Public Records Request

Generate Your PRR Letter

Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) gives you the right to obtain the agency records you need to challenge your ticket. Fill in the details and copy your letter.

Send this early — agencies have 5 business days to respond

Under RCW 42.56.520, the agency must respond within 5 business days. Send your PRR as soon as you receive your ticket — before you even send your IRLJ 3.1 discovery demand. The records you receive may inform your discovery demand.

Your Case Details

Your PRR Letter

October 28, 2026 [AGENCY NAME] [AGENCY ADDRESS] Re: Public Records Request — RCW 42.56 Requestor: [YOUR NAME] Infraction Date: [DATE] Citing Officer: [OFFICER NAME] To the Public Records Officer: Pursuant to RCW 42.56 (Washington Public Records Act), I request copies of all records relating to the traffic infraction issued to me on [DATE], including the citing officer's report, any device records, and all evidence the agency intends to use at the hearing. I request that these records be provided in electronic format (PDF) if possible. If any records are withheld in whole or in part, please provide a written index of withheld records and the specific exemption claimed for each. Under RCW 42.56.520, you must respond to this request within five (5) business days, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing a reasonable estimate of when the records will be available, or denying the request with a written explanation. Please direct your response to: [YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [SEND VIA CERTIFIED MAIL — RETAIN GREEN RETURN RECEIPT CARD] [ALSO EMAIL TO THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICER IF AN EMAIL ADDRESS IS AVAILABLE]

Send via certified mail. Retain the green return receipt card. Also email to the agency's public records officer if an email address is available.

Finding the right agency

Send your PRR to the law enforcement agency that issued the ticket — not the court. For city police, send to the city's public records officer. For the Washington State Patrol, send to WSP Headquarters Public Records. For county sheriff, send to the county sheriff's public records officer.

Adams County
Asotin County
Benton County
Chelan County
Clallam County
Clark County
Columbia County
Cowlitz County

Search "[agency name] public records request" to find the correct mailing address and email.

Your notes are not legal advice — they are your own observations for your personal case file.