What Are Pierce County Arrest Records?
Pierce County arrest records (also known as arrest reports) provide details about an arrest. Pierce arrest records may be confidential or non-confidential. Non-confidential arrest reports are open to the public. Anyone who seeks a non-confidential arrest record should visit the Public Records Request page to submit an online request. One can also submit a request in person by visiting the Public Counter of South Sound 911 at:
945 Tacoma Avenue S
Tacoma, WA
The office opens from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Mail requests are also accepted. The requester can send mail to:
Records Custodian
South Sound 911
955 Tacoma Avenue S.
Suite 202
Tacoma, WA 98402
The agency charges 15 cents per printed page of records, 10 cents per scanned page, and 75 cents for each duplicated CD.
Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports crime statistics for counties in Washington. Pierce County recorded 2,528 violent crimes and 22,287 property crimes in 2015. These figures represent a 4.5% increase in violent crimes and a 5.6% increase in property crimes over the last five years. A breakdown of 2015 violent crime data for the county shows that there were 15 murders, 241 rapes, 1,582 aggravated assaults, and 690 robberies. Incidences of property crimes include 4,259 burglaries, 15,157 larcenies, 2,871 vehicle thefts, and 114 arsons. Compared with 2011 data, the five-year crime trend in Pierce County indicates that rape (17.6%), aggravated assault (4.6%), robbery (0.4%), and larceny (11.3%) rates increased. On the other hand, murder (6.3%), burglary (6%), vehicle theft (3.1%), and arson (10.9%) rates dipped.
What Are Pierce County Criminal Records?
Pierce County criminal records are official documents that describe the criminal activities of people living in the county. Criminal records usually include arrest details and conviction information. Criminal records are prepared by criminal courts, detention centers, and state and county law enforcement authorities. Criminal records fall under Pierce public records, pursuant to Washington Public Records Act. Due to this, a third-party can find out if an individual has been convicted of a crime.
How Do I Get Pierce County Criminal Records?
The Criminal History Section of the Washington State Patrol administers background checks for Pierce County. The agency provides two kinds of reports. An unrestricted criminal history record is not open to the public but is limited to certain criminal justice agencies. Members of the public may use the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) website to request a criminal records report on any individual. The Washington State Patrol will require a fingerprint capturing at any of the verified Fingerprint Locations. Each name search attracts an $11 charge, and notary requests will be charged $10. The WSP accepts payment by debit/credit card or from any pre-established account.
How to Find Pierce County Sex Offender Information
The state’s sex offender law empowers the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to collect and contribute information about sex offenders and kidnappers in various counties and cities to a statewide database. To search for registered sex offenders living in Pierce County, the interested party can visit the Sheriff Alert page. They can search the Sex Offender Registry by name, city, and zip code. The registry also contains information about non-compliant sex offenders. Search results will show a summary of the sex offender's profile. Record seekers can click to view further information about the offender.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Pierce County Jail?
In the Pierce County Jail, inmates schedule their visitation. Any inmate who wishes to receive a visitor will need to schedule visits at least seven days in advance. The inmate must provide the name and birthdate of each person visiting. Visitors must come along with a valid photo ID., and sign-up at least 45 minutes before the appointed visiting hour. Pierce County visiting sessions last for one hour. For video visits, the intending visitor should log on to the county's website and follow the provided instructions. On-site visitation occurs at the county jail facility in any of the following locations:
Pierce County Jail
910 Tacoma Avenue S
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-4590
New Jail
Pierce County Jail
701 Nollmeyer Lane
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-4590
Where and How to Find Pierce County Inmate Information
The Corrections Bureau of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is in charge of maintaining inmate and jail records for the county. It supervises the county’s main jail as well as the new county jail. To find an inmate in either location, one can check the Jail Roster. Inquirers may conduct a Pierce County Inmate Search by the inmate’s name, booking ID and release date (if applicable).
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department updates this list of incarcerated individuals daily. It also includes inmates released in the last 48 hours. Inmate information is open to members of the public.
What Are Pierce County Court Records?
Pierce County court records provide information on a court case. Usually, court records are presumed Pierce public records, unless otherwise stated in the Washington Public Records Act. The Clerk of the Superior Court is the official responsible for maintaining the records of the Pierce County Superior Court. To view and obtain these records, the record seeker can visit the county’s Legal Information Network Exchange (LINX). Available records include documents for civil, criminal, domestic, probate/guardianship, and tax warrant cases. It is important to note that the LINX portal only has court records filed after January 1, 2002. A request form can be used to request records filed between January 1991 and December 2001.
