What are Federal Way Public Records?
The Washington Public Records Act defines Federal Way Public records as information created and maintained by government agencies during the performance of official government business. These records can come in many forms like typed notes, written documents, electronic files, pictures, maps, and video. Some public records may be exempted or have parts of it redacted if it contains any of the following information:
- Medical records
- Details on victims in cases involving sexual assault and domestic violence
- Documents covered by the attorney-client privilege
- Personnel and similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.
- Insurance records
- Some financial institutions records
Federal Way Crime Statistics
The Federal Way Police Department gathers and submits crime statistics for the city as part of the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting system (UCR). Statistics for 2018 and 2019 reveal that murder incidences increased from zero cases to four cases. Several crimes like rape, robbery, assault, arson, and burglary were reduced by 31.3%, 30%, 26.9%, 7.1%, and 22.3% respectively. Overall cases of violent crime also fell by 27.9%. This data is useful for spotting crime trends with the city and providing law enforcement authorities with quick and accurate data.
Are Federal Way’s criminal records public?
Not all criminal records for Federal Way City are public. Record seekers may request criminal record histories for themselves and others by contacting the Washington State Patrol (WSP). These requests can be made in person, by mail, or online. Requests can be made by name and birth date in-person using the criminal history record application or fingerprint card at the WSP Olympia Office at:
106 11th Avenue SW,
Suite 1300,
Olympia WA 98501
While mailed requests are made by mailing the complete application form or fingerprint card to the Olympia office at:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633,
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
Further information can be obtained in the criminal history section of the WSP website. subjects of a request will be informed of the request
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports, arrest records, and other records can be obtained by contacting the Federal Way Police Department in person, by mail, or on their website online. Record requests can be made by coming into the police station at 33325 8th Ave. S. Federal Way, WA 98003 during office hours.
Written requests can be mailed to the police departments addressed to:
Civilian Operations Manager
Attn: Public Records Request
33325 8th Ave. S.
Federal Way, WA 98003
Records may also be viewed and requested online on the Federal Way public records request center webpage.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Federal Way
Federal Way City Sex offender information can be obtained through the search tool on the King County Sherriff’s Office website or the Washington state sex offender website. These search tools allow individuals to located sex offender information using names, and geographical criteria like Address, city, state, and zip code. The search results provide details like pictures, physical descriptions, offenses committed, and registration numbers.
How to Find Federal Way Inmate Records
Information about inmates from Federal Way can be found by calling the Federal Way City jail directly at (253) 835-6700 and making inquiries. As the Federal Way City Jail is a short-term holding facility, individuals with long sentences will be transferred to the King County jail facilities. Information for inmates in these facilities can be obtained by using the inmate lookup search tool on the jails page of the King County website.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Federal Way City Jail?
The Federal Way City Jail is a temporary holding facility for inmates and information on inmates in this facility can be obtained by calling (253) 835-6700. Inmates serving long-term services however will be moved to any of two facilities run by the KingCounty Sheriff’s Office. These are the KingCounty Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Centre in Kent. information on how to visit inmates at these facilities and the rules governing inmate visits can be found in the jails part of the King County website. Individuals may also call 1(877) 578-3658 or visit the Securus Visitation website for details on off-site video visitation at the jails.
Court Records
The Federal Way Municipal Court provides access to Federal Way City court records. The court provides access to both civil and criminal case records. The King County Superior Court also allows access to these records via the superior court clerk's office.
Locations of Courts in Federal Way
The name and location of the court in Federal Way are listed below:
Federal Way Municipal Court
33325 8th Avenue S,
Federal Way, WA 98003
Phone: (253) 835-3000
Fax: (253) 835-3020
Are Federal Way Court Records Public?
Not every Federal Way court record is open to public view. Under the Washington Public Records Act, some court records may be classified or labeled as confidential and thereby exempt from public access. Examples of such records include juvenile cases records, medical records, court employee records, and family court mediation files.
Can you look up a Federal Way court case online?
Some Federal Way court records can be accessed and viewed online via the public records request center on the city website. Some records may be available online via the Electronic Court Records(ECR) online database on the KingCounty Superior Court web page.
How to Obtain Federal Way Civil Court Case Records
Federal Way civil court records are obtained by filling the online court record request form and emailing it directly to the municipal court at mc.municrt@cityoffederalway.com. Requesters may also call the municipal court at (253) 835-3000 to request records. Copies of these records cost $0.15 per page and $5 to certify the document.
Civil court records for Federal Way may also be requested online from the King County Superior Court Clerk. These records can be obtained by registering and creating an account for free on the county website. This will allow users to view and order civil court records from the King County superior court online document request web page. For any inquiries about orders made via the website, requesters may call the records office at (206) 477-0691. Federal Way civil court records ordered here cost $0.50 per page and certification costs $5 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. The payments must be made either with a credit card or a valid checking account which incur convenience fees of $2.49 and $1 respectively. A $10 shipping and handling fee will be charged if the records are returned by mail. Restricted or confidential records will be unavailable.
