Clallam County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clallam County?

Public records in Clallam County are defined according to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), specifically under RCW § 42.56.010, as 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. Clallam County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that document county operations, property ownership, legal proceedings, and vital statistics.

The following categories of public records are available to citizens in Clallam County:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Clallam County Superior Court and District Court, including case filings, judgments, and court calendars
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Clallam County Auditor's Office and Assessor's Office
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Department of Health and Clallam County Auditor
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations maintained by the Auditor's Office
• Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax payment histories maintained by the Treasurer's Office and Assessor's Office
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Auditor's Office
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the County Commission, boards, and committees maintained by the Clerk of the Board
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements maintained by the Treasurer's Office
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and environmental impact statements maintained by the Department of Community Development

Each type of record is maintained by specific county departments, with the Clallam County Auditor's Office serving as the primary custodian for many official records. The Public Records Office coordinates access to records across all county departments.

Is Clallam County an Open Records County?

Clallam County fully adheres to the Washington State Public Records Act (PRA), codified under RCW § 42.56. This comprehensive statute establishes that public records shall be available for public inspection and copying, and agencies shall, upon request for identifiable public records, make them promptly available to any person.

Under RCW § 42.56.030, the PRA explicitly states: "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know."

Clallam County has adopted specific procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency laws. The county maintains a dedicated Public Records Office that coordinates records requests across all county departments and ensures timely responses in accordance with statutory requirements.

The county's commitment to open government extends to compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW § 42.30), which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. County Commission meetings, board proceedings, and committee meetings are conducted in accordance with these sunshine laws.

Clallam County's official public records policy, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, establishes procedures for requesting, inspecting, and obtaining copies of public records. This policy is designed to provide maximum public access while protecting records from damage and disorganization, preventing excessive interference with essential functions of the agency, and protecting exempted information from improper disclosure.

How to Find Public Records in Clallam County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Clallam County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple pathways for records access:

1. Submit a formal public records request through the Clallam County Public Records Center. Requestors may:

   • Complete the online request form
   • Email the Public Records Office at publicrecords@clallamcountywa.gov
   • Call the Public Records Office at 360-417-2423
   • Visit the Public Records Office in person

2. Search online databases for specific record types:

   • Property records and recorded documents through the Clallam County Auditor's Document Search
   • Court case information via the Clallam County Case or Name Search portal
   • Additional court records through the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search
   • Historical records via the Washington State Digital Archives

3. Visit the appropriate county department directly:

   • For property records: Clallam County Auditor's Office
   • For court records: Clallam County Clerk's Office
   • For tax information: Clallam County Assessor's or Treasurer's Office
   • For permits and land use: Department of Community Development

4. Submit a written request by mail to the specific department that maintains the records sought

When submitting a formal public records request, requestors should:

• Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
• Provide contact information for correspondence
• Indicate preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
• Note any time constraints or priorities

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 time for response, or denying the request with a specific explanation.

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

Clallam 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 for Clallam County public records is as follows:

• Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
• Color Copies: $0.25 per page (8.5" x 11")
• Large Format Copies: $3.00 per page for maps, blueprints, 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 storage media (USB drives, CDs, etc.)
• Specialized Records:
  • Recorded documents: $3.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
  • Certified copies: $5.00 additional fee per document
  • Marriage licenses: $72.00
  • Copies of recorded plats: $3.00 per page

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa and MasterCard). Credit card payments may incur an additional processing fee.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available in certain circumstances where the county determines that providing the records primarily benefits the general public. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with an explanation of how disclosure would benefit the public interest.

No fees are charged for the inspection of public records, for locating public documents, or for making records available for copying. Additionally, if the total cost of fulfilling a request is less than $5.00, the county may waive the fee.

For large requests that require extensive staff time, the county may charge for the actual cost of staff time spent on gathering and preparing records at the hourly rate of the staff member performing the work.

Does Clallam County Have Free Public Records?

Clallam County provides free access to public records through several channels, in accordance with Washington state law. Under RCW § 42.56.070, all public records must be available for public inspection at no charge. Citizens may examine records during regular business hours at the appropriate county office without incurring any fees, provided that such inspection does not unreasonably disrupt the operations of the agency.

The following free public records resources are available to Clallam County residents and other interested parties:

• In-Person Inspection: Any person may inspect public records at no cost by visiting the appropriate county department during regular business hours. The county may require that a staff member be present during inspection to ensure the integrity of the records.

