Kirkland Arrest Records Lookup
Kirkland arrest records are public documents held by the Kirkland Police Department and the City Clerk's office under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. Kirkland runs a combined online records portal that handles police incident reports, body-worn camera footage, fire and medical records, municipal court documents, and other city files in a single system. The police records division maintains a separate email and phone line for law enforcement-related requests. Initial responses come within five business days. This page explains how to find and request arrest records and related public safety documents in Kirkland.
Kirkland Overview
Kirkland Police Public Disclosure
The Kirkland Police Department has a dedicated public disclosure contact point for police-related records. The email address is policerecords@kirklandwa.gov. The phone number is 425-587-3481. The address for in-person or mail requests is 11750 NE 118th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034-7114.
When you submit a request, the department sends an email confirmation with a tracking number. Follow-up contact comes within five business days. Depending on the request, the department may provide the records, link to them if they are already posted online, request clarification, give a cost estimate for a large request, or issue a formal written denial citing a legal exemption.
The Kirkland Police Public Disclosure page covers how to submit, what to expect, and what fees apply for police-specific records including body-worn camera footage.
Body-worn camera footage involves a separate fee for redaction. The rate is $0.84 per minute of footage that requires editing before release. Some people qualify for a fee exemption under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e). This includes people who are directly involved in the incident shown in the footage, their attorneys, and certain other parties. If you think you qualify, say so clearly in your request. The department also publishes a use-of-force data dashboard, which is publicly available online without a formal records request.
City Clerk and the Public Records Portal
For records outside of police operations, Kirkland's City Clerk handles requests through the city's main public records portal. This system covers fire and medical records, GIS maps, municipal court filings, planning and building permits, and public works documents. You use the same online system for all types, but selecting the right category helps the city route your request correctly.
The Kirkland Public Records portal lists all record categories and links to the online submission system.
Kirkland's records portal recommends being as specific as possible when submitting. Include date ranges, case numbers, addresses, and keyword descriptions where you can. The city's guidance on this is practical. A well-formed request takes less time to fulfill and reduces the chance of a clarification notice that adds days to the process.
| Police Records Email | policerecords@kirklandwa.gov |
|---|---|
| Police Records Phone | 425-587-3481 |
| Police Address | 11750 NE 118th Street, Kirkland WA 98034-7114 |
| Certified Record Fee | $5.00 minimum per certified record plus copying fees |
| BWC Redaction Fee | $0.84 per minute |
| BWC Fee Exemption | Available under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) |
| Response Window | 5 business days |
What Kirkland Arrest Records Include
Arrest records in Kirkland can include police incident reports, booking data, supplemental officer notes, collision reports, body-worn camera footage, and photo evidence. Not all of these are automatically released. The department applies exemptions under RCW 42.56 to protect ongoing investigations, victim privacy, juvenile records, and other sensitive content. When something is withheld, the city must identify it and provide the legal reason in writing.
Under RCW 70.48.100, three pieces of booking information are always public: the person's name, the date of booking, and the charge. This applies regardless of the nature of the arrest. Other details tied to the arrest file may be restricted.
Criminal history records are governed by RCW 10.97.050. Records tied to convictions are more accessible. Records tied to cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal have limited access. You may be able to inspect non-conviction records in some cases, but the rules on copying and sharing them are tighter. If you're not sure, it's worth asking the records office before assuming a document is available.
Certified records cost at least $5.00 per document plus applicable copying fees. This applies to records that require an official seal or attestation. Plain copies of incident reports do not necessarily require certification.
Note: An arrest record reflects that a person was arrested. It does not mean the person was convicted of or found guilty of any crime.
Statewide Records Tools
Kirkland Police records cover arrests and incidents inside city limits. For records beyond the city, Washington State offers several tools. The Washington State Patrol operates the WATCH system, which runs a statewide name-based criminal history check for $11. This is the fastest way to find prior convictions across Washington without filing a public records request with each agency separately.
Court records provide another layer of detail. The Washington Courts case search covers filed cases, charges, and dispositions in District, Superior, and Municipal Courts statewide. Kirkland misdemeanor cases are handled by Kirkland Municipal Court. Felony cases tied to Kirkland arrests go to King County Superior Court.
To check whether someone is currently in custody at the King County jail or another Washington facility, VINELink is a free tool that lets you look up custody status and set up alerts for status changes. It works for most county jails across the state.
What a Kirkland Arrest Record Contains
A standard Kirkland Police incident report includes 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. Supporting materials like photos, evidence logs, and detective notes may also be part of the case file. What is actually released from that file depends on how RCW 42.56 exemptions apply to the specific record you requested.
Active investigations are a common reason for withholding. Records involving victims of certain crimes are protected by statute, as are juvenile records. Medical information, booking photos, and witness identities may also be withheld. When any portion of a record is redacted or withheld, Kirkland must tell you what was removed and cite the legal reason in writing. You can request a privilege log or index of withheld materials if you want a full accounting of what the department is holding back.
Arrest records and conviction records are two different things in Washington law. A Kirkland arrest record shows that an officer took someone into custody. It does not mean that person was charged or convicted. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records can be shared with the public. Records tied to dismissed charges or acquittals carry tighter restrictions on copying and redistribution. In some situations you can inspect those records at King County Superior Court, but your ability to take a copy depends on the specifics of the case.
King County Arrest Records
Kirkland is in King County. For county-level jail records and broader arrest records information, visit the county records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Kirkland in King County and Snohomish County also maintain public records portals for arrest records.