Federal Way People Search

A Federal Way people search pulls together records from the city, the police department, the municipal court, and King County. Federal Way sits in the southern part of King County and has its own police force and municipal court, so many records start at the city level. For bigger cases and civil filings, the trail leads to King County Superior Court and the King County District Court in Burien. This page shows you where each type of record lives and how to get copies when you need them for a Federal Way people search.

Federal Way Public Records

The City of Federal Way follows the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, for all records requests. The public records page lays out three paths depending on what you need. Police records go to the Federal Way Police Department. Court records go to the Federal Way Municipal Court. All other city records go to the City Clerk. Each has its own address and contact, but they all sit at 33325 8th Ave. S. in Federal Way.

The city keeps an Electronic Records Library with commonly asked-for files. Advisory body records, council meeting materials, bids and proposals, the city budget, the municipal code, hearing examiner records, contracts, ordinances, permits going back to 1990, planning files, proclamations, and resolutions are all posted there. If your file is already online, you can skip the formal request step and grab it right away.

Here is the Federal Way public records main page that shows the three request tracks and the Electronic Records Library:

Pick the right track before you file a request so it goes to the correct desk the first time.

Police Records in Federal Way

The Federal Way Police Department is state and nationally accredited. It keeps incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, and body worn camera footage. For a people search, police files often have the most relevant data tied to a name. Contact the Civilian Operations Manager at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 101, Federal Way, WA 98003. Phone is 253-835-6700 and fax is 253-835-6739.

When you file a request, be specific. Give document titles, dates, full names, and any report or reference numbers you have. A request has to be for a record that already exists. The city will not build a new document from scratch. Under RCW 42.56.520, staff respond within five business days with the record, a link to an online version, a time estimate, a clarification question, or a denial with a cited reason.

Here is the Federal Way Police Department page with contact information and department overview:

Use this page to confirm the records unit address and find the right contact for your request.

Federal Way Municipal Court Search

The Federal Way Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and other violations inside city limits. Court records are released under GR 31.1, not the Public Records Act. That means you go through the court administrator, not the city clerk. Contact the Court Administrator at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102, phone 253-835-3000. Court lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Judges Danielle Havens and E. Bradford Bales preside.

Here is the Federal Way Municipal Court page with hours, contacts, and judge listings:

Call the court to ask about specific case files or hearing dates before you visit in person.

The statewide Washington Courts case search also covers Federal Way Municipal Court. Search by name to see case numbers, types, and filing dates. It updates daily. This tool is free but only shows reference data. For the official record, you go to the court itself.

King County Courts for Federal Way

For civil and small claims cases, Federal Way matters go to the King County District Court at the Burien Facility, 601 S.W. 149th St., Burien, WA 98166. Phone 206-205-9200. That court also handles civil filings for Auburn, Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila, and other south King County cities. Felonies, family law, probate, and larger civil cases go to King County Superior Court.

The KC Script Portal gives online access to King County Superior Court records for cases filed after November 1, 2004. You can search by name, view case details, and order copies. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page for online viewing. Certified copies start at $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per page after that. Research fees are $30 per hour.

Note: King County District Court provides online case searches, payment options, and remote hearing services for Federal Way civil cases.

Federal Way Records Fees

Costs for copies in Federal Way are set by city policy and state law. Here is what to expect:

• Photocopies: $0.15 per page
• Scanned paper records: $0.10 per page
• Electronic files: $0.05 per four files
• Electronic transfer: $0.10 per gigabyte
• Mailing: actual cost
• Body worn camera redaction: $0.83 per minute of redacted video

Inspecting records in person costs nothing. RCW 42.56.120 says agencies cannot charge for time spent searching for records, only for the cost of making copies. The body camera redaction fee is an exception allowed under RCW 42.56.240(14).

Other Agency Records Near Federal Way

Some records that come up in a Federal Way people search are not held by the city at all. Birth and death certificates go through King County Vital Records. Deeds and marriage licenses are at the King County Recorder. Property tax records are at the King County Assessor. Fire inspection records sit with South King Fire and Rescue. The city's public records page lists these outside agencies and their contact info so you don't waste time asking the wrong office.

The WATCH system from Washington State Patrol gives statewide criminal history for $11 per search. The Washington State Digital Archives has historical court cases, vital records, and property files. The Department of Corrections incarcerated search shows current state prison inmates. And the DOH provider credential search covers healthcare worker licenses across Washington.

Federal Way People Search Tips

Start with the free court search tools. Run a name through Washington Courts and the KC Script Portal. If you get a hit, note the case number and contact the court for copies. That approach is faster and cheaper than filing a broad records request. For police files, include the incident date and any case number on the form. The more detail, the faster the turnaround.

Use the Electronic Records Library first. Many common city files are already posted there. If you need something that is not online, submit through the records request portal. You get a tracking number right away and email updates as staff work on your request. Within five business days, you will hear back with either the record, a time estimate, or a denial with the specific statute cited.