Chelan County Criminal Records

Chelan County criminal records are held by the Superior Court Clerk and District Court in Wenatchee, the county seat. This north-central Washington county maintains felony case files going back to 1950 and beyond. You can search criminal case information online through the statewide Washington Courts portal or through the Washington State Digital Archives for older records. In-person and mail requests are also available at the Chelan County Courthouse. This page explains where to find criminal records in Chelan County and how to request copies.

Chelan County Superior Court Clerk

The Chelan County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all felony criminal case files for the county. The Clerk's office stores case records covering criminal, civil, probate, divorce, and juvenile matters. Staff can search by party name or case number and provide copies on request. The office is located in Suite 501 of the Chelan County courthouse on Orondo Avenue in Wenatchee.

Copy fees at Chelan County are clearly defined. Mailed copies cost $0.50 per page. Emailed copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. For large document requests or records involving multiple volumes, it is a good idea to call ahead and get an estimate before submitting your request. Staff can also advise on which documents are available and which may be sealed or restricted.

Chelan County District Court Records

The Chelan County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil cases up to $100,000. Lower-level crimes like DUI, reckless driving, harassment, and simple assault are handled at the District Court level. If you are looking for a misdemeanor criminal record in Chelan County, this is the right court to contact. The District Court is also located on Orondo Avenue in Wenatchee.

District Court records are maintained separately from Superior Court records. Do not assume that a search at the Superior Court Clerk will turn up District Court cases. Use the statewide Washington Courts case search if you want to search both courts at the same time. The portal is free and covers both Chelan County Superior and District Court cases in one search.

Chelan County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county outside of city limits. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, incident reports, and operates the county jail. Jail booking records are available through the Sheriff's Office. The jail roster at the Sheriff's website shows current inmates and their charges.

To request incident reports or arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Office at 401 Washington Street in Wenatchee. Public records requests are processed under RCW Chapter 42.56. The Sheriff must acknowledge your request within five business days. Investigative records for open cases may be withheld, but records for closed cases are generally available.

Online Chelan County Criminal Case Search

The free Washington Courts Name and Case Search covers Chelan County Superior and District Court records. Search by name, case number, attorney, or judge. The portal returns filing dates, party names, case status, charge descriptions, and scheduled hearings. No document images are available here, but it gives you the case number you need to request copies from the Clerk's office.

For older Chelan County criminal records, the Washington State Digital Archives is a unique resource. It holds Chelan County Superior Court case files from 1950 through 2022. This covers a wide range of criminal cases that predate digital filing systems. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Sealed and confidential documents are not available online, but many older felony records and other case files are accessible there.

WATCH Background Checks for Chelan County

WATCH, or Washington Access to Criminal History, is the Washington State Patrol's online criminal background check system. It covers conviction records from all 39 Washington counties, including Chelan County. A search costs $11 per name. You enter the exact name and date of birth and receive results within seconds at watch.wsp.wa.gov.

WATCH returns a RAP sheet showing Washington State conviction history, arrests from the past year with pending dispositions, sex or kidnapping offender registration status, and Department of Corrections information. It does not include out-of-state convictions or federal records. Non-conviction data is restricted under RCW Chapter 10.97 and is not available on public WATCH results. If you need a fingerprint-based check, the WSP also accepts mail-in requests. Those cost $58 for a fingerprint check or $32 for a name-only mail check. Mail requests go to WSP Identification Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633.

Chelan County Jail Roster and Inmate Records

The Chelan County Sheriff operates the county jail and maintains the jail roster online at co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/jail. The roster is updated in real time and shows current inmates with their booking dates, charges, bond information, and scheduled release dates. This is a fast way to check whether someone is currently held in the Chelan County jail.

For people serving time in a Washington State correctional facility, use the Department of Corrections inmate search at doc.wa.gov. The search is free and returns the inmate's current facility, age, and custody status. Search by name or DOC number. The DOC also accepts public disclosure requests for additional records through its Public Disclosure Unit at (360) 725-8213.

Sex Offender Registry in Chelan County

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office handles sex offender registration for the county. Offenders must register in person at the Sheriff's Office within three business days of release from custody or moving to the county. They must report address and employer changes within three business days as well. These requirements flow from RCW 9A.44.130. Failing to register is a Class C felony on the first offense and a Class B felony for repeat violations under RCW 9A.44.132.

Washington classifies sex offenders into three risk levels. Level I is low risk, and those offenders do not appear on the public registry. Level II and Level III offenders are listed on the Washington Sex Offender Public Registry at waspc.org. The registry is managed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. For Level III offenders, the Sheriff may conduct active community notification in addition to the public listing.

How to Request Chelan County Criminal Records

Chelan County offers in-person, mail, and online options for requesting criminal court records. In-person requests are made at the Superior Court Clerk's office at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, in Wenatchee. Bring a photo ID and the name and case number if you have it. Staff can search by name and year if you do not have a case number. You can get copies the same day in most cases.

Mail requests go to the same address: Chelan County Clerk, 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 501, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Include the full name, approximate filing year, and case number. Specify what documents you need. Ask for the copy fee schedule in your letter. Send a check or money order payable to the Chelan County Clerk. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the return of documents.

Emailed copies cost $0.25 per page. Mailed copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Check the Clerk's website for any online copy request options. The Washington State court forms page has standard request forms you can download and use.

Access Rules for Chelan County Criminal Records

Washington courts operate under a presumption of openness. General Rule 31 of the Washington Court Rules says that court records are open to the public unless restricted by statute, court rule, or specific court order. For Chelan County criminal records, this means most case files, judgments, and court orders are available to anyone who asks.

The main law governing criminal record privacy is RCW Chapter 10.97. It allows unrestricted sharing of conviction records. Non-conviction data is restricted to criminal justice agencies. This includes arrests that never led to charges, cases that were dismissed, and acquittals. If you are the subject of a criminal record in Washington, you can inspect your own complete record under RCW 10.97.080 by verifying your identity with the WSP.

Juvenile records are mostly confidential under RCW Chapter 13.50. Only the official juvenile court file is a public record. Social files and probation records are not public. Records involving minor victims of sexual assault are protected under RCW 10.97.130. Cases that have been sealed by court order are also not accessible without a court order to unseal them.

Cities in Chelan County

All cities in Chelan County file criminal cases through the Chelan County Superior Court and District Court in Wenatchee.

Other communities in Chelan County include Cashmere, Leavenworth, Chelan, and East Wenatchee (which is in Douglas County). Criminal cases for the Chelan County portion of the area are handled in Wenatchee.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chelan County in central Washington. Check their pages for records from neighboring areas.