What are Mason County Public Records?
Per Washington’s Public Records Act, Mason County public records include all documents that provide information related to a government agency’s activities and dealings, as well as any other documents that the agency’s employees may prepare, own, use, or store. Mason County agencies may create public records by hand, type them out, print, photograph, or photocopy them. They may also create public records in video or audio format. Per the Public Records Act, Mason public records may also include:
- Legislative records, as fully defined by RCW 40.14.100;
- All governmental agency budget and financial records;
- Any record relating to governmental agency personnel leave, travel, and payroll.
Not all Mason County records are publicly available. Exempted records include:
- Attorney work product and attorney-client privileged communications;
- Test questions, scoring keys, and other confidential examination data;
- Public employment applications, including the applicants’ names, resumes, and other related materials submitted by an applicant;
- Personal information in employees and appointees’ files, whose revelation would constitute a privacy violation;
- Financial account numbers;
- Intelligence information and specific investigative records which investigative law enforcement agencies compile;
- Crime victims and witnesses’ information.
Mason County Crime Statistics
The Investigative Services Bureau of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) collects reports of index crimes known to the law enforcement agencies in Washington, including those that operate in Mason County. In 2018, the law enforcement agencies in Mason County reported 1,056 index crimes to the WSP. These crimes included four murders, nine rapes, 13 robberies, 46 aggravated assaults, 379 burglaries, 495 larceny-thefts, 105 motor vehicle thefts, and five cases of arson. In 2014, the county law enforcement agencies reported a total of 1,338 index crimes. The count of reported index crimes in 2018 is a 21.1% decline in total crime rates than in 2014. The 5-year trend also revealed that the incidents of murder (100%), rape (350%), and robbery (18.1%) increased in 2018. In contrast, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson incidents fell by 46.5%, 25.5%, 17.6%, 12.5%, and 28.6%, respectively, in the same year.
Are Mason County Criminal Records Public?
According to Washington State’s established laws, interested public members may access criminal records for non-justice-related reasons. However, the law only permits the public to obtain information on convicted persons and to recover arrest records less than one-year-old with dispositions pending. While any Mason County adult resident may request arrest and criminal records, the Mason County Sheriff Department - the county agency that generates and maintains them - may choose to restrict the public’s access to arrest records. The Department may limit access if doing so would protect the record holder from an unnecessary invasion of personal privacy or if the records contain information about ongoing investigations.
How to Obtain Mason County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for providing interested persons with Mason County arrest records. To obtain a Mason County arrest record, an interested person may query the Mason County Sheriff Department’s office but must provide a valid government-issued ID. Requesters may retrieve Mason County arrest records via mail or in-person at the office of the Sheriff Department in Mason County located at:
322 North 3rd Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670
The arrestee’s personal information, charges, photograph, physical identifying information, and the arrest date, among others, are some of the details contained in a typical Mason County arrest record. Arrest records do not prove conviction and cannot replace criminal records.
Individuals interested in viewing Mason County criminal records may query the Sheriff’s In Custody Report page. Researchers can search the page for convicted persons and find their criminal information, including charges, sentencing, planned release date, and more. The Washington State Patrol provides a broader repository for statewide criminal records, including those of Mason County. Interested persons may request background checks by filling out a Request for Conviction Criminal History form, attaching a replica of a valid ID and a check or money order for $32, and sending the completed package to:
Washington State Patrol
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
How to Find Mason County Sex Offender Information?
Individuals interested in retrieving a Mason County registered sex offender information may query the online sex offender register, managed by the Mason County Sheriff’s Department. Users may search by offenders’ names, addresses, and cities. The registry provides the location of offenders, mugshots, addresses, and offense details, among others. Residents of Mason County residents may take advantage of the notification system on the site by registering their address and e-mail. Once registered, the system notifies users of any sex offender that moves into the neighborhood of users’ registered address by e-mail. To obtain information on Mason County sex offenders not listed on the register, interested persons may contact the office of the Mason County Sheriff’s Department at:
322 North 3rd Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670
Where and How to Find Mason County Inmate Information?
The Mason County Jail keeps the records of all inmates housed in the jail facility in a roster. Individuals who seek to find information on Mason County inmates may search the roster that lists inmates’ names in alphabetical order by surname. The information provided by the roster includes inmates' full names, offenses, and booking details, among others. For more identifying information on a Mason County inmate, an interested party may contact the Mason County Jail at:
Mason County Jail
322 North 3rd Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 375
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Mason County Jail?
When planning a visit to the Mason County Jail, visitors must ensure to schedule a time at least 24 hours before the actual visitation by contacting Mason County Jail personnel on (360) 427-967. The county jail only admits adult visitors older than 18 years old, who can provide a valid government-issued ID. Parents or legal guardians must accompany minor visitors to the Mason County Jail. The visitation days and hours at Mason County Jail are Mondays through Sundays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors must not wear revealing clothes when visiting inmates housed at the Mason County Jail. The Mason County Jail facility is located at:
Mason County Jail
322 North 3rd Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 375
Court Records
Mason County court records are official documents containing information on the legal proceedings that occurred in Mason County. Court records in Mason County are public records, and the Mason County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining and disseminating these records.
The public may search online for Mason County court records using the Washington Courts Online Case Search page. Users may search for court records using the party names and input those names exactly as they appear on the case file. If doubtful of the spelling or how a name appears in the case, researchers may search for a partial name using the “wildcard” feature. Although the Administrative Office of the Washington State Court maintains this website, it does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the records it holds. Therefore, individuals who require certified copies of Mason County court records may order them from the Mason County Clerk’s office.
Requesters may obtain Mason court records by ordering them using the Clerk’s online ordering portal. Requesters may also order Mason County court records from the courthouse’s clerk via mail or in-person but must include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail-in requests.
