Washington County Criminal Records and Background Check

Washington County is the fastest-growing county in Utah, with a population approaching 185,000 centered around St. George in the state's southwest corner. A background check in Washington County draws on records from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the St. George Police Department Records Division, the Fifth District Court, and the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. This page covers each of those sources, explains the request process under Utah's open records law, and outlines tools available for free public searches.

Washington County Sheriff Records and Background Check Access

The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated Washington County and maintains arrest records, warrant information, and inmate records for its jurisdiction. The Sheriff operates the county detention facility and publishes an inmate roster online, which shows current bookings and charges. This roster is a fast, free way to check for a recent arrest in the county.

For records related to cases worked by Sheriff's deputies in unincorporated areas, contact the Sheriff's records division directly. Bring your identification and any case numbers you have when visiting in person. Mail requests are also accepted; follow the standard GRAMA process outlined later on this page. The Sheriff's GRAMA coordinator can be reached through the main Washington County government website.

The Washington County Sheriff serves unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county detention center in St. George.

Active warrants can be checked through the BCI Statewide Warrants file, known as the SWW. The Sheriff's records staff can also confirm warrant status when you call or visit in person. Keep in mind that warrants for municipal arrests are handled by city agencies, not the Sheriff.

St. George Police Records Division

Because St. George is the largest city in Washington County, a significant share of all arrest records in the county are held by the St. George Police Department Records Division, not the Sheriff. The Records Division manages all police reports, accident reports, fingerprint cards, and citations generated by St. George Police officers. It also handles all GRAMA requests for those records.

The St. George Police GRAMA process follows the same ten-business-day timeline required by Utah Code 63G-2-204. Within that period, the agency must provide the record, issue a written denial, or notify you that more time is needed due to extraordinary circumstances. To reach the Records Division, call (435) 627-4301.

Fees for St. George Police records are set by city policy. Staff research time is billed at $18.82 per hour, with the first fifteen minutes at no charge. Black-and-white copies cost $0.25 per page. Color copies cost $0.50 per page. Photos provided on CD are $5.00 per disc. Audio recordings from dispatch cost $47.43 per hour of staff processing time. These fee schedules can change; confirm current rates when you submit your request.

The St. George Police Records Division is the primary records source for arrests and incidents that occurred within St. George city limits.

Running a Background Check in Washington County

A complete background check for a Washington County resident requires pulling records from at least two or three sources. The Sheriff covers unincorporated areas. St. George Police covers the city. Washington City, Hurricane, and other incorporated municipalities hold their own records. The Fifth District Court in St. George holds case filings for all criminal proceedings in the county. And BCI holds the statewide fingerprint-based criminal history file.

The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification offers the most comprehensive single-source criminal records search in the state. BCI maintains the official statewide criminal history database, which draws from all Utah law enforcement agencies. A Right of Access request for your own record costs $20.00 as of July 1, 2025. Mail requests go to BCI's Criminal Records Section at 3888 West 5400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84129. The BCI main office is located at 4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT 84129, phone (801) 965-4445, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Note: The BCI record reflects only what has been reported and entered into the statewide system; records from agencies that did not submit data to BCI may not appear.

Fifth District Court and Criminal Case Records

All criminal cases in Washington County are heard by the Fifth District Court in St. George. Court records are among the most detailed sources of criminal history information because they document each stage of the legal process: charging, hearings, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentences. Court records in Utah are generally public under state law.

The MyCourtCase portal at mycourtcase.utah.gov allows free searches by name or case number. It shows basic case status and hearing information for active and closed cases. For deeper access including document images, use XChange, the Utah Courts subscription system. XChange requires registration and charges per use but provides a full record of filings and orders. The Utah Courts website has information on how to register for either service.

Court records exist for any case that reached the charging stage. An arrest that did not result in charges will not have a court record. Checking both the Sheriff's booking history and the court case system gives a fuller picture than either source alone.

Inmate Search and Booking Data

The Washington County Sheriff publishes a current inmate roster online. This roster is updated regularly and shows individuals currently held in the county detention center, including names, booking dates, and charges. It is a free, public-facing tool available through the Sheriff's website at washco.utah.gov.

For individuals no longer in county custody, the Utah Department of Corrections Offender Search covers people on parole or probation or serving time in a state facility. Vinelink is another national tool that allows searches by offender name or ID for inmates across multiple state systems. Both are free online resources.

Warrant Checks in Washington County

Washington County warrant information is available through the BCI Statewide Warrants file (SWW), which consolidates active warrants from agencies across Utah. You can check this database online through BCI's public tools or call the Washington County Sheriff's Office directly. The Fifth District Court clerk's office can also confirm whether a judge has issued a warrant connected to an open case.

There are two main warrant types. A bench warrant is issued when someone fails to appear in court. An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement presents probable cause to a judge. Both types are entered into the SWW and can be checked through the BCI system or through local law enforcement.

Municipal warrants from St. George or other cities are held by each city's police department or through the court system. The BCI SWW file should capture most of these, but checking directly with the issuing agency is always the most reliable method if you need to confirm a specific warrant's status.

GRAMA Public Records Request Process

Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, codified at Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2, gives the public the right to request records from government agencies. The law applies to Washington County agencies including the Sheriff, the county government, and St. George city departments. Each agency has its own records officer and procedures for accepting requests.

Your GRAMA request should describe the record you want as specifically as possible. Include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of the incident or arrest, and any case numbers you have. Vague requests take longer and may result in the agency asking for clarification before the ten-business-day clock starts. The Utah GRAMA Portal at openrecords.utah.gov allows online submission to some participating agencies.

If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal. First, appeal to the agency head. If that fails, you may appeal to the Utah State Records Committee. The process and deadlines are spelled out in the statute. Most routine public record requests are fulfilled without reaching the appeal stage.

Expungement Options for Washington County Records

Utah's expungement law is found at Utah Code Title 77, Chapter 40a. Waiting periods after conviction or release from supervision are: ten years for DUI convictions, seven years for felonies, five years for Class A misdemeanors, four years for Class B misdemeanors, and three years for Class C misdemeanors and infractions. Not all offenses are eligible; the statute lists specific disqualifying convictions.

The process begins at BCI's expungement unit. You apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which costs $65.00 per offense. BCI takes four to six months to review and issue the certificate. Once you have it, you petition the court where the original case was filed. For most Washington County criminal cases, that is the Fifth District Court in St. George. The court may set a hearing and will issue a final order if the petition is approved.

A successful expungement seals the record from general public access. Law enforcement and certain government agencies may still view sealed records under specific legal conditions. An expungement does not erase the record entirely, but it removes it from the results of a standard public records search.