Public Records

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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.

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.

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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:

For requests for Judicial Administrative Records as defined in GR 31.1 contact: