Mason County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Mason County?

Public records in Mason County, Washington, are defined under the Washington State Public Records Act, codified at RCW § 42.56, 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. Members of the public may access a broad range of documents maintained by Mason County agencies through the county's public records request portal.

The following categories of records are currently available through various Mason County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files are maintained by the Mason County Superior Court Clerk and the District Court. Members of the public may obtain court documents and case filings through the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded and maintained by the Mason County Auditor's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are held by the Mason County Auditor and the Washington State Department of Health.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are administered through the Mason County Community Services and the Washington Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Mason County Assessor's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are managed by the Mason County Auditor's Elections Division.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of Mason County Board of County Commissioners meetings, including agendas and approved minutes, are available through the Mason County WA Government website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits are maintained by the Mason County Auditor and the Board of County Commissioners.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Mason County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Permits, zoning decisions, and environmental review documents are held by Mason County Community Services, Department of Public Works, and related planning agencies.

Is Mason County an Open Records County?

Mason County fully complies with Washington State's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under RCW § 42.56.070, each agency of state and local government is required to make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within a specific statutory exemption. This provision establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, placing the burden on the agency to justify any withholding of records.

Key provisions of the Washington Public Records Act currently applicable to Mason County include:

Agencies must respond to a public records request within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of time for response, or denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.
Agencies are prohibited from requiring requestors to state a reason or purpose for their request, except in limited circumstances defined by statute.
Mason County has adopted internal public records policies consistent with state law, and each department designates a public records officer responsible for coordinating responses to requests.

Mason County's compliance with Washington's "sunshine laws" ensures that government operations remain transparent and accountable to the public. The county's centralized records request system is accessible through the Mason County public records services page.

How to Find Public Records in Mason County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Mason County public records through several methods, each designed to accommodate different types of requests and levels of urgency.

Step 1 — Identify the Custodial Agency Determine which county department or office maintains the records being sought. Property records are held by the Auditor; court records by the Superior Court or District Court Clerk; health-related records by Mason County Public Health & Human Services.

Step 2 — Submit a Public Records Request Requests may be submitted in the following ways:

Online: Use the electronic request form available on the Mason County public records request page.
In person: Visit the relevant department during regular business hours and complete a written request form at the public counter.
By mail: Send a written request to the appropriate department's mailing address.
By email: Many departments accept requests via email; contact information is listed on each department's webpage.

Step 3 — Describe the Records with Specificity Requestors should provide as much detail as possible, including the type of record, relevant dates, names of parties involved, and any identifying numbers such as parcel numbers or case numbers. Specific descriptions reduce processing time and help agencies locate responsive records efficiently.

Step 4 — Await Agency Response Under RCW § 42.56.520, agencies must respond within five business days. If additional time is needed, the agency must provide a written estimate of when records will be available.

Step 5 — Review and Receive Records Records may be inspected in person at no charge, or copies may be requested for a fee. Digital records may be transmitted electronically upon request.

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

Mason County charges fees for copies of public records in accordance with the fee schedule authorized under Washington State law. Current fees applicable to most county departments are as follows:

Black-and-white paper copies: Fifteen cents ($0.15) per page for standard letter or legal size documents, as permitted under RCW § 42.56.120.
Color copies: Actual cost of reproduction, which may exceed the standard per-page rate.
Electronic records: Fees for scanning or transmitting electronic records are based on the actual cost of reproduction, including staff time for scanning where applicable.
Certified copies: Vital records and certain court documents carry separate certification fees established by the respective office.
Court document copies: The Mason County Superior Court and District Court may charge fees consistent with applicable court rules and state statutes.

Accepted payment methods vary by department but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to Mason County. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and that waiver would not result in private gain.

Does Mason County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge under Washington State law. Free inspection is available at the offices of the custodial agency during regular business hours, without the need to purchase copies. The following free resources are currently available:

Online records portal: The Mason County WA Government website provides access to numerous records online at no cost, including meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and certain property information.
Public Health records: Mason County Public Health & Human Services is currently in the process of making parcel-related records available electronically through its public records request page, which will expand free online access.
Court case information: Basic case information for Superior Court and District Court matters may be reviewed through publicly accessible court terminals located at the courthouse.
In-person inspection: Any member of the public may visit a county office and inspect records during business hours without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mason County?

Any person may request public records from Mason County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Washington State law does not restrict access to public records based on the identity or location of the requestor. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Mason County and Washington State retain the same rights to request public records as county residents.
Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not demand that requestors provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor.
Purpose need not be stated. Under current law, requestors are not required to explain why they are seeking records, and agencies may not condition access on the provision of a reason.
Requesting records about oneself vs. others: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal health or court records, may be required to verify their identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure. Records about third parties are subject to the same disclosure rules, with applicable exemptions for personal privacy.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile court records, adoption files, and sealed court documents, are restricted by statute regardless of who is making the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Mason County?

Certain records maintained by Mason County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Washington State law. RCW § 42.56.230 and related provisions of the Public Records Act identify numerous categories of exempt records, including but not limited to:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders and dependency proceedings are confidential under state law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would endanger persons or jeopardize the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records — Health information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy statutes is exempt from disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under both state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee records are exempt to the extent they contain personal information, though certain employment-related information, such as job titles and salaries of public employees, remains subject to disclosure.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to the county in connection with permits or contracts may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Documents describing vulnerabilities in public infrastructure or security systems are exempt from disclosure.

When an agency withholds records or redacts portions of a document, it is required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Washington courts apply a balancing test in certain cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals named in the records.

Mason County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Mason County Auditor's Office serves as the official recorder of deeds, liens, mortgages, and other instruments affecting real property, as well as vital records and election administration. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail, phone, or online.

Mason County Auditor's Office 411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584 Phone: (360) 427-9670 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Mason County Auditor

Mason County Superior Court Clerk's Office 411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584 Phone: (360) 427-9670 Hours: Monday–Friday (hours subject to change; members of the public are advised to confirm current hours prior to visiting) Superior Court – Court Documents and Case Filings

Mason County District Court 419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584 Phone: (360) 427-9670 Hours: Monday–Friday (hours subject to change) Access to Public Records – District Court

Mason County Public Health & Human Services 415 N 6th St, Shelton, WA 98584 Phone: (360) 427-9670 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Public Records Requests – Mason County Public Health