Requesting Public Records

For assistance or to make requests by letter, email, fax, or phone, contact Rhonda Pickering through the Records Division contact information provided on this page.

Submitting Requests

If making a request for any document and/or record from the Records Division, it must be made to the "Records Custodians" of our agency. This can be done by emailing the request to us or by coming into our office (the necessary form is also available in-office) during normal business hours.

Requests made to anyone other than the "Records Custodians" will not comply with the statutory requirements of the Public Records Act (Revised Code of Washington 42.56).

Public Records Requests must include:

  • Name, address, and contact information for requestor
  • Description of public records adequate to locate the records
  • Date of request

You will receive a response within five business days.

Record Inspections

The Records Division will make records available for inspection by appointment during normal business hours, excluding legal holidays. Requestors will indicate which documents he or she wishes the County to copy, and will not remove documents from the viewing area or disassemble or alter any document.

Response to Records Requests

Within five business days of receipt of the request, the Records Division will do one of the following:

  • Make the records available for inspection or copying
  • Send copies to requestor
  • Provide a reasonable estimate when records will be available
  • Contact requestor to request clarification
  • Deny the request citing reason for denial

If the requestor does not receive a response within five days, he or she should contact the Records Division to determine the reason.

Records Exempt from Disclosure

The Public Records Act lists types of documents exempt from public inspection and copying. If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the Records Division will redact the exempt portions before providing the document.

Douglas County will not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.

For a list of exempted records, please visit the Records Exemptions page.

Special Considerations

If a requestor has not reviewed or claimed records within thirty days of notice that records are available, the Records Division may close the request.

If requested records contain information that may affect rights of others, before providing the records, the Records Division may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties.

After a request has been filled, if the Records Division becomes aware of additional documents existing at the time of the request, these will be provided to the requestor on an expedited basis.

Requesting Review of Denials

A requestor may send a written petition to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office in order to have any disclosure denial reviewed. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office will consider petitions and affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the receipt of the petition by that office.

To learn how to contact the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, visit the Prosecuting Attorney page.

  1. Accident Reports
  2. Costs

Requesting Traffic Collision Reports

Please come in to the Sheriff's Office and request the report or complete the Accident Request Form found on this page and submit it by email.

You may also obtain copies of collision reports directly from the Washington State Patrol.