Find Arrest Records in Edmonds
Edmonds arrest records are public under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, and are handled by the Edmonds Police Department's Support Services division. The department is located in Snohomish County and takes requests for police reports, incident records, and related documents through GovQA, the city's online disclosure portal. You can also call or visit in person during business hours. Most requests receive an initial response within five business days.
Edmonds Overview
Edmonds Police Support Services and Records
The Edmonds Police Department Support Services division is located at 250 5th Ave N., Edmonds, WA 98020. The main phone number is 425-771-0200 and the fax is 425-771-0208. For non-emergency calls, use 425-407-3999. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is the unit that handles public records requests for police reports, incident logs, and other department records.
The Edmonds Police Support Services page explains the request process and links to the GovQA online portal for submitting public disclosure requests.
GovQA lets you track the status of your request online after you submit it. You will get notifications as the city works through the file. This system is particularly helpful for complex requests that involve multiple officers or long incident reports, since you can see exactly where things stand without calling in.
| Address | 250 5th Ave N., Edmonds, WA 98020 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 425-771-0200 |
| Non-Emergency | 425-407-3999 |
| Fax | 425-771-0208 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Portal | GovQA online disclosure system |
Media and Records Unit
The Edmonds Police Department also has a Media and Records unit that handles press releases, news inquiries, and public information. The Public Information Officer is Commander Josh McClure, reachable at 425-275-4615. This unit deals with media requests separately from routine public records requests.
The Edmonds Media and Records page lists what types of records are and are not released by the department.
The department does not release certain categories of records as a matter of policy. These include victim and witness identities, juvenile identities, the names of deceased persons before next-of-kin notification, personal criminal history, medical information, descriptions of investigative procedures, booking photos, and video surveillance footage. These restrictions come from state exemptions under RCW 42.56. If any portion of a record is withheld, the department must note what was removed and give the legal reason.
Booking photos are specifically withheld by Edmonds Police. If you need a booking photo from the Snohomish County Jail, you would need to contact the county jail directly rather than going through the city.
Edmonds Municipal Court Records
Edmonds Municipal Court is a separate agency from the police department. The court is led by Judge Neil Weiss and operates under the mission of providing the community access to justice with respect and integrity. It handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases filed within city limits, including DUI charges, traffic violations, domestic violence cases, theft, and drug possession.
The Edmonds Municipal Court page has contact information, fee schedules, and case information for the court. The court's phone number is 425-771-0210.
Court records are maintained separately from police records and are governed by court rules rather than the Public Records Act in some cases. If you need case filings, hearing dates, or charge information, contact the court directly. Felony cases tied to Edmonds arrests are handled at Snohomish County Superior Court, not at the Municipal Court level.
The Washington Courts case search is a free online tool that covers cases filed at District, Superior, and Municipal Court levels statewide. You can look up filed charges and case status for Edmonds cases without submitting a formal request.
Statewide Records and Arrest Information
Edmonds records only cover incidents that happen within the city. For statewide criminal history, the Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH system. A name-based check costs $11 and returns results within minutes. WATCH covers convictions statewide and is one of the most reliable tools for checking someone's prior history in Washington.
Under RCW 70.48.100, three things are always public when someone is booked into a jail: their name, the date of booking, and the cause of arrest. More detailed jail records may be restricted. For Snohomish County inmates, check the county jail's roster directly or contact the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
For current custody status and release alerts, VINELink is a free service. You can sign up for notifications tied to a specific person in custody. It covers Snohomish County facilities and most county jails statewide.
Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are shareable with the public. Records tied to dismissed charges or acquittals are treated with more care. You can inspect those records but generally cannot get copies.
Note: An arrest record shows that someone was arrested. It does not mean they were found guilty of a crime.
What Edmonds Police Reports Contain and What Gets Withheld
A standard Edmonds Police incident report includes the date, time, and location of the event, the type of alleged offense, names and contact information for parties involved, and an officer narrative. Supporting materials like photos, evidence logs, and witness statements may also be part of the file. What gets released depends on how RCW 42.56 exemptions apply to that particular record.
Edmonds Police has a stated policy of not releasing certain categories even when a formal request comes in. These include victim and witness identities, the names of juveniles, names of deceased persons before next-of-kin notification, personal criminal history included in a report, medical information, details about investigative techniques, booking photos, and video surveillance footage. If any portion is withheld, staff must note what was removed and provide the legal basis under RCW 42.56. This is required by state law.
Booking photos are specifically not released by Edmonds Police. If you need a booking photo for someone held at the Snohomish County Jail, contact the county jail directly rather than going through Edmonds PD. The jail holds its own image records and operates under separate policies from the city police department.
There is an important legal difference between an arrest record and a conviction record. Getting arrested in Edmonds does not mean a person was charged or found guilty. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records can be shared with the public. Records tied to cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal are treated differently. You may be able to inspect those records in person at the court, but copying and redistribution are restricted.
Body Worn Camera Requests and Fee Waivers
The Edmonds Police Department uses body-worn cameras, and footage from those cameras can be part of a public records request. The Support Services division handles BWC requests through the GovQA portal, the same system used for all other Edmonds police records. Redaction is required before footage is released, which takes time and carries a fee based on how much editing the video needs.
If you are requesting body-worn camera footage, ask for a cost estimate upfront. The city will give you one before starting redaction work. For large footage requests, costs can add up quickly. People who are directly subjects of the footage, or their legal representatives, may qualify for a fee waiver or reduction under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e). Make that request clearly when you submit the form so staff can review whether the exemption applies.
For Snohomish County jail custody information, use VINELink at vinelink.com. It is free and lets you check whether someone is currently in custody or register for automated release alerts. Under RCW 70.48.100, three items are always public when someone is booked into any Washington jail: the person's name, the booking date, and the cause of arrest. Those do not require a formal records request. The Snohomish County Jail roster is also a quick way to confirm whether someone is currently being held after an Edmonds arrest.
Snohomish County Arrest Records
Edmonds is in Snohomish County. Felony cases and county jail bookings go through Snohomish County systems. Visit the county page for jail rosters, the Snohomish County Sheriff's records unit, and county-level arrest resources.
Nearby Cities
Other Snohomish County cities also maintain public arrest records under RCW 42.56.