View Neighborhood Library
5001 Central Avenue Southeast
Washington, DC 20019
Martin Luther King Library
901 G Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Bald Eagle Recreation Center
100 Joliet Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20032
Anacostia Library
1800 Good Hope Road Southeast
Washington, DC 20020
The DC County Jail also provides in-person visitation to families and loved ones of eligible inmates. To schedule an in-person visitors, visitors may contact the Washington Department of Corrections at:
2000 14th Street Northwest
Seventh Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 698-4932
Fax: (202) 671-2043
Email: doc@dc.gov
Court Records
The Washington DC Superior Court provides access to different types of Washington court records, including probate records, criminal records, traffic records, and administrative records.
Locations of Courts in Washington DC
The City and State is home to three Civil Division Courts, one Criminal Division Court, five Family Courts, one Domestic Violence Unit Court, one Probate Division Court, and one Tax Division Court. The address and contact details of the courts are listed below:
District of Columbia Civil Divisions
Civil Actions Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 5000
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1133
Landlord and Tenant Branch
Court Building B
510 4th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4879
Small Claims and Conciliation Branch
Court Building B
510 4th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1120
District of Columbia Criminal Division
Criminal Division
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 4001
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1373
Fax: (202) 638-5352
District of Columbia Family Courts
Central Intake Center
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1633
Domestic Relations Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1186
Juvenile and Neglect Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1316
Mental Health and Habilitation Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1040
Paternity and Child Support Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4856
District of Columbia Domestic Violence Unit
Domestic Violence Unit
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 4510
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-0157
District of Columbia Probate Division
Probate Division
Court Building A
515 5th Street Northwest
Room 314
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-9460
District of Columbia Tax Division
Tax Division
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 3131
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1737
Are Washington Court Records Public?
Not all Washington court records are accessible by the public. The Washington DC Open Records Act exempts public access to confidential court records. The following court records are exempted from public view: child custody and adoption court cases and civil harassment cases.
Can You Look Up a Washington Case Online?
Interested persons can get access to a majority of Washington court cases online. The DC Superior Court provides access to court cases via the eAccess platform, an online platform for searching for court cases. Requesters must input the correct court case number to obtain the right record quickly.
How to Obtain Washington Civil Court Case Records?
The DC Superior Court provides an online platform through which public members can search and obtain civil court cases. Requesters can obtain docket information as well as document images for civil court records on the search platform.
How to Obtain Washington Criminal Court Case Records?
To obtain Washington criminal court case records, interested persons must utilize the eAccess online platform, an online case search platform for court records in the city. Requesters should visit the platform and search for criminal court cases by using the correct court case number.
What are Washington Vital Records?
Washington’s vital records contain recorded information on the occurrence of life events within the city. These vital records detail information on the following life events - birth, death, divorce, and marriage events. More so, these records are maintained at the state and county level by custodian agencies. Therefore, requesters can request and obtain vital records from these custodian agencies after fulfilling the requirements.
Where and How to Obtain Washington Divorce Records?
The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is the custodian of divorce records in the city and state. Hence, requesters can search and obtain copies of Washington divorce records by sending a written request to the DC Superior Court at:
DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue
Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1261
Divorce certificates cost $20 for the first copy, while additional copies cost $10 each.
Where and How to Obtain Washington Marriage Records?
Interested persons can obtain copies of Washington marriage certificates from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. To obtain marriage records, visit or send a written request to the:
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Room 4485
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4840
Certified copies of Washington marriage certificates cost $20, while additional copies incur the cost of $10 each.
Where and How to Obtain Washington Birth Records
The DC Health Records Vital Records Division (DCRVD) is responsible for the collation and documentation of Washington birth certificates. Requesters can request and obtain birth records from the DCRVD via walk-in appointments. The DCRVD documents and maintains birth records from August 1874 to the present. Requesters should note that birth records are not public records and are only accessible to the following - the record subject's parents, siblings, adult child, grandparents, legal guardians, social workers, legal representatives, law enforcement agencies, and power of attorney. Only birth records older than 100 years are accessible to the general public.
To obtain birth records in-person, requesters should visit the DCRVD at:
899 North Capitol Street Northeast
Washington, DC 20002
Vital Records: (202) 442-9303
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
Email: doh@dc.gov
Where and How to Obtain Washington Death Records
Washington death records are available at the DCRVD, the custodial agency for death events recorded within the state. Requesters can obtain certified copies of death records by visiting the:
899 North Capitol Street
Northeast
Washington, DC 20002
Vital Records: (202) 442-9303
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
Email: doh@dc.gov
