Thurston County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Thurston County?

Public records in Thurston County encompass a wide range of documents and information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), RCW 42.56, a public record includes "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."

Thurston County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Thurston County Superior Court and Thurston County District Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and committees
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and environmental impact statements

The Thurston County Auditor's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and business filings. Court records are maintained by the respective courts. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are managed by the Thurston County Health Department. Property tax records are maintained by the Thurston County Assessor's Office and the Thurston County Treasurer's Office.

Is Thurston County an Open Records County?

Thurston County adheres to Washington State's robust open records laws. Under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), RCW 42.56, all records maintained by state and local agencies are presumed to be open to public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

The Washington PRA explicitly states in RCW 42.56.030 that "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."

Thurston County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law. The county maintains a Public Records Request Center to facilitate access to government information. Each department within the county government has designated public records officers responsible for responding to requests.

Thurston County also complies with Washington's 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.

The county has adopted a comprehensive public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting records, timelines for responses, and appeal processes. This policy is designed to maximize transparency while protecting legally exempt information.

How to Find Public Records in Thurston County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Thurston County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:

   • Property records can be searched through the Thurston County Assessor's Property Search
   • Court records are accessible via the Washington Courts Records Portal
   • County Commission agendas and minutes are available on the Thurston County Commissioners' website

2. Submit a Formal Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a public records request:

   • Through the county's Public Records Request Center
   • In person at the specific department that maintains the records
   • By mail to the appropriate county department

3. Visit County Offices: Records may be inspected in person during regular business hours:

   • The Thurston County Courthouse houses multiple departments with public records
   • Specific departments maintain public terminals for records searches

4. Contact the Public Records Officer: Each department has a designated public records officer who can assist with locating specific information.

When submitting a request, individuals should:

• Be as specific as possible about the records sought
• Provide relevant dates, names, or file numbers if known
• Indicate preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
• Include contact information for follow-up questions

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to 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 Thurston County?

Thurston County assesses fees for public records in accordance with state law. Under RCW 42.56.120, agencies are permitted to charge for the actual costs of providing copies of public records.

The current fee structure for Thurston County public records includes:

• Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies
• Color Copies: $0.30 per page
• Electronic Records:
  • $0.10 per page for scanned documents
  • $0.05 for every four electronic files or attachments
  • $0.10 per gigabyte for electronic records transmission
• Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media
• Mailing Costs: Actual cost of postage and shipping containers
• Specialized Records: Additional fees may apply for oversized documents, maps, or records requiring specialized equipment

Certain records have statutorily defined fees:

• Marriage licenses: $72
• Certified copies of birth certificates: $25
• Certified copies of death certificates: $25
• Recorded documents: $5 for the first page, $1 for each additional page

Thurston County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (where available). Some departments may require payment in advance before providing copies.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances. The county may waive fees when:

• The total cost is minimal (typically under $5)
• The request is determined to primarily benefit the general public
• The requestor demonstrates financial hardship and the request is limited in scope

Does Thurston County Have Free Public Records?

Thurston County provides free inspection of public records in compliance with state law. Under the Washington Public Records Act, agencies must make records available for inspection at no cost during normal business hours. Members of the public may examine records without charge, though fees apply for obtaining copies.

Several categories of records are available at no cost:

• Online Records: Many records are freely accessible through the county's website, including:

  • County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
  • Election results and voter information
  • County budgets and financial reports
  • Property assessment information

• Public Terminals: Free access to computerized records is available at:

  • The Thurston County Auditor's Office for property records
  • The Thurston County Clerk's Office for court records
  • The Thurston County Law Library for legal research

• Public Meetings: County Commission meetings and other public meetings are open to the public at no charge

• Published Reports: Annual reports, studies, and publications produced by county departments are often available for free download from the county website

The Washington State Digital Archives also provides free access to historical records from Thurston County, including birth and death records over 100 years old, historical property records, and other archival materials.

Who Can Request Public Records in Thurston County?

Under Washington's Public Records Act, any person may request public records from Thurston County. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, organizations, businesses, and government entities. There are no residency requirements for requesting public records in Thurston County.

Key provisions regarding eligibility include:

• No Purpose Required: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, except in limited circumstances involving certain lists of individuals that might be used for commercial purposes
• No Identification Required: In most cases, requestors are not required to provide identification to access public records
• Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted, though providing contact information is necessary if the records cannot be provided immediately
• Equal Access: All requestors have equal rights of access, regardless of their relationship to the county

Certain specialized records may have additional requirements:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to qualified individuals with a direct interest, such as family members or legal representatives, pursuant to RCW 70.58A.530
• Juvenile Records: Access to juvenile court records is limited by RCW 13.50.050
• Medical Records: Protected health information is subject to HIPAA regulations and state medical privacy laws

Non-residents of Washington State have the same rights to access Thurston County public records as residents. Foreign nationals may also request records, though certain practical limitations may apply regarding payment methods or delivery options.

When requesting records about oneself, individuals may be asked to provide identification to verify their identity, particularly for records containing personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Thurston County?

While Thurston County operates under a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Washington law. The Public Records Act (PRA) contains numerous exemptions designed to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.

Records that are typically confidential in Thurston County include:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers as protected under RCW 42.56.230
• Medical Records: Health information protected by HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Juvenile Records: Most juvenile court and law enforcement records, subject to RCW 13.50.050
• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain criminal records after expungement
• Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement investigative records that would hinder an active investigation if released
• Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by attorney-client privilege
• Employee Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal information in employee files, and similar records
• Adoption Records: Records related to adoptions are confidential under state law
• Child Welfare Records: Child protective services records and reports of child abuse or neglect
• Security Information: Records revealing security vulnerabilities, emergency response plans, or infrastructure details
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to the county
• Preliminary Drafts: Preliminary drafts, notes, and intra-agency memorandums where opinions are expressed or policies formulated

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Thurston County will redact (remove) the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by RCW 42.56.210.

The county must provide a written explanation citing the specific exemption when denying access to records. Denials may be appealed through the county's administrative review process or through legal action in superior court.

Thurston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Thurston County Auditor's Office - Recording Division
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 1, Room 106
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5405
Thurston County Auditor's Office

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

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Marriage licenses
• Military discharge records
• Plat maps and surveys
• UCC filings
• Business license applications

Additional Contact Information:

Thurston County Clerk's Office (Court Records)
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2, Room 110
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5430
Thurston County Clerk's Office

Thurston County Assessor's Office (Property Assessment Records)
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 1, Room 128
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 867-2200
Thurston County Assessor's Office

Thurston County Health Department (Vital Records)
412 Lilly Road NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 867-2500
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Lookup Public Records in Thurston County

Washington State Archives, Digital Archives