Washoe County Background Information
Washoe County (/ˈwɒʃoʊ/) is a county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 486,492, making it Nevada's second-most populous county. Its county seat is Reno. Washoe County is included in the Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Washoe County Crime Numbers
The Records, Communications, and Compliance Division (RCCD) of the Nevada Department of Public Safety compiles and publishes crime statistics for all the counties in the state. Its most recent records for Washoe County are for 2021. In that year, the county recorded 1 murders, 52 rapes, 16 robberies, and 268 aggravated assaults. Reported incidences of property crimes include 178 burglaries, 489 larcenies, 105 motor vehicle thefts, and 11 arsons.
Compared to the 2013 figures, crimes that are on the rise in Washoe County include rape (53.8%), robbery (29.8%), aggravated assault (52.8%), and motor vehicle theft (62.6%). On the other hand, the five-year crime trend for the county indicates falling murder (22.7%), burglary (14.3%), larceny (2%), and arson (25.5%) rates.
Washoe County Criminal Records
The RCCD maintains the Nevada Criminal History Repository and allows members of the public to request background checks. It offers fingerprint-based criminal history checks. To request a background check, complete Form DPS-006 as well as a standard FD-258 fingerprint card. In addition to providing identifying details, the fingerprint card must also have imprints of all 10 fingers of the subject of the check. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting service through its Record Section. Visit the Sheriff's Office at 911 Parr Boulevard, Reno or call (775) 328-3023 for details. The fee for each card is $10.
Send the completed Form DPS-006, fingerprint card, and a money order or certified check for $23.50 made out to the Nevada Department of Public Safety to:
Department of Public Safety
Records, Communications and Compliance Division
333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-6262
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Records Section of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office also maintains all case reports and booking information generated by the Deputies. Call the Records Section at (775) 328-3023 or visit the Sheriff's Office to inquire about obtaining offense and accident reports for the county. Cities and some of the other municipalities in Washoe County also have their own law enforcement agencies. For example, the police departments of the City of Reno (county seat) and the City of Sparks can provide police reports for incidents that occurred within their jurisdictions.
Washoe County Sex Offender Information
Law enforcement in Washoe County and the Cities of Reno and Sparks have a combined Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit that tracks and monitors registered sex offenders living in the county. This unit also apprehends and prosecutes non-compliant offenders. The state of Nevada has a centralized database of registered sex offenders maintained by the Department of Public Safety. Find sex offenders living in Washoe County by searching the Nevada Sex Offender Registry.
Washoe County Inmate Information
The Detention Division of the Sheriff's Office runs the Washoe County Detention Facility. The address of this county jail is 911 Parr Boulevard, Reno while its phone numbersare (775) 328-3062 and (775) 328-2971. Use the Inmate Search tool provided by the Sheriff's Office to find individuals incarcerated in this facility. A Washoe County Inmate Search will typically require requesters to provide information with which to facilitate the search. This includes the inmate’s full name, birth date, booking number as well as their arrest and offense information.
How to Send Money to a Washoe County Inmate
Friends and family can fund inmates' accounts by depositing money at the kiosks located in the detention facility's visiting lobby and Sheriff's Office foyer. Cash and credit cards are accepted at these kiosks. Alternatively, they can also send money orders to inmates by mail. Money orders sent this way must include inmates' names and be addressed to:
ATTN: Inmate Accounting
Washoe County Jail
911 Parr Blvd.
Reno, NV 89512
Washoe County Court Records
The Second Judicial District Court is the highest trial court in Washoe County. It has a Family Division that is separate from its General Jurisdiction court. The addresses and contact information for these courts are:
General Jurisdiction
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
Family Division
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 328-3110
Use the Detailed Case Search portal to find the records of the Second Judicial District Court. You can also send a request to the Clerk of Court to search for records. Complete a Records Search Request Form and submit it to the General Jurisdiction address above or mail it to:
Attn: Records
Second Judicial District Court
75 Court Street, Room 131
Reno, NV 89501
Records that can be searched include civil, criminal, probate, and divorce records. The Clerk charges 50 cents per name or year for search fee. Cash is only accepted for in-person requests. Personal, business, and cashier's checks as well as money order are accepted for mail requests. Include a copy of your Nevada Identification card or driver's license. Send along a stamped, self-addressed envelope if expecting paper copies in return.