To view and obtain copies of Pierce County Superior Court records filed prior to January 1991, the requesting party can contact the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (253) 798-7717. The Court Clerk charges 25 cents per page for non-certified copies of court documents purchased via LINX. For a certified copy, there is a $5 fee for the first page and $1 per page for the rest of the document.
The Clerk also accepts mail requests. To receive copies of court records by mail, one can send a request to:
Pierce County Clerk
ATTN: Records & Copies
930 Tacoma Avenue S
#110
Tacoma, WA 98402-2177
A self-addressed stamped envelope and the required fee as a cashier’s check or money order should be included. Alternatively, requesters can also come to the Clerk’s Office. The office is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To request an audio CD of a commissioner’s court hearing, complete a Transcript Request Form and mail or bring it to the Clerk’s Office.
Most of the case records generated in Pierce County Juvenile Court are not available to the public. For available records, record seekers can contact the Clerk of the Juvenile Court at (253) 798-7973. To obtain the court’s administrative records, the interested individual should download and fill out a request form, and submit the form via mail or in-person to
Pierce County Juvenile Court
Administrative Records Only
5501 Sixth Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
The requester can also forward the request form via email or send it as a fax request to (253) 798-7878.
District Court Records for Pierce County are available upon request by mail, email, and fax. The mailing address is :
Pierce County District Court
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 239
Tacoma, WA 98402
Fax: (253) 798-6310
Direct requests for Administrative Court Records to:
Pierce County District Court
Public Records Officer
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 239
Tacoma, WA 98402
The District Court charges nothing for up to three copies of records. When requesting for four or more copies, the Court charges 25 cents per page. The requester can include an additional $5 fee for each certified document. The fee for an audio CD of a hearing is $10.
Location of All Courts in Pierce County
The Pierce County court system consists of the Superior, District, and Municipal Courts. In all, there are 23 court locations in the county:
Pierce County Superior Court
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 110, Tacoma
Washington 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7455
Fax: (253) 798-3428
Pierce County Superior Court - Juvenile
Remann Hall
5501 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
Phone: (253) 798-7900
Fax: (253) 798-7649
Pierce County District Court
County - City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 239
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7487
Fax: (253) 798-6310
Bonney Lake Municipal Court
Justice & Municipal Center
9002 Main Street E
Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Phone: (253) 862-6606
Fax: (253) 862-3053
Buckley Municipal Court
811 Main Street
P.O. Box 1452
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: (360) 829-2118
Fax: (360) 234-0994
Carbonado Municipal Court
811 Main Street
P.O. Box 1452
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: (360) 829-2118
Fax: (360) 234-0994
DuPont Municipal Court
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 512-2258
Fax: (253) 512-2267
Eatonville Municipal Court
Justice & Municipal Center
9002 Main Street E
Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Phone: (253) 862-6606
Fax: (253) 862-3053
Fife Municipal Court
3737 Pacific Hwy E
Fife, WA 98424
Phone: (253) 922-6635
Fax: (253) 926-5435
Fircrest Municipal Court
City Hall
115 Ramsdell Street
Fircrest, WA 98466
Phone: (253) 564-8922
Fax: (253) 564-3645
Gig Harbor Municipal Court
3510 Grandview Street
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: (253) 851-7808
Fax: (253) 853-5483
Lakewood Municipal Court
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 512-2258
Fax: (253) 512-2267
Milton Municipal Court
929 E Main Street
Suite 120
Puyallup, WA 98372
Phone: (253) 841-5450
Fax: (253) 770-3365
Orting Municipal Court
401 Washington Avenue SE
P.O. Box 489
Orting, WA 98360
Phone: (360) 893-3160
Fax: (888) 491-2202
Puyallup Municipal Court
929 E Main Street
Suite 120
Puyallup, WA 98372
Phone: (253) 841-5450
Fax: (253) 770-3365
Roy Municipal Court
216 McNaught Street S
P.O. Box 700
Roy, WA 98580
Phone: (253) 843-0463
Fax: (253) 843-0279
Ruston Municipal Court
City Hall
115 Ramsdell Street
Fircrest, WA 98466
Phone: (253) 564-8922
Fax: (253) 564-3645
South Prairie Municipal Court
Justice & Municipal Center
9002 Main Street E
Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Phone: (253) 862-6606
Fax: (253) 862-3053
Steilacoom Municipal Court
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 512-2258
Fax: (253) 512-2267
Sumner Municipal Court
9002 Main Street E
Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Phone: (253) 862-6606
Fax: (253) 862-3053
Tacoma Municipal Court
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue S
Room 841
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 591-5357
Fax: (253) 591-5301
University Place Municipal Court
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 512-2258
Fax: (253) 512-2267
Wilkeson Municipal Court
540 Church Street
P.O. Box 409
Wilkeson, WA 98396
Phone: (360) 829-0171
Fax: (360) 829-0898
What Are Pierce County Vital Records
Pierce County vital records include birth certificates, marriage records, divorce records, and death records. In Washington, vital records are presumed public. However, effective from January 2021, vital records shall no longer be open to the public, pursuant to Revised Code of Washington Chapter 42.56.365.
