Chelan County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chelan County?

Public records in Chelan County encompass all documents, files, recordings, and other materials created or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.010, public records include "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 regardless of physical form or characteristics."

Chelan County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases maintained by the Chelan County Superior Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax liens
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meetings, advisory boards, and other public bodies
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The Chelan County Auditor's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and business filings, while the Chelan County Clerk serves as custodian of court records. Other specialized records are maintained by their respective departments, such as the Assessor's Office for property assessments and the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.

Is Chelan County an Open Records County?

Chelan County fully complies with the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) § 42.56, which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Act explicitly states that "the people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them" and that "the people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created."

Under § 42.56.070, Chelan County agencies must make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The county has adopted comprehensive policies to ensure compliance with state transparency laws, including the appointment of Public Records Officers in each department who are responsible for coordinating responses to records requests.

Chelan County also adheres to Washington's Open Public Meetings Act § 42.30, which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public. The Chelan County Board of Commissioners conducts regular public meetings and publishes agendas and minutes in accordance with these transparency requirements.

The county's commitment to open government is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which provides guidance on submitting public records requests and accessing commonly requested information.

How to Find Public Records in Chelan County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Chelan County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

1. Submit a Public Records Request: Individuals may submit formal requests to the appropriate county department. The Chelan County Public Records Request form can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

2. Visit Department Websites: Many records are available directly through department websites:

   • Property records through the Assessor's Office
   • Court records via the Superior Court
   • Recorded documents through the Auditor's Office

3. Use Online Databases: Chelan County provides several searchable databases:

   • The Property Information Portal for property records
   • The Odyssey Portal for court records
   • The Auditor's Recording Search for recorded documents

4. Visit County Offices in Person: Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate office:

Chelan County Courthouse
400 Douglas Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 667-6800
Chelan County Government

5. Contact the Public Records Officer: Each department has a designated Public Records Officer who can provide guidance on locating specific records.

For historical records, researchers may need to contact the Washington State Archives, Central Regional Branch, which maintains older Chelan County records that have been transferred from county offices.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Chelan County?

Chelan County charges fees for public records in accordance with RCW § 42.56.120, which authorizes agencies to charge for the actual costs of providing copies of records. Current standard fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies
• Color Copies: $0.25 per page
• Electronic Records:
  • $0.10 per page for scanned documents
  • $0.05 for every four electronic files or attachments
  • $0.10 per gigabyte for electronic records transmission
• Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media
• Mailing Costs: Actual cost of postage and shipping containers

Specialized records may have different fee structures established by state law:

• Recorded Documents (Auditor's Office): $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
• Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses: $10.00
• Court Records: Varies by document type, with certified copies typically costing $5.00

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) at most county offices. Some departments may require payment in advance before records are produced.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the agency determines that providing the record primarily benefits the public. Additionally, there is no fee for inspecting records in person or for accessing records available on the county's website.

Does Chelan County Have Free Public Records?

Chelan County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records free of charge during normal business hours at the appropriate county office. Agencies will provide reasonable accommodation for this review.

• Online Resources: Many records are freely available through the county's website and online databases:

  • County Commissioner Meeting Minutes and Agendas
  • County Code and Ordinances
  • Election Results
  • Property Information Search
  • Budget Documents

• Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Chelan County Courthouse for searching certain records, including court documents and property information.

• Washington Digital Archives: Historical Chelan County records, including marriage records, property agreements, and other historical documents, are available at no cost through the Washington State Digital Archives.

While inspection is free, requestors seeking copies of records will generally incur the standard fees outlined in the previous section, unless a specific fee waiver applies.

Who Can Request Public Records in Chelan County?

Under the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.080, any person may request public records in Chelan County. The law states that "agencies shall not distinguish among persons requesting records," meaning:

• Requestors do not need to be Washington residents
• Requestors do not need to provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
• Requestors do not need to state a purpose or reason for their request
• Requestors may remain anonymous for most record types

However, certain limitations apply to specific record categories:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to qualified individuals with a direct interest, such as the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order.

• Law Enforcement Records: Some investigative records may be restricted while cases are active or if release would compromise privacy or safety.

• Juvenile Records: Access is limited by RCW § 13.50 to protect the privacy of minors.

• Voter Registration Records: While basic voter information is public, certain details like driver's license numbers are protected.

When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Commercial use of certain records may also be subject to additional restrictions or specialized fee structures.

Government agencies, researchers, attorneys, and media organizations have the same rights of access as individual members of the public, with no special privileges beyond what is provided in state law.

What Records Are Confidential in Chelan County?

While Chelan County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.230-42.56.480, which contains numerous specific exemptions. Records that are typically confidential include:

• Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information that would violate privacy rights if disclosed

• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws

• Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors, except under specific circumstances outlined in RCW § 13.50.050

• Active Investigations: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations that would hinder case resolution if released

• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and county attorneys

• Employee Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal contact information, and other private employment details (with exceptions for certain basic employment information)

• Security Information: Records that would reveal vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, computer systems, or building security

• Sealed Court Records: Court files that have been sealed by judicial order

• Adoption Records: Information about adoptions, which are confidential under state law

• Certain Real Estate Records: Appraisals and other documents related to real estate transactions prior to completion

• Proprietary Business Information: Trade secrets and confidential business data submitted to the county

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Chelan County will redact (remove) only the exempt portions and provide the remainder of the record, as required by RCW § 42.56.210.

Chelan County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Chelan County Auditor's Office
350 Orondo Avenue, Level 5
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 667-6800
Chelan County Auditor

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Services:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Marriage licenses
• Military discharge records
• Plat maps and surveys
• UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings
• Business license applications

Public Records Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

For court records, contact:

Chelan County Clerk's Office
350 Orondo Avenue, Level 6
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 667-6380
Chelan County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Chelan County

Chelan County Historical Records