Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9 · Chapter 9.96
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.96.050 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1)(a) When an offender on parole has performed all obligations of his or her release, including any and all legal financial obligations, for such time as shall satisfy the indeterminate sentence review board that his or her final release is not incompatible with the best interests of society and the welfare of the paroled individual, the board may make a final order of discharge and issue a certificate of discharge to the offender.
(b) The board retains the jurisdiction to issue a certificate of discharge after the expiration of the offender's or parolee's maximum statutory sentence. If not earlier granted and any and all legal financial obligations have been paid, the board shall issue a final order of discharge three years from the date of parole unless the parolee is on suspended or revoked status at the expiration of the three years.
(c) The discharge, regardless of when issued, shall have the effect of restoring all civil rights not already restored by RCW 29A.08.520, and the certification of discharge shall so state.
(d) This restoration of civil rights shall not restore the right to receive, possess, own, or transport firearms.
(e) The board shall issue a certificate of discharge to the offender in person or by mail to the offender's last known address.
(2) A copy of every signed certificate of discharge for offender sentences under the authority of the department of corrections shall be placed in the department's files.
(3) The discharge provided for in this section shall be considered as a part of the sentence of the convicted person and shall not in any manner be construed as affecting the powers of the governor to pardon any such person.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 40 s 22; 2009 c 325 s 4. Prior: 2007 c 363 s 4; 2007 c 171 s 2; 2002 c 16 s 3; 1993 c 140 s 4; 1980 c 75 s 1; 1961 c 187 s 1.]

Notes:

Application—Recalculation of community custody terms—2011 1st sp.s. c 40: See note following RCW 9.94A.501.
Intent—2002 c 16: See note following RCW 9.94A.637.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases, 1974–2003 · leading case: State v. Radan, 143 Wash. 2d 323 (Wash. 2001).
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State v. Radan, 143 Wash. 2d 323 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 3× “When they completed parole, they were entitled to a certificate of final discharge under RCW 9.96.050. That certificate also served as a restoration of civil rights.”
State v. Radan, 21 P.3d 255 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 3× “When they completed parole, they were entitled to a certificate of final discharge under RCW 9.96.050. That certificate also served as a restoration of civil rights.”
In Re the Disciplinary Proceeding Against Walgren, 708 P.2d 380 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 4× “States vary as to when a convicted felon's civil rights may be restored. Special Project, 23 Vand.”
In Re Quackenbush, 16 P.3d 638 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 25× “In this personal restrain petition, petitioner Larry Quackenbush challenges the authority of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (Board) to rescind its final discharge order under the 1993 amendment to the final discharge statute, RCW 9.96.050. The Board returned Quackenbush…”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Quackenbush, 142 Wash. 2d 928 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 25× “— In this personal restraint petition, petitioner Larry Quackenbush challenges the authority of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (Board) to rescind its final discharge order under the 1993 amendment to the final discharge statute, RCW 9.96.050. The Board returned…”
State v. Swanson, 116 Wash. App. 67 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “6 (2) RCW 9.96.050. This statute prescribes the procedure for restoring civil rights to parolees who have been finally discharged.”
Richardson v. Ramirez, 418 U.S. 24 (1974). · cites it 2× “II, § 51 (except election code offenders); Washington, Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9.96.050 (Supp. 1972); West Virginia, 51 Op.”
In Re the Pers. Restraint of Peterson, 995 P.2d 83 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 12× “Three years later, the Board issued Peterson a final discharge pursuant to RCW 9.96.050, which requires the Board to discharge an offender who has served three years of parole.”
State v. Swanson, 65 P.3d 343 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “[6] (2) RCW 9.96.050. This statute prescribes the procedure for restoring civil rights to parolees who have been finally discharged.”
Forster v. Pierce Cnty., 991 P.2d 687 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “140, § 4; RCW 9.96.050. 10 Clerk’s Fapers at 27. 11 This section applies to felonies committed before July 1, 1984.”
Plotkin v. State, 826 P.2d 221 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992). “RCW 9.96.050. In neither 1981 nor *376 1983 did the Board seek or obtain approval of the trial court.”
United States v. Richard Allen Berger, 50 F.3d 16 (9th Cir. 1995). · cites it 6× “040(1) does not apply to persons who, like him, have had their civil rights restored under RCW 9.96.050. 17 No published Washington judicial decision has addressed this issue directly.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.