Public Records Request
What is a public record?
A public record is information a government agency creates, receives, or keeps while doing public business. Public records come in many forms, including:
- Paper records
- Electronic records
- Emails
- Pictures
- Recordings, etc.
The Public Records Act (PRA) gives the public the right to inspect or obtain copies of identifiable public records. The Washington Secretary of State's Office follows Chapter 434-12A WAC when handling public records requests.
Looking for a specific record?
Other state or local agencies maintain many commonly requested records, including court records, driving records, police reports, property records, and vital records.
How to request records
Requests for all or nearly all agency records may be too broad under the PRA. To help us find your records faster, please include details such as:
- Type of record
- Subject or topic
- Names of people, agencies, or locations
- Relevant dates or date ranges
- Other details that could help us find the record
If a request is unclear or too broad, we may as for more details. This could delay our response.
Many public records are already available on our website through the links below:
- Elections – Search voter registration, ballot delivery and return data, candidates, initiatives and referenda, election results (county and statewide), county elections offices, and elections-related data and research.
- Corporations and Charities – Search for businesses, corporations, charities, or non-profit organizations.
- Archives – Search historical records and documents preserved for research purposes.
To speed up your request
Many of the public records requests we receive are for records held by other agencies. The Office of the Secretary of State does not maintain records for all state or local agencies.
Each agency has its own public records officer who handles records requests. Searching online for the agency most likely to hold the records may help you submit your request to the right office more quickly.
The Washington Secretary of State's Online Public Records Request Portal lets you make a request, communicate with staff, and receive your responsive records through one convenient location.
Other ways to make a request:
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Email:
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NOTE: Please be specific about the record(s) you are requesting (title of record, type of record, date range).
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Mail:
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Public Records Officer
Washington Secretary of State
PO Box 40224
Olympia WA 98504-0224
NOTE: Please be specific about the records you are requesting (title of record, type of record, date range).
- Phone or Fax
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Phone: (360) 704-5220
Fax: (360) 704-7834
Records that are not disclosed
The Public Records Act contains a list of records that allow or require certain records to be withheld from public disclosure. Other state and federal laws may also restrict disclosure of some records. If we withhold records or black out portions (also known as redaction), we will identify:
- The record or type of record withheld
- The legal exemption that applies
- And a brief explanation of how the exemption applies
Public Records Index
We maintain a records index required by RCW 42.56.070(5).
State records retention schedules list the types of records agencies create and receive, how long agencies keep them, and how agencies dispose of them. For more information, view the Washington State General Records Retention Schedule.
Fees
The Washington Secretary of State reserves the right to charge for records in accordance with WAC 434-12A-100.
Contact Information
Public Records Office
PO Box 40224
Olympia, WA 98504-0224
Phone: (360) 704-5220
Fax: (360) 704-7834
Email: [email protected]