• Online Resources: Clallam County provides free access to several online databases, including:

  • Clallam County Auditor's Document Search for property records and official documents
  • Court Case Information Portal for basic case information
  • County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
  • County budget documents and financial reports
  • Property assessment information

• Public Access Computers: The county provides public access computers at various county facilities, including the Courthouse and public libraries, where citizens can access online records at no charge.

• Public Notices and Announcements: Legal notices, public hearing schedules, and other official announcements are freely available on the county website and published in the official county newspaper.

The Washington State Digital Archives also provides free access to historical records from Clallam County, including birth and death records (after statutory confidentiality periods), marriage records, census data, and other historical documents.

While inspection of records is free, fees may apply for obtaining copies as detailed in the previous section. However, if a request is for a small number of records that can be easily provided electronically, the county may waive copying fees at its discretion.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clallam County?

Under Washington's Public Records Act, specifically RCW § 42.56.080, any person may request public records in Clallam County. The term "any person" is broadly interpreted to include:

• Washington state residents
• Out-of-state residents
• Foreign nationals
• Organizations, businesses, and associations
• Government agencies
• Media representatives
• Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

Requestors are not required to:

• Provide identification
• State the purpose of their request
• Explain why they want the records
• Create an account or register to make basic requests

However, certain specialized records may have additional requirements or restrictions:

• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records may require proof of identity and demonstration of direct interest or familial relationship to the subject of the record, in accordance with RCW § 70.58A.530.

• Medical Records: Access to medical records is restricted by both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Juvenile Records: Access to juvenile court records is governed by specific provisions in RCW § 13.50, which limit access to certain parties.

• Voter Registration Records: While voter registration data is public, certain information such as the residential address of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program is protected under RCW § 40.24.

When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests involving sensitive information about third parties, the county may require additional verification or may redact protected information in accordance with applicable exemptions.

The Washington Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access that applies to all Washington counties, including Clallam County.

What Records Are Confidential in Clallam County?

While Clallam County is committed to transparency and open government, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Washington state law. The Public Records Act (PRA) contains numerous exemptions codified in RCW § 42.56.210 through § 42.56.640. The following categories of records are generally considered confidential in Clallam County:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information that would violate an individual's right to privacy if disclosed

• Medical Records: Health information protected under state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile offenders, dependency proceedings, and child welfare cases, with exceptions outlined in RCW § 13.50

• Sealed Court Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order

• Active Investigations: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations, pending litigation, or active criminal cases

• Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by attorney-client privilege

• Employee Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal information, and other employment records, with exceptions for certain basic employment information

• Security Information: Records related to computer and telecommunications security, emergency response plans, vulnerability assessments, and infrastructure details

• Proprietary Business Information: Trade secrets, proprietary formulas, and confidential commercial information submitted to the county

• Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended, unless cited by an agency in connection with any agency action

• Real Estate Appraisals: Appraisals related to pending acquisitions of property by public agencies until the property has been acquired or the transaction abandoned

• Victim and Witness Information: Information that would endanger the life, safety, or property of any person, or identify victims or witnesses who have requested confidentiality

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Clallam County will redact (remove) only the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by RCW § 42.56.210(1). The county must identify the specific exemption and provide a brief explanation for each redaction or denial.

The Washington Secretary of State's Office provides additional guidance on exemptions to public disclosure that apply throughout Washington state.

Clallam County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Clallam County Auditor's Office - Recording Division
223 East 4th Street, Suite 1
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-2222
Clallam County Auditor's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Public Records Office
223 East 4th Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-2423
Email: publicrecords@clallamcountywa.gov
Public Records Request Center

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Clallam County Clerk's Office (Court Records)
223 East 4th Street, Suite 9
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-2250
Clallam County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Clallam County Assessor's Office
223 East 4th Street, Suite 1
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-417-2228
Clallam County Assessor

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Clallam County

Request Public Records through the Clallam County Public Records Center

Search Recorded Documents in the Clallam County Auditor's Database

Access Court Case Information through the Clallam County Case Search Portal

Learn about Document Recording Services from the Clallam County Auditor

Search Washington State Court Records through the Official Courts Portal

Access Historical Records through the Washington State Digital Archives

Review Washington State Public Records Laws and Guidelines