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Pierce County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Pierce County?

Public records in Pierce County encompass a wide range of documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), specifically RCW § 42.56.010, 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."

Pierce County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases processed through the Pierce County Superior Court and District Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and property tax assessments
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
  • Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax liens
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Council meetings, boards, and commissions
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
  • Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and environmental impact statements

The Pierce County Auditor's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and business registrations, while the Pierce County Clerk serves as custodian of court records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Is Pierce County an Open Records County?

Pierce County fully adheres to Washington State's open records laws as established under the Public Records Act (PRA). Under RCW § 42.56.070, the statute explicitly states that "each agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records" unless specifically exempted by law.

The Washington PRA establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, with the Washington State Supreme Court consistently ruling that exemptions must be narrowly construed. As stated in RCW § 42.56.030, the PRA "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."

Pierce County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state transparency requirements through Pierce County Code Chapter 2.04, which outlines the county's public records policy. This local ordinance works in conjunction with state law to ensure public access to government information.

The county also complies with Washington's Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), codified in RCW Chapter 42.30, which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to public observation.

How to Find Public Records in Pierce County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Pierce County agencies may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:

  2. Submit a Public Records Request:

    • Complete the county's Public Records Request Form
    • Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
    • Submit the request to the appropriate department or the county's Public Records Officer

  3. In-Person Inspection:

    • Visit the relevant county department during regular business hours
    • Request to inspect records without charge
    • Identify specific records to examine

  4. Contact the Records Custodian:

    • For court records: Pierce County Clerk's Office
    • For property records: Pierce County Auditor's Office
    • For law enforcement records: Pierce County Sheriff's Department

  5. Historical Records:

Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated timeframe for response, or denying the request with a specific exemption citation.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pierce County?

Pierce County assesses fees for public records in accordance with RCW § 42.56.120, which permits 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
  • Large Format Documents: $3.00 per page for maps, plats, and other oversized documents
  • Electronic Records:
    • $0.10 per page for scanned documents
    • No charge for records already maintained in electronic format
    • Actual cost for digital storage media (USB drives, CDs)
  • Specialized Records:
    • Certified copies of documents: $5.00 per document
    • Recorded documents from the Auditor's Office: $3.00 for first page, $1.00 each additional page

The county accepts payment by cash, check, or credit card (where available). Some departments may have specific fee schedules authorized by separate statutes:

  • Court Records: Fees set by the Washington Courts Administration
  • Vital Records: Birth and death certificates cost $25.00 per copy through the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Agencies may waive fees when providing records serves the public interest, as determined by the Public Records Officer. Additionally, indigent requestors may qualify for fee waivers under certain circumstances.

Does Pierce County Have Free Public Records?

Pierce County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state transparency laws. Members of the public may inspect records without charge during normal business hours at the respective county offices. According to RCW § 42.56.070, agencies must make records "available for public inspection and copying" and provide space for this purpose.

Free public records resources include:

The Pierce County Public Records Center provides guidance on accessing free public records and can direct requestors to the appropriate department for in-person inspection.

While inspection is free, fees may apply if copies are requested or if extensive staff time is required for research and retrieval of archived records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Pierce County?

Under Washington's Public Records Act, specifically RCW § 42.56.080, "all persons" are entitled to full access to public records. Pierce County adheres to this inclusive standard with the following provisions:

  • Residency Requirements: No residency restrictions exist; requestors need not be Washington residents or U.S. citizens
  • Identification Requirements:
    • Basic contact information is required for processing requests
    • Identification is generally not required except for records with restricted access
    • For certain sensitive records (e.g., medical examiner reports), proof of relationship or legal interest may be necessary
  • Purpose Disclosure:
    • Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request
    • Agencies may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the records
    • Exception: Commercial use restrictions may apply to certain lists of individuals

Special provisions apply to specific record types:

  • Criminal Justice Records: Access may be limited based on case status and privacy concerns
  • Juvenile Records: Access is restricted under RCW § 13.50.050
  • Personal Records: Individuals have enhanced access to their own records
  • Attorney Requests: Attorneys may have expanded access when representing clients with legal interests

Government agencies, including other counties and municipalities, may request records through interagency agreements or standard public records processes.

What Records Are Confidential in Pierce County?

While Pierce County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain information is exempt from disclosure under state law. Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.230 through RCW § 42.56.480, the following records are generally confidential:

  • Personal Information:

    • Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers
    • Financial account information
    • Personal contact information of government employees
    • Identity of child victims of sexual assault

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Active criminal investigative records
    • Intelligence information
    • Witness and victim identifying information
    • Records that would endanger law enforcement personnel

  • Health and Medical Records:

    • Patient medical records protected under HIPAA
    • Mental health treatment information
    • Substance abuse treatment records

  • Juvenile Records:

    • Juvenile offender records (with exceptions)
    • Child welfare and dependency case records
    • Records related to Child Protective Services investigations

  • Other Protected Records:

    • Attorney-client privileged communications
    • Preliminary drafts and notes
    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information
    • Records related to emergency or security systems
    • Sealed court records and adoption files
    • Executive session records of governing bodies

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Pierce County will redact only the exempt portions and provide the remainder, as required by RCW § 42.56.210(1).

The county applies a "public interest" test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public benefit of disclosure against potential harm to privacy or governmental functions.

Pierce County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Pierce County Auditor's Office - Recording Department
2401 South 35th Street, Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 798-7440
Pierce County Auditor

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Pierce County Clerk's Office
County-City Building
930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 798-7455
Pierce County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department - Vital Records
3629 South D Street
Tacoma, WA 98418
(253) 798-6413
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

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