Are King County Records Public?

Yes. Within RCW 42.56 (Public Records Act) lies the framework of Washington's open access laws, which establishes the principle of transparency regarding state and local records, including King County records.

The Public Records Act covers public access to any writing or mode of recording information—paper, magnetic tapes, maps, film, video, or photograph—that a government body in Washington generates, compiles, or maintains in accordance with its official responsibilities.

However, some governmental records fall outside the scope of the law. Access to those documents is determined by other laws, statutes, or regulations that apply. For example, even though the Public Records Act does not address judicial records, like King County court records, such records are considered public under court rules.

What is Exempted Under the Washington Public Records Act?

The Washington Public Records Act (PRA), similar to other regulations governing public access to governmental documents, is designed to ensure government accountability. Nevertheless, specific documents or sections thereof remain inaccessible to the public. Record unavailability may stem from situations where disclosure would infringe upon privacy rights or reveal sensitive personal or government data. Below are examples of confidential records.

• Documents about minors, such as juvenile offender records and adoption documentation
• Sealed or expunged records
• Vital records
• Medical records
• Veteran discharge papers

Also, specific details within records are generally withheld from public view:

• Social security and driver's license numbers
• An individual's religious identity
• Specific law enforcement data (intelligence information, victim or witness identities, and information in a gang database)
• Financial, commercial, and proprietary information

Although confidential materials may not be publicly accessible, they may be obtainable upon a court order. Furthermore, individuals with a direct connection to a record typically possess legal rights of access unavailable to normal members of the public.

King County Public Records Search

Numerous governmental agencies manage public records, offering access through different channels as determined by the particular agency. Consequently, the initial step in locating any King County public record is determining the government entity with custody of the record. Several online resources can help interested persons determine the appropriate record custodian. For example, researchers can find a list of the agencies along with their respective records on King County's website.

Once the appropriate agency is identified, individuals can search the agency's online database (if any), send a letter via mail, or travel to the agency's office. Most agencies provide essential information on requesting the records they maintain, along with contact details, on their official websites.

Regardless of the chosen method of request, the requester must furnish specific details about their sought-after record to aid the custodian's search for the record. Agency custodians typically respond to public records requests within five business days. During this timeframe, the custodian will either

• furnish the record to the requester;
• acknowledge receipt of the request and offer an estimated timeframe for when the record will be provided, particularly for broader searches; or
• deny the request and provide a reason for the rejection.

Searching for or duplicating certain records may incur fees, and a specific record may be unavailable to the public if it does not exist, has been destroyed, or is classified as confidential. In the first two scenarios, the agency is not required to produce a record, and confidential documents are restricted from public access by law.

Find Public Records For Free in King County

Although government agencies serve as the official primary public records sources, several private vendors offer access to various public records on publicly accessible websites. Typically designed for commercial purposes, many websites allow users to conduct limited searches at no charge.

Nonetheless, users should recognize that these platforms are not typically associated with government entities. While third-party databases may offer similar information to that found on government websites, discrepancies can arise in the information provided, as these sites are not operated by the official records custodians. Additionally, since no two sites function identically, users should expect variations in the information received. These drawbacks underscore the importance of conducting thorough research to verify the accuracy of records obtained from third-party sources.

On the positive side, third-party searches enable individuals to gather public information from the comfort of their homes, so long as they have internet access. Furthermore, these websites are created to be user-friendly, allowing visitors to find specific records or similar information efficiently.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

As previously mentioned, certain records are protected from public access by law, statute, or court order, thus eliminating the need for a specific procedure to remove them. Nevertheless, individuals (subjects of records) may submit a petition to retract, seal, or vacate either a portion or the entirety of a public record. This remedy is only available if a record is exempt under the Washington Public Records Act or another regulation.

Generally, each public agency delineates its procedures for vacating records, so applicants are advised to identify the agency responsible for the record they wish to eliminate. However, many petitions to conceal a public record in King County are directed at the court.

The Washington Courts provide a valuable resource for people seeking clarification on which records can be withdrawn from public viewing via the court system. The document also states the relevant procedures for records removal, including the associated fees.

Who Can Access King County Public Records in Washington?

According to RCW 42.56.030, the limitations on access to records within the state and county are minimal, as the law mandates that the public remain well-informed about government operations, including those of its agencies. Consequently, in Kings County, any public record can be requested, examined, or copied by anyone, irrespective of the reason behind the request or the requester's nationality.

Nonetheless, this access does not extend to confidential records or information. Access to such records is restricted to the individual to whom a record pertains, law enforcement officials, the judiciary, and anyone with a court order granting permission to access a record.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

In the event of an unjustified postponement in delivering a requested record or an outright refusal, a public records requester can initiate legal action in the Superior Court of King County, compelling the designated agency to release the requested document.

Should there be a legitimate reason for the delay or denial, the agency is obliged to notify the requester. However, if this notification does not occur, the requester can pursue legal action against the agency.

If the agency in question is a state entity, the requester may seek a review from the Office of the Attorney General. This request can be submitted in writing with a copy of the original records request sent to the agency and addressed as follows:

Office of the Attorney General
Public Records Review
P.O. Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100

The AG's office will conduct an independent evaluation of the request and the agency's denial and will provide their findings to the requester in writing as promptly as possible. However, the timeliness of the response may vary due to the complexity of the issue, the volume of work involved, and the urgency of the requester's need for the denied record or information.

Notwithstanding, the following situations may prompt justifiable delay or denial of a public records request:

• The requester failed to provide sufficient information to locate the record.
• The scope of the work required is extensive, or the search is particularly intricate.
• The agency does not hold the requested record.
• No record exists on file that corresponds to the information provided by the requester.