Request Public Records

The Department of Children, Youth and Families provides records as required by state law (RCW 42.56).

DCYF believes in the importance of the public’s right to know about its operations and activities. Many public documents are available on the DCYF website and may be located by using the search function on the site. If you do not find the information you seek on the website, or if you are seeking client records, you may make a public records request. 

Tips for Requesting Records 

  • Include contact information and a clear description of the records you are requesting.  
  • Your request should be for documents that already exist.  
  • Be as specific as possible in your request and include DCYF involvement, specific documents, and a timeframe when appropriate. 
  • You must obtain written consent from anyone who is the subject of your search that is not yourself. Complete the DCYF Authorization form.

DCYF rules about processing public records requests are located in chapter 110-01 WAC.

How to Request a Copy of Public Records

You may make a public disclosure request to any office of DCYF. You should ask to contact the Public Records Coordinator appointed for that office. If you don’t know which office has the records you seek or are seeking records from different parts of DCYF, you can send your request to the Public Records Officer. You may use the Request for Records form or send your request to:

DCYF Public Records Officer

PO Box 40992
Olympia WA 98504-0992

Intake Phone: (360) 407-5520 or 1-844-506-8375
Fax: (360) 407-5571
Email: dcyf.publicdisclosure@dcyf.wa.gov

Due to confidentiality of agency records, inspection and copying of records is available by appointment only, during the customary office hours of the agency. For public inspection of records, please contact the Public Disclosure Unit at dcyf.publicdisclosure@dcyf.wa.gov. 

The agency will accept service via email to dcyf.publicdisclosure@dcyf.wa.gov or at 1500 Jefferson, ST SE, Olympia, WA 98501.

If your request includes a list of individuals please complete the Declaration on Commercial Purposes form certifying the list will not be used for commercial purposes.

Confidential and Exempt Records: State and federal law exempt some DCYF records from disclosure because they contain client information. By law, DCYF may not disclose these records outside DCYF or its authorized partners with limited exceptions. Certain types of personal information about DCYF employees is also confidential.

If you are requesting confidential records about someone other than yourself, you must have that person’s permission to obtain those records. You can use the DCYF Authorization form or another form that complies with state and federal laws to allow you to see or obtain copies of those records. If you are a client and want someone to have copies of your records, you may fill out this form. Attorneys, please note that a subpoena is generally not sufficient to obtain DCYF client records. If you do not have permission or other legal authority to have confidential records, DCYF will deny your request for records.

Additional Resources