What are Spokane Valley Public Records?
The Washington Public Records Act defines public records in the state as any writing containing information relating to government conduct. Public records include information prepared, owned, used, and retained by state or local agencies regardless of their physical forms or characteristics. Writing in the definition may mean handwriting, typing, photographing, and any order means of recording or representing communication. However, not all records are open to the public. Some records maintained by government agencies may be classified by law and thereby exempted from public access. Examples include:
- Personal information, the release of which, would violate personal privacy or vital governmental interests.
- Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination
- The names, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, and other individually identifiable records held by an agency about a vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing program or service
- Information contained in real estate appraisals, made for or by any agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property
- Certain financial, commercial, and proprietary information is exempt from disclosure
- Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Spokane Valley Crime Statistics
The Spokane Valley Police Department collects and compiles the crime data and statistics as part of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting(UCR) database. According to the UCR data for 2018 and 2019, cases of assault and burglary fell by 8.2% and 0.2%, respectively. In contrast, rape, robbery, property crime, larceny, vehicle theft, and arson all increase by 51.8%, 39%, 7.2%, 9%, 0.85%, and 33.3% respectively. In the same time frame, overall violent crime in the city also increased by 10%.
Are Spokane Valley’s Criminal Records Public?
In general, criminal records for Spokane Valley and Washington are considered public records and can be obtained from the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS). Requesters may obtain name-based and fingerprint-based criminal record checks from the section in person by mail or online.
Requesters may obtain the records check based on a name and date of birth by mailing a completed criminal conviction history request form to the WASIS office at:
WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
Identification and Background Check Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
To request in person, record seekers must submit the completed form to the office located at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia WA 98501. Fingerprint-based requests can be obtained by submitting a full set of fingerprints in person along with the form. Name-based checks cost $32 per check, while fingerprint-based checks cost $58. The office charges $16 for fingerprinting services at the office in Olympia.
Criminal records can also be obtained online using the Washington Access To Criminal History (WATCH) online search portal. Requesters will be able to register on the website and make name and birth date-based searches online. The service costs $11 per search.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Residents can obtain police reports for Spokane Valley Police Department from the Records Division of the Spokane City Police in person or by mail. The Spokane Police Department Records Division is the shared repository for records of the law enforcement agencies in the area, including Spokane Valley. For more information, citizens can contact the department at (509) 625-4030. Requests can be made in person at the office located in the Public Safety Building at 1100 W. Mallon in downtown Spokane or by mailing:
Attn: SPOKANE RECORDS
POLICE RECORDS UNIT
1100 W. Mallon Ave.
Spokane, WA 99260
Requests should contain enough details of the incident to locate the record, such as:
- What type of report it is
- Names of particles involved
- Date, time, and location of the incident.
- Report number, if known.
Spokane Valley Police records can also be requested using the online public records center portal managed by the city. After submitting the request, online requesters will receive a response within five working days with the next steps to obtaining copies. Eligible parties can acquire copies of the record in the portal for $0.15.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Spokane Valley
City residents and non-residents can obtain sex offender information for Spokane Valley by calling the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Sex offender information can also be acquired using the search page on the Spokane County Sex Offender Registry operated online by the sheriff’s office. Sex offenders in the county can be located by name, address, city, and compliance. Users may also register on the website to receive alerts when sex offenders relocate.
How to Find Spokane Valley Inmate Records
Interested persons can obtain Spokane Valley inmate records by contacting the Spokane County Detention Services or searching online. Individuals may call directly at (509) 477-2278 or use the online inmate roster maintained on the detention services website. The roster will provide information on inmates in custody at the jail, such as name, reporting agency, booking date, booking number, charges, and case number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Spokane Valley City Jail?
Inmates from Spokane Valley are usually housed in one of the jail facilities operated by the Spokane County Detention Services. These are the Spokane County Jail and the Geiger Corrections Center. Visitation in these facilities is non-contact using the Securus Video Connect system for online video visitation services.
Visitors will be required to download the application and register an account online on the Securus website to be able to schedule visits. A photo identification, email, and phone number are required to register, and visitors can download the application to a computer, tablet, or phone.
Free visitation booths are also available in the visitation centers located in the two jail facilities. Using the kiosks or the application on a device, visitors may schedule and perform visits.
What are Spokane Valley Vital Records?
Spokane Valley vital records provide documentation on life events in the city as maintained by the local agencies. These records include birth, marriage, death, and divorce records. Not all vital records in Washington are public records. For example, birth and death records will only be issued to qualified applicants who provide identification. Requesters can obtain vital records from their custodians at the Spokane County Clerk's Office and the Spokane Regional Health District. On the state level, eligible parties can also obtain records from the Washington Department of Health.