The contact information and addresses of the courthouses in Mason County are:
Mason County Superior Court
419 North 4th Street
P.O. Box 340
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 344
Mason County Superior Court - Juvenile
615 West Alder Street
P.O. Box 368
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 332
Fax: (360) 427-7785
Mason County District Court
419 North 4th Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 339
Fax: (360) 427-7776
Shelton Municipal Court
Shelton Civic Center
525 West Cota Street
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 426-9772
Fax: (360) 426-3301
Are Mason County Court Records Public?
Per Washington State statutes, most Mason County court records are publicly available to any interested person who requests them. The only Mason County court records that are not available to the public are those exempted by court order.
How to Obtain Mason County Civil Court Case Records?
The Mason County Superior Court is responsible for maintaining Mason County civil court case records and disseminating them to interested requesters.
Before requesting records, the clerk encourages the public to search online for Mason County court file numbers using the Washington Courts Online Case Search page. Users may search records using the party names and input those names exactly as they appear on the case file. If doubtful of the spelling or how a name appears in the case, researchers may search for a partial name using the “wildcard” feature.
Once the researcher knows the case file number, they may order court records using the Superior Court’s online ordering portal. Individuals who use this portal will pay a 2.5% processing fee on all orders. Requesters may also order Mason County court records from the courthouse’s clerk by completing a court records request form and submitting it in person or by mail to the following address:
Superior Court Administrator
419 North 4th
2nd Floor Courthouse
P.O. Box X
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 348
Fax: (360) 427-8443
The court will respond to the requester within five business days of submitting the request. In the response, the court will provide information on the following:
- Availability of the requested records;
- Anticipated arrival date;
- Expected processing costs;
- Additional clarification (if any);
- An explanation for non-disclosable records.
How to Obtain Mason County Criminal Court Records?
The Mason County Superior Court maintains Mason County criminal court records and makes them available to interested requesters. Members of the public may be able to obtain records, using the Washington Courts Online Case Search page. To search for case numbers, users may input the defendant’s as it appears on the case file. They may also use the “wildcard” feature to search for partial names, if unsure of the exact name syntax.
With the case file number, the researcher may order Mason County criminal court records on the Superior Court’s online ordering portal. There is a 2.5% processing fee for all orders that researchers place on it. Alternatively, requesters may complete a court records request form and submit it in person or by mail to the Superior Court Clerk’s office.
Superior Court Administrator
419 N 4th, 2nd Floor Courthouse
P.O. Box X
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 348
Fax: (360) 427-8443
Record requesters will receive an official response within five days. The court will provide the following information in response:
- Availability of the requested records;
- Anticipated arrival date;
- Expected processing costs;
- Additional clarification (if any);
- An explanation for non-disclosable records.
What Are Mason County Vital Records?
Mason County vital records are official documents of the various life events, namely birth, death, marriage, and divorce. The Mason County Public Health office generates, maintains, and disseminates birth and death records to interested persons. The Mason County Auditor’s Office is the custodian of county marriage records. At the same time, the Mason County Superior Court creates and disseminates records of divorce that occurred within the boundaries of Mason County.
Where and How to Get Mason County Divorce Records?
The Mason County Superior Court is the county repository for divorce records. Eligible persons may query the Mason County Superior Court Clerk’s Office to obtain copies of Mason County divorce records. Per state statutes, eligible persons include:
- The divorcees;
- The divorcees’ immediate family members (including parents, children, cousins, etc.);
- The divorcees’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the divorce record;
- Employees of other government agencies who may require the record to carry out their duties.
A requesting party must provide a valid means of identification and contact the Clerk of Court office at (360) 427-9670, extension 344, to confirm the applicable fees for obtaining copies of Mason County divorce records.
Request a Mason County divorce record via mail or in-person from the county Superior Court located at:
419 N 4th Street
P.O. Box 340
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 344
When putting together an application, requesters must enclose proof of payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope for requests sent via mail.
Where and How to Get Mason County Marriage Records?
Mason County marriage records are available to the public. Interested parties may query the Mason County Auditor’s office to obtain copies of Mason County marriage certificates at $3 per certified copy. The fee is payable by check or money order to Mason County Auditor's Office for in-mail requests, while requesters can pay by cash, check, or money order for in-person orders. A requester must provide the couple’s names, the wedding date, the wedding venue, and a valid government-issued ID to obtain a Mason marriage record. Requesters' self-addressed stamped envelopes and proof of payment must accompany mailed-in requests.
To obtain a Mason County marriage record in-person or via mail, submit a request to the Mason County auditor’s office at:
411 North 5th Street
P.O. Box 400
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 732
Where and How to Get Mason County Birth Records?
Interested public members may obtain Mason County birth records from the Mason County Public Health Department in-person or via mail. The cost of ordering a certified copy of a Mason County birth certificate is $20, payable via cash, money order, or check. An additional expedite fee of $3 applies to in-person requests. A requester must provide a valid government-issued ID as part of the process. A self-addressed stamped envelope and proof of payment must accompany a request sent via mail.
Interested persons may request a Mason County birth certificate from the County Health Department’s office with a completed application at:
Mason County Public Health Department
415 North 6th
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 400
Where and How to Get Mason County Death Records?
The Mason County Public Health Department disseminates Mason County death records to interested persons at $20 per certified copy. Requesters pay an additional expedite fee of $3 for in-person orders and must provide a valid government-issued ID to obtain a Mason County death record. The proof of payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany a mailed-in request.
To obtain a Mason County death record, a requester may submit a completed application to the Mason County Health Department at:
Mason County Public Health Department
415 North 6th
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 427-9670, extension 400
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