How to Obtain Federal Way Criminal Court Records
Federal Way criminal court records can be obtained by mailing a complete court record request directly to the municipal court at mc.municrt@cityoffederalway.com. Requests can also be made on the phone by calling the municipal court at (253) 835-3000. Uncertified records cost $0.15 per page while certification will cost an extra $5.
Criminal court records for Federal Way City can be obtained online by ordering on the KingCounty Superior Court Clerk’s online document request website. Registering on the website for free allows users to research, view, and order criminal court records. Any records exempt by law or restricted will also be unavailable for request. Copies of Federal Way criminal records will cost $0.50 per page while certification costs $5 for the first page and $1 for each page after that.
Payments can only be made by a valid credit card or checking account. Requesters will be charged $1 for transactions with the checking account and $2.49 for the card payments. For requests to be returned by mail a $10 handling and shipping fee will be charged.
What are Federal Way Vital Records?
Federal Way vital records are records documenting the life events that happen to citizens within the city. These types of records include birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. Vital records can be obtained from their custodians at the municipal or superior court and the King County or Washington State departments of health.
Where and How to Obtain Federal Way Divorce Records
Federal Way divorce records are created and maintained by the King County Superior Court Clerk. The records can be obtained by registering on the superior court clerk document request website for free. Registering an account on the website will allow individuals to view and order divorce records online. Copies of the records will cost $0.50 per page and certification will cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Payments are made with either a valid credit card or a checking account. Requesters will be charged convenience fees of $1 on the checking account and $2.49 for the card transactions. If the records are to be returned by mail an extra $10 for handling and shipping will be charged.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Federal Way
Federal Way Marriage records are maintained by and can be purchased from the King County Recorder's Office. Individuals are advised to search the archives online to make sure that the marriage record has been recorded and is available for request. The requests can be made in person or by mail. Requests in person can be made by coming in person to any of the county records offices at:
King County
Administration Bldg.
500 Fourth Avenue,
Room 430,
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-6620
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Black River King Co. Elections Bldg.
919 SW Grady Way
Renton 98057
(206) 477-4881
Monday - Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Issaquah District Court
5415 220th Ave SE
Issaquah, WA
98029-6839
(206) 477-2169
Wednesday to Thursday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Maleng RegionalJustice Center
401 4th Ave N, #GD
Kent, WA 98032
(206) 477-4880
Monday – Tuesday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Shoreline District Court
18050 Meridian Ave
N Shoreline, WA
98133
(206) 477-2723
Fridays ONLY
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
To request copies of a Federal Way marriage certificate by mail, a requester will need to fill the application form available online and mail it to:
King County Marriage Records,
500 4th Avenue,
Room 430,
Seattle, WA 98104
The records cost $3 per copy and payment for mailed copies are usually in form of personal and cashier checks or money orders. Cash and credit/debit card payments are only accepted if the request is made in person.
Where and How to Find Federal Way Birth Records
Federal Way birth certificates can be obtained from the King County Department of Health, Department of Vital Statistics. Birth and Death records for Federal Way City can also be obtained at the state level from the Washington State Department of Health. From 2021, record laws will change to restrict who requests birth and death records in Washington, and proof of eligibility will be required for all requests.
Obtaining Copies of Federal Way Birth Certificates
Birth records for Federal Way can be obtained in person or by mail from the King County Department of Health. The records may be obtained in person or by mail. To request a Federal Way birth certificate in person, individuals must prepare the following items:
- A complete birth certificate application form
- A copy of a valid form of identification
- A copy of proof of eligibility - birth records will only be issued to eligible persons such as the registrant, their parents. children, grandparents, siblings, legal guardians or representatives, and government entities.
- The appropriate fees
The listed items can be brought in person to the Department of Vital Statistics at the:
Harborview Medical Center
Ninth & Jefferson Building, 2nd Floor
908 Jefferson St
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 897-5100 or (800) 325-6165
Fax: (206) 897-4580
The documents can be also be mailed to the office using the mailing only address at:
King County Vital Statistics
Mailbox 359784
325 Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104-2499
The fee for a birth certificate is $25 per copy in form of a check and money order made payable to King County Vital Statistics (KCVS).
Where and How to Find Federal Way Death Records
Death records for Federal Way can be obtained from the King County Department of Health, Department of Vital Statistics. Death certificates can only be issued to qualified applicants which include spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and legal representatives of the deceased. To make the request the following documents must be returned to the department of vital statistics either in person or via mail. These documents are:
- A filled out death certificate order form
- Copy of a valid proof of identity documents
- The appreciate fee in a check or money order
- Copy of valid proof of eligibility document
The documentation for the request should be mailed to the vital statistics department at:
King County Vital Statistics
Mailbox 359784
325 Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104-2499
For an in-person request, the documents can be brought in person to the office at:
Harborview Medical Center
Ninth & Jefferson Building, 2nd Floor
908 Jefferson St
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 897-5100 or (800) 325-6165
Fax: (206) 897-4580
Death records costs $25 per copy and the payment should be in a check or money order made payable to the KCVS.