Where and How to Obtain Spokane Valley Divorce Records
Divorce records for Spokane County can be obtained from the County Clerk's Office as it is the repository for records from the superior court. Authorized parties can obtain the divorce decree by coming in person during opening hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the office at:
Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 W Broadway Avenue
Room 300
Spokane, WA 99260
Phone: (509) 477-2211
Record seekers can mail a written request containing enough details to locate the records such as parties to the divorce, date, and location of the divorce case to:
Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 West Broadway Ave
Room 300
Spokane, WA 99201-0090
Mailed requests should include the correct fees and a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of the record. The certified copies of the record with a seal will cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page and microfilm copies will cost $0.50 per page. Requesters may call the clerk’s office at (509) 477-2211 with any questions, including the number of pages and the exact total fees before making a request.
Requesters may also order a divorce certificate from the Washington Department of Health for $25.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Spokane Valley
Interested persons can obtain certified copies of marriage licenses for Spokane Valley from the Spokane County Auditor in person or by mail. In-person requests can be made at the office located at:
1116 W Broadway
Spokane, WA 99260
The requester will be expected to provide enough information to locate the record, such as:
- Names of each party to the marriage at the time of the marriage including maiden names.
- The date and location of the marriage.
A written request including the information and copy fees can also be mailed to the auditor’s office at:
Spokane County Auditor – Marriage
P.O. Box 2353
Spokane, WA 99210
The certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $3 per copy and the fee is accepted in a check made payable to the Spokane County Auditor.
A marriage certificate can also be ordered from the Washington State Department of Health. The fee for the record starts from $25 and increases based on other fees such as shipping.
Marriage records can also be looked up online on the Washington State Digital Archives.
Where and How to Find Spokane Valley Birth Records
Birth records from Spokane Valley can be obtained from the Spokane County Regional Health Department. Birth certificates are not considered public records and will only be issued to qualified applicants such as:
- The person on the certificate, if now over 18 years old
- Current spouse or domestic partner
- Parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and great grandparents or children.
- Legal custodian or guardian
- Legal representative or agent such as a lawyer
- Any individual authorized by any of the above people
- Government agencies or courts for official duties
Qualified applicants will be required to provide proof of eligibility and any acceptable identification during their application to prove they are qualified to receive the record.
Obtaining Copies of Spokane Valley Birth Certificates
Birth records can be obtained in person by bringing the following to the Spokane County Regional Health District:
- A completed birth certificate in-person order form
- A copy of the eligibility documents
- A copy of the identification documents
- The correct non-refundable fees for the records
These items must be submitted in person to:
Spokane Regional Health District
Vital Records Office
1101 W. College Ave., Main Floor
Spokane, WA 99201
The record can also be ordered by mailing the birth certificate mail-in order form, proof of eligibility, copy of identification, and fees to:
Spokane Regional Health District
Vital Records Office
1101 W. College Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Certified copies of the birth certificates requested by mail will cost $35 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy. Birth certificates ordered in person will cost $40 for the first certified or non-certified copy and $25 for any additional copies. Mailed requests must include a money order made payable to the Spokane Regional Health District for payment. Cash, money orders, and credit cards are accepted during in-person orders. All fees are non-refundable.
Certified and informational copies of birth certificates can also be ordered from the Washington Department of Health.
Where and How to Find Spokane Valley Death Records
Death Records for Spokane are not open records by law. They're only issued to qualified applicants who prove their eligibility. These eligible applicants are:
- Current spouse or partner of the deceased
- Parents of the deceased
- Immediate family including siblings, children, grandparents, grandchildren, great grandparents, and great-grandchildren
- The legal custodian of the deceased
- A legal representative of the deceased like a lawyer
- An authorized representative of any of the above
- Courts and government agencies for use in official duties
Authorized parties can obtain death records from the Spokane Regional Health District(SRHD) either by mail or in person. Requesters can order the death certificate via the mail by sending the death certificate mail-in order form to the SRHD at:
Spokane Regional Health District
Vital Records Office
1101 W. College Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Mailed requests must include copies of the proof of eligibility and acceptable identification plus the correct fees. Death certificates ordered by mail cost $35 for the first one and $25 for each additional certificate. Orders can also be made in person by submitting the death certificate in-person order form, copy of identification, proof of eligibility, and paying the fees to:
Spokane Regional Health District
Vital Records Office
1101 W. College Ave., Main Floor
Spokane, WA 99201
Any death certificates ordered in-person cost $40 each for both certified and non-certified copies of the record and $25 for any additional copies. Fees can be paid in cash, crest cards, and money orders made payable to the Spokane County Regional Health District. The Washington Department of Health also allows requesters to order death certificates from their office in person or by mail.
