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Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104

Click here to email us

Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711

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Home » Public Records Requests

Public Health Records Requests
Procedure for official requests for information

What is a Public Record?

A public record is 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." (RCW 42.17.020(27)

A writing is broadly defined and includes: "handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, and every other means of recording any form of communication ore representation, including, but not limited to, letters, words, pictures, sounds or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, motion picture, film and video recordings, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, diskettes, sound recordings, and other documents including existing data compilations from which information may be obtained or translated." (RCW 42.17.020(29)

You may request public documents maintained by Public Health - Seattle & King County by specifying the type of document you are seeking.

For instance, if you would like a copy of a swimming pool inspection, you will need to specify the address of the swimming pool, as well as the time frame for which you are seeking the document(s):  "I would like inspection reports for the last three years for the swimming pool located in the ABC Apartments at 12345 Random Street in Seattle, 98101."

Please note that many documents are not electronic, so we must have a mailing address in order to process the request.  Once your request is received, you will be advised of applicable costs and the anticipated time that it will take to produce any documents that may exist responsive to your request.

Mail your public records request to:

Compliance Office
Public Health - Seattle & King County
400 Yesler Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104

or by email: Compliance.Health@kingcounty.gov

Download a form to fill out your request in Adobe PDF format. You may type your information directly on the lines of the form then print it out or print a blank copy and fill in the blanks in writing.

If you have questions regarding your request, call the
Compliance Office at 206-205-5975.

Requests for assistance on other issues

Please note that public records refer to any written materials that Public Health maintains. This is not the mechanism for submitting complaints or receiving general information regarding programs and services offered by Public Health. Please refer those questions to the following links:

Updated: Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 09:10 AM

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. For more information please call 206-296-4600 (voice) or TTY Relay: 711. Mailing address: ATTN: Communications Team, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104 or click here to email us. Because of confidentiality concerns, questions regarding client health issues cannot be responded to by e-mail. Click here for the Notice of Privacy Practices. For more information, contact the Public Health Privacy Office at 206-205-5975.

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