King County WA Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court 2026

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King County, Washington · Arrest, Jail & Court Records

Search King County Jail Bookings, Arrest Records and Criminal Court Cases

A King County arrest can create several different records. The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention tracks jail bookings and custody at the Seattle and Kent facilities; the arresting police or sheriff agency maintains its law-enforcement report; and District, Municipal or Superior Court records show how the criminal case proceeds after arrest.

This guide connects those systems so you can identify the correct person, locate the jail facility, find the Book of Arrest number, follow the court case, request incarceration or police records, understand bail, contact someone in custody, and avoid mistaking a booking record for a conviction.

Search by name, DOB, facility, booking number or UCN
Find Seattle or Kent jail placement
Connect the jail record directly to court cases
Request police, incarceration or statewide history correctly
Search King County Jail Superior Court Records District Court Records Washington WATCH
Seattle jail King County Correctional Facility
Kent jail Maleng Regional Justice Center
Jail information 206-296-1234
DAJD records 206-477-5130
Verified August 18, 2026
Important legal-status distinction

A King County Arrest or Jail Booking Is Not Proof of Conviction

A jail record documents custody and allegations at a point in time. Charges may later be declined, amended, dismissed, resolved by plea, tried to verdict, vacated, sealed or otherwise changed. Use court records to determine what happened after the arrest.
Jail record Shows booking, facility, booking number, arresting agency and custody-related information.
Police report Describes the investigation or incident documented by the arresting or reporting agency.
Court record Shows filed cases, charges, hearings, motions, orders, pleas and disposition when public.
Identity rule: Do not identify someone from a name alone. Compare date of birth, booking date, booking number, UCN, facility, arresting agency and court case before relying on the record.
Use the right King County system

Four Different Record Systems May Be Involved in One Arrest

DAJD / Jail

  • Current custody
  • Seattle or Kent facility
  • Booking number
  • UCN
  • Booking date
  • Current arresting agency

Police / Sheriff

  • Incident report
  • Arrest report
  • Case narrative
  • Collision reports
  • Agency public records
  • Investigative records when releasable

Courts

  • District Court cases
  • Municipal Court cases
  • Superior Court felonies
  • Court dates
  • Orders and motions
  • Disposition

Washington State Patrol

  • Statewide WATCH search
  • Conviction history
  • Recent pending-disposition arrests
  • Registered offender information
  • Name/DOB background checks
  • Fingerprint-based verification options
King County is not one police department: An adult booked into a King County jail may have been arrested by Seattle Police, King County Sheriff, Port of Seattle Police or another city or law-enforcement agency. Request the police report from the agency that created it.

Choose the King County Arrest-Record Task You Need

Find someone in jail Use Subject Lookup to check current custody, facility and booking identifiers.
Find the court handling the arrest Open the person’s UCN in Subject Lookup and select the court-cases information.
Request an incarceration record Use DAJD’s public-record process and choose the Incarceration Records tile.
Request a police report Identify the arresting agency first, then submit the request to that agency.
Pay bail or support someone in jail Confirm the booking number and facility before paying bail, depositing funds or visiting.
Run a statewide background check Use Washington State Patrol WATCH instead of treating one county jail search as statewide history.

King County Arrest, Jail and Court Guide

King County Subject Lookup Fields Explained

Field How to use it Why it matters
Last Name Start here for most searches. Fastest first filter when the booked identity is known.
First Name Add after surname. Reduces same-surname results.
DOB Use when known. One of the strongest same-name checks.
Race / Gender Secondary filters. Can narrow a large result set but should not be used alone to identify someone.
Facility Filter Seattle versus Kent or another displayed housing option. Controls where visits and some mail should be directed.
Currently In Custody Separate active custody from broader displayed records. Helps answer whether someone is presently housed.
Booking Enter the known booking/B/A number. Useful for jail mail, bail and money transactions.
UCN Search or open the subject identifier. King County uses it to expose more subject information and connected court cases.
Preferred Name Helpful when the person uses another first name. Can reduce failed searches involving identity formatting.
The results table can show: UCN, booked name, preferred name, facility, arresting agency for the current booking, booking number and booking date.