The Office of Vital Records of the Tacoma-Pierce Department of Health is responsible for maintaining vital records in Pierce County. The requester can visit any of these two locations to obtain a vital record:
Office of Vital Records
3629 S D Street
Tacoma, WA 98418-6813
Phone: (253) 798-6418
Fax: (253) 798-6560
The office opens from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Pierce County Annex
2401 S. 35th Street
Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
The office opens from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. but closes for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Where and How to Get Pierce County Divorce Records
The Washington State Department of Health issues copies of divorce records for events that occurred from 1968 to the present. The requester may opt for mail or walk-in requests. For walk-in orders, the interested party will need to complete and submit a Marriage/Divorce Certificate Counter Order Form to:
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
A Marriage/Divorce Certificate Mail Order Form should be completed if the requester wishes to obtain copies via mail. Mail requests should be sent to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Walk-in requests cost $20, while mail requests may attract additional fees.
Where and How to Get Pierce County Marriage Records
The Washington State Department of Health processes requests of marriage records filed from 1968 to the present. The state office charges $20 per order. Also, marriage records are obtainable from the Washington State Library.
The interested party can make requests via mail or in person. For walk-in orders, the requester will need to complete a Marriage/Divorce Certificate Counter Order Form, while a Marriage/Divorce Certificate Mail Order Form should be completed for mail requests. Walk-in orders should be made at:
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Mail orders should be sent to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Where and How to Get Pierce County Birth Records
Anyone can obtain Pre-1907 and/or Post-1907 birth records. The Pierce County Health Department maintains Pre-1907 birth records. For Records documented after 1907, the record seeker can contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Anyone who wishes to obtain birth records may contact the Washington Department of Health. The requester will need to complete a Birth/Death Certificate Counter Order Form together with a $20 personal check or money order. Requests are processed at:
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Requesters may also opt for mail-in orders by completing a Birth/Death Certificate Mail Order Form and forwarding it to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
Where and How to Get Pierce County Death Records
Death records for deaths that occurred after 1907 deaths are available at the Washington Department of Health. Requesters can visit the office with a completed Birth/Death Certificate Counter Order Form or can fill a Birth/Death Certificate Mail Order Form and forward the form via mail. Copies of death records cost $20 per request. Walk-in requests are processed at:
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Ordering a death record using methods other than walk-in requests may attract additional fees. Also, confidential sections of a death record may not be available to third-parties. Mail requests should be sent to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709
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.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Pierce County?
Under the Washington Public Records Act, Pierce County property records are available to interested members of the general public. To obtain copies of property records, requesters should contact the office of the repository office.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Pierce County?
The Pierce County Auditor maintains records of properties and other-related documents and transactions. This includes deeds, assignments, bills of sale, contracts, covenants, easements, foreclosure documents, leases, maps, mortgage documents, and other information related to properties within the county. Requesters may submit in person or mail requests for property records. To request certified or regular copies of property records and documents, make a written request, including payment, and submit it to:
Pierce County Auditor’s Office
Attn: Recording Copies
2401 South 35th Street
Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 798-7440
The Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department possesses information and documents related to properties within Pierce County. Interested persons can request property records in person or by mail. Fill out the records request form and prepare a written request and submit it to:
Pierce County Planning and Public Works
2702 South 42nd Street
Room 109
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-3724
Phone: (253) 798-3081
Phone: (253) 798-2790
Fax: (253) 798-4637
ppwpublicrecords@piercecountywa.gov
How to Look Up Pierce County Property Records?
The Auditor provides online access to Pierce County property records.. The search portal allows recorded document search, map search, and index-historical search. It contains property records from 1984 to date. Records from before this time can be requested in person or by mail at the Auditor’s Office.
Interested persons may also use the Planning and Public Work’s online portal to search information on properties within the county.
In addition, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer uses the information portal to provide the general public with information on property value. Simply provide the parcel number or the property’s address.
Location of Pierce County Property Assessors
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
2401 South 35th Street
Room 142
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-6111
Fax: (253) 798-3142
Assessment Questions Form
