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Public Records Requests (For Department of Assessments/Property Valuation Records Only)

King County has an online system to process public records requests. Using this system allows us to respond to requests faster and more efficiently. To use this system, please create an account in Public Records System, and submit your request.

We encourage you to use the online system, but requests can also be made by email to chris.vance@kingcounty.gov, or in writing to our public records officer, Al Dams, 201 S. Jackson St., room 708, Seattle, WA 98104. 206-263-4159. al.dams@kingcounty.gov

If your request is for King County records other than those pertaining to property tax assessments, you may contact:

Public records web links for records other than those pertaining to the King County Assessor

King County Executive
King County Sheriff
King County Council
King County Superior Court

County offices and departments shall make public records available for inspection and copying in accordance with the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). To this end, county assessor offices will provide to the public the fullest assistance to ensure access to records containing information about the conduct of government at all levels, while also being mindful of individuals' privacy rights (as defined by RCW 42.56.050) and the desirability of the efficient administration of government.

You may make an appointment to inspect the requested records free of charge. If you wish to obtain copies pursuant to RCW 42.56.070(8) and RCW 42.56120, we charge $0.15 per page, plus the cost of postage if the records are mailed to you.

PUBLIC RECORD INDEX OF ASSESSOR RECORDS

Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-003
Category Title: Valuation Change Orders
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03A-18
Cutoff: Year-end
Retention Period: 6 years
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Not Archival
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-004
Category Title: Area Files
Category Description (Description of activity): Documentation of estimated market value for the various types of property in each appraisal area.
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03A-04
Cutoff: When superseded by new appraisal cycle. Potential archival value - See archival remarks
Retention Period: 0
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Archival
Archival Remarks: Records from this series may be selected for inclusion in the county's historical records collection. Please contact the County Archivist for an appraisal.
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-005
Category Title: Real Property Excise Tax Affidavit
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03B-06
Cutoff: Date of affidavit
Retention Period: County Assessor - 1 month
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks: Department of Revenue, County Treasurer have primary copy
Archival Status: Not Archival
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-006
Category Title: Tax and Levy Certifications, Letters, Resolutions, and Calculations
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03A-16
Cutoff: When superseded
Retention Period: County Assessor or Treasurer - Destroy when superseded
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks: County Commissioners or Assessors - 6 years
Archival Status: Not Archival
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
King County Council (IA)-Clerk of the Council-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 02-Board of Equalization: The activity of hearing appeals regarding the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-02-001
Category Title: Board of Equalization Appeal Case Files
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-06C-02
Cutoff: After settlement of appeal
Retention Period: Destroy After Settlement of Appeal
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks: Board of Equalization - 6 years*. *If Assessor retains the primary copy of appeal transcripts for the Board, the retention period is 6 years.
Archival Status: Not Archival
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-03-001
Category Title: Segregation and merger log
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-05-08
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: Arrange for immediate appraisal by the King County Archivist.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Archival
Archival Remarks: This record can be transferred to the King County Archives after disposition approval from the agency.
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: AUD-Audit Management: The functions related to conducting audits and studies that identify and recommend effective ways to improve county government.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Recordings: The activity of managing recorded documents.
Category Code Level 3: AUD-01-001
Category Title: Discontinued record series
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AU52-03A-01R1
Cutoff: When no longer needed for agency business
Retention Period: Arrange for immediate appraisal by the King County Archivist
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: Yes
Rule Status: Obsolete
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Archival
Archival Remarks: This record can be transferred to the King County Archives after disposition approval from the agency.
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-03-001
Category Title: Segregation and Merger Orders
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-05-10
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Remodeling Assessment Deferral - 30%
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-01
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Senior Citizen/Disabled Exemptions
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-07
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Senior Citizen/Disabled Deferrals
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-08
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Tax Deferrals
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-04
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: Termination plus 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Non-Profit Exemptions and Claims File
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-06
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: Until Void plus 6 Years.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 03-Maps and Abstracts: The activity of managing maps and abstracts used in the assessment of real and personal property
Category Code Level 3: ASR-04-001
Category Title: Department of Revenue Notice of Exemption Letter
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-04-02
Cutoff: When obsolete or superseded
Retention Period: 1 Year.
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status:
Archival Remarks:
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-001
Category Title: Open Space, Forest, Agricultural Classification Application, and Value Summaries, If Assessor has primary copy
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03B-03
Cutoff: Date of affidavit
Retention Period: Change of Use Plus 6 years
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Archival
Archival Remarks: This record can be transferred to the King County Archives after disposition approval from the agency.
Department, Division, Sections (DDS) with access to this category:
Assessments (Department of)-General-(ALL) All Sections
Category Code Level 1: ASR-Assessment Management: The functions related to the Assessor's Office assessment of real and personal property (not owned by the county) and assessment equalization and appeals.
Category Code Level 2: 01-Assessments: The activity of assessing real and personal property not owned by the county.
Category Code Level 3: ASR-01-011
Category Title: Operating Property Files
Category Description (Description of activity):
Category Notes (Examples of records in this category):
Rule Number (DAN): AS01-03A-11
Cutoff: Date of affidavit
Retention Period: 6 years
Cross Reference:
Essential Record: No
Rule Status: Active
Rule Remarks:
Archival Status: Archival
Archival Remarks: This record can be transferred to the King County Archives after disposition approval from the agency.