Washington City Criminal Records Search
Washington City criminal records are held by the Washington City Police Department, the Washington City Recorder's Office, and the Fifth Judicial District Court in St. George. Washington City is a Washington County city of approximately 28,000 residents located just east of St. George in southwestern Utah. All felony and serious misdemeanor cases from Washington City run through the Fifth District Court. Police reports, arrest records, and city government records are available under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act.
Washington City Quick Facts
Where to Find Washington City Criminal Records
Washington City criminal records come from the Washington City Recorder's Office, the Washington City Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Each agency handles a different type of record. Knowing where to submit your request saves time.
The Washington City Recorder's Office is the primary contact for non-police city records. The recorder is Tara Pentz, located at 111 North 100 East, Washington City, UT 84780. The phone number is (435) 656-6308. The recorder processes GRAMA requests for city documents, meeting records, contracts, and other government materials. Two separate GRAMA forms exist for Washington City: a general form for non-police records and a police-specific form for police records requests.
The Washington City Police Department handles requests for police reports, incident records, and arrest documentation generated by city officers. The police-specific GRAMA form must be used when requesting police records rather than the general city form. Washington City's police resources page includes access to a 24-hour Incident Activity Log for the Washington City Police Department, which gives an overview of recent police activity.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is located at 620 South 5300 West in Hurricane, UT 84737. The main number is (435) 656-6500. For inmate information, call (435) 656-6600. The Washington County Corrections Division is at 750 South 5300 West in Hurricane. The sheriff's office holds county-level arrest and booking records for the broader Washington County area.
Note: Records from active criminal investigations are classified as protected under GRAMA. These records are not available until the investigation is complete and charges are resolved.
Washington City Recorder and Criminal Records Access
The Washington City Recorder's Office records page provides information on how to submit GRAMA requests for city records and links to the appropriate forms for both general city records and police-specific records.
The recorder's office processes requests within 10 business days under Utah's GRAMA law. Two forms are available. The Government Records Request (GRAMA) Form covers non-police records. The Washington City Police Department Police Specific Government Records Request (GRAMA) Form is required for all police records requests. Using the wrong form may delay your request.
Washington City government records subject to GRAMA include city contracts, ordinances, meeting minutes, financial records, and correspondence created or received in the course of city business. Criminal records held by city government fall under the same GRAMA classification system as other records: public, private, controlled, or protected. Public records are open to any person. Private and protected records require specific authorization or a court order for release.
Note: Washington City document copies carry a minimum charge of $5 per record as established by the Washington County records fee schedule. Fees for police-specific records may differ from general city record fees.
Washington City Police Department Criminal Records
The Washington City Police Department serves the city and processes GRAMA requests for police reports, arrest logs, incident records, and related law enforcement documentation.
The Washington City Police Department provides a 24-hour Incident Activity Log on its website, which records recent police calls and activity. This log can help you locate a specific incident date and case number before submitting a formal records request. The police department also makes available various community resources including neighborhood watch information, code enforcement details, and emergency preparedness materials.
Police records from the department are classified under GRAMA rules. Initial incident reports are generally classified as public. Follow-up and investigative reports may be classified as protected or private depending on content. Video and audio evidence, including body camera footage, may require review before release and may carry a higher reproduction fee. All police records requests must use the police-specific GRAMA form, not the general city form.
Washington County Court Records and Washington City Criminal Records
Washington County court records, including criminal cases originating from Washington City, are accessible through the Utah Courts XChange system at utcourts.gov. In-person access is available at the Fifth District Court in St. George.
All felony and serious misdemeanor cases from Washington City are heard in the Fifth Judicial District Court. St. George serves as the Washington County seat and is home to the Fifth District Court. Criminal case records at this court include charging documents, arraignment records, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation terms. These records become public once the case is filed unless sealed by court order.
The Utah Courts XChange system at utcourts.gov provides online access to Fifth District Court cases for a $30 monthly subscription. You can search by name, case number, or citation. Results show case type, charges, hearing dates, and status. Some document images are available through the system. Certified copies of court documents must be obtained from the Fifth District Court clerk directly.
Note: Juvenile records and cases with protective orders in Washington County operate under separate access rules. Contact the Fifth District Court clerk for guidance on specific restricted cases.
How to Search Washington City Criminal Records
The right method for searching Washington City criminal records depends on whether you need police reports, court case files, or statewide criminal history.
For police reports, download the police-specific GRAMA form from the Washington City website. Complete the form and submit it to the Washington City Police Department. Include your contact information, a description of the records requested with reasonable specificity, and payment authorization. The standard response time is 10 business days. Expedited 5-day processing may be requested with documentation showing urgency.
For court case records, use the Utah Courts XChange system or contact the Fifth District Court clerk in St. George. XChange requires a $30 monthly subscription. In-person requests at the court allow you to review records and obtain certified copies the same day. Certified copies are required for legal proceedings and carry the court's official seal.
For statewide criminal history, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at 4315 South 2700 West Suite 1300 in Taylorsville processes comprehensive background checks covering all Washington City records. Name-based and fingerprint-based checks cost $20 each as of July 1, 2025. The BCI is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (801) 965-4445.
For inmate custody status, VINE at vinelink.com provides free real-time information on Washington County jail inmates and Utah Department of Corrections facilities. You can register for automated custody alerts by email, text, or phone. No fee is required to search or register. The system covers jails and prisons in 48 states.
The Utah Department of Corrections offender search is free and searchable by name or offender number. Results include date of birth, physical description, and current facility or supervision status. This covers all current inmates and those under supervision statewide, including those from Washington County and Washington City.
GRAMA and Washington City Criminal Records Law
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act applies to all public records requests in Washington City. GRAMA is codified under Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2. Every person has the right to inspect any public record at no charge and the right to take a copy subject to applicable fees.
Washington City agencies must respond to a GRAMA request within 10 business days. The response must either provide the record, deny the request with a legal basis, or notify you that extraordinary circumstances require an extension. Media organizations may receive expedited 5-business-day processing upon demonstrating their status. Non-media requesters may also seek expedited processing by documenting an urgent need.
The GRAMA statute establishes four record classifications. Public records are open to anyone. Private records contain personal information requiring authorization. Controlled records include sensitive medical data. Protected records cover active investigations and other restricted material. You do not need to state a reason when making a GRAMA request for a public record in Washington City.
If Washington City denies your GRAMA request, you may appeal to the city's chief administrative officer. If the denial is upheld, you may then appeal to the Utah State Records Committee. A final appeal may be taken to district court. This process applies whether you are requesting records from the city recorder, the police department, or any other Washington City agency.
Washington County Criminal Records
Washington City is located in Washington County. All criminal cases filed in Washington City go through Washington County's court and law enforcement systems. The Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Fifth District Court both maintain records that extend across the county. For broader access to county-level criminal records, booking data, and GRAMA resources, visit the Washington County criminal records page.
Nearby Utah Cities
Nearby cities have their own law enforcement agencies and court jurisdictions for criminal records.