Six Checks Before You Trust a King County Arrest Result

Booked name Match exact identity.
Date of birth Compare when available.
Booking number Save the B/A identifier.
Booking date Confirm the event.
Arresting agency Identify report owner.
Court case Follow disposition.
Do not use a jail entry as the final legal outcome. A later court filing can differ from the charge or investigation described at booking.
No-result troubleshooting

Why Someone May Not Appear in the King County Jail Search

Recent booking is still processing A very recent arrest may not be visible immediately while intake and data entry are underway.
Name format differs Try legal-name variations, preferred name, maiden surname, suffix-free name or date of birth.
Person has been released Current custody can end while the court case remains active.
Held in another regional jail King County’s locator page specifically directs users to other regional jails when a person is not found locally.
Transferred to state or federal custody County jail, Washington DOC and federal detention are separate custody systems.
Youth custody Adult Subject Lookup is not the correct route for a youth detention inquiry.
Youth detention: If you believe someone under age 18 is in King County custody, call 206-263-9595, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [DOB], was booked into a King County facility around [date]. Can you confirm current custody, facility, booking number or whether the person was released or transferred?”
Arrest-to-court workflow

How a King County Arrest Moves From Booking to Court

Arrest Police or sheriff agency takes the person into custody.
Booking DAJD creates or updates the custody record and B/A information.
Facility The person is housed in Seattle, Kent or another authorized location.
Court assignment UCN information helps reveal which court is handling the matter.
Bail / release Court conditions, holds and payment can affect custody.
Disposition The court record eventually shows dismissal, plea, trial outcome or other resolution.
Different identifiers are normal: One person can have a booking number, UCN and one or more court case numbers. Do not treat them as interchangeable.
Felony and Superior Court records

King County Superior Court Criminal Records

The Superior Court Clerk maintains the official court record for King County Superior Court cases. Many documents and audio recordings can be accessed through the KC Script Portal.

KC Script Portal Search and request public Superior Court documents, recordings and related case material.
Free in-person viewing The Clerk states that most public court records may be reviewed in person without paying a viewing fee.
Case number matters A King County Superior Court criminal cause number makes locating the correct file substantially easier.
2026 portal change: Beginning June 19, 2026, King County requires users to log in to perform a Case Search in the KC Script Portal. Creating an account is free.
Seattle Clerk’s Office King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room E-609
Seattle, WA 98104
Published hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
Kent Clerk’s Office Maleng Regional Justice Center
401 Fourth Avenue N., Room 2C
Kent, WA 98032
Published hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
Limited-service windows: The Clerk currently notes limited services from 8:30–9:00 a.m. and 12:15–1:15 p.m. at the Seattle and Kent Superior Court Clerk locations.
Open Superior Court Records Access Review KC Script instructions, records-request options, recordings, exhibits and Clerk contact information.
Limited-jurisdiction criminal records

King County District Court Criminal Case Search

Open King County District Court case access. Use the court’s official e-filing and case-access system.
Create a free portal account when required. District Court explains that users register for a free account to use its case-access portal.
Choose Case Search. Search by case number, last name with optional first name, or company name.
Open the correct case. Compare defendant, case number, filing location and event history.
Use public terminals when online access is insufficient. District Court allows in-person access at courthouse locations during published business hours.
Request records when you need copies. A completed District Court records-request form can also be submitted by email under the court’s current instructions.
District Court main line 206-205-9200
Published hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Multiple courthouse divisions King County District Court operates East, South and West divisions with locations including Seattle, Kent/MRJC, Bellevue, Auburn, Burien, Issaquah, Redmond and Shoreline.
Open District Court Records Instructions Follow the current online, in-person or email process.
Do not request from the wrong agency

How to Request a King County Arrest or Police Report

The jail is not necessarily the agency that created the arrest report. Start by checking the “Arresting Agency (Current Booking)” field in Subject Lookup.

