Adams County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Adams County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Adams County, Washington, may access publicly available information through AdamsWARecords.us, which aggregates data related to a range of county-level records. Adams County maintains official records through several government offices, and the categories of documents that may be available include court filings, property records, vital records, business licenses, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs. Availability and completeness of records vary by record type, custodial office, and applicable exemptions under state law.
Records in Adams County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals.
Online Access:
- The Adams County official website provides access to select county records and department contacts.
- The Washington State Digital Archives hosts the Adams County Auditor miscellaneous recordings covering documents recorded from 1988 onward.
- Court case information is searchable through the Washington Courts case search portal, which includes Adams County Superior Court filings.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches on the Washington Courts portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Adams County Auditor's Office or the Adams County Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and a written description of the records sought. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate department if the records are maintained elsewhere.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the records sought with reasonable specificity, including the names of parties, approximate dates, and record type. Under RCW 42.56.520, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of time needed, or denying the request with a written explanation.
Phone/Email:
- Adams County Auditor's Office: (509) 659-3249
- Adams County Clerk's Office: (509) 659-3257
Adams County Auditor's Office 210 W Broadway Ave, Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-3249 Adams County Auditor
Adams County Clerk's Office 210 W Broadway Ave, Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-3257 Adams County Clerk
What Are Public Records in Adams County?
Public records in Adams County are defined under Washington State law as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency. The governing statute is RCW 42.56.010, which establishes the Public Records Act and sets the foundational definition of public records in Washington.
The following categories of records are maintained by Adams County government offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law): Maintained by the Adams County Clerk's Office and searchable through the Washington Courts case search system.
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats): Recorded and maintained by the Adams County Auditor's Office.
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Birth and death certificates are issued by the Washington State Department of Health; marriage licenses are issued by the Adams County Auditor.
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names): Maintained by the Adams County Auditor and the Washington Secretary of State.
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Maintained by the Adams County Assessor's Office.
- Voting and election records: Maintained by the Adams County Auditor's Elections Division.
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Published by the Adams County Board of Commissioners.
- Budget and financial documents: Available through the Adams County Auditor's Office.
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports): Maintained by the Adams County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions.
- Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Adams County Planning Department.
Is Adams County an Open Records County?
Adams County operates in full compliance with Washington State's open records framework. Under RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act mandates that all state and local government agencies make their records available for public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The Act reflects a legislative declaration that "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest."
The Washington State Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the Public Records Act and notes that "the Public Records Act requires agencies to make all public records available for inspection and copying unless the record falls within a specific exemption." Adams County agencies are bound by this standard and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those permitted under state law. The county does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; the provisions of RCW 42.56 govern all requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Adams County?
Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge. Fees apply when copies are requested. The current standard fee structure for Adams County records is consistent with state guidelines and the schedules established by individual offices.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.15 per page |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $5.00 for the first page; $1.00 per additional page |
| Electronic copies (scanned on request) | Actual cost of scanning |
| Vital records (certified birth/death certificates) | Set by the Washington State Department of Health |
Accepted payment methods at Adams County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Under RCW 42.56.120, agencies may charge for the actual cost of providing records, including the cost of copying, but may not impose fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not mandated by state statute for general public records requests, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Adams County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Adams County government offices during regular business hours. Washington State law requires that agencies permit members of the public to inspect records without charge; fees apply only when copies are made.
The following resources provide free access to Adams County records:
- The Washington Courts case search portal allows free online searches of Adams County Superior Court case information.
- The Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to Adams County Auditor recorded documents from 1988 onward.
- The Adams County Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data through the county website.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are published at no cost on the Adams County official website.
Free inspection at a public counter differs from receiving free copies. Requestors who wish to retain copies of records are subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Adams County?
Any person may submit a public records request to Adams County agencies. Washington State law does not restrict the right to inspect or copy public records to residents of the state. Non-residents, organizations, and legal entities all hold the same right of access as Washington residents under RCW 42.56.
Requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate residency in Adams County or Washington State
- Provide identification for most records requests
- State the purpose for which the records are sought
Identification may be required in limited circumstances, such as when a requestor seeks records that contain their own personal information or when access to a secure facility is necessary to inspect records. Certain record types, including criminal history records maintained by the Washington State Patrol, require the requestor to identify themselves and pay applicable fees for background check services.
Requestors seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, follow a separate process and may be required to provide proof of identity. Third-party requests for records containing personal information about another individual are subject to applicable privacy exemptions.
What Records Are Confidential in Adams County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Washington State law enumerates specific categories of exempt records, and Adams County agencies apply these exemptions when responding to public records requests. The primary exemptions statute is RCW 42.56.200 through RCW 42.56.480, which identifies the following categories of records as exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- Sealed court records and records subject to court protective orders
- Juvenile court records, subject to limited exceptions
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations where disclosure would jeopardize the investigation
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws
- Adoption records, which are sealed under Washington State law
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of public employees, with exceptions for records relating to misconduct
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details
Washington State law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals. Agencies are required to provide the portions of a record that are not exempt when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, a process known as redaction.
Adams County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Adams County Auditor's Office 210 W Broadway Ave Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-3249 Adams County Auditor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Adams County Clerk's Office 210 W Broadway Ave Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-3257 Adams County Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Adams County Assessor's Office 210 W Broadway Ave Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-3246 Adams County Assessor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Adams County Sheriff's Office 115 W Court St Ritzville, WA 99169 (509) 659-1122 Adams County Sheriff
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Washington State Department of Health – Vital Records 101 Israel Rd SE Tumwater, WA 98501 (360) 236-4300 Washington State Department of Health