Public Records

Clark County Public Disclosure Process (Public Records)

In the interest of transparency and responsibility to all residents, taxpayers and other constituents, Clark County aims to make the process of obtaining public records as easy as possible.  Many public records are readily available on our website www.clark.wa.gov using the search function. For example, the Clark County Open Data page on our website contains a wide variety of assessment, taxation, and GIS data.

Enter the Public Records Request Portal

Some records are not automatically posted online for many reasons, including that they may not be of widespread interest, they are simply too large or they contain confidential information.  Many of these records can be obtained through a public records request, though there are some exemptions to disclosure as determined by state law. 

Teal report cover with text: GovQA Public Reference Guide, Where are my records located?

Prior to submitting your request, please take a few moments to consult this reference guide for information regarding what type of records are available pursuant to the Washing State Public Records Act (PRA) Chapter 42.56 RCW.

Submitting a request

Clark County responds to requests for access to public records in accordance with the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. 

The Public Records Portal is currently unavailable for District and Superior Courts.  Click below to submit a request for records from:

District Court 

Superior Court

To obtain copies of liens, deeds and other recorded documents, please go to the Auditor's Office

As of Jan. 1, 2017, the Clark County Sheriff's Office no longer maintains police reports for the Vancouver Police Department. To make a public records request for a Vancouver Police Department record, please send your request through one of the options below:

  •  vpdpdr@cityofvancouver.us
  •  PO Box 1995, Vancouver, WA 98668.

For other records requests:

Requests of records should be submitted through the GovQA Public Records Request Portal, an online public portal.  Through the GovQA portal, customers have the ability to create an account, submit requests, review FAQs, download records, monitor the status of their current/previously submitted requests(s), and communicate with County public records representatives. 

If you are unsure which department to choose when entering your records request, please use our Public Records Reference Guide to review the most common records request types and the location in which they can be sought.

What to expect after you submit a request

Within five business days after the receipt of a request, County public disclosure representatives will do one or more of the following:

  • Make requested records available for inspection or copying
  • Acknowledge the receipt of the request and provide a reasonable estimate of when requested records will be available.
  • Seek clarification of unclear requests.
  • Deny the request and cite the legal exemption.

Will I be charged for public records?

Clark county has adopted the fee schedule set forth in RCW 42.56.120(2) & (3).  (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56.120).  For more information, please view the County Records officer information and regulations page below.

 

PRA Fee Schedule


Is my request confidential?

Public disclosure requests received by Clark County are public records.  Absent applicable exemptions, public disclosure requests are subject to disclosure upon request. This includes any personal information a requestor provides to the County in making a public disclosure request, such as name, residential address, email address or telephone number.