Identify booking Find the person and arresting agency.
Save date and booking number.
Identify agency Determine whether the record belongs to KCSO, Seattle Police, Port Police or another municipality.
Do not send every request to the Sheriff.
Request report Use that agency’s public-record process.
Include specific identifiers.
Compare court Match the report with the later court case.
Use court disposition for final outcome.

If King County Sheriff created the report

KCSO Public Disclosure Unit King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room W-116
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone 206-263-2103
Published office hours Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays
Public-record response timing: KCSO explains that within five business days after receiving a public disclosure request it will provide records or an installment, acknowledge the request and provide a reasonable estimate, or issue a written denial or partial denial.
Privacy point: KCSO states that the public-record request itself becomes a public record and may later be requested by someone else.
Open King County Sheriff Records Requests Use the current online, mail or in-person disclosure process.
If another agency made the arrest: King County’s Prosecuting Attorney maintains an official guide for requesting police reports from the corresponding police department or law-enforcement agency where the incident occurred.
Find the Correct King County Police Department Use the county’s agency-routing guide when the Sheriff did not create the report.
Incarceration versus police report

How to Request King County Jail and Incarceration Records

King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention has its own public-record process. This is separate from a Sheriff or city police report request.

Incarceration Records Use this category for records about an individual’s incarceration maintained by DAJD.
Jail Operations Records Use this category for other DAJD records involving detention operations rather than one person’s incarceration file.
Open King County’s public-record portal. DAJD identifies GovQA as its preferred method.
Select the correct tile. Choose “Incarceration Records” for inmate records or “Jail Operations Records” for other DAJD material.
Describe the requested record precisely. Include name, booking number, dates and specific record type when known.
Provide contact information. DAJD says it cannot respond if the requester does not provide a callback number, email address or mailing address.
Expect confidentiality limits. Some information about people in custody is confidential or exempt from public disclosure.
DAJD Records phone 206-477-5130
Email records.DAJD@kingcounty.gov
Mail Records Request
500 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Open DAJD Records Instructions Review the current GovQA, email, phone and mail options.
High-intent mugshot answer

Are King County Jail Booking Photos Public?

King County does not operate an ordinary public mugshot gallery. DAJD states that jail booking photographs are confidential records under Washington public-record law and are released only to limited authorized recipients.
Person who was booked The person depicted can request the booking photo.
Authorized legal or government recipients Attorneys representing the person, law enforcement and courts may qualify.
Written permission or court order Another requester may need written permission from the person or an applicable signed court order.
Do not substitute private mugshot sites: A copied booking image can be outdated, misidentified or remain online after the legal case changes. Use King County’s live custody and court records for current status.
Booking-photo records contact: DAJD Records, 206-477-5130, records.DAJD@kingcounty.gov.
Adult jail bail workflow

How to Pay Bail at the King County Seattle or Kent Jail

King County currently accepts adult bail payments at the reception windows of both adult detention facilities between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.

  • Cash
  • Cashier’s check
  • Money order
  • No personal checks

Cashier’s checks and money orders require verification before processing, which can delay release.

Cashier’s check or money order checklist

  • Payable to “King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention”
  • Include the person’s full name
  • Include the booking/B/A number
  • Include sender’s name
  • Include sender’s address
  • Confirm all active cases or holds before paying
Bail refund: King County’s jails accept bail on behalf of the courts, but the court—not the jail—is responsible for returning eligible cash or check bail after the case is resolved.
Open Official King County Bail Instructions Verify current payment hours, acceptable forms and bond-agency procedures.
Seattle and Kent visitation

How to Visit Someone in a King County Jail

King County currently offers limited in-person visitation at both the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Facility schedules and some rules differ.

