Auburn Criminal Records
Auburn criminal records are maintained across several courts and agencies in King County, Washington. Whether you need to search arrest records, look up a court case, or get a certified copy of a criminal filing, the process runs through King County's court system. Auburn sits in the south end of the county, and most of its criminal cases go through the King County District Court South Division in Federal Way and the King County Superior Court in Seattle. This guide walks you through each step so you can find what you need without a runaround.
Auburn Overview
King County District Court for Auburn Cases
Auburn does not have its own municipal court. Instead, the city uses King County District Court South Division, located in Federal Way. This court handles misdemeanor criminal violations, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil matters up to $100,000 for residents and incidents in the Auburn area. If someone was charged with a DUI, theft under $750, or a similar offense in Auburn, this is where that case was filed.
The South Division also handles the preliminary hearings for felony cases before they move up to King County Superior Court. Most people searching for Auburn criminal records at the misdemeanor level will start here. The court can be reached by phone, and case information is also available through the statewide courts portal.
| Office | King County District Court - South Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 S 336th Street Federal Way, WA 98003 |
| Phone | (206) 205-9200 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov - District Court Auburn |
Note: Auburn studied restarting its own municipal court as of 2024, but as of now all misdemeanor cases go through the King County District Court system.
King County Superior Court - Auburn Felony Cases
Felony criminal cases for Auburn residents are handled by King County Superior Court. The main courthouse is downtown Seattle, but many south county felony cases are heard at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. That center is closer to Auburn and handles a large share of King County's felony caseload for the south part of the county.
King County Superior Court maintains the official case files for all felony convictions, jury trials, and appeals originating in Auburn. You can search these records through the KC Script portal online. The portal shows party names, case numbers, case status, and docket entries. Certified copies of judgments, orders, and other documents from felony cases require a visit to the clerk's office or a written request by mail.
| Main Courthouse | King County Courthouse 516 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 |
|---|---|
| South County Location | Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Phone | (206) 477-1617 |
| Website | kingcounty.gov - Superior Court |
Auburn Police Department Records
The Auburn Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits and maintains records for arrests and incidents that take place in Auburn. If you need a copy of a police report, an arrest record, or an incident report involving Auburn PD, you can submit a public records request directly to the department. Requests can be made online or in person at the records office on E Main Street.
| Address | 340 E Main Street Auburn, WA 98002 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (253) 931-3080 |
| Records | auburnwa.gov/departments/police_department/records |
Police records in Auburn are subject to the Washington Public Records Act under RCW Chapter 42.56. The agency must respond to your request within five business days. Some arrest records and investigative files may be withheld under RCW 42.56.240 if disclosure would harm an ongoing investigation.
Online Auburn Criminal Records Search
Two main online tools cover Auburn criminal case information. The first is the statewide Washington Courts Name and Case Search at dw.courts.wa.gov. This free portal pulls data from municipal, district, superior, and appellate courts across all 39 counties. You can search by person name, case number, attorney, or judicial officer. The database updates overnight, so recent filings may not appear right away.
The second tool is the KC Script portal, which is specific to King County. It provides access to Superior Court case information and is useful when you know a case is in King County. The KC Script portal at dja-prd-ecexap1.kingcounty.gov shows docket activity, hearing dates, and parties for King County cases including those from Auburn.
For either search, having the person's full name and an approximate filing year helps narrow results quickly. Case numbers also work if you have them.
The KC Script portal gives access to King County Superior Court criminal case information, including Auburn felony records.
Use the KC Script portal to search felony cases and court records for Auburn and other King County cities.
WATCH Background Check System
Washington's WATCH system, run by the Washington State Patrol, is the official tool for name-based criminal history background checks. WATCH stands for Washington Access to Criminal History. It searches the state's central repository for conviction records tied to a given name and date of birth. The system is available online at watch.wsp.wa.gov and returns results in seconds.
A WATCH search costs $11 per query when paid by credit or debit card. The result is a RAP sheet that shows Washington State conviction history, sex offender registration status, and Department of Corrections information. Keep in mind that WATCH does not include out-of-state convictions, and non-conviction records are restricted to criminal justice agencies under the state's Criminal Records Privacy Act at RCW Chapter 10.97.
For Auburn residents and employers who need a formal background check rather than just a case search, WATCH is the official path. Mail-based requests to the WSP cost $32, and fingerprint-based checks run $58.
WATCH provides immediate conviction history results for Auburn and all of Washington State for a $11 fee per search.
Sex Offender Registry in Auburn
Washington uses a risk-level classification system for registered sex offenders. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs administers the public registry at waspc.org/sex-offender-information. Level I offenders are considered low risk and their information is not published online. Level II and Level III offenders appear in the public registry and can be searched by name or location.
In Auburn, the King County Sheriff's Office handles sex offender registration. Offenders must register within three business days of release from custody or any change of address, as required under RCW 9A.44.130. Failure to register is a felony under RCW 9A.44.132. Anyone with concerns about a registered sex offender in Auburn should contact the King County Sheriff's Office or check the WASOR registry at wasor.org.
How to Get Auburn Criminal Records
The process for getting criminal records in Auburn depends on what you need and where the case was handled. For court records, you contact the clerk's office at the court that handled the case. For police records, you go to the Auburn Police Department or, for some matters, King County Sheriff. For a statewide conviction history, you use WATCH.
- Misdemeanor court records: King County District Court South Division, (206) 205-9200
- Felony court records: King County Superior Court Clerk, (206) 477-1617
- Police reports and arrest records: Auburn Police Department, (253) 931-3080
- Statewide conviction history: WATCH at watch.wsp.wa.gov, $11 per search
- Incarcerated person search: DOC at doc.wa.gov/records
Copies of court documents typically cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies run more, usually $5 to $20 per document depending on the court. The Washington State Courts portal at dw.courts.wa.gov is free for basic case lookups.
The statewide Washington Courts portal is free and covers Auburn cases across all court levels.
Department of Corrections Records
If you are looking for someone currently incarcerated in a Washington State prison, the Department of Corrections publishes an online inmate search at doc.wa.gov. You can search by name or DOC number. The tool shows the person's age, current facility, and custody status. Auburn residents who were sentenced to state prison would appear here if they are still in custody.
For public records requests from the DOC, contact the Public Disclosure Unit at publicdisclosureunit@doc1.wa.gov or call (360) 725-8213. Printed copies cost $0.15 per page, and electronic copies cost $0.10 per page.
King County Criminal Records
Auburn is in King County, and all felony and most misdemeanor cases go through the King County court system. For more on King County courts, fees, search portals, and records access, see the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Auburn and also file cases through King County courts.