Spokane Public Records
Spokane public records are available through the City Clerk's office and Spokane Municipal Court using the GovQA portal. Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and the county seat of Spokane County, with roughly 230,000 residents. The city processes public records requests for city government records and municipal court records through separate but coordinated offices. This page covers how to request records, contact information, fees, and how to find Spokane County records for Spokane residents.
Spokane Overview
Spokane City Public Records
The City of Spokane uses the GovQA portal for public records requests. The City Clerk serves as the Public Records Officer. City Hall is at 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201. The Clerk's office email is clerks@spokanecity.org. Requests can be submitted through the GovQA portal, by email, by mail, or in person.
The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. Within that time, the city will make the records available, acknowledge with an estimate, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial with the specific legal basis. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. Inspection is free. Electronic records may be available at no charge.
City records include City Council meeting minutes and agendas, ordinances, resolutions, land use and building permits, contracts, budgets, utility records, 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 would harm active investigations are exempt under RCW 42.56.
| Portal | GovQA (spokane city) |
|---|---|
| City Hall | 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd Spokane, WA 99201 |
| clerks@spokanecity.org | |
| Copy Fee | $0.15 per page |
Spokane Municipal Court Records
Spokane Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and civil infractions within Spokane city limits. The court is at 1100 W Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99260. Municipal court records requests go to mcrecords@spokanecity.org.
Municipal court records are governed by Washington court rules and GR 31, not the Public Records Act. Contact the court directly or email mcrecords@spokanecity.org for court case records, certified copies, or court documents. Fees for court records are set by court rule and may differ from standard city records copy fees.
For felony criminal cases, civil matters above the municipal court threshold, family law matters, and Superior Court cases, those are filed at Spokane County Superior Court. Spokane is the Spokane County seat, so the county courthouse is in the city. The Odyssey Portal provides access to Spokane County Superior Court case information.
Spokane Police Department Records
Spokane Police Department handles law enforcement records separately from the City Clerk. Police records include incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, body-worn camera footage, and other law enforcement documents. Submit police records requests through the GovQA portal or directly to the Police Department.
Some police records are exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240 if releasing them would harm an active investigation or endanger someone's safety. Body-worn camera footage involves additional time for required redactions under Washington law. The department must respond within five business days and provide a written denial with the specific legal basis if records are withheld.
What Spokane City Records Include
Spokane city records cover everything the city creates, owns, uses, or retains in official business. City Council materials, planning and zoning records, building permits, code enforcement files, utility records, contracts, budget documents, and staff correspondence are all public records. As a major city with extensive municipal services — water, sewer, parks, transit, fire — Spokane holds a large volume of operational records in addition to administrative records.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records related to active investigations are the most common exemptions. When Spokane denies a request, it must provide the specific statutory basis in writing. Requestors who disagree can seek review or petition Spokane County Superior Court.
Spokane County Records for Spokane Residents
Superior Court filings, property records, recorded documents, and Sheriff records for Spokane are held by Spokane County. Spokane is the county seat, so the county courthouse is in the city. For county records, contact Spokane County directly. Visit the Spokane County public records page for county contacts and online tools.
Spokane County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above $100,000, family law, probate, and appeals. The Spokane County Clerk maintains these court files. Property records including deeds, liens, and mortgages are recorded with the Spokane County Auditor. The Spokane County Assessor maintains parcel and property tax records. Spokane County Sheriff provides law enforcement to unincorporated areas of the county.
Online Search Tools
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides free access to Spokane County Superior Court case information. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from Spokane County free to search. For vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Spokane in Eastern Washington. Each has its own public records process.