Confirm facility first Use Subject Lookup immediately before scheduling or traveling because housing can change.
Bring photo identification Visitors must have valid government-issued picture identification.
Follow dress rules King County publishes clothing restrictions including no revealing attire, bare midriff or exposed undergarments.
Remote video visits: King County also uses Securus Video Connect for video visits from a personal device.
Check the live schedule: Do not reuse an old visitation time from a blog or screenshot. Schedules can differ between KCCF and MRJC and may change by housing unit or operational need.
Open Official Visitation Rules Confirm facility-specific schedules, identification rules and current visitor restrictions.
Calls from jail

King County Jail Phone Calls

Incoming calls are not allowed Friends and family cannot call directly through to an adult housed in either King County jail.
Two free calls per week King County currently states that adults in jail may make two free telephone calls each week.
Additional calling King County currently lists additional calls at 5 cents per minute through its Securus telephone service.
Calls are generally monitored and recorded. King County explains that attorney or defense-team calls are protected from recording when the professional telephone number has been registered on DAJD’s “Do Not Record” list.
Case-discussion warning: King County Public Defense advises families that prosecutors can listen to recorded jail communications. Avoid discussing the facts of the pending case over ordinary jail calls, video visits or eMessaging.
Open Official Jail Phone Information Check current calling fees, Securus contact details and attorney-call rules.
Digital mail center rules

How to Send Mail to a King County Jail Resident

Friends and family mail:
[Full booked name + 10-digit booking number]
C/O Securus Digital Mail Center-King County
P.O. Box 20245
Tampa, FL 33622
  • Mail through the U.S. Postal Service
  • Use white paper
  • Use black or blue ink
  • Use a white envelope
  • Write your name and return address clearly
  • Include full first and last name
  • Include the full 10-digit booking number
  • Do not send cash, phone cards, food or clothing
Booking number is mandatory: King County states that the full 10-digit booking number must appear on the envelope or the mail will be returned.
Scanning process: Personal mail is sent to the Securus Digital Mail Center, scanned and delivered to the person’s tablet, kiosk or as a printed copy depending on housing access. King County states that physical mail is destroyed 60 days after scanning.

Legal mail and publications are different

KCCF legal mail / approved publications Full booked name
B/A number
500 Fifth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
MRJC legal mail / approved publications Full booked name
B/A number
620 W. James St.
Kent, WA 98032
Publication shipping rule: Paperback books and magazines may be accepted from approved publishers, distributors or online booksellers when shipped through USPS. Hardcover books and prohibited-content publications are not accepted under the current rules.
Open Current King County Mail Rules Verify mailing address, prohibited content and legal/publication instructions before sending.
Access Corrections and mailed funds

How to Send Money to Someone in a King County Jail

Online or mobile app Access Corrections accepts credit-card deposits through its website and mobile services.
Jail reception kiosk Access Corrections kiosks are located in the reception areas of both the Seattle and Kent adult jails.
Retail cash deposit King County says deposits can be made at participating retailers after registering with Cash Pay Today.
Telephone deposit Access Corrections phone deposits: 866-345-1884.
Mail funds Money orders and cashier’s checks may be mailed. Cash and personal checks are not allowed.
Care packages King County links to Access Securepak and currently states that recipients can spend up to $40 per week on eligible package items.
Mailed-payment identifiers: Include the person’s name and B/A number and, when possible, your own name and return address.
Posting time: King County says to allow 10 business days for posting mailed money orders or cashier’s checks of $50 or more.
Open Official Inmate Money Instructions Check current provider fees, kiosk options, retail deposits and mailing instructions.
Statewide Washington history

When to Use Washington State Patrol WATCH

King County jail records show local custody information. They are not a complete Washington criminal-history report. Washington State Patrol’s WATCH system is the official Internet source for public Washington conviction-history searches.

King County Subject Lookup Local jail booking and custody.
Best for “Is this person in King County jail?”
King County courts Local filed criminal case.
Best for case status and disposition.
WATCH Public Washington criminal-history information.
Best for statewide history.
Fingerprint verification Positive identity confirmation.
Best when name/DOB matching is not sufficient.
Online name + DOB fee WATCH currently lists an $11 fee for each online name-and-date-of-birth search.
What public WATCH can include Conviction information, arrests less than one year old with dispositions pending, and registered sex or kidnapping-offender information.
What public WATCH excludes WSP states that non-conviction information is not generally available to the public and that certain vacated, sealed and misdemeanor traffic records are excluded.
Name-based limitation: Washington State Patrol warns that name and date-of-birth searching cannot guarantee that a candidate record belongs to the person you intended to search. Fingerprints are the reliable method for positively linking a person to a criminal record.
Open Washington State Patrol WATCH Review the current fee and search terms before purchasing a criminal-history result.
Legal-help routing

King County Public Defender Help After an Arrest

King County’s Department of Public Defense provides representation to financially eligible people facing criminal charges in King County Superior Court, District Court and certain Seattle Municipal Court matters.

