Spokane County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Spokane County?
Public records in Spokane County encompass all documents, files, recordings, and other materials created or maintained by county government agencies in the course of conducting public business. According to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), public records include "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."
Spokane County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Spokane County Superior Court, District Court, and Juvenile Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property tax information maintained by the County Assessor and Auditor
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited to 1907-1917), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, payment records, and tax rolls
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
The Spokane County Public Records Office serves as the central point for processing many public records requests, while specialized records may be maintained by specific departments:
- Court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court
- Property records are kept by the County Assessor and Auditor
- Vital records are managed by the Spokane Regional Health District
- Law enforcement records are held by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office
Is Spokane County an Open Records County?
Spokane County fully adheres to Washington State's open records laws. Under the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.070, all public records are presumed open for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. This law establishes that "each agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records" and that agencies "shall not distinguish among persons requesting records."
The Washington Public Records Act further states in RCW 42.56.030 that it "shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed to promote this public policy and to assure that the public interest will be fully protected."
Spokane County has established comprehensive policies to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements. The county maintains a dedicated Public Records Office to process requests efficiently and in accordance with statutory timelines. Additionally, the county complies with Washington's Open Public Meetings Act, ensuring that government deliberations occur in public view.
The Spokane County Public Records Policy outlines specific procedures for requesting and obtaining public records, including response timelines, fee structures, and appeal processes. This policy reinforces the county's commitment to transparency and public access to government information.
How to Find Public Records in Spokane County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Spokane County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Submit a formal public records request through the Spokane County Public Records Request portal. Requestors should:
- Provide a clear description of the records sought
- Include relevant dates, names, or file numbers if known
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
- Include contact information for follow-up
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Visit the appropriate county office in person to inspect records during regular business hours:
- For general county records, visit the Public Records Office
- For court records, visit the Clerk of the Superior Court
- For property records, visit the County Assessor or Auditor
- For vital records, visit the Spokane Regional Health District
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Search online databases for digitized records:
- Court records can be searched through the Spokane County Court Records portal
- Property records are available through the Assessor's online database
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the county website
- Budget documents are accessible through the Budget Office webpage
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Contact the specific department that maintains the records:
- The Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records
- The Planning Department for land use and zoning records
- The Treasurer's Office for tax payment records
The county typically responds to records requests within five business days, as required by state law. The response will either provide the records, acknowledge receipt and estimate time needed, request clarification, or deny the request with citation to specific exemptions.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Spokane County?
Spokane 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: $0.30 per page
- Oversized Documents: $0.30-$2.00 per page depending on size
- 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
- Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media
- Mailing Costs: Actual cost of postage and shipping containers
Specialized records may have different fee schedules:
- Court Records: $0.50 per page for certified copies of court documents
- Recorded Documents: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
- Maps and Plats: $10.00-$50.00 depending on size and complexity
- Vital Records: $25.00 for birth and death certificates
Spokane County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa and MasterCard) for records requests. Payment is typically required before records are released.
The county may require a deposit for requests with estimated costs exceeding $25.00. If the actual cost is less than estimated, the balance will be refunded to the requestor.
Does Spokane County Have Free Public Records?
Spokane County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with state law. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.080, "agencies shall make public records available for inspection and copying during the customary office hours of the agency." No fee is charged for examining records in person at county offices.
Additionally, several categories of records are available at no cost:
- Online Court Docket Information: Basic case information through the Spokane County Courts search portal
- County Commission Agendas and Minutes: Available on the county website
- Budget Documents: Accessible through the Budget Office webpage
- Election Results: Published on the Elections Department website
- Property Assessment Information: Basic property details through the Assessor's online database
- Public Notices: Posted on the county's official notice board and website
The county also provides free access to public computers at various county facilities, including the County Courthouse and public libraries, where residents can access online county records without charge.
For individuals with limited financial resources, the county may waive fees if the request is determined to be in the public interest and primarily benefiting the general public, rather than the individual requestor.
Who Can Request Public Records in Spokane County?
Under Washington State law, any person may request public records from Spokane County. According to RCW 42.56.080, "agencies shall not distinguish among persons requesting records." This 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
- Medical Records: Access is restricted to the individual or their authorized representative
- Juvenile Records: Access is limited by state law to protect minors
- Commercial Use: While commercial use of records is permitted, requestors may not use lists of individuals for commercial purposes per RCW 42.56.070(9)
When requesting records about oneself, individuals may need to provide identification to ensure proper disclosure. For records containing sensitive personal information about others, the county may redact protected information before release.
Government agencies, including other counties, state agencies, and federal entities, may also request records through interagency agreements or formal public records requests.
What Records Are Confidential in Spokane County?
While Spokane County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Washington State law. RCW 42.56.230 through RCW 42.56.480 establish numerous exemptions, including:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
- Patient medical records protected by HIPAA
- Personnel and employment records (with limited exceptions)
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active investigation records
- Intelligence information
- Witness and victim identifying information
- Records interfering with law enforcement proceedings
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Court Records:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Adoption records
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Other Protected Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Security and infrastructure records
- Child welfare records
- Domestic violence victim information
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Spokane County will redact (remove) the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by RCW 42.56.210.
The county applies a "public interest test" to certain exemptions, weighing whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the privacy interests at stake. All denials of records requests must cite the specific statutory exemption that applies.
Spokane County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Spokane County Auditor's Office - Recording Division
1116 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2270
Spokane County Auditor
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Spokane County Public Records Office
824 N. Adams Street
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2211
Public Records Office
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 W. Broadway Avenue, 3rd Floor
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2211
Spokane County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays