Are Snohomish County Records Public?

According to the Washington Public Records Act ("PRA") enshrined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 42.56), all records created, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency in the course of government business are public records, except a specific exemption applies. Public records include documents in various formats, including paper files, emails, pictures, audio recordings, and digital files.

Every state and local authority in Washington, including counties, cities, school districts, and special purpose districts, is subject to the Act. However, some records—like private information, attorney-client privileged communications, and sensitive law enforcement records—might not be public.

Furthermore, Snohomish County court records are governed by distinct access regulations under General Rule 31.1 for case records and General Rule 31 for the Washington State Court administrative records.

What is Exempted Under the Washington Public Records Act?

The Washington Public Records Act (PRA) seeks to promote transparency but ensures the confidentiality of sensitive information. The PRA's exemptions help balance the public's right to information access and the requirements of security, privacy, and efficient government operations.

According to the state's public records laws, exemptions generally fall into two categories:

• Privacy protection: Intended to keep sensitive and private data safe.
• Governmental Function Protections: Intended to guarantee the efficient functioning of government agencies.

To preserve exempt material, public records may be redacted or completely hidden. Under RCW 42.56, the following documents or information may be exempt from public access or disclosure:

• Personal data, such as financial information, medical records, personal addresses, and Social Security numbers. (RCW 42.56.230)
• Records from law enforcement that might compromise investigations or identify private informants. (RCW 42.56.240)
• Attorney work products and confidential interactions between attorneys and clients.
• Trade secrets and confidential company data.
• Items from the deliberative process, such as drafts and suggestions, before a final decision.
• Documents about ongoing legal actions against a government agency.
• Case documents pertaining to juvenile offense and related hearings
• Information about security, including cybersecurity specifics and emergency response strategies. (RCW 42.56.422, RCW 42.56.423)

Under RCW 42.56.530, and RCW 42.56.550, requesters can challenge a decision if a record request is denied because of an exemption in one of the following ways:

• Asking for an internal agency review
• Bringing a lawsuit for judicial review in Superior Court
• Contacting the Washington State Attorney General's Office, which offers advice on public records disputes

Although exemptions limit general access, some persons, like those directly involved in a case or their legal representatives, may still be given access to specific records.

Snohomish County Public Record Search

A public records search in Snohomish County begins by first establishing the type of record sought and the custodian responsible for their management. Snohomish County makes public records accessible through various government agencies and online portals.

The Snohomish County Public Records Request Portal enables users to submit requests to various county departments, such as the Planning & Development Services, Auditor's Office, and Sheriff's Office. District and municipal court case records are accessible on the Washington Courts website, while Superior Court records are maintained at the Snohomish County Clerk's Office. The Odyssey Portal online case search tool for Washington courts grants users access to case information (only) for the county. The Snohomish County Assessor's Office website allows users to search for property records, deeds, and tax assessments. The county also makes available a Department Description Guide PDF document to give interested persons a better idea of the responsibilities and records held by each department. The Washington State Digital Archives also provides superior court case files from 1950-2025. Interested persons can search using case number and year.

While agencies are not obligated to generate new records, requests should concentrate on existing documents. Some may be available for instant online access, while others involve official requests and processing time. Fees may apply for copies or certified records. If available, it is important to be specific about the record sought when turning in a request, such as party names, the document filing date range, case numbers, and other specific information that may help to streamline the case search results.

Following Washington law, agencies must reply within 5 business days (RCW 42.56.520), either by delivering the record, refusing the request with a justification, or stating an estimated completion time. If a request is turned down, inquirers can ask the Superior Court for judicial review or appeal the decision through an internal agency review.

Find Public Records For Free in Snohomish County

As indicated in the previous section, numerous public records in Snohomish County are freely accessible via official government websites. For instance, the Snohomish County Auditor's Office offers free access to recorded documents, such as marriage licenses and property records. Users can look up court case information for free on the Washington Courts website. The Snohomish County Assessor's Office provides online tax data and property valuations. However, persons who request certified copies of these records may be charged a fee.

Public records like criminal histories and property reports are also available on third-party websites. However, these websites may restrict extensive information to registered users and may not always have the most current or accurate information, even if they might be convenient because they combine data from several sources.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Since the purpose of public records is to guarantee transparency, removing information from them in Snohomish County, Washington, usually necessitates a judicial procedure. Under certain conditions, some records—like court records, criminal histories (RCW 10.97), or personal data—may be eligible for erasure, redaction, or sealing. If someone wants to redact or erase material, they must petition the Snohomish County Superior Court for legal relief or submit a request to the relevant agency. Redacting personal information (RCW 42.56.230) from public documents, sealing juvenile records (RCW 13.50), and expunging criminal records (RCW 9.96.060) are examples of typical cases under the Revised Code of Washington.

Who Can Access Snohomish County Public Records in Washington?

Unless otherwise exempted by law, Snohomish County public documents are accessible to all members of the public, including people, organizations, and enterprises, per RCW 42.56.070. This implies that the agency holding such records is mandated by law to release them to the public on request. Citizenship or residency are not prerequisites for entry. However, access to some records—like those pertaining to minors or sensitive law enforcement data—may be prohibited. People can formally seek the needed record from the relevant agency to confirm their eligibility.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

According to RCW 42.56, a public records request in Snohomish County may be denied for several reasons. Typical justifications for refusal include:

• Record descriptions that are too generic or unclear
• Contacting the incorrect agency
• State law may prohibit the public release of some records, including those pertaining to law enforcement, personal information, and communications between attorneys and clients.

If a request is turned down, the requester may file an appeal. RCW 42.56.560 permits people to request a review from within the organization. If they are still unsatisfied, they have the right to petition the Superior Court for judicial review under RCW 42.56.550. Should the court decide in the requester's favor, a court order will be issued, and the agency might be required to make the records available. The requester might also be eligible for court costs and legal fees.

Alternative channels, such as seeking advice from the Washington State Attorney General's Office, may occasionally aid in resolving conflicts. (RCW 42.56.530)