Federal Way Arrest Records Lookup
Federal Way arrest records are public under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, and can be requested from the Federal Way Police Department or through the city's JustFOIA online portal. Federal Way is in King County and has its own police department that handles incident reports, booking-related documents, and other law enforcement records for the city. The city responds to records requests within five business days with records, a timeline, a clarification request, or a written denial.
Federal Way Overview
Federal Way Police Department Records
The Federal Way Police Department records unit is located at 33325 8th Ave S, Suite 101, Federal Way, WA 98003. The phone number is 253-835-6700 and the fax is 253-835-6739. The Civilian Operations Manager serves as the Public Records Officer for police records. This is the right contact for incident reports, arrest logs, and police case documents tied to Federal Way.
The Federal Way public records page covers both police and city records, lists fees, and explains how to submit a request. It also links to the city's Electronic Records Library, which has some commonly requested records available for immediate access.
For city records not tied to police, contact the City Clerk at 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003. The City Clerk's phone is 253-835-2542 and fax is 253-835-2509. The City Clerk serves as the Public Records Officer for all non-police city records.
| Police Records Address | 33325 8th Ave S, Suite 101, Federal Way, WA 98003 |
|---|---|
| Police Phone | 253-835-6700 |
| City Clerk Phone | 253-835-2542 |
| Response Time | Within 5 business days |
| Governing Law | RCW 42.56 |
JustFOIA Online Records Portal
Federal Way uses JustFOIA as its online portal for public records requests. The portal lets you submit requests, track their status, and download records when they are ready. An Electronic Records Library is also available through the portal with immediate access to common records that don't require a formal request.
The Federal Way JustFOIA portal is the fastest way to submit and manage a records request. You can create an account to track multiple requests at once.
The city's Electronic Records Library, accessible through the portal, includes frequently requested records that are already cleared for public release. If the record you need is in the library, you can get it right away without waiting for processing. This works well for basic incident logs or standard city documents.
Online submission through JustFOIA is the recommended method. It creates a paper trail of your request, assigns a tracking number, and sends you automatic updates as the city works through the file. This is easier to manage than a mailed or in-person request.
Fees and Municipal Court Records
Federal Way charges standard fees for records. Printed copies cost $0.15 per page. Scanned documents run $0.10 per page. Electronic files are $0.05 per four files. Data transmission is $0.10 per gigabyte. Body worn camera redaction costs $0.83 per minute. These fees apply after the records are identified and prepared.
The Federal Way records FAQ walks through how to get a copy of a police report and what to expect at each step of the process.
Federal Way Municipal Court is at 33325 8th Ave S, Suite 102, Federal Way, WA 98003. The court phone is 253-835-3000. The Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases tied to Federal Way incidents. Court records at that level are governed by GR 31.1 and are not subject to the Public Records Act in the same way police records are. Contact the court directly for case filings and hearing information.
Felony cases tied to Federal Way arrests go to King County Superior Court in Seattle. South Sound 911 (Valley Comm) handles dispatch records for Federal Way. If you need 911 audio or CAD dispatch logs, contact them directly rather than going through the city.
Statewide Resources for Arrest Records
Federal Way records only cover incidents within the city. For statewide criminal history, the Washington State Patrol operates the WATCH system. A name-based check costs $11 and returns conviction history across all of Washington. Results come back quickly, usually within minutes.
Under RCW 70.48.100, three pieces of information are always public when someone is booked into a jail: their name, the booking date, and the cause of arrest. More detailed jail records may be restricted. For King County jail records and rosters, contact the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention.
The free Washington Courts case search covers Municipal, District, and Superior Court filings statewide. You can find case numbers, charges, and hearing dates without a formal request. For custody alerts and release notifications, VINELink is free and covers King County facilities.
Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are public. Non-conviction records, including dismissed charges and acquittals, have more limits on copying and distribution. You can inspect them but copying rights are restricted.
Note: Arrest records reflect an arrest only. They do not prove guilt or indicate a conviction.
What a Federal Way Police Report Includes
A standard Federal Way Police incident report covers the date, time, and location of the incident, the type of alleged offense, names and contact information for parties involved, and a narrative from the responding officer. Supplemental materials may include photos, evidence logs, witness statements, and notes from follow-up detectives. What is released depends on which exemptions under RCW 42.56 apply to the specific record you requested.
Common reasons for withholding records or redacting portions include: the case is still under active investigation, victim identities are protected, juveniles are involved, or the record contains medical or personal information exempt under state law. When any portion of a record is withheld, Federal Way is required to identify what was removed and cite the legal basis under RCW 42.56. You can request a written index of withheld materials if you want more detail about what is missing and why.
Arrest records and conviction records are legally distinct. An arrest in Federal Way means an officer took someone into custody. It does not mean that person was charged, tried, or found guilty of anything. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are available to the public. Non-conviction records, covering dismissed charges or acquittals, have more restrictions on copying and distribution. You may be able to inspect those at the court but taking copies is not always permitted.
Body Worn Camera Fees and King County Jail Records
Federal Way Police officers use body-worn cameras. Footage from those cameras can be requested through JustFOIA, the same portal used for all other city records. Before the city releases BWC footage, it must redact exempt content, which means blurring faces, editing audio, and cutting protected material. Federal Way charges $0.83 per minute for body-worn camera redaction. For a longer incident, that cost adds up quickly.
People who are directly involved in footage shown in a body-worn camera recording may qualify for a fee reduction or waiver under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e). This includes the subjects of the footage and their legal representatives. If you think you qualify, note that in your JustFOIA request when you submit it. The city will confirm whether the exemption applies before billing begins.
For King County Jail records, the name, booking date, and cause of arrest are always public under RCW 70.48.100. You do not need a formal records request to get those three items. The King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention maintains inmate records and can confirm whether someone is currently in custody. For automated release alerts, VINELink covers King County facilities and is free to use without registration for basic status checks.
South Sound 911, also known as Valley Communications, handles dispatch records for Federal Way. If you need 911 audio or CAD logs tied to a Federal Way incident, contact Valley Comm directly. Those records are separate from police records held by the city. Dispatch audio is typically kept for 90 days before deletion, so timing matters if you need that type of record.
King County Arrest Records
Federal Way is in King County. Felony cases and county jail records go through King County systems. Visit the county page for the King County jail roster, Sheriff records, and county-level arrest resources.
Nearby Cities
Other nearby cities in King County also maintain arrest records under RCW 42.56.