About King County Archives

Unlike recorder's and auditor's offices in Washington State, King County Archives is not required by law to charge for uncertified copies of recorded documents. We discontinued charging for the following reasons:

• King County Archives places a high value on equity and social justice. Fees disadvantage people who can’t afford to pay. Charging fees also creates an assumption that people who request access to public records can afford to pay for access.
• King County Archives places a high value on enhancing patron access. We are working to increase access to public records.
• King County Archives places a high value on streamlining its procedures to ensure the office is working most efficiently to serve the public. Not charging eliminates the work of invoicing patrons and processing payments.
• This change aligns with how King County processes public records requests, which is to fulfill them without charging.

King County Archives no longer charges for uncertified copies of recorded documents dated prior to August 1991 or not already available from the King County Recorder's Office.

Archives is still required by state law to charge for certified copies of recorded documents. The Recorder's Office is required by law to charge for both uncertified and certified copies of recorded documents.

No fees for uncertified copies of recorded documents only applies to those documents recorded prior to August 1991 and documents not already scanned and available from the Recorder's Office such as plats, surveys, and other maps.

Patrons requesting uncertified copies of recorded documents that are not available from the Recorder's Office will experience reduced wait times for document delivery. You won't have to wait for an invoice and payment processing before receiving your order.

Patrons who previously paid for uncertified copies will not be refunded for those copies. However, they will not be charged for subsequent orders of uncertified copies.

There is a common misconception that removing fees will encourage people to request multiple copies of public records regardless of whether they need them. Most patrons know what records they want and would order them even if we charge fees. However, charging creates barriers for patrons who need access to the records but can't afford to pay or are unable to visit the Archives in person.

King County Archives is committed to providing equitable access to public records, and we employ a variety of methods to do so. In addition to scanning materials on patron request, we also have a public lobby and research room so anyone may view records in person. We identify and digitize record groups to make available online, and we process archival records so that they're easier for members of the public to search.

The fees collected by King County Archives for providing copies of recorded documents are put into King County's general fund, so we don't directly benefit from them. Fees represent a very small part of the overall budget, and are not a reliable source of revenue.

We are required by state law to charge for certified copies of recorded documents and marriage certificates.

A recorded document is any document that is officially recorded by the County Auditor or County Recorder. Documents recorded before 1970 were recorded by the King County Auditor. With the adoption of the 1969 King County Charter, the Auditor's Office was abolished, and its duties were transferred to the Recorder's Office. The King County Recorder's Office is charged with recording documents such as real estate deeds, mortgages, plats, surveys, and registered land (Torrens).

King County Archives holds the original recorded documents that were created prior to August 1991. These include property records such as deeds, short plats, and easements. They also include military discharge (DD-214) records. We hold microfilmed copies of those documents for public access.

King County Archives makes microfilmed copies of the records in our holdings available to the public, who may access the microfilm in person during our regular business hours. We also scan recorded documents from the microfilm by request for Archives patrons.

The King County Recorder's Office holds the original recorded documents that were created from August 1, 1991 to the present. The Recorder's Office is required by state law to charge for both certified and uncertified copies of recorded documents.

The Recorder’s Office makes the documents in their holdings available through their online portal called Landmark. They also make surveys, maps, and plats from 1853 to the present available on Landmark. You may order certified and uncertified copies directly through Landmark, and the Recorder's Office will fill your order. You may also print a free, watermarked version of any records on Landmark.

King County Archives is committed to protecting your privacy while enabling your access to King County government records. Archives uses data you provide for statistical purposes to improve our services, protect the security of the archival records in our custody, and to allow you to keep track of previous research activities, generate citations, and plan future visits.

We do not sell your personal data to any other organization. We will only share your personal data and research activities for the following purposes: as required by law, such as a Public Records Act request, as part of a legal proceeding, or as otherwise authorized by you.

Access

King County Archives holds historically-relevant county government records for long-term preservation and access. Archival records are unique materials that cannot be replaced. King County Archives is charged with the care of these records for future generations. We hold them in trust for the people of King County, and we are committed to providing open access to records unless they contain information that is exempted under the Washington State Public Records Act.

Physical Access

• Researchers who are requesting access to materials in person will be asked to abide by the following policies:
• Records must be accessed at the Archives building only.
• Archival records don't leave the premises except with the express permission of the King County Archivist.
• Please check in with staff member at the lobby desk. They are there to assist you.
• All patrons will be asked to sign in at the front desk prior to using archival records. The Archives uses only anonymized data you provide for statistical purposes to improve our services and track the use of our collections.
• No food or drinks may be consumed near archival materials. We provide lockers for you to store these items.
• The use of pens or other permanent marking tools is prohibited while using archival records. Such items can damage or deface historical materials.
• Patrons using the research room will be asked to store their bags and coats in a locker outside the research room.
• Duplication of archival materials is facilitated by Archives staff.

Remote Access

King County Archives is committed to providing a meaningful remote research experience for patron who are unable to visit in person. Although materials cannot leave the building or be loaned, patrons can contact us via email or phone and request a research consultation. An Archives staff member will discuss your research topic with you, and make recommendations about what records in our holdings may be responsive. If information isn't available in our holdings, Archives staff will do their best to refer you to the office or agency that may hold responsive records.

King County Archives also provides duplication services. Please review our Duplication and Publication Policy.

Publication of King County government records held by Archives does not require permission or a use fee. We ask that you properly cite any materials in our holdings that you use in publication. See the citation example below. Please note that there are some restrictions on the duplication and publication of government records.

Government Records and Fair Use

Most works created by King County government, including documents prepared by an officer or employee of the county government as part of that person’s official duties, may be freely copied, published, edited, and adapted.

The right to duplicate King County government-created works without permission generally does not extend to:

• Works created or published by others with the support of King County government funds, grants, or contracts
• Versions of government documents that are edited, annotated, or compiled by publishers
• Portions of government documents that contain copyrighted material from other non-King County government sources

King County Archives does not claim to control the rights of reproduction for all materials in its collection. In those cases where a person or legal entity other than King County holds copyright to certain content present in King County Archives holdings, the publishing party assumes all responsibility for clearing production rights with the copyright holder and for any infringement of U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Washington State Public Records Act

In Washington State, laws exist to ensure that government is open, and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information created by state and local government. The Public Records Act states:

"Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (6) of this section [RCW 42.56.070(6)], Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records."

To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by Chapter 42.56 RCW, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with Chapter 42.56 RCW when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing.

Other exceptions to the Public Records Act include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). HIPAA is a federal law requiring the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. FERPA was enacted in 1974 to protect the privacy of student education records.

Duplication Exceptions

King County Archives reserves the right to deny duplication of the materials in its holdings due to the following:

• A violation of federal or state privacy laws
• A violation of federal or state copyright laws
• Fragility of materials or damage to materials resulting from duplication

Citation/Credit Example

The researcher agrees to use the following credit line, or one in a similar format that has been approved by King County Archives, when publishing or using in facsimile reproduction the material(s) identified below.

[Title or brief description of material, Date]. [Agency Name], [Record Group # or Series #], [Container #], [Folder / Volume #] or [Photo #]. King County Archives, Washington.

King County Archives collects records created by King County government departments and King County employees working in their official capacity for the county. We do not accept donations of materials created by non-county employees, county employees not in their official capacity working for the county, or private businesses and organizations. If you have questions about the historical value of your records and what repository might be appropriate, please contact the King County Archivist for a referral.