Federal Way Public Records

Federal Way public records are available through three separate offices: the City Clerk's department, the Federal Way Police Department, and Federal Way Municipal Court. The city sits in King County, south of Seattle, with a population of roughly 97,000 residents. Each office handles a different type of record under Washington's Public Records Act. This page walks you through which office to contact, how to submit a request, and what you can find online without filing a formal request.

Federal Way City Public Records

The City Clerk's department is the main public records office for general Federal Way government documents. This covers city contracts, ordinances, resolutions, permits, budgets, council meeting minutes, and administrative records. To submit a request, visit the city's public records page at federalwaywa.gov/page/public-records. You can submit online, by mail, or in person at City Hall.

Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond within five business days. That response can be the records themselves, an estimate of when they will be ready, a request for clarification, or a written denial with a legal basis. Most routine city records can be inspected for free. Copies cost up to $0.15 per page by default unless the city has calculated higher actual costs.

The city's public records page is where most general document requests start. If you are looking for a permit, a contract, or city council materials, the Clerk's office is the right place to go.

The Federal Way public records portal at federalwaywa.gov shows you how to submit your request and what to expect. Read the page before submitting so your request is specific enough for staff to locate the records quickly.

The city's public records page outlines the three request types and provides contact details for each office handling Federal Way public records.

Federal Way Police Department Records

Police records in Federal Way are handled by the Federal Way Police Department, not the City Clerk. This includes incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, and body-worn camera footage. The Police Department is located in the same building as City Hall but operates a separate public records process.

To request police records, contact the Federal Way Police Department directly at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 101, Federal Way, WA 98003. The main records line is (253) 835-6700. You can submit a request in person or through the city's public records portal. Body-worn camera requests require specific information: the name of the person involved, the incident or case number, and the date, time, and location of the event, or the name of the officer. Under RCW 42.56.240, some law enforcement investigative records may be withheld if release would harm an active investigation.

Note: Police records and city government records are separate processes. Sending a request to the wrong office may delay your response.

Federal Way Municipal Court Records

Federal Way Municipal Court is located at 33325 8th Ave. S., Suite 102, and can be reached at (253) 835-3000. The court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and city ordinance violations. Court records are not subject to the Washington Public Records Act. They are governed instead by Washington Court General Rule 31.1, which provides its own framework for access to court documents.

To get copies of court records, contact the court clerk directly at the number above. Asking through the city's public records process will not get you court records. The court and the city are separate record-keeping systems.

For cases that were filed in King County Superior Court rather than Federal Way Municipal Court, records are held by the King County Superior Court Clerk. Those are accessible through King County's courts portal or by visiting the courthouse at 516 Third Ave in Seattle.

What Federal Way Public Records Cover

Federal Way public records span a wide range of government documents. The City Clerk holds legislative records, including City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions, as well as adopted budgets, city contracts, and land use decisions. The city's administrative departments generate their own records: building permits, code enforcement actions, public works project files, and financial reports.

Washington's Public Records Act defines "public record" broadly. Under RCW 42.56.010, the term covers any writing that contains information relating to the conduct of government, including emails, text messages, voicemails, photos, maps, videos, and electronic files. So if you are looking for a city email thread about a development project, that is likely a public record. If you want footage from a traffic stop, that goes through the Police Department. The right office depends on what you need.

Certain records are exempt from disclosure. These include personal employee information, active law enforcement investigation files, attorney-client communications, and some financial data. The city must cite a specific statutory exemption if it withholds any record.

King County Records for Federal Way Residents

Many records affecting Federal Way residents are held by King County, not the city. Superior Court filings, property records, deed recordings, vital records, and Sheriff records all belong to the county. If you need a Superior Court case file or a recorded property document, go to King County rather than the city.

King County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, family law matters, probate, and civil cases above the Municipal Court threshold. The county's online tools include a Records Access Portal for case information and the eReal Property system for property assessment records. Both are free and available without filing a formal request.

Visit the King County public records page for county-level office contacts, search portals, and resources that serve Federal Way residents.

Online Records Tools

Several online tools let you find Washington public records without submitting a formal request. The Washington State Odyssey Portal provides free case lookups for courts across the state, including King County. The Washington State Digital Archives holds millions of historical government records and lets you search without a fee.

The Washington State Attorney General's Office runs a public records ombudsman for people who have trouble getting records. Email AGOOmbuds@atg.wa.gov or call (360) 570-3418. The ombudsman offers informal help before you need to take legal action. More information is at atg.wa.gov/open-government.

The Washington State Odyssey Portal covers King County court cases and is free to search without an account.

Nearby Washington Cities

These cities are near Federal Way. Each has its own public records process separate from King County records.