What Are District of Columbia County Arrest Records?
District of Columbia arrest records are official documents that detail incidents when individuals were taken into custody by law enforcement agencies in the district for alleged criminal involvements. These documents contain collated information such as prior/pending warrants, arrest history, criminal charges, arresting agency’s name, date of arrest, and personal data including name, date of birth, race, and so on.
Individuals 18 years and above can get District of Columbia arrest records upon requests to the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Only the record subject and persons authorized by the subject for stated reasons can obtain these records either in person or via mail. For over-the-counter requests, visit the first floor of Police Headquarters at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 1075 Washington, DC. with valid identification and the $7 request fees. Fill the form and provide identification and processing fees, and the request will be processed within 1-10 business days. For mailed requests, write a notarized letter requesting an arrest record and send it to:
Metropolitan Police Department
Criminal History Section
300 Indiana Avenue, NW,
Room 1075
Washington, DC 20001
The request should contain the requester’s details as well as information that will facilitate the search like the subject’s full name, birth date, and social security number. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and money order of $7 made payable to the “DC Treasurer." Processing takes six weeks from the date of request. Call (202) 727-4245 for further inquiries.
Note: District of Columbia arrest records do not contain information on prosecution and final disposition.
Crime Statistics
The statistics recorded by the MPD's records management system show that the District of Columbia had 24,577 recorded crimes in 2019. This figure was broken down into 3,085 violent crimes and 21,492 property crimes. The crime trend revealed that violent crimes consisted of 127 homicides, 156 sex abuse cases, 1,205 assaults with a dangerous weapon, and 1,597 robberies. On the other hand, property crimes consisted of eight arsons, 959 burglaries, 1,579 motor vehicle thefts, 7,650 auto thefts, and 11,296 other thefts.
Compared to the crime data of the previous year, the crime data reveal a 1% increase in violent crimes while property crime rates remained the same. However, closer analysis shows that sex abuse incidents had the highest decrease rate at -32%, while arson cases had a 60% increase.
What Are District of Columbia County Criminal Records?
District of Columbia criminal records are documents created by criminal justice agencies in the region to provide a comprehensive summary of crimes committed by persons in the territory. These documents contain information on the offender like full name, sex, date of birth, mugshot, and fingerprints. The records also include data obtained from District of Columbia arrest records and conviction records such as arrest history, warrant details, criminal charges, prosecution, and final disposition. Criminal records for the District of Columbia are available at the Metropolitan Police Department.
How Do I Get District of Columbia County Criminal Records?
Similar to the retrieval process for District of Columbia arrest records, individuals can obtain criminal records by making Criminal History Requests via mail or in person at the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. This department conducts background checks for self and authorized persons with notarized request letters.
Request forms are provided upon visit to the first floor of Police Headquarters at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 1075 Washington, DC. Interested persons should go to with valid identification, $7 fees, and relevant information like the full name, birth date, and social security number of the record subject. Same-day results are not available for in-person requests as requests take one to 10 days to be processed.
Individuals who are unable to make requests in person may choose to send a notarized letter with the above details, $7 money order made payable to the "DC Treasurer" and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Metropolitan Police Department
Criminal History Section
300 Indiana Avenue, NW,
Room 1075
Washington, DC 20001
Processing of mailed requests may take up to six weeks from the day of request. The criminal record will contain a listing of all adult arrests and adult convictions that the sentence was completed not more than 10 years ago. Call (202) 727-4245 for further inquiries.
How to Find District of Columbia County Sex Offender Information?
The Metropolitan Police Department maintains information of all registered sex offenders in the territory. In compliance with the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1999, the department provides information on Class A and B sex offenders through the online search tool. Individuals can obtain a listing of all offenders or use the interactive map to find offenders within a specified mile radius. Persons may also search the database by address, district, geographical area, and offender name.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the District of Columbia County Jail?
The Department of Corrections permits inmates in and District of Columbia Correctional Facility to receive two 45 minutes visits weekly. Visits must be pre-scheduled and may be face-to-face or via video on Wednesdays to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, only a maximum of one adult and two children may visit at the same time. Individuals can find the jail rule, visiting guidelines, and links to schedule visits on the department’s website.
Where and How to Find District of Columbia County Inmate Information?
Individuals interested in obtaining information on inmates who are incarcerated in a District of Columbia Correctional Facility should call the Department of Corrections’ Records Office at (202) 523-7060. Persons who are victims of crimes and have the offender’s full name, inmate number, case number, or PDID should visit the victim information service page to register for automated updates on an inmate. Federal inmate databases and third-party repositories may also be used to conduct a District of Columbia County Inmate Search.
What Are District of Columbia County Court Records?
District of Columbia court records are filings, materials, and documents that are created, maintained, or issued by a court within its jurisdiction. These documents provide information on the proceedings and judicial actions that took place in D.C courts and their divisions. Examples of court records are dockets, case files, sworn statements, orders, and so on.
