Background and criminal history checks are authorized screenings of a person’s records to help verify identity and review any relevant criminal history. Employers, organizations, and the public often use these checks for hiring, licensing, and safety decisions.
Reasons you may need these records
A clearance letter, background check, or criminal history record may be required for employment, volunteer work, licensing, housing applications, adoption, or other situations where a person’s criminal history must be verified.
How to request these records
To request these records:
- Visit the Washington State Patrol website.
- Under "I want to...," select “Request Criminal History."
Follow the prompts to pay for and obtain a Washington State Criminal History record.