Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need to access Washington Public Records. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses, and so on.

Public records are held by the federal, state, and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although the state of Washington public records are accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department. You can always visit state departments and offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online.

When researching public records, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in your state, but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the Washington official records you get are up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching Washington public records online. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search Washington state public records to get information on real estate

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites, such as county offices. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Real Marketing is an online resource that provides links to Washington county assessor's offices, county recorder's offices, and county treasurer's offices. You can find comprehensive property information by visiting these online government resources.

Consider checking Washington court records before you hire an employee

As a business owner, it's smart to run background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring childcare providers and teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background check, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: The Washington State Patrol can help you obtain Washington criminal records. Additionally, public access to court records is available at The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). They provide JIS-Link, an online resource that allows you access to information in the Judicial Information System's (JIS) statewide server.

Track down anyone with a Washington vital records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any individual, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find Washington marriage licenses, or records of divorce, birth and death at the Washington State Department of Health. USA People Search can help you track someone down using a variety of information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, such as Washington arrest records, is collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting on outstanding debts and other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.