Redmond Public Records
Redmond public records are available through the City Clerk's office and the Redmond Police Department. Redmond is a King County city east of Seattle, home to Microsoft and Nintendo of America, with roughly 70,000 residents. The city handles city government records and police records through separate offices. This page covers how to submit requests, what each office holds, applicable fees, and how to find King County records for Redmond residents.
Redmond Overview
Redmond City Public Records
The City of Redmond processes public records requests through the City Clerk's office under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. The city website at redmond.gov provides current contact information, request procedures, and online forms. You can submit requests online, by mail, by email, or in person at City Hall.
The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. Inspection of records is free. Electronic records are often available at no charge or a reduced rate. For larger requests, ask for a fee estimate before the city begins copying.
Redmond 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 include emails, texts, digital files, and any electronic format used in city business. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records that could harm active investigations are exempt under RCW 42.56. The city must state the specific legal basis when denying a request.
| City Website | redmond.gov |
|---|---|
| Response Time | 5 business days |
| Copy Fee | $0.15 per page |
Redmond Police Department Records
Redmond Police Department public records are handled through the police records portal at redmond.gov/698. The Police Department processes requests in the order they are received. Payment for police records can be made by VISA, MasterCard, check, or cash.
Police records include incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, and other law enforcement documents. Submit police records requests to the Police Department directly, not to the City Clerk. Include the incident date, location, report number if available, and names of parties involved to help staff locate the records.
Some police records are exempt under RCW 42.56.240 if disclosing them would harm an active investigation or endanger someone's safety. Body-worn camera footage requests are processed under the same framework as other police records but may involve additional time for required redactions. The department must respond within five business days and provide a written denial with the specific legal basis if records are withheld.
What Redmond City Records Include
Redmond city records cover everything the city creates, owns, uses, or retains in official business. City Council meeting materials, land use applications, building permits, code enforcement files, contracts with vendors and service providers, budget documents, and staff correspondence are all public records. As a major tech corridor city, Redmond also holds records related to large commercial development projects, transportation planning, and economic development activities.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records tied to active investigations are the most common exemptions under RCW 42.56. When denying a request, Redmond must provide the specific statutory basis in writing. Requestors who disagree with a denial can seek review through the city's process or petition King County Superior Court.
Redmond Municipal Court records are not subject to the Public Records Act in the same way city government records are. Contact the court directly for municipal court case files involving traffic infractions or misdemeanor cases. For felony criminal cases and major civil matters, those are filed at King County Superior Court.
King County Records for Redmond Residents
Superior Court filings, property records, recorded documents, and Sheriff records for Redmond are held by King County. Redmond is in King County, and county-level records are maintained in Seattle. For those records, contact King County directly. Visit the King County public records page for county contacts and online tools.
King County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above $100,000, family law matters, probate, and appeals. The King County Clerk maintains these court files. Property records including deeds, liens, and mortgages are recorded with the King County Auditor. The King County Assessor maintains parcel and property tax records including the eReal Property online tool. King County Sheriff provides law enforcement to unincorporated areas of King County near Redmond.
Online Search Tools
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 free to search. For vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Redmond in the Eastside area of King County. Each has its own public records process.