Spokane, Washington Public Records

For felony cases, civil disputes over $100,000, family law matters (divorce, custody, paternity), probate, and appeals, Spokane County Superior Court is the venue; it is located at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2211, website: https://www.spokanecounty.org/1046/Superior-Court). Spokane County District Court, at the same address (phone: 509-477-3662), handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, small claims (up to $10,000), protection orders, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Washington State Courts maintain a statewide case search portal at https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/ which links to county-specific systems; Spokane County offers online docket searches for Superior and District Court cases. Certified copies of judgments, case files, and recorded documents can be requested from the Clerk's Office; fees typically range from $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page for certified copies, though costs vary by document type. All filings and record requests are governed by Washington Court Rules and public disclosure statutes.

Users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view detailed maps, tax assessments, sales history, and improvement data. The Assessor does not record documents but determines taxable value for all real property in the county. The Spokane County Auditor's Office (which serves as the Recorder of Deeds), located at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2255, website: https://www.spokanecounty.org/213/Auditor), records and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, UCC filings, and other instruments affecting real property. The Auditor's online document search portal (https://www.spokanecounty.org/recordingsearch/) allows free searches by name, date, document type, or parcel number; many scanned images are viewable online at no charge, though certified copies require a fee (typically $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page). The County also offers a comprehensive GIS mapping system at https://gis.spokanecounty.org/ providing interactive parcel maps, zoning overlays, floodplains, and aerial imagery. Property searches may also be conducted in person at the Auditor's counter during business hours.

Floyd College of Medicine and numerous health sciences programs. Spokane Public Schools is one of the county's top employers. Amazon operates two large fulfillment centers in the Spokane area, adding thousands of jobs. The city has historically served as a commercial and distribution hub for the Inland Northwest's agriculture, mining, and timber industries, though healthcare, professional services, and technology have grown substantially. Median household income in Spokane is approximately $54,000, below the Washington state average but reflective of the region's lower cost of living. Recent development includes downtown revitalization, expansion of the University District, growth in biomedical research, and the completion of the North Spokane Corridor (U.S. Route 395). Tourism contributes notably, with Riverfront Park, the Spokane Convention Center, and outdoor recreation (skiing, lakes, trails) drawing visitors year-round. Spokane's economy is integral to Spokane County's overall economic health, representing the majority of countywide employment and tax base.

The Spokane Police Department, located at 1100 West Mallon Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-456-2233, website: https://my.spokanecity.org/police/), serves the incorporated City of Spokane and handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and crime reporting. Residents and attorneys may request police reports, incident reports, collision reports, and other law enforcement records under Washington's Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW). Requests can be submitted in person at the police headquarters, by mail, or via email to publicdisclosure@spokanepolice.org. Some reports (such as non-sensitive incident reports) may be available for immediate purchase; others require review and redaction, which can take several business days. Fees apply for copying and staff time. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1100 West Mallon Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2278, website: https://www.spokanecounty.org/1392/Sheriffs-Office), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Spokane County and operates the Spokane County Jail (Geiger Corrections Center) at 2320 North Hazel Street, Spokane, WA 99217. Arrest and booking records, inmate rosters, and jail records are publicly accessible. To search for current inmates and recent bookings in Spokane County, visit the Spokane County Jail Roster online at https://www.spokanecounty.org/3152/Jail-Inmate-Information. The online roster displays inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots where available. Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) governs access to arrest logs, booking records, and investigative files; requesters should submit written requests to the appropriate agency specifying the records sought and preferred format.

Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates are $25 each. Requests can be submitted online via VitalChek (https://www.vitalchek.com), in person, or by mail. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, faster for online orders with expedited service. Only eligible persons (parents, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest) may request confidential birth records; death certificates are public after a brief administrative period. Marriage licenses are issued by the Spokane County Auditor's Office, 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2255). The fee is $64 for a marriage license; couples must apply in person, and there is a three-day waiting period before the license is valid. Marriage records from 1887 forward are on file at the Auditor's Office and can be searched online or requested in person. Divorce decrees are court records maintained by Spokane County Superior Court (1116 West Broadway Avenue, phone: 509-477-2211); certified copies of divorce judgments and dissolution decrees can be obtained from the Clerk's Office for a fee. Washington law (RCW 70.58A) governs vital records access and confidentiality, with strict ID requirements for requesters.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Spokane County or across multiple jurisdictions, county business registration may apply; contact Spokane County Development Services at 509-477-7589. Fictitious business names (assumed names or "doing business as" filings) are registered with the Spokane County Auditor's Office at 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2255); DBAs must be published in a local newspaper and filed with the County. Washington State corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and nonprofit entities are registered with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division (website: https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/). The Secretary of State provides a free searchable database at https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/ where users can look up entity name, UBI number, registered agent, principal office address, status (active/inactive), formation date, and officer names. UCC financing statements (secured transactions and liens on personal property) are filed with the Washington Department of Licensing UCC Division; searches are available at https://ucc.dol.wa.gov/. For commercial property tax information and assessments, search the Spokane County Assessor's online parcel database at https://cp.spokanecounty.org/scout/. Business owners can verify assessed values, compare sales data, and appeal valuations through the Assessor's Office.

Spokane residents vote and register through the Spokane County Elections Office (part of the Spokane County Auditor's Office), located at 1033 West Gardner Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 (phone: 509-477-2320, website: https://www.spokanecounty.org/703/Elections). Washington is a vote-by-mail state; every registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail for each election. Voters may register online at https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx, the Washington Secretary of State's VoteWA portal. Registration deadlines are 8 days before Election Day for online and by-mail registration, and same-day registration is available in person at the county elections office or voting center through Election Day. Voters must provide a Washington State driver's license or ID number; if unavailable, the last four digits of a Social Security number may be used. Spokane holds municipal elections for Mayor, City Council (seven council members), and other city offices; mayoral and council races are typically on the ballot in odd-numbered years (most recently 2023, next in 2027 for some seats). Municipal elections are nonpartisan, and candidates file with the Spokane City Clerk. To find candidate lists, sample ballots, and local measures, Spokane residents can visit the Spokane County Elections Office website or the City of Spokane's election information page. Polling places are limited in Washington due to the vote-by-mail system, but voters can drop off ballots at official drop boxes located throughout Spokane (listed at https://www.spokanecounty.org/703/Elections) or vote in person at accessible voting centers during the days leading up to and on Election Day. Washington provides ballot tracking through the VoteWA portal, so voters can confirm their ballot was received and counted. Public election records in Washington include voter registration data (excluding certain confidential data), precinct-level results, and campaign finance reports filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (https://www.pdc.wa.gov/). Candidate filing information, contribution and expenditure reports, and initiative/referendum data are searchable online. In the November 2024 general election, Spokane County reported turnout of approximately 73% of registered voters, reflecting high engagement in the presidential contest. On November 3, 2026, Spokane and Spokane County voters will decide numerous races: no U.S. Senate seat from Washington is up in 2026 (next in 2028), but voters will elect all members of the U.S. House of Representatives (Spokane is in District 5); the Washington Governor's race is not on the 2026 ballot (next in 2028); however, multiple state legislative seats in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th Legislative Districts (covering Spokane County) will be contested. County offices on the 2026 ballot include Spokane County Commissioners (three seats, elected countywide), County Auditor, Assessor, Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney, and Sheriff, depending on term schedules. Judicial positions in Superior and District Court may also appear. Spokane city voters may see advisory measures, bond issues, or council races if scheduled. Washington voters may request an absentee ballot (though all registered voters receive mail ballots automatically) or accessible voting materials by contacting the Spokane County Elections Office; military and overseas voters use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and can receive ballots electronically. All ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or deposited in an official drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.