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How to Find Public Records in Pacific County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Pacific County, Washington, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county, state, and court channels. PacificCountyRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. The categories of records that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Law enforcement records and arrest logs
Business licenses and permits
Tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

Members of the public may search Washington court records through the Washington Courts Case Search portal, which covers Pacific County District Court and Superior Court filings. Recorded land records dating from 1996 onward are accessible through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives, which hosts the Pacific County Auditor's recorded land documents. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on these platforms.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Pacific County Auditor's Office or the Pacific County Clerk's Office, both located at 300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and a written description of the records sought.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the Pacific County Auditor, P.O. Box 67, South Bend, WA 98586. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under RCW § 42.56.520, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within five business days.

Phone/Email:

The Pacific County Auditor's Office may be reached by telephone at (360) 875-9320. The Pacific County Clerk's Office may be contacted at (360) 875-9320. Email contact information is available on the respective office websites.

What Are Public Records in Pacific County?

Public records in Washington State are defined under RCW § 42.56.010 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. The following record types are maintained by Pacific County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Pacific County Superior Court / District Court
Deeds, mortgages, liens	Pacific County Auditor
Birth, death, marriage certificates	Pacific County Public Health
Business licenses and permits	Pacific County Auditor
Property tax and assessment records	Pacific County Assessor
Voting and election records	Pacific County Auditor
Meeting minutes and agendas	Pacific County Board of Commissioners
Budget and financial documents	Pacific County Treasurer
Arrest logs and incident reports	Pacific County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Pacific County Planning Department

The Washington State Court Directory for Pacific County identifies the Superior Court as the primary repository for civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files. The Pacific County Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records, including incident reports and arrest logs, subject to applicable exemptions.

Is Pacific County an Open Records County?

Pacific County fully complies with Washington State's open records framework. Under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW § 42.56, all state and local agencies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. As the Washington State Attorney General's Office has stated, "The Public Records Act reflects the Legislature's intent that agencies make records available to the public as a fundamental right of citizenship."

The Act establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure. Any denial of a public records request must be accompanied by a written statement citing the specific statutory exemption that justifies withholding the record. Pacific County agencies are required to maintain a public records officer responsible for coordinating responses to requests. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may seek judicial review in superior court or file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Pacific County is governed by state law and individual agency fee schedules. Under RCW § 42.56.120, agencies may charge fees that reflect the actual cost of providing records, including the cost of copying, scanning, and electronic transmission.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal)	$0.15 per page
Color copies	Actual cost
Electronic records (scanned to email/CD)	Actual cost of scanning
Certified copies (vital records)	$25.00 per certificate (Washington DOH standard)
Certification fee (court records)	Varies by document
Inspection of records	No charge

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records officer.
Fees for vital records obtained through Pacific County Public Health and Human Services follow the Washington State Department of Health schedule.

Does Pacific County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Pacific County government offices during regular business hours. Washington State law requires that agencies permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge; fees apply only when copies or electronic transmissions are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Washington State Archives Digital Archives provides free online access to Pacific County Auditor recorded land records from 1996 onward, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
The Washington Courts Case Search portal allows free online searches of court case information for Pacific County Superior Court and District Court.
The Washington State Department of Corrections warrant search tool provides free public access to active warrant information searchable by name, DOC number, crime, or county.
Public access terminals are available at the Pacific County Courthouse for in-person inspection of court and property records at no cost.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records in person without charge, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Pacific County?

Any person may request public records in Pacific County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Washington's Public Records Act does not require requestors to be Washington State residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. As the Washington State Attorney General's Office has noted, "Agencies may not require requestors to provide their name or contact information as a condition of fulfilling a public records request, though providing contact information facilitates the agency's response."

Residency: Not required.
Identification: Not required for most records; may be required for certain restricted records such as sealed court files or records containing personal identifying information.
Purpose: Not required to be stated.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or court authorization.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records (e.g., personal criminal history) may be required to provide identification to verify identity and ensure accurate retrieval.

Members of the public submitting requests through the City of Pacific public records portal must include their name, contact information, and a description of the records sought, consistent with standard agency practice.

What Records Are Confidential in Pacific County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Washington law. RCW § 42.56 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are restricted under RCW 13.50.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would jeopardize the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under RCW 74.13.
Personnel records: Employee personal information is exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public duties.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

Agencies are required to apply a balancing test when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information; the non-exempt portions must be disclosed after redaction of exempt content.

Pacific County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Pacific County Auditor (Recorder)
300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586
(360) 875-9320
Pacific County Auditor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Pacific County Superior Court (Clerk's Office)
300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586
Mailing: P.O. Box 67, South Bend, WA 98586
(360) 875-9320
Pacific County Superior Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Pacific County Sheriff's Office
300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586
(360) 875-9300
Pacific County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pacific County Public Health and Human Services (Vital Records)
216 N. 1st Street, Suite 1, Raymond, WA 98577
(360) 875-9343
Pacific County Public Health – Vital Records

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Pacific County Assessor's Office
300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586
(360) 875-9320
Pacific County Assessor