King County Public Records

What Are Public Records in King County?

Public records in King County are defined under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), codified in Revised Code of Washington § 42.56. According to RCW § 42.56.010(3), a public record includes "any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics."

King County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the King County Superior Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from King County Council meetings, boards, and commissions
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (where disclosure is permitted by law)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The King County Records and Licensing Services Division maintains many of these records, while specialized records are held by their respective departments. The King County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while the King County Archives preserves historical records.

Is King County an Open Records County?

King County fully complies with the Washington State Public Records Act as established in RCW § 42.56. This comprehensive law establishes that public records must be made available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

Under RCW § 42.56.030, the law explicitly states: "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know."

King County has established a robust Public Records Program to facilitate access to government information. The county has implemented specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency laws, including the appointment of public records officers in each department.

King County also adheres to Washington's Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), codified in RCW § 42.30, which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public. The county maintains a commitment to transparency through its Open Data Portal, which provides access to numerous datasets and information resources.

How to Find Public Records in King County in 2026

Members of the public may access King County records through several established channels. The county maintains multiple access points to accommodate various needs:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online records search portal. This system provides immediate access to documents recorded on or after August 1, 1991.

2. Public Records Request: Citizens may submit formal public records requests through the King County Public Records Request Center. Requests may be submitted:

   • Online through the county's public records portal
   • By email to the appropriate department
   • By mail to the relevant agency
   • In person at the designated office

3. In-Person Inspection: Records may be inspected in person at various county offices during regular business hours. No appointment is necessary for general inspection of publicly available records.

4. Department-Specific Records: Specialized records are maintained by their respective departments:

   • Court records: Available through the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office
   • Property records: Accessible through the King County Recorder's Office
   • Law enforcement records: Maintained by the King County Sheriff's Office

5. Historical Records: Older county records are preserved at the King County Archives and may require an appointment for access.

When submitting a public records request, requestors should provide sufficient detail to identify the specific records sought. Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.520, agencies must respond to requests within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated time for response, or denying the request with a specific explanation.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in King County?

King County assesses fees for public records in accordance with RCW § 42.56.120, which authorizes agencies to charge for the actual costs of providing copies of public records. The current fee structure includes:

• Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
• Color Copies: $0.25 per page
• Large Format Documents: $1.00 per square foot for maps, plans, and other oversized documents
• Electronic Records:
  • $0.10 per page for scanned documents
  • $0.05 for every four electronic files or attachments
  • $0.10 per gigabyte for electronic records transmission
• Media Storage Devices: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media
• Mailing Costs: Actual cost of postage and shipping containers

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (where available). Some departments may have specialized fee schedules for certain types of records:

• Certified Copies of Vital Records: $25.00 per certificate
• Recorded Documents: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
• Court Records: Varies by document type and certification requirements

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the agency determines that providing the records primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, there is no fee for inspecting records in person or for accessing records through the county's online portals.

Does King County Have Free Public Records?

King County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:

Free inspection of public records is available at designated county offices during regular business hours, as mandated by RCW § 42.56.080. Citizens may examine records without charge, though fees apply if copies are requested.

The county maintains several free online resources for public records access:

• The King County Records Search provides free access to recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens
• The King County Parcel Viewer offers free property information
• The King County Superior Court Records Portal provides access to court case information
• The King County Elections Results website offers free election data
• The King County Open Data Portal provides numerous datasets at no cost

Additionally, the King County Library System offers free public access to computers where citizens can access online county records without charge.

Government agencies providing free records access include:

King County Archives
1215 E Fir Street
Seattle, WA 98122
206-477-6446
King County Archives

King County Recorder's Office
500 4th Avenue, Room 430
Seattle, WA 98104
206-477-6620
King County Recorder's Office

Who Can Request Public Records in King County?

Under Washington's Public Records Act, specifically RCW § 42.56.080, any person may request public records in King County. The law states that "agencies shall not distinguish among persons requesting records," which means:

• Requestors do not need to be Washington State residents
• Requestors do not need to provide identification for most records
• Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request
• Requestors may remain anonymous for many types of records

However, certain limitations apply to specific record types:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates require proof of identity and demonstration of "direct and tangible interest" in the record, pursuant to RCW § 70.58A.530
• Voter Registration Records: Commercial use of voter data is restricted under RCW § 29A.08.720
• Law Enforcement Records: Some investigative records may have restricted access under RCW § 42.56.240

Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity, particularly for records containing personal information. Representatives requesting records on behalf of others may need to provide authorization documentation.

Government agencies, businesses, and organizations have the same rights as individuals to request public records, though commercial use restrictions may apply to certain data sets.

What Records Are Confidential in King County?

While King County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Washington law. The primary exemptions are outlined in RCW § 42.56.230 through RCW § 42.56.480 and include:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information
• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Juvenile Records: Most juvenile court and law enforcement records involving minors
• Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
• Active Investigations: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and legal counsel
• Employee Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal information, and disciplinary actions
• Child Welfare Records: Information related to child protective services cases
• Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings
• Security Information: Records that would reveal security vulnerabilities or emergency response plans
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
• Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Internal working documents prior to final decision

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, King County will redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, as required by RCW § 42.56.210.

The county applies a balancing test when considering exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and other protected values. The King County Public Records Program maintains a comprehensive list of exemptions that may apply to specific records.

King County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

King County Recorder's Office
King County Administration Building
500 4th Avenue, Room 430
Seattle, WA 98104
206-477-6620
King County Recorder's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Maleng Regional Justice Center (South County Location)
401 4th Avenue North, Room 1A
Kent, WA 98032
206-477-3000
King County Recorder's Office - Kent

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

The Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other property-related documents. Staff members are available during business hours to assist with records searches and provide certified copies of recorded documents.

Lookup Public Records in King County

Online records search portal

Landmark Web official records database

King County Public Records Program

County Council public records requests

Ombuds public records request system