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Public Records
Public records are governed by the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and pertains to all records prepared, owned, used, or retained by any department or office of San Juan County government, excluding the San Juan County Courts.
The Public Records Officer will make records available for inspection and copying by appointment during normal business hours, excluding legal holidays. Many public records are currently available on the County's website at no cost.
Contact
Public Records Officer: Sally Rogers, Clerk of the Council
- Email Sally, Clerk of the Council
- Phone: 360-370-7472
Public Records Clerk:
- Email Records Clerk
- Phone: 360-370-7410
Physical Address
55 2nd Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Mailing Address
350 Court Street, No. 5, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
How To Submit a Public Records Request
To submit a public records request, use the Record Center.
San Juan County Public Records Procedures can be found in the County Code Chapter 2.108.
Court Records Information
Under Washington law, the County Clerk’s Office, as part of the judiciary, is not subject to the Public Records Act (the “PRA”), Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”). Please see Nast v. Michels (107 Wn.2d 300, 308, 730 P.2d 54 (1986) and City of Federal Way v. Koenig, 16 Wn.2d 341, 217 P. 3d 1172, 1174 (2009).
Many court records such as divorce decrees, child support/custody, probate/guardianship, judgments, are available for public inspection and copying under applicable law and court rule and are not handled by the County’s Public Records Officers. Requests should be submitted directly to those offices.
To obtain copies of court records, please contact the court where the document was filed.
For requests for court records as defined in GR 31 contact:
- County Clerk for Superior Court Records
- District Court Administrator
For requests for Judicial Administrative Records as defined in GR 31.1 contact:
Other Information
Public Records Act - Exemptions from Disclosure
The Public Records Act provides that a number of types of documents and/or parts of documents are exempt from public inspection and copying. To view a list of MRSC Exemptions and Prohibition Statutes (PDF) not listed in Chapter 42.56 RCW.
Standards for Providing Records & the Associated Cost
Citizens may visually inspect records in person at the Public Records Office, or County Offices by appointment, at no cost.
- Public Records Requests Fee Schedule
- Payment in cash, check, or money order only
- Checks are to be made payable to San Juan County Treasurer
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.120, large requests may require a deposit of up to 10% of the estimated cost of an entire request before copying records.