Pullman Public Records
Pullman public records are available through the City Clerk's office and the Pullman Police Department in Whitman County. Pullman is home to Washington State University and is the largest city in Whitman County, with roughly 34,000 residents. This page covers how to request records from the city, which offices handle different types of records, and how to find Whitman County records that serve Pullman residents.
Pullman Overview
Pullman City Public Records
The City of Pullman processes public records requests through the City Clerk's office. The public records request link is available directly from the main navigation at pullman.gov. You can submit requests online, by mail, by email, or in person. The City Clerk serves as the Public Records Officer for city government records.
The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. Within that time, the city will either provide the records, acknowledge the request with a reasonable estimate of when records will be available, ask for clarification if the request is unclear, or deny the request in writing with the specific legal basis. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. Inspection of records in person is free.
City records include City Council meeting minutes and agendas, ordinances, resolutions, land use and building permits, contracts, budgets, and administrative correspondence. Washington law defines "writing" broadly to cover emails, texts, and digital files used in city business. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records that could harm active investigations are exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.
| City Website | pullman.gov |
|---|---|
| Response Time | 5 business days |
| Copy Fee | $0.15 per page |
Pullman Police Department Records
The Pullman Police Department handles law enforcement records separately from the City Clerk. Police records include incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, and other law enforcement documents. Submit police records requests directly to the Police Department rather than the City Clerk.
Include the incident date, location, report number if available, and names of parties involved when submitting a request. Some police records are exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240 if releasing them would harm an active investigation. The department must still acknowledge your request within five business days and provide a written denial with specific legal basis if records are withheld.
Pullman is a university city, and the Pullman Police Department works closely with Washington State University Police on matters affecting both the campus and city. WSU Police handles law enforcement on university property and processes their own public records requests separately through WSU's public records office. If your request involves an incident on or near campus, clarify which agency responded to determine where to direct your request.
What Pullman City Records Include
Pullman city records cover all documents the city creates, owns, uses, or retains in official business. City Council materials, planning and zoning files, building permits, code enforcement records, contracts, budgets, financial records, and staff correspondence are all public records subject to RCW 42.56. The city also maintains records related to the large student population, including event permits and noise complaint files.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records that would harm active investigations are the most common exemptions. When Pullman denies a request, it must provide the specific statutory basis in writing. Requestors who disagree with a denial can seek review through the city or petition superior court.
Pullman Municipal Court records are not subject to the Public Records Act in the same way city records are. Contact the court directly for municipal court case files. For felony criminal cases and major civil matters, those are filed at Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax, the county seat.
Whitman County Records for Pullman Residents
Superior Court filings, property records, recorded documents, and Sheriff records for Pullman residents are held by Whitman County. The county seat is Colfax, not Pullman, so county court records are maintained in Colfax even though Pullman is the largest city in the county. For those records, contact Whitman County directly. Visit the Whitman County public records page for county contacts and online tools.
Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above the district court threshold, family law, probate, and appeals. Property records including deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded with the Whitman County Auditor in Colfax. The Whitman County Assessor maintains property tax and parcel records. Contact the relevant county office for records beyond city government records.
Online Search Tools
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides free access to Whitman County Superior Court case information. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from Whitman County free to search. For vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Pullman in Eastern Washington. Each has its own public records process.