Vancouver Arrest Records

Under Washington law, a peace officer may make an arrest with or without a warrant when they have probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed in their presence or that a person has committed a felony outside their presence (RCW 10.31.100). In Vancouver, arrests are primarily carried out by the Vancouver Police Department, although the Clark County Sheriff's Office may intervene depending on jurisdiction or cooperative task forces.

Booking generally occurs at the Clark County Jail, where officers document identifying information such as fingerprints, mugshots, and charge details. These arrest files are transmitted to the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) and uploaded to the FBI's national database. The data feeds into jail rosters, court dockets, prosecution files, and the Clark County arrest records database, all of which are used by criminal justice agencies across Washington.

Are Vancouver Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), arrest and booking records are presumptively public unless they fall under a statutory exemption. Public access may be limited when:

• The record identifies a juvenile (RCW 13.50.050)
• The case is still under investigation (RCW 42.56.240)
• Medical or mental health details are included (RCW 70.02)
• The record has been sealed or vacated (RCW 9.96.060)

When a record contains both disclosable and exempt material, agencies may provide a redacted version. Only individuals with a "direct and tangible interest", such as the arrestee or their legal representative, may access unredacted versions. Further dissemination of criminal history data is governed by RCW 10.97, which restricts the public release of certain arrest information.

Vancouver Crime Rate

Vancouver's most recent crime data is available via the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. According to the 2024 WASPC Annual Report, Vancouver reported 19,550 offenses in 2024, representing a crime rate of 96.5 per 1,000 people and a -16.2% change from the previous year.

Among violent crimes (homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault), aggravated assault recorded the most occurrences, at 821 incidents. The offense declined by 10.2% from the previous year. Homicide offenses, a frequent concern in jurisdictions, however, increased by 27% in 2024, from 11 in 2023 to 14 in 2024. Murder, in particular, rose 57.1% in the city.

From 2023 to 2024, the property crime index showed significant declines: burglary decreased by 25.8%, larceny-theft offenses by 16.5%, motor vehicle theft by 49.8%, arson by 32.7%, and fraud by 11.6%.

Find Vancouver Arrest Records

Arrest records in Vancouver may be accessed through city and county agencies, depending on the jurisdiction of the arrest. The Vancouver Police Department's Records Division is the central repository for city-level incident and arrest reports. Members of the public may submit requests online or in person, via mail, or email to the following address by completing the Public Records Request Form:

Vancouver Police Department
NorthEast 2800 Stapleton Road
P.O. Box 1995
Vancouver, WA 98668-1995
Phone: (360) 487-7398
Fax: (360) 695-3530
Email: vpdpdr@cityofvancouver.us

Requests must include the arrestee's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of the incident. A government-issued photo ID is required for in-person pick-up.

For arrests made by the sheriff's office or cases handled at the county level, individuals should contact the Clark County Sheriff's Public Disclosure Unit. The county also maintains a searchable Jail Roster, which provides public booking information such as charges, bail amount, and booking date.

Free Arrest Record Search in Vancouver

There are multiple free resources available for locating information about arrested persons in Vancouver:

• Clark County Jail Roster: A real-time database listing all current detainees
• Police Blotter Reports: Periodic arrest summaries published by the Vancouver Police Department
• Washington Courts Case Search: Hosted by the Administrative Office of the Courts, this tool allows users to search for criminal cases (which may list arrest data) by name or case number.

While these databases provide basic arrest information at no cost, details may be limited. For example, blotters often omit personal identifiers, and case search tools may not display sealed or juvenile cases.

Third-party sites may also compile arrest information, but users should note that they are not always updated with the latest case outcomes and may charge a fee to view complete profiles.

Criminal Background Check in Washington

The Washington State Patrol provides criminal background checks to the public. There are two primary search methods:

• Name-Based Check: The fastest and most common option, available for $11 through the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) website. Mail-in or in-person requests. These checks return conviction histories tied to the subject's legal name and date of birth.
• Fingerprint-Based Check: Required by many employers, licensing boards, and government entities. Applicants must schedule fingerprinting through authorized vendors and pay $58. This check yields a full criminal history, including arrests and sealed dispositions that name-based checks may not reveal.

For either option, consent forms and valid photo identification are required. Employers and landlords may conduct these checks for official purposes, while individuals may perform a self-check to review their own records.

Vancouver Inmate Search

Persons sentenced to incarceration in Vancouver are initially held at the Clark County Jail. If the sentence exceeds one year, Washington law mandates a transfer to a state correctional facility managed by the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC). Inmates may be located using the DOC's Offender Search Tool, which allows searches by name, DOC number, or date of birth.

If the individual does not appear in either the DOC or county jail system, it is possible they were released, transferred to a federal facility, or have a sealed record. For cases pending trial, the Clark County Jail is the most likely point of detention.

Vancouver Police Record Lookup

Citizens may request Vancouver police records, including arrest affidavits, incident reports, and CAD logs, through the city PD's Public Records Center. Acceptable submission methods include:

• Online requests via the online portal
• In-person visits to the PD's Records Division at Northeast 2800 Stapleton Road
• Mailing, faxing, or emailing the Public Records Request Form to the Records Division

Fees for public records follow state guidelines set by RCW 42.56.120. Requesters receive the first 15 minutes of staff time free, after which labor is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee. Copies cost 15 cents per page; certification adds $5, and mailing services may incur an additional $2 fee. Government-issued ID is required for record pick-up.

Redactions may apply to records revealing confidential informants, open investigations, minors, or domestic violence victims.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Vancouver?

Under Washington's criminal history retention rules, arrest records generally remain on file indefinitely unless sealed or vacated. Arrest information is submitted to WASIS and shared with the FBI's Interstate Identification Unit, meaning records may appear in state and national background checks unless formally restricted.

While some case outcomes, such as dismissed charges, may qualify for vacation, they are not automatically removed. Third-party websites and mugshot aggregators may also continue displaying arrest information long after a case ends, regardless of the record's legal status.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Vancouver?

In most cases, Washington does not use the term "expungement" but offers the legal remedy of vacating convictions or sealing arrest records under RCW 9.96.060 and related laws. Eligibility typically requires that:

• The charges were dismissed or not filed
• The applicant has no new convictions
• The applicable waiting period has elapsed
• Any sentence or court-ordered condition is completed

To file for free, individuals may submit an In Forma Pauperis form to request a waiver. The form can be obtained from the Clark County Clerk's Office at:

Clark County Clerk
1200 Franklin Street
Vancouver, WA 98660.5000

Court timelines vary by case, but most petitions are resolved within two to three months. Once approved, sealing orders are forwarded to the State Patrol and other agencies for record suppression.

Vancouver Warrant Search

Warrants issued in Vancouver originate from the Clark County District or Superior Court and are typically served by the Vancouver Police Department or the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Citizens may check for active warrants through:

• The Clark County Clerk's Case Search
• Local law enforcement
• Courts

It is important to note that visiting a court or law enforcement office to inquire about a warrant requires a valid ID and may result in immediate detention if an arrest order is active. Legal counsel is strongly advised before taking such action.

Do Vancouver Warrants Expire?

No. Felony and misdemeanor warrants in Vancouver remain active indefinitely until:

• The suspect is arrested
• The issuing judge recalls the warrant
• The prosecutor dismisses the case
• The statute of limitations expires, and the court nullifies the order

Warrants may be quashed due to clerical error, the defendant's death, or a successful legal challenge.