Washington FOIA procedures

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Each state varies slightly in the procedures used to gain access to public documents. This article serves to describe specifically the steps used in Washington. To read the history and details of Washington’s sunshine laws please see Washington Public Records Act

How to request public records in Washington

Public agencies are required to develop their own procedures for FOIA requests and are not obligated to nominate an official records custodian. Requests should be directed to the agency in custody of the records and according to that particular agencies procedures.

Purpose and use

Washington law does not require a statement of purpose and explicitly states that purpose cannot factor into the rejection of a claim unless provided for explicitly by statute. ^[1] However, there are no restrictions placed on the use of records.

Who may request public records?

See also: List of who can make public record requests by state

Anyone may request records in the state of Washington.

Fees

See also: How much do public records cost?

Washington allows charging of fees not to exceed $.15 per page for duplication. The fees charged cannot include overhead costs which include the maintenance of equipment and the labor required to search and copy the records. ^[2]

Response time

See also: Request response times by state

Washington allows 5 days for records responses.

Exemptions

See also

• Washington Public Records Act
• Washington Open Public Meetings Act

External links

• Revised Code of Washington public records act
• Open Government Guide to Washington

References

	v • d • e State of Washington Olympia (capital)
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Divisions	State | List of Counties | List of Cities | List of Towns | List of School Districts | Evaluation of county websites | Evaluation of city websites | Evaluation of township websites | Evaluation of school district websites |
Government	Washington State Constitution | Executive | House of Representatives | Senate |
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Ballot Measures	Ballot measures | Ballot measures listed by year | List of local ballot measures | Procedures for qualifying an initiative | Laws governing the initiative process | Signature requirements | Recall law | Ballow access law litigation | History of direct democracy | Campaign finance requirements |