(1) This procedure for requesting public records ensures the office can provide the fullest assistance to requestors; prevent unreasonable invasions of privacy; protect public records from damage or disorganization; and prevent excessive interference with essential functions of the office.
(2) Submitting a request.
(a) Persons seeking public records of the office are strongly encouraged to, before submitting a records request, first review the following website, where many Washington state records are free for viewing and downloading at any time. If any of the web addresses below become inoperable, record seekers may contact the office to learn any replacement addresses or about similar resources:
(i) Https://tre.wa.gov/public-records-index provides a list of records available on the office's website, including data and information related to the state's investments and debt.
(ii) Https://fiscal.wa.gov provides access to Washington state budgets, revenue, and spending data.
(iii) Https://ucp.dor.wa.gov provides a searchable database of unclaimed property held on behalf of Washington residents.
(iv) Https://data.wa.gov provides access to multiple datasets maintained by Washington agencies.
(b) Requests for records under the provisions of the Public Records Act may be submitted to the office in one of the following ways:
(i) Online:https://tre.wa.gov/public-records-requests. Requestors are strongly encouraged to submit requests through the office's secure online Public Records Act portal, which allows requestors to also track the status of their request and easily receive documents of any type or size.
(ii) Email: publicdisclosure@tre.wa.gov
(iii) U.S. mail or delivery:
Washington State Treasurer
Attn: Public Records Officer
416 Sid Snyder Avenue, S.W.
P.O. Box 40200
Olympia, WA 98504-0200
(iv) In person. A request may be submitted to staff at the administrative office during customary office hours. A printed form will be provided to requestors submitting oral requests in person. The completed form will be directed to the public records officer to be processed as described in this chapter.
(c) Each request should include the following information:
(i) Name of requestor;
(ii) Address of requestor;
(iii) Direct contact information, including telephone number and email address, to allow for communication if clarification is required, and for notification when records are available for viewing or retrieval; and
(iv) A clear description identifying the public records requested, including dates of the records or transactions, if appropriate.
(d) Communications seeking office records, but which are sent or provided to unauthorized locations, addresses, or staff may not be accepted as or processed as Public Records Act requests. The office may process such communications as constituent correspondence or general requests for information, as appropriate. Requestors are strongly encouraged to submit their request to the public records officer as directed in (b) and (c) of this subsection.