Kittitas County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kittitas County?

Public records in Kittitas County are defined under Washington State's Public Records Act, RCW § 42.56, 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. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of documents maintained by county offices, courts, and administrative bodies.

Members of the public may access the following categories of records in Kittitas County:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Kittitas County Superior Court and District Court. Archived superior court case files from 2015 onward are accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments maintained by the Kittitas County Auditor's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Birth and death records are held by the Washington State Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Kittitas County Auditor and Superior Court Clerk, respectively.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name (DBA) registrations maintained by the Kittitas County Auditor's Office.
Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Kittitas County Assessor's Office and Treasurer's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Kittitas County Auditor's Office.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of County Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions maintained by the Kittitas County Commissioners' Office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records maintained by the Kittitas County Auditor's Office.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Permits, zoning decisions, and environmental review documents maintained by the Kittitas County Department of Community Development.

Is Kittitas County an Open Records County?

Kittitas County fully complies with Washington State's open records framework, which is among the most expansive in the nation. Under RCW § 42.56.070, each agency of state and local government is required to make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within a specific statutory exemption. The law further mandates that agencies adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations to provide full public access to records, protect records from damage or disorganization, and prevent excessive interference with essential agency functions.

Washington's Public Records Act reflects the state legislature's declaration that the people's right to know the performance of their public agents is a fundamental and necessary precondition to the exercise of democratic control. Kittitas County agencies are obligated to respond to public records requests promptly and within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of when records will be available, or denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.

The county does not currently maintain a single centralized public records portal; requests are directed to the specific office that maintains the records sought. The decision in Kittitas County v. Allphin further illustrates how Washington courts have interpreted agency obligations under the Public Records Act, including the responsibilities of public records officers to fulfill disclosure commitments.

How to Find Public Records in Kittitas County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Kittitas County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the maintaining agency.

Step 1 — Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the records sought. Property and election records are held by the Auditor's Office; court records are held by the Superior Court Clerk or District Court Clerk; law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.

Step 2 — Submit a written request. Most agencies accept requests submitted in person, by mail, by email, or through an online portal. Requestors should describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow agency staff to locate them. Standard court forms are available through the Washington State Courts website for court-related requests.

Step 3 — Use online search tools where available. Members of the public may use the Washington Courts Case Search to locate Kittitas County Superior Court case information online. Scheduled hearing dates may be verified through the Find My Court Date portal. Appellate filings may be accessed through the Washington State Appellate Courts Filing Portal.

Step 4 — Contact the clerk's office directly. For certified copies, transcripts, or records not available online, requestors may contact the Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk. The county clerk and transcript contact list maintained by the Office of Public Defense provides direct contact information for obtaining court records and transcripts.

Step 5 — Allow for agency processing time. Agencies are required under RCW § 42.56.520 to respond within five business days. Complex or voluminous requests may require additional time, and agencies must provide written notification of any extension.

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

Current fees for public records in Kittitas County vary by record type and the office providing the records. Washington State law permits agencies to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of providing records, as outlined under RCW § 42.56.120.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Photocopies — Typically $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with the default rate established under state law.
Certified copies — The Kittitas County Auditor charges fees for certified copies of recorded documents; current rates are available directly from the Auditor's Office.
Electronic records — Agencies may charge for the actual cost of electronic transmission, including the cost of any digital storage media provided.
Court records — The Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk charges statutory fees for certified copies of court documents; fees are set by the Washington State Legislature.
Vital records — Certified copies of marriage records obtained through the Auditor's Office are subject to a per-copy fee established by state statute.

Accepted payment methods vary by office and generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Washington law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances, particularly when disclosure is in the public interest and the requester is a nonprofit organization or member of the news media.

Does Kittitas County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Kittitas County, as Washington State law requires agencies to allow members of the public to inspect records at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

Several categories of records are currently available at no cost through official online resources:

Court case information — Members of the public may search Kittitas County Superior Court case records at no charge using the Washington Courts Case Search tool.
Warrant information — Active warrant data for individuals under the supervision of the Washington State Department of Corrections is searchable at no cost through the warrant search portal.
Well reports — Property owners and members of the public may access well report data, including location, owner name, and water quantity information, through the well report gateway maintained by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Archived court case files — Kittitas County Superior Court case files from 2015 onward are accessible through the Washington State Digital Archives at no charge.
Public defender information — Information regarding the Kittitas County Department of Public Defense and related legal resources is available through the Washington State Office of Public Defense at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kittitas County?

Any person may request public records in Kittitas County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Washington's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the identity or location of the requestor. Specifically, under RCW § 42.56.080, agencies may not require requestors to provide identification or to state the reason for their request as a condition of access to public records.

The following principles govern eligibility under current law:

Residency — Requestors are not required to be Washington State residents or Kittitas County residents.
Identification — Agencies may not require requestors to identify themselves, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor.
Purpose — Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, though providing context may assist agency staff in locating responsive records more efficiently.
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the identity of the requestor.
Requesting one's own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves may be required to provide identification to verify their identity before certain protected records are released.

Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under Washington's open records framework, and agencies may not impose additional requirements on out-of-state requestors.

What Records Are Confidential in Kittitas County?

Washington State law establishes numerous exemptions to public disclosure, codified primarily in RCW § 42.56.200 through RCW § 42.56.480. Kittitas County agencies apply these exemptions when responding to public records requests.

Records that are currently exempt from public disclosure include:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under RCW § 13.50.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would endanger any person or jeopardize the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are exempt from disclosure.
Medical and health records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption records are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for records relating to public employees' official duties and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing vulnerability assessments or security plans for critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the severability provisions of Washington's Public Records Act.

Kittitas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kittitas County Auditor's Office serves as the county recorder and maintains official records of property transactions, vital records, business filings, and elections. Members of the public may inspect or request copies of recorded documents during regular business hours.

Kittitas County Auditor's Office 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 102, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7508 Kittitas County Auditor

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 213, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7531 Kittitas County Superior Court Clerk