DPD main line 206-296-7662
Published administrative hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Financial screening 206-477-9727
Call for eligibility screening when you cannot afford an attorney.
Person currently in jail King County says DPD assigns qualifying jail cases before arraignment; the person can call DPD to determine the assigned division.
Family communication warning: Public Defense advises families not to discuss the facts of a pending criminal case over ordinary recorded jail calls, video visits or screened electronic messages.
King County Public Defense Jail Guide Read official guidance for families supporting someone who has been arrested.
Custody-status notifications

King County VINE Release and Transfer Alerts

Victims and other eligible users can use Washington VINE to search custody information and register for notification when a person’s King County jail status changes.

Release alerts Receive notification if the person is released from King County jail.
Transfer alerts Notifications can also cover transfers or escapes from King County custody.
24/7 service King County states that VINE services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VINE information line: 1-877-846-3492. King County states that notifications are available in multiple languages.

King County Jail and Court Locations

King County Correctional Facility 500 Fifth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-1234
Maleng Regional Justice Center Jail 620 W. James St.
Kent, WA 98032
206-296-1234
King County Courthouse 516 Third Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
MRJC Court Building 401 Fourth Ave. N.
Kent, WA 98032
Important MRJC address distinction: The adult jail entrance is listed at 620 W. James Street, while Superior and District Court offices within the Maleng Regional Justice Center use 401 Fourth Avenue North.
KCCF reception note: King County’s current adult-jail page states that the Seattle jail reception desk closes daily from 2:20 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. and does not begin new reception business during that interval.

King County Arrest Record Search Problems and Fixes

Problem What to do Best source
No jail result Try legal-name variations, DOB, preferred name, custody filter or another regional jail. Subject Lookup / 206-296-1234
Several same-name results Compare DOB, booking number, date, facility, agency and UCN. Subject Lookup
Need court handling the booking Open UCN and select court cases. Subject Lookup
Need actual Superior Court documents Use KC Script rather than relying only on a statewide case summary. Superior Court Clerk
Need District Court record Use KCDC Case Search or records-request process. King County District Court
Need arrest narrative Request the report from the arresting agency shown in the jail record. Police / Sheriff records unit
Need incarceration documents Use DAJD GovQA and select Incarceration Records. DAJD
Need mugshot Booking photos are confidential and require qualifying authorization. DAJD Records
Need statewide history Use Washington State Patrol WATCH. WSP
Bail paid but person still housed Confirm cashier-check verification, holds and release processing with the jail. DAJD
Mail was returned Check white-paper/envelope rules and verify the full 10-digit booking number. DAJD mail rules
Person moved between Seattle and Kent Recheck Subject Lookup immediately before visiting or sending legal/publication mail. Subject Lookup
Related arrest-record workflow

Compare How Another County Connects Jail and Court Records

King County is unusual because its Subject Lookup can help route a jail booking directly toward the court handling the case through the UCN. For comparison, our existing Berkeley County arrest records guide explains a different jail-to-court workflow using South Carolina Sheriff and Public Index systems.

King County, Washington DAJD Subject Lookup → UCN → court cases → Superior, District or Municipal Court.
Berkeley County, South Carolina Sheriff inmate lookup → booking details → statewide Public Index court verification.
Shared verification rule Jail data confirms custody; court data is the better source for the final legal outcome.
Official live actions

King County Arrest Records Action Center

Search Jail Subject Find custody, UCN, booking number, facility and agency. Find Court From Jail Record Follow King County’s UCN-to-court workflow. Superior Court Records Search and order King County Superior Court material. District Court Records Search or request District Court files. Sheriff Records Request KCSO-created police records. DAJD Records Request incarceration and jail-operation records. Pay Bail Check current payment windows and requirements. WATCH Background Check Search statewide Washington public criminal history.
Title-specific answers

King County WA Arrest Records Search FAQs

1. How do I search King County WA arrest and jail records?

Start with King County’s official Subject Lookup Tool. Search by name, date of birth, facility, current-custody status, booking number, UCN or preferred name. The results can show the person’s facility, arresting agency, booking number and booking date.

