Administrative Public Records Request Information

Please be advised that pursuant to State Law and Court Rule, the Burlington Municipal Court and the Burlington Police Department receive and respond to record requests separately from the City of Burlington. For record requests involving Burlington Municipal Court records or Burlington Police Department, please click here.

To request copies of administrative public records from the City of Burlington, please complete the fillable electronic Public Records Request Form.

Alternately, you can print and complete the Request for Public Records Form (PDF) and submit it to Public Records Officer via:

  • Fax: 
    • 360-755-1297
  • Mail
    • Burlington City Hall, 833 South Spruce Street, Burlington, WA 98233
  • Or contact the City of Burlington by phone: 360-755-0531

Please be aware that email delivery may be delayed or fail in limited circumstances. If you do not receive a response within five (5) business days, please call 360-755-0531 

Requirements

Public Records requests must include:

  • Name, address, and contact information of the requestor
  • Description of public records adequate to locate the records
  • Date of request

You will receive a response within five business days.

Note: Many public records are currently available on the city's website at no cost. Examples include the Comprehensive Plan, critical areas and shoreline updates, budgets, County Council meetings (current and past), ordinances, resolutions, City Code, Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), sex offender registry, and other reports.

Role of Public Records Officer

  • Oversee compliance with the Public Records Act
  • Provide the fullest assistance to requestors
  • Coordinate response to requests with departments and offices
  • Provide most timely possible and efficient action on requests
  • Fulfill requests without excessive interference with city business
  • Protect public records from damage or disorganization

Records Index

There is no single index of city records. The City of Burlington has numerous departments and offices. The records are complex and stored in multiple locations, for these reasons indexing is unduly burdensome. The public records officer will coordinate with departments to assure compliance with the Public Records Act.