A Guide to Sealing and Destroying Court Records, Vacating Convictions, and Deleting Criminal History Records in Washington State (PDF)

This brochure provides information about sealing and destroying court records, vacating convictions, and deleting criminal history records. It is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice regarding the subject matter described in this brochure.

Courts and law enforcement agencies maintain records of those who are detained, arrested, charged, and convicted or acquitted of crimes. You may have the right to inspect court records and criminal history records that pertain to you.

For information about a court record, contact the city or county court where the case was filed. This may be a municipal, district, juvenile, or superior court.

For information about a criminal history record, contact the law enforcement agency responsible for the case. This may be a city police department, county sheriff’s office, the Washington State Patrol, or another agency with police powers.

The authority to seal or destroy records and to vacate convictions is established by laws enacted by the Legislature and by rules adopted by the Washington State Supreme Court. State laws concerning court records and criminal history records change frequently, so you may wish to seek legal advice about your specific circumstances. You should consult an attorney to determine if sealing or destroying your record or vacating your conviction could affect your immigration status or your right to possess a firearm.