Lynnwood Arrest Records Search
Lynnwood arrest records are public under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, and are maintained by the Lynnwood Police Department, a full city department located in Snohomish County. The department processes public records requests through GovQA, an online portal where you can submit requests, track progress, and receive documents electronically. Police reports are only available for incidents that took place within Lynnwood city limits, and some records require in-person pickup after signing.
Lynnwood Overview
Lynnwood Police Department Records
The Lynnwood Police Department is a full-service city department, not a contracted service. That means records requests for Lynnwood incidents go directly to the city rather than the Snohomish County Sheriff. The department is at 19321 44th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036. You can reach them by phone at (425) 670-5600 or by email at PoliceDepartment@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.
The Lynnwood Police Records request page walks through the steps for getting a copy of a report. After you submit through GovQA, the department reviews the request and lets you know when it is ready. Some reports must be picked up in person, and you will need to sign for them at the front counter.
The city only provides reports for incidents that happened inside Lynnwood. If an incident crossed into unincorporated Snohomish County territory or another jurisdiction, you would need to contact that agency directly. The GovQA system tracks every request, so you can log in and check your request status at any time without calling in.
| Address | 19321 44th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (425) 670-5600 |
| PoliceDepartment@ci.lynnwood.wa.us | |
| Portal | GovQA online public records system |
| Pickup | In-person required for some reports (must sign) |
How to Submit a Public Records Request
The GovQA portal is the main way to request records from Lynnwood. You create an account, describe the records you need, and submit. The city will respond within five business days under RCW 42.56, though the response may be an acknowledgment rather than the records themselves if the request is large or complex. From there, the city can provide an estimated completion date.
You can also call the police department directly if you are not sure whether the record you need is available or which form to use. The front desk staff can tell you whether an incident report exists, what format it is available in, and whether any portions are likely to be withheld. This saves time before submitting a formal request.
If your request involves body-worn camera footage, be aware that the city approved a full BWC program in April 2022 with a $530,000 investment and a dedicated full-time staff position for managing footage. Redaction of video footage takes more time than paper record requests, and processing times can be longer. The department will notify you of any extension.
Snohomish County Jail and Booking Records
When someone is arrested in Lynnwood, they may be held at the Snohomish County Jail located at 3025 Oakes Ave in Everett. Lynnwood has its own municipal holding capacity, but longer-term custody goes through the county facility. The county jail is operated by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Under RCW 70.48.100, a booking record always includes the person's name, the date they were booked, and the reason for the arrest. These three pieces of information are public at the time of booking. More detailed records, like incident reports or supplemental materials, may require a formal request and could involve partial redaction.
For real-time custody status, VINELink covers Snohomish County facilities. You can register for automated alerts if someone in custody is released or transferred. This is a free service and does not require a formal records request.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office also handles broader criminal history inquiries and fingerprinting services for individuals seeking background checks outside of the Lynnwood Police Department's direct scope. If you need fingerprinting or a county-level background check, contact the Sheriff's Office rather than Lynnwood PD.
Statewide Criminal History and Background Checks
For a complete conviction history, the Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH system. A name-based check costs $11 and results come back quickly. The number to call for WATCH information is 360-705-5100. WATCH pulls from statewide conviction data, not just Lynnwood records, so it gives a broader picture of someone's criminal history in Washington.
Lynnwood arrest records only reflect what the city police department handled. An arrest is not a conviction, and that distinction matters. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are shareable with the public. Records tied to dismissed charges or cases that ended in acquittal are handled more carefully. You can inspect those records but copying may be restricted.
For court case information, the Washington Courts case search covers District, Superior, and Municipal Court records statewide. You can check whether a Lynnwood arrest led to filed charges, the status of those charges, and hearing dates, all at no cost and without submitting a records request.
Note: An arrest record documents that an arrest occurred. It is not proof of guilt or a criminal conviction.
What Lynnwood Police Reports Include
A standard Lynnwood 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 an officer narrative. Supplemental materials like photos, evidence logs, and case notes from detectives may also be included. What actually gets released depends on which RCW 42.56 exemptions apply to that specific record.
Active investigation files are commonly withheld until a case closes. Victim identities in certain case types are protected by law. Juvenile records have separate restrictions. Medical information and certain personal details are also exempt. When any portion of a record is withheld, the Lynnwood Police Department must identify what was removed and cite the specific legal exemption. You can ask for a written list of withheld items if you want to know exactly what is missing and why.
There is a meaningful legal distinction between an arrest record and a conviction record. A Lynnwood arrest record means an officer took someone into custody. It does not prove guilt or indicate what happened afterward in court. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are available to the public. Non-conviction records, where charges were dropped or a case ended without a guilty finding, have more limits on copying and distribution. You can often inspect those at Snohomish County Superior Court, but copying is restricted in many cases.
Lynnwood has a full body-worn camera program launched in April 2022. Footage from those cameras can be part of a public records request submitted through GovQA. Redaction is required before video is released, and the city charges a fee based on the time it takes to edit the footage. If you are requesting BWC video, ask the department for a cost estimate before the work begins. People who are subjects of the footage may qualify for a fee waiver under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e). State that in your GovQA submission so staff can review the exemption.
Snohomish County Arrest Records
Lynnwood is in Snohomish County. Felony cases, county jail bookings, and records involving unincorporated areas go through Snohomish County systems. Visit the county page for the jail roster, Sheriff's records unit, and county-level arrest resources.
Nearby Cities
Other nearby cities in Snohomish County also maintain public arrest records under RCW 42.56.