Most of the District of Columbia public records maintained in courts are open and available both online and onsite. However, confidential or sensitive information may lead to certain records being sealed or information redacted by the court. Open records may be viewed freely in person but require administrative fees for searching, duplicating, or notarizing documents. Individuals may get records by using the online case search tool or by making mailed or in-person requests to the court where cases were tried.
Location of All Courts in District of Columbia County
Superior Courts in District of Columbia
DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue, NW,
Room. 4335
Washington, DC 20001
Civil Division in District of Columbia County
Civil Actions Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Room 5000,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1133
Landlord and Tenant Branch
Court Building B
510 4th Street North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4879
Small Claims and Conciliation Branch
Court Building B
510 4th Street North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1120
Criminal Division in District of Columbia County
Criminal Division
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Room 4001,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1373
Fax: (202) 638-5352
Family Court in District of Columbia County
Central Intake Center
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1633
Domestic Relations Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1186
Juvenile and Neglect Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1316
Mental Health and Habilitation Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1040
Paternity and Child Support Branch
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4856
Domestic Violence Unit in District of Columbia County
Domestic Violence Unit
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Room 4510, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-0157
Probate Division in District of Columbia County
Probate Division
Court Building A
515 5th Street North-West,
Room 314,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-9460
Tax Division in District of Columbia County
Tax Division
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue North-West,
Room 3131,
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1737
What Are District of Columbia County Vital Records?
District of Columbia vital records refer to certified or uncertified documents that summarize or provide evidence of life events like divorces, marriages, deaths, births, and other vital events that occurred under the district’s jurisdiction. These records are generated and maintained by different custodians in the District of Columbia. For instance, marriage and divorce records are available at the Superior Court, while birth and death records are at the D.C. Department of Health.
Where and How to Get District of Columbia County Divorce Records
Divorce records for the District of Columbia are available at the D.C. Superior Court. Interested persons may search for these records by using the case search tool or by making in-person requests at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Alternatively, mail request letters with the parties names, date of divorce, and other relevant details to the court at:
D.C. Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue, NW,
Room 4335
Washington, DC 20001
The court will charge requesters for record duplication or research and may request government-issued identification to verify claims.
Where and How to Get District of Columbia County Marriage Records
Marriage records for the District of Columbia are available at the D.C. Superior Court. Interested persons can order certified copies of these records online or visit the Marriage Bureau and Special Services of the D.C. Superior Court. Alternatively, mail request letters with the spouse names, date of marriage, and certificate number (if known) to:
District of Columbia Superior Court
Marriage Bureau - JM 690
500 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
The court will charge requesters for record duplication or research and may request government-issued identification to verify claims.
Where and How to Get District of Columbia County Birth Records
Birth records for the District of Columbia are available at the D.C. Department of Health but have access limited to parents/legal guardians, adult registrants, grandparents, and other authorized persons. Eligible persons can order certified copies of these records online or download, fill and mail the birth certificate application forms along with $23 per requested copy and copy of valid ID to:
Department of Health
Vital Records Division
899 North Capitol Street, NE,
First Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-9303
Where and How to Get District of Columbia County Death Records
Death records for the District of Columbia are available at the D.C. Department of Health but have access limited to parents/legal guardians, adult registrants, grandparents, and other authorized persons. Eligible persons can order certified copies of these records online or download, fill and mail the death certificate application forms along with $18 per requested copy and copy of valid ID to:
Department of Health
Vital Records Division
899 North Capitol Street, NE,
First Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-9303
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in the District of Columbia
Per the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act, which states that residents have the right to request access to records, property records are open to the public in the District of Columbia City and County. Individuals that seek property records can find them at the appropriate agency office.
Where and How to Find Property Records in District of Columbia City and County
The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue is responsible for creating records of all taxable property in the city/county. It provides these records to the public through online and offline channels. Interested individuals can find property records by calling or visiting the Office of Tax and Revenue in person, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Office of Tax and Revenue
1101 4th Street,
SW, Suite 270 West,
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 727-4829
Fax: (202) 442-6890
How to Look Up District of Columbia City and County Property Records
The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue provides the public with online access to property records through its Real Property Tax Database Search page. Researchers can find District of Columbia property records by:
- Owner Name
- Property Address
- Account Number
- DBA ID
Search results (if positive) will provide the following property information:
- Building Type
- No. of Stories
- Living Area
- Year Built
- No. of Bed Rooms
- No of Baths
- No. of ½ Baths
- No. of Total Rooms
- Exterior Wall
- Floor Covering
- Heat Type
- Air Conditioning
- Fireplace(s)
Property records obtained on the Real Property Tax Database Search page are not certified. Individuals that require certified copies of District of Columbia property records can obtain them by calling or visiting the Office of Tax and Revenue in person, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Office of Tax and Revenue
1101 4th Street,
SW, Suite 270 West,
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 727-4829
Fax: (202) 442-6890
Location of District of Columbia City and County Property Assessors
Office of Tax and Revenue
1101 4th Street,
SW, Suite 270 West,
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 727-4829
Fax: (202) 442-6890
