Are Pierce County Records Public?

Yes. Pierce County public records are generally accessible under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 42.56), also known as the Washington Public Records Act (PRA). These records generally include documents generated by county officials in the conduct of public duties, as well as documents filed with a county agency. When requesting public records, a requester must know the record they need and the custodian of the said record. For instance, Pierce county court records are typically managed within the county’s judicial system. Furthermore, requests must be specific as the record will deny broad requests, e.g., "for all records". Specific record requests identify the persons, events, or locations associated with the records. Valid record requests are processed unless the record is exempted under state or federal laws.

What is Exempted Under the Washington Public Records Act?

The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) describes records protected from compulsory disclosure in Pierce County under the Washington PRA. The RCW 42.56 exemptions exist mainly to maintain privacy rights and protect state interests. The law also sequesters information that is of no legitimate concern to the general public or information sought explicitly for commercial purposes. Some examples of records exempt under RCW 42.56 include:

• Records containing public employees’ information
• Deliberative documents on policy-making
• Records that protect individuals’ privacy through intelligence and investigative records
• Records containing witnesses’ and victims’ identities
• Copyrighted materials
• Sensitive financial records
• Trade secrets
• Student information disclosures in school
• Records that contain security strategies and counter-terrorism measures

A requester who received a full or partial denial of a records request may submit a written petition to the public record officer for review. The petition must clearly reference or include the statement of the public records officer denying the request (RCW 42.56 and RCW 44). A decision to uphold or reverse the denial must be made within 48 hours of the agency’s receipt of the petition or within a mutually agreed time frame. If a direct appeal fails, the requester may file a petition for judicial review with the Pierce County Superior Court.

Pierce County Public Records Search

While there are various sources on the Internet, requestors should use credible resources for finding Pierce County public records. These include government websites, physical offices of local agencies within Pierce County, and searchable online archives. Generally, a requestor will need to follow the following steps:

• Check the Pierce County agency’s official website to find request guidelines, record fees, custodian’s contact information, or online database.
• Identify if the record is publicly accessible or exempted.
• Verify eligibility for publicly accessible records.
• Submit the record request and pay the associated fees.
• Follow up if the request takes longer than it is expected.

Find Public Records For Free in Pierce County

Third-party websites provide access to public records like court cases, property details, and business licenses. These platforms are often more user-friendly and provide fast access to records because they aggregate records from several sources. While it is possible to obtain records for free, users may need to pay one-time or subscription fees to access detailed records from these sources.

Despite their convenience, third-party sites often provide outdated information because they are not affiliated with the county or state government. As such, records sourced from third-party sources may not be used for official purposes like tenant or employment screening. Most requestors leverage third-party sites as a starting point to determine if a record is available.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Deletion of records is possible if the petitioner satisfies eligibility criteria set by the law or the record custodian. For instance, removing information from court records requires petitioners to meet criteria set by the judiciary. To remove information from public records in Pierce County, contact the record custodian to inquire about their record sealing or expungement procedure and eligibility criteria. For example, the Washington state judiciary describes the procedure for removing information from court records. Also, removing information from a public record will generally require the petitioner to pay processing fees.

Who Can Access Pierce County Public Records in Washington

In Pierce County, any individual, irrespective of their status, is entitled to view and make copies of public records. Requestors need not reveal their identity or the reason behind their request. However, all requestors must adhere to certain rules, most notably that obtained records may not be used for prohibited purposes such as harassment, fraud, blackmail, or other unlawful activities.

Per Chapter 2.04.030 of the Pierce County Code, requestors of public records must provide a written statement including a name; contact details (address, telephone number, fax number, and active email address); a detailed description of the requested records; date and time of the request; the name of the County department; whether copies are needed and how many.

For restricted records, the documents will only be accessible to the record subject, their immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Likewise, persons with a valid court order will be granted access. Outside of these individuals or specified protocols, the agency will deny record requests.

What Happens If I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

The Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) grants individuals the right to access public records. However, a requestor may be denied or restricted in the following situations:

• To protect the privacy of other individuals, some public records requests may not be granted.
• The record is part of an active investigation or court case.
• The record is subject to legal exemptions.
• Restriction under the Public Record Act (PRA).
• The request is too vague or overly broad.

A person denied access to a record may start with a direct appeal to the record custodian. The notice of denial will contain instructions on how to do this. A requestor may also seek legal recourse through a superior court if a local agency denies their request and subsequent appeal to inspect a record. According to the Pierce County Superior Court, if the request is denied, the requester has 90 days to submit a petition for an internal review by email or delivery. The presiding judge will review and respond within five working days. If still unsatisfied, an appeal should be submitted to the superior court within 30 days.