Des Moines Public Records
Des Moines public records are available through the City of Des Moines under the Washington Public Records Act. Des Moines is a King County city on Puget Sound just north of Federal Way, with roughly 33,000 residents. The city maintains its own records for city government documents and contracts. Police services are provided through a separate arrangement. For Superior Court filings, property records, and county-level records, go to King County. This page covers how to request Des Moines public records and which offices handle which record types.
Des Moines Overview
Des Moines City Public Records Portal
The City of Des Moines accepts public records requests through its online portal at desmoineswa.gov/304/Public-Records-Request. The portal is under the Your Government section of the city website. You can submit a request online, by mail, or in person. The city responds within five business days under RCW 42.56.520.
The designated contact for Des Moines public records is Adrienne Johnson-Newton, Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director. She can be reached at ajohnson@desmoineswa.gov. For general city inquiries, the city phone is (206) 878-4595.
| Office | City of Des Moines, Public Records |
|---|---|
| Contact | Adrienne Johnson-Newton |
| ajohnson@desmoineswa.gov | |
| Phone | (206) 878-4595 |
| Portal | desmoineswa.gov/304 |
Des Moines city records cover City Council materials, ordinances, resolutions, permits, contracts, public works documents, budgets, and administrative files. Emails, digital records, and electronic files are also public records when they relate to official city business under Washington law.
Within five business days, the city must respond. The response will either provide the records, give you a timeline for large requests, ask for clarification, or deny the request in writing with a specific legal basis. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. For large requests, ask for a fee estimate first.
Des Moines Police Department Records
The Des Moines Police Department handles police records separately from the city's general public records process. For incident reports, collision reports, and arrest records involving Des Moines, contact the Police Department directly. Submit requests in writing with the incident date, location, report number if known, and names of parties involved.
Law enforcement records may be withheld under RCW 42.56.240 if disclosure would compromise an active investigation. The department must still respond within five business days to acknowledge the request or issue a written denial with the legal reason for withholding.
What Des Moines City Records Include
Des Moines city records are broad. They include everything the city government creates, owns, uses, or keeps. City Council minutes and agendas, adopted ordinances, permits, contracts, land use applications, budgets, and staff correspondence are all public records. The Washington Public Records Act defines "writing" to include electronic formats. Emails and digital files from city staff are public records when they involve official city business.
Some records are exempt. Personnel files, attorney-client communications, and active investigative records have legal protection from disclosure. But the exemptions are specific. The city must justify each withheld item in writing with the correct RCW citation.
Note: Des Moines Municipal Court records are not subject to the Public Records Act. Contact the court directly for case files and court documents.
King County Records for Des Moines Residents
Many records that affect Des Moines residents are held by King County rather than the city. Superior Court filings, property records, recorded deeds and mortgages, and Sheriff records all belong to King County. Des Moines sits fully within King County. If you need a Superior Court case file, a property search, or Sheriff records, go to the county rather than the city.
Visit the King County public records page for county-level contacts, online tools, and request portals.
Online Search Tools for Des Moines Records
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides free access to King County Superior Court case information. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from King County and surrounding areas, all free to search. For AG ombudsman help with a denied or stalled request, call (360) 570-3418 or email AGOOmbuds@atg.wa.gov.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Des Moines in South King County. Each has its own city-level public records.