There are three Justice Courts in Washoe County. These have Civil, Criminal, and Citation Divisions. Their addresses and contact information are:
Incline Village - Crystal Bay Justice Court
865 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 301, Incline Village, NV 89451
Phone: (775) 832-4100
Fax: (775) 832-4162
Reno Township Justice Court
1 South Sierra Street,
P.O. Box 11130, Reno, NV 89520
Phone: (775) 325-6500
Fax: (775) 325-6510
Sparks Township Justice Court
1675 East Prater Way, Suite 107, Sparks, NV 89434
Phone: (775) 353-7603 (Civil)
Fax: (775) 352-3004 (Criminal)
Phone: (775) 353-7600 (Criminal)
Fax: (775) 352-3004 (Criminal)
Complete a Public Record Request Form to request for the records of the Sparks Justice Court. Send this to the appropriate divisions of the court at:
Criminal Department: SJCCriminal@washoecounty.us
Citation Department: SJCCitations@washoecounty.us
Civil Department: SJCCivil@washoecounty.us
The court charges 50 cents per page for regular copies of court records and $3 per document for certified copies. The fee for searching for records is $1 per year.
Call or visit the other Justice Courts to inquire about obtaining copies of their records. The Reno Justice Court charges the same fees as the Sparks Justice Court for copies of its records.It also charges $25 for record exemplification and $35 per CD for audio recordings of court records.
Washoe County Vital Records
The Second Judicial District Court maintains divorce records in Washoe County. You can request certified copies of your divorce decree by sending a written request to the court. The request should include the names of parties involved in the divorce, approximate date/year of divorce, a case number if known, requester's contact phone number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send this request to:
Attn: Mail Desk
Second Judicial District Court
75 Court Street
Reno, NV 89501
Each certified copy of a divorce decree costs $6. Send a cashier's check or money order covering this fee along with your mail request. Make it payable to Second Judicial District Court.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Washoe County Recorder's Office. Search and order these records online by using the Recorder's Document Search and Copies portal. Note that only mail certificates issued after November 1, 1997 are available to order online. For older records, complete a Request for Marriage Record form and send it to:
Attn. Marriages
Kalie M. Work, Recorder
1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg A
Suite 140
Reno, NV 89512
Phone: (775) 328-3660
Email: recordmar@washoecounty.us
Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
(closed on legal holidays)
Each certified copy costs $15 while the fee for a plain copy is $1. You may also fax the completed request form to (775) 325-8009 and pay for copy fee with a credit card. The Recorder's Office also accepts orders placed by phone. To do so, call (775) 328-3660 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT between Monday and Friday.
The Vital Statistics office of the Washoe County Health District provides copies of birth and death certificates to qualified applicants. You can order for these records by visiting:
Washoe County Health District
1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno
Birth and Death Records
Building B, first floor, east side of building
Phone: (775) 328-2455
Hours:
The order window: 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
The window is closed from 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily.
Bring along a valid photo ID. Cash, money order, check, and credit/debit cards are acceptable forms of payments for walk-in requests. Make check or money order payable to Washoe County Health District. The fee for each copy of birth or death certificate is $20.
The Washoe County Health District also accepts mail requests. Send a completed Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application, along with a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of legal need to:
Washoe County Health District - Vital Statistics
1001 East Ninth Street, BLDG B
Reno, NV 89512
Include a check or moneypayable to Washoe County Health District for $20 per copy of vital record.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Washoe County?
Washoe County property records are open to the public in compliance with the Nevada Public Records Act. Interested members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of property records by submitting requests at the government agency in charge of the records.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Washoe County
The Washoe County Recorder is responsible for managing all official records of properties in the county. Such documents include deeds, liens, homesteads, maps, and more. The Recorder’s office attends to requests during business hours: from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding legal holidays). To obtain a copy of property records in Washoe County, interested persons may contact the office below:
Washoe County Recorder, Kalie Work
1001 E. Ninth St. Bldg. A
Reno, NV 89512
Phone: (775) 328-3661
Email: record@washoecounty.gov
How to Look Up Washoe County Property Records
The Washoe County Recorder's Office maintains a searchable online database that provides information on Official Records, UCC Documents, and maps. Interested may access the different documents by providing the following details:
- Grantor
- Grantee
- Document Number
- Assessor’s Parcel Number
- Book or Page
- Recording Date Start
- Recording Date End
- Quarter
- Township
- Document Types
Alternatively, the Washoe County Assessor's Office also maintains an online Real Property Assessment Data that allows interested persons to search for Washoe County property records using the Assessor's Parcel Number, Owner's Name, Address, and National Building Code.
Location of Washoe County Property Assessors
Washoe County Assessor Office
CHRIS S. SARMAN, ASSESSOR
1001 East Ninth Street, Bldg D
Reno, NV 89512-2845
Hours:
8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM Monday - Friday.
Phone: (775) 328-2200
Fax: (775) 328-3641
Real Property Appraisal: (775) 328-2233
Personal Property - Commercial/Manufactured/Aircraft: (775) 328-2213
Mapping: (775) 328-2231
Email: exemptions@washoecounty.gov
