Some of the most frequently requested documents are not created nor maintained by the City of Tacoma.  Please contact the following agencies for the items below:

For most Police related records, contact the Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA) at:  http://southsound911.org/public_records_request.shtml

For birth and death certificates, contact the Pierce County Health Department at:  www.tpchd.org

Divorce decrees may be obtained from the County court in which the divorce was granted.  Here is a link to the State of Washington Courts:  http://www.courts.wa.gov

For marriage records, contact the Pierce County Auditor's Office at:  www.co.pierce.wa.us/PC/abtus/ourorg/aud/default.htm

For property taxes and sales history on property in the City of Tacoma, contact the Pierce County Assessor's office at:  www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/at/at.htm

I understand that Washington State law limits certain uses, including but not limited to RCW 42.17.130, prohibiting using lists of persons to promote election of persons or for promotion or opposition of ballot measures and RCW 42.56.070(9), prohibiting using lists of individuals for commercial purposes. By submitting this form, I hereby declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of Washington, that the requested records shall not be used in violation of state law.  If I have requested that the City prepare copies of the records, I hereby acknowledge that I have read and agree to the payment of required fees shown below.

Records Request Process: All Public Disclosure Requests (PDRs) shall be directed to the Public Records Officer. Upon receipt of a Public Disclosure Request, the Public Records Officer shall evaluate and determine whether the requested records are exempt by law from inspection or copying, in whole or in part.

Within five business days of the receipt by the City of the request for records, the
Public Records Officer shall:
     - Provide the record, or the portion of the record(s) subject to disclosure, after the payment
       of applicable fees;
     - Acknowledge the City’s receipt of the request, accompanied by an estimate of time 
       necessary for further response;
     - Deny the request accompanied by an explanation of the basis of denial;
     - Request a deposit for the records requested; or 
     - Ask for clarification of the request for records.

Fees: A fee of $.15 per page per side is to be charged for providing letter size copies of documents, or as otherwise provided for in the City’s fee schedule.

Deposit for Duplication: The Public Records Officer may require the requester to deposit a sum equal to 10% of the estimated cost prior to duplication of the records. In the event that a deposit is required, the City will notify the requester of the necessity of the deposit. If the actual duplication and deposit fees are less than the amount deposited by the requester, the City will return the sum in excess of the actual amount to the requester.

Payment of Required Fees: Payment of duplication and applicable postage fees shall be made prior to the disclosure of public records. When a deposit is required, the payment of a deposit shall be made prior to the duplication of any records. All payments shall be made by cash, money order, or check payable to the City Treasurer.

Certain information is exempt from disclosure; refer to RCW 42.56 for information on state law regarding public records and certain records which are exempt from public disclosure.