2. What is a King County B/A or booking number?

B/A means Book of Arrest and is the booking identifier King County uses for many jail-related tasks. You may need the booking number to send mail or money, pay bail, identify a jail record or communicate with detention services.

3. Can I see King County jail mugshots online?

King County states that jail booking photographs are confidential records under Washington law and are not available as a normal public mugshot gallery. Release is limited to the booked person, authorized attorneys, law enforcement, courts or another requester with qualifying written permission or court authority.

4. Where are the King County adult jails?

King County operates the King County Correctional Facility at 500 Fifth Avenue in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center jail at 620 West James Street in Kent. The general adult-jail information number for both facilities is 206-296-1234.

5. How do I find which court is handling a King County jail case?

Search the person in Subject Lookup, click the UCN to open more information and select “court cases.” King County specifically recommends this route to identify the court handling a case involving someone who is or was housed in the Seattle or Kent jail.

6. How do I request a King County arrest or police report?

First identify the arresting agency in Subject Lookup. If King County Sheriff created the report, submit a public disclosure request to KCSO. If Seattle Police, Port of Seattle Police or another city agency created the report, request it from that agency instead. Incarceration records are requested separately from DAJD.

7. How can I pay bail for someone in King County jail?

King County currently accepts adult bail at the reception windows of the Seattle and Kent jails from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. Accepted methods include cash, cashier’s check and money order; personal checks are not accepted. Confirm all cases and holds before paying.

8. How can I visit, call or message someone in King County jail?

King County offers limited in-person visitation at both adult jails and remote video visitation through Securus. Adults in custody can make calls, but incoming calls are not allowed. King County also uses Securus eMessaging and a digital mail center for ordinary friends-and-family correspondence.

9. How do I get a statewide Washington criminal background check?

Use the Washington State Patrol WATCH system. WSP currently lists an $11 fee for an online name-and-date-of-birth search. WATCH provides public Washington criminal-history information, but name-based results are not positive identity verification; fingerprints are more reliable for confirming identity.

10. Is a King County arrest record proof that someone was convicted?

No. An arrest or booking record reflects an accusation and custody event, not a final court judgment. Charges can be changed, dismissed or resolved differently. Verify the correct person and review the appropriate King County or Washington court record for the final disposition.

Official Sources and Verification Notice

King County Subject Lookup Current custody, facility, agency, UCN and booking search. Adult Jails – Seattle & Kent Facility addresses, telephone and operational information. DAJD Record Requests Incarceration and jail-operation record procedures. King County Sheriff Records Public disclosure instructions and contacts. Superior Court Records KC Script and Clerk records access. District Court Records Case search and records-request routes. King County Bail Payment hours, methods and check requirements. Washington State Patrol WATCH Statewide public criminal-history checks. King County Public Defense Guidance for people and families navigating jail and criminal cases.
Verified for this article: Subject Lookup fields and court-case route, KCCF and MRJC addresses, adult jail phone number, DAJD record-request procedure, KCSO disclosure contact, Superior and District Court access, 2026 KC Script login requirement, confidential booking-photo rules, bail hours and payment methods, visitation, jail calls, digital mail rules, Access Corrections deposits, WATCH fee and scope, Public Defense contacts and VINE custody notifications.

Independent-site notice: County Arrest Records is an independent informational resource. It is not King County, the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, King County District Court, King County Superior Court, Washington State Patrol, Securus, Access Corrections or a law firm.

Custody, bail, housing, court schedules, fees, public-record availability and vendor procedures can change. Verify time-sensitive information through the responsible official agency before paying money, traveling, publishing allegations or making legal decisions.

An arrest does not establish guilt. Every criminal defendant is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established through the legal process.

Official-source review date: August 18, 2026.

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