Public Records

Anyone can ask to see written records produced by Washington State government agencies including the Department of Health. To find out more, choose from the following options:

• Submit a public records request through our DOH Public Records Portal. Please provide as much information as you can about the records so we can respond as quickly as possible.
• Request or view records in person by appointment at one of our DOH office locations – Temporarily suspended at this time 
• Have general questions -- contact our divisions/offices for more information.

How to receive records and the associated costs:

Unless you choose to receive paper copies of the requested records or to view the records in person, you can log into our DOH Public Records Portal to retrieve your electronic records.

• DOH Public Records Fee Schedule (PDF) – costs associated with production and delivery of records.
• Where to submit general information questions for DOH divisions/offices
• Public Records Request – List of Individuals – Commercial Purpose Declaration Form (Word)
• Public Records - COVID-19 (viewed best in Google Chrome)

WACs and RCWs pertaining to Public Records

• Acquisition, security, retention, disclosure and destruction of health information (WAC 246-08-390)
• Medical records - State law (RCW 70.02)
• Public Records Act - State law (RCW 42.56)

HIPAA

Certain types of information about Department of Health clients cannot be made available. To find out more about patient and client privacy protections under federal law, visit the federal HIPAA site.

Fees

As February 19, 2018 WAC 246-08-990 (RCW 42.56.120) authorizes the Department of Health to collect reasonable costs for providing copies (paper or electronic). Paper copies may be sent to you in the mail. Electronic copies may be sent to you via email, placed on a CD, USB drive, or posted to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) webpage (if